This Cursed Crown

by Alexandra Overy, Fiona Hardingham (Read by)

Overview

In the explosive sequel to These Feathered Flames, twin sisters Izaveta and Asya find themselves separated once again, but discovering a way back to each other may be their most perilous challenge yet.

Awakening to find herself trapped in a strange tower, Izaveta knows she must find her way back to the Tóurensi palace and claim the throne. But even with an unexpected ally’s help, she worries she might not be able to get news of her survival to her sister and escape this frozen land.

Back at home, Asya enlists Nikov’s help to prove Izaveta is still alive, even as she finds herself forced to navigate the political world she always sought to avoid to save her queendom, her loved ones, and herself.

But as the sisters work independently to reunite, a dangerous force lies in wait, trying to regain power in order to overthrow the monarchy…

Praise for These Feathered Flames:

“With themes of destiny, sisterhood, and sacrifice, plus a blossoming queer romance that left me yearning for Book Two, this retelling of a classic Russian fairy tale was a thrill from start to finish."—Nina Varela, author of the Crier’s War duology

“These Feathered Flames has all the elements I love in young adult fantasy: lyrical prose, a unique spin on folklore, and the complicated relationship between sisters.”—Mara Rutherford, author of the Crown of Coral and Pearl duology

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798200712465
Publisher:	Harlequin Audio
Publication date:	12/06/2022
Series:	The These Feathered Flames Series , #2
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Alexandra Overy grew up in London and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her undergraduate degree in history at UCLA. She then went on to complete her MFA in screenwriting also at UCLA, and stuck around for the weather and great ice cream. She loves writing in all formats, from novels to screenplays to graphic novels, always centering on fierce women and morally gray characters, often with a bit of magic and murder. When she’s not writing, she can be found baking, fangirling over her favorite books, or cuddling her kitten. This Cursed Crown is her third novel. AlexandraOvery.com

Fiona Hardingham is a British-born actress, singer, voice-over artist, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. On stage, she appeared at the Edinburgh Festival in her comedic one-woman show The Dark Show. She has also starred in the dark-comedy short film The Ballerino. She earned a BA honors degree in performing arts from Middlesex University, London, and also studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for This Cursed Crown

"Part heist, part meditation on sacrifice, love, and ambition: a riveting coming-of-age tale." —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for These Feathered Flames

"These Feathered Flames is a stunning debut as dark, lush, and captivating as the best fairy tales. Overy’s writing is both lyrical and grounded, and I was just as taken by the court politics as I was by the complex, layered relationship between sisters Asya and Izaveta—one gentle and one ruthless, both destined to protect their kingdom. With themes of destiny, sisterhood, and sacrifice, plus a blossoming queer romance that left me yearning for Book Two, this retelling of a classic Russian fairy tale was a thrill from start to finish." —Nina Varela, author of the Crier’s War duology

“As brilliant as a firebird, These Feathered Flames has all the elements I love in young adult fantasy: lyrical prose, a unique spin on folklore, and the complicated relationship between sisters. From the first page to the last, Overy’s debut will have readers burning to know what happens next.” —Mara Rutherford, author of the Crown of Coral and Pearl duology

"These Feathered Flames is a beautiful story of sisterhood, court intrigue, and ancient magic that simultaneously draws on established folklore and breathes new life into it. With luscious worldbuilding and two skillfully crafted heroines that will ensnare your heart, this book is a fantastic start to a new series!" —Kalyn Josephson, author of The Storm Crow duology

“An engrossing fantasy tale about sisterhood and what it means to be able to fully trust another person.” —School Library Journal

"This compelling series opener is narrated by both sisters as they struggle to overcome fear and distrust to be true allies. Though the sisters’ relationship is paramount, their relationships with others, including Asya’s burgeoning romance with a female guard, prove crucial. This will appeal to those who enjoy character-driven stories of magic and courtly intrigue." —Booklist

"Asya’s exhilarating, tightly plotted fights and Izaveta’s clever political machinations play out against Slavic-inspired historical and cultural elements to create a thoroughly compelling tale of strength and sisterhood." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2022-12-24
Royal twins Izaveta, raised to become queen, and Asya, who physically embodies the spirit and power of the mythical Firebird, fight to find their ways back to one another after a major betrayal.

Picking up mere days after the explosive events of These Feathered Flames (2021), this duology closer finds Asya desperate to believe that Izaveta survived the Firebird’s price. She places her faith in visiting scholar Nikov, her sister’s one-time confidant, whose research on the Slavic folklore–inspired Firebird’s magic hints at forgotten truths that could reshape the world. But Asya, unmoored at court without her politically savvy sister, is caught between various courtiers’ attempts to fill the currently unoccupied throne through a trial of succession. Brusque, principled Cmdr. Iveshkin, who uses sign language, nominates Asya for the queendom, while disgraced noble Gen. Azarov attempts to leverage the Firebird’s influence in his favor by imprisoning and threatening to execute Asya’s love interest, Yuliana. Meanwhile, a disturbing, ancient power is reemerging, and Izaveta is trapped in its crosshairs. As the twins reevaluate their relationships to the privileges granted by their birthright, they attempt to dismantle toxic dynamics embedded in their national history as well as their own bloodline. The sisters’ alternating voices maintain suspenseful pacing to gradually reveal the true scope—and stakes—of a bitter fight to protect their land and its people from a terrible fate. A White default is assumed.

Part heist, part meditation on sacrifice, love, and ambition: a riveting coming-of-age tale. (map) (Fantasy. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews