Kingdom of Feather and Sky

by Sophia Wachtel

Eighteen-year-old Princess Kyra Calmora has lived her whole life being told she will never be enough. Her parents constantly remind her that her brother, Deric, would have been better suited to the role of future ruler.

But a dead prince can never be king.

Four years have passed since Deric's murder, and Kyra realizes justice is also dead. Confused by her parents’ apparent apathy over their favorite child’s death, she decides to take justice into her own hands. She joins the Bounty Hunter's Guild using a fake name and spends her nights flying on the back of her giant red bird hunting for the group of rebels who claimed responsibility for the murder.

Revenge and regret continue to darken Kyra’s once joyful world, but when a mysterious new servant boy starts working at the castle, the walls around her heart begin to crack. As she navigates the equally treacherous terrains of both political unrest and a budding relationship, Kyra will uncover a more sinister reason behind her brother’s death than she could have ever imagined.

Genres: Fantasy

262 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2023

About the author

Sophia Wachtel is a fantasy author who blends thrilling adventures with emotional depth in her books for tweens and teens. She writes characters and stories that showcase resilience, heart, and hope in the midst of darkness. When she's not getting lost in fantasy worlds, she enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, and cat.

Reviews

[Julie Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great YA book for girls. It even has a sneak peek at the next one in the storyline. Well written but it does start a little slow for this reader.

[S.L. Wilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wachtel's novel is a coming of age, romance, fantasy story. The author has created an engrossing world combining mundane and magical technologies. Kyra, the main character, is a well-rounded character the reader can easily connect with. Starting as a privileged but ignored princess, she grows into a strong willed, rebellious young woman. The story's action builds slowly until it reaches a frenzy of page turning. Kyra makes many bad decisions, but still manages to come out stronger for her struggles. The ending left this reader wanting the next book, now.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

how does this book only have 15 ratings??? this is so popular ya book coded. I very much enjoyed this book but I want to express how much I loved the protagonist Kyra and how well written she was!!! She is such a rational thinker who always makes the optimal decision. I was shook realizing later on how problematic her views really were because she lives in her own rational world and doesnt have all the information to realize otherwise. I've never seen an MC in a book so flawed without them being bad for the sake of bad. Kyra truly doesnt know any better. anyways I'm on book 2 and was so gagged I had to write an update on goodreads and realized I never wrote this review. Tata for now xoxo. see me in the book 2 review

[Kami · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning is a little slow but understandable since there’s lots of character/world development to explain. I did think the main character was a little harsh and I’m interested in how she will change over the course of the next book. Lots of twists and the second half of the book was a page turner I couldn’t put down.

Content warnings: there are several uses of h*ll in the book so depending on readers sensitivity to language that should be taken into account; also main character is demeaning/harsh when discussing the Groundling people

Overall great story and interesting read recommended for YA and up.
*I received this book as part of a fundraiser giveaway.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would have particularly loved this book as a teenager! As an adult, I appreciate the very real conundrums presented, including the difficulty in changing a royal mindset. Such an important concept: viewing another group of people not as inferior but as people of value. And the plot twists toward the end were definitely unexpected!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action! Adventure! Revenge! Intrigue! Snark! Awkward Meet-cutes! Giant Birds! This was my intro to Wachtel's writing and it didn't disappoint. Good world building, good lore, and a realistic cast of characters. I am looking forward to diving back into this world soon.

[Elisabeth Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting twists!

I really liked this fantasy (with some dystopian elements) where you’re not sure who to trust until the end. I’m still not sure who to trust! Since there’s a sequel coming out, the next book may be totally different. I enjoyed the characters, the romance, the birds! I’m excited for the next one.

[Katie Froese · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

So cute! Such a fun read, I really enjoyed it and got me out of my reading slump
Can’t wait for the second one !!!!!!!!!!!
Greatly written