Crown of Feathers

"Absolutely unforgettable." -Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series "A beautifully told story about justice, sisterhood, and warrior women." -Shea Ernshaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep "Epic in the truest sense." -Quill and Quire An Ember in the Ashes meets Three Dark Crowns in this lush debut fantasy novel about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join a secret group of warriors that ride phoenixes into battle. I had a sister, once… In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders-legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire-until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart. I promised her the throne would not come between us. Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders-even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks. But it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled. Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders' return and intends to destroy them once and for all. Sometimes the title of queen is given. Sometimes it must be taken. Crown of Feathers is an epic fantasy about love's incredible power to save-or to destroy. Interspersed throughout is the story of Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Rider queen, who would rather see her empire burn than fall into her sister's hands. Nicki Pau Preto is a fantasy author living just outside Toronto-though her dislike of hockey, snow, and geese makes her the worst Canadian in the country. She studied art and art history in university and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of the Crown of Feathers trilogy and the House of the Dead Duology, and you can find her online at NickiPauPreto.com. "A skilled cast of narrators brings a compelling fantasy world to life in Niki Pau Preto's first novel. Joy Osmanski voices Veronyka, a war orphan whose betrayal by her sister, Val, spurs her to disguise herself as a boy in order to join the rebel phoenix riders. Sev, a war orphan on a different path, is voiced in a wary, rumbling tone by Jacques Roy, whose excellent narration enables Sev's adjacent storyline to hold its own against the main thread. The cast works together flawlessly, echoing each others' personalities and cadences to create a seamless image of each character. Drama and action are interspersed with a deeply woven history that will draw listeners into the politics and mythology of this richly developed world."

Veronyka, Tristan, and Sev must stop the advancing empire from destroying the Phoenix Riders in this fiery sequel to Crown of Feathers, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake calls "absolutely unforgettable!" You are a daughter of queens. The world is balanced on the edge of a knife, and war is almost certain between the empire and the Phoenix Riders. Like Nefyra before you, your life will be a trial by fire. Veronyka finally got her wish to join the Riders, but while she's supposed to be in training, all she really wants to do is fly out to defend the villages of Pyra from the advancing empire. Tristan has been promoted to Master Rider, but he has very different ideas about the best way to protect their people than his father, the commander. Sev has been sent to spy on the empire, but maintaining his cover may force him to fight on the wrong side of the war. And Veronyka's sister, Val, is determined to regain the empire she lost-even if it means inciting the war herself. Such is your inheritance. A name. A legacy. An empire in ruin. As tensions reach a boiling point, the characters all find themselves drawn together into a fight that will shape the course of the empire-and determine the future of the Phoenix Riders. Each must decide how far they're willing to go-and what they're willing to lose in the process. I pray you are able to pass through the flames. Nicki Pau Preto is a fantasy author living just outside Toronto-though her dislike of hockey, snow, and geese makes her the worst Canadian in the country. She studied art and art history in university and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of the Crown of Feathers trilogy and the House of the Dead Duology, and you can find her online at NickiPauPreto.com. "Catapulting listeners back into the Golden Empire and the heart of the Phoenix Riders, this stunning and highly anticipated sequel to the CROWN OF FEATHERS electrifies listeners. Cassandra Campbell, Michael Crouch, Samantha Desz, Gibson Frazier, Joy Osmanski, Timothy Andrés Pabon, and Jacques Roy unite for Nicki Pau Preto's series once again. With a complex storyline, the use of multiple narrators is an excellent choice, as collectively they give a unique feel to each of the main characters by using varied vocal effects, accents, and pacing. While embodying a large cast, the narrators take listeners on an epic adventure to save the fate of an empire and discover the importance of listening to one's heart, no matter the consequences."

In the heart-stopping finale to the Crown of Feathers trilogy, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake calls "absolutely unforgettable," Veronyka must face her most devastating enemy yet: her own sister. I had a sister, once… ​Veronyka is no longer an orphaned stable boy or a nameless Phoenix Rider apprentice: she is the daughter of Pheronia Ashfire, the last queen of the Golden Empire…and the niece of Avalkyra Ashfire, the resurrected rebel queen who tore the empire apart. We shone brightly, burned fiercely. Now that the secret is out, everyone at the Eyrie treats Veronyka differently, and with Tristan still a hostage of the scheming Lord Rolan-and Sev with him as a spy-Veronyka feels very much alone. Except for her beloved phoenix, Xephyra, of course, and her new friend, Kade, who has his own reasons for wanting to save Tristan. Was it always going to come down to this? Sister against sister? Darkness against light? Veronyka is determined to do whatever it takes to get Tristan back, even if that means revealing her identity to the world and inheriting a throne she's not sure she wants. But when she discovers that Avalkyra has bonded with a strix-a legendary creature of darkness that feeds off the life force of others-Veronyka realizes she has more to deal with than an encroaching war with the empire. Val is willing to destroy everything to get her revenge on a world that rejected her, and if Veronyka wants to bring peace to the empire and Pyra alike, she must face down her sister once and for all. The world began with Ashfire queens…perhaps they will also be its destruction. Nicki Pau Preto is a fantasy author living just outside Toronto-though her dislike of hockey, snow, and geese makes her the worst Canadian in the country. She studied art and art history in university and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of the Crown of Feathers trilogy and the House of the Dead Duology, and you can find her online at NickiPauPreto.com.