I think all the rage right now is dragons, and it was fun to read something else other than that! Who knew how cool phoenix riders could be?

This book mainly follows Veronyka and her dream of being a phoenix rider. 16 years before, the empire was torn between two sisters who each claimed the throne this led to both their deaths and the extinction of phoenix riders. The Council now rules the empire as the royal family has become extinguished. Veronyka lives with her sister, Val, as they both search for phoenix eggs. Veronyka learns of a training camp for phoenix riders, but they only take boys, so she disguises herself as one in order to join. 

I thought this story was very unique and I also enjoyed the magic system. It's pretty basic with most magical users being animages, meaning they can build connections with animals and even command them. The stronger ones can bond with phoenixes, and then become the renowned phonex riders. 

This book has three POVs, Veronyka, Tristan, who is a phoenix rider in training at the camp, and Sev, who is a soldier in the empire's army. Sev's POV was very hard for me to read as it felt removed from the main story. Eventually it ties into to all three POVs and is essential for the story, but it was hard not to give into the impulse to skip ahead. 

I also really wished for more actual phoenix riding in this. Veronyka spends more of her time training for becoming an apprentice than actually learning how to become a phoenix rider. However, her and Tristan's development is well done as Tristan learns how to face his fear of fire and Veronyka learns how to be less dependent on her manipulative sister, Val. Val is a straight up sociopath and I'm very intrigued to see what is going to happen to the sisters in the sequel.