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abby_ace_of_books 's review for:
Heart of Flames
by Nicki Pau Preto
One of my book "Roman Empires" is how every time Tristan sees Veronyka in battle, he always takes a moment to think about how beautiful she is and how much he loves her...
Heart of Flames is the second book in the Crown of Feathers series, and it has some of my favorite scenes in the entire series (yes, most of them are at the end of the book because, and yes, it's because they're angsty). Another one of my favorite things in books is historical parallels, which this series delivers a ton of.
This book picks up where the last one left off, albeit with two additional POVs. Veronyka is now a Phoenix Rider, but she struggles with the implications of her heritage and the revelation of Val being Avalkyra Ashfire reborn. Tristan's POVs mostly line up with Veronyka's as they try to defend the Phoenix Riders from the empire that wants them dead. Also returning as a POV is Sev, who is now working as a spy for Lord Rolan, who is leading the empire against the Riders politically (and also has to deal with his complicated feelings for Kade). We're also introduced to Elliot's POV (we'll get to that later) and Avalkyra's, which mainly focuses on Val's desire to turn Veronyka to her side. I will admit that parts of the story are a bit slow, but the ending is definitely worth it and there's a lot of plot twists throughout to keep it interesting.
The characters are really the highlight for me. Veronyka and Tristan's relationship is so beautifully done and I love their vulnerability and also just how natural the development feels. Xephyra and Rex, too, are adorable. Once again, Sev's POV catches my attention just because he's so angsty and I really like his dynamic with Kade (especially with how it fluctuates throughout the story). I still don't love Elliot (although I get why he's important) nor do I really care for many of the other side characters. Avalkyra is really interesting to me because her flaws are both obvious and subtle, and I think she's just very neat.
Heart of Flames is the exciting and wonderfully written sequel to Crown of Feathers, and some of the scenes replay in my mind on a permanent loop.
4.5/5
Heart of Flames is the second book in the Crown of Feathers series, and it has some of my favorite scenes in the entire series (yes, most of them are at the end of the book because, and yes, it's because they're angsty). Another one of my favorite things in books is historical parallels, which this series delivers a ton of.
This book picks up where the last one left off, albeit with two additional POVs. Veronyka is now a Phoenix Rider, but she struggles with the implications of her heritage and the revelation of Val being Avalkyra Ashfire reborn. Tristan's POVs mostly line up with Veronyka's as they try to defend the Phoenix Riders from the empire that wants them dead. Also returning as a POV is Sev, who is now working as a spy for Lord Rolan, who is leading the empire against the Riders politically (and also has to deal with his complicated feelings for Kade). We're also introduced to Elliot's POV (we'll get to that later) and Avalkyra's, which mainly focuses on Val's desire to turn Veronyka to her side. I will admit that parts of the story are a bit slow, but the ending is definitely worth it and there's a lot of plot twists throughout to keep it interesting.
The characters are really the highlight for me. Veronyka and Tristan's relationship is so beautifully done and I love their vulnerability and also just how natural the development feels. Xephyra and Rex, too, are adorable. Once again, Sev's POV catches my attention just because he's so angsty and I really like his dynamic with Kade (especially with how it fluctuates throughout the story). I still don't love Elliot (although I get why he's important) nor do I really care for many of the other side characters. Avalkyra is really interesting to me because her flaws are both obvious and subtle, and I think she's just very neat.
Heart of Flames is the exciting and wonderfully written sequel to Crown of Feathers, and some of the scenes replay in my mind on a permanent loop.
4.5/5