Crown of Feathers

Sixteen years ago, legendary Phoenix Rider Avalkyra battled her sister, Pheronia, for the empire’s throne. Pheronia’s forces prevailed, executing Avalkyra’s army of Riders for treason and ordering the registration and taxation of animages, people who are magically able to communicate with animals. Now, impoverished animages such as 16-year-old orphan Veronyka and her sister, Val, must hide their talents or risk becoming indentured bond servants. The siblings have spent years searching for phoenix eggs so that they might become Riders and fight to restore animage rights, but after a jealous Val betrays Veronyka, they part ways. Veronyka discovers a fledgling all-male squadron of Riders in the mountains and poses as a boy in order to join them, then falls for fellow recruit Tristan and faces a difficult choice. Initially dense with worldbuilding, debut author Pau Preto’s series opener steadily gathers steam before closing with a pulse-pounding crescendo. Veronyka, Tristan, and conflicted imperial soldier Sev trade chapters, their stories interweaving to heighten tension, deepen character, and illustrate the importance of empathy, equality, community, and knowing one’s own truth. Ages 12–up. [em](Feb.) [/em]