4.5 rounded up// 

The Phoenix King is an action-packed and captivating fantasy debut. Elena is the crown princess in the kingdom of Ravence, whose rulers are legendary for controlling the Eternal Fire- except she can’t wield it yet. If she can’t control her powers on the day of her coronation, she will not be accepted by her subjects. When the former assassin Yassen is added to her guard, Elena is suspicious. To secure an alliance, Elena agrees to marry Yassen’s friend Samson. Elena will have to accept his help and the alliances that come with it in order to survive the war looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, Elena’s father schemes behind the scenes to protect the kingdom. What type of queen will Elena be when she is put to the test? 

The Phoenix King is filled with high-stakes politics, dangerous magical powers, and morally gray characters. Yassen and Elena are compelling characters as they fight for their goals. Elena is a fierce and strong character who has had the goal of becoming queen her entire life. Yassen is a morally gray character who has been forced into unthinkable choices. I am so curious to see more of their relationship explored in future books!

 Elena’s journey to harnessing her powers is long and difficult. I enjoyed learning more about her mother’s journey and what led her to make the choices that she did. I also really liked Ferma’s powers and how she was able to use her hair during a fight. There is an incredibly detailed amount of world-building happening in this book. Readers who enjoyed Kaikeyi (Vaishnavi Patel), The Jasmine Throne (Tasha Suri), and The Jasad Heir (Sara Hashem) will love this book. I’m looking forward to the sequel! 

Thank you to Aparna Verma, Orbit Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.