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A Curse of Feathers and Fire
When the Governance comes calling, there are two give in to their demands or run.Neri narrowly escapes after the Governance murder her family, heartbroken as she hides among strangers. But the enemy are convinced she holds the key to passing through the cursed forest splitting their land, and they will do anything to hunt her down.They chase her into the clutches of the resistance but her new friends are also hiding secrets, especially Niall, a mysterious young man who knows far too many truths about the land beyond the cursed forest.Marked by an affinity with birds of bad omen and the desperation to avenge her family, Neri must rise from the ashes of the past, or risk burning in the flames of the future.
- GenresFantasy
356 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2024
16 people want to read
About the author
Emma Bradley
40 books27 followersAuthor of Young Adult and Adult fantasy books.
The Arcanium series, Courts of Faerie series and Citadel of Souls series - YA fantasy adventure.
The Kirelonia series - Adult romantasy.
Emma lives with her husband on the south coast of the UK, complete with pebble beaches and the seagull invasion. She has too many plants and is still waiting for someone to buy her a unicorn. Or a tank.
The Arcanium series, Courts of Faerie series and Citadel of Souls series - YA fantasy adventure.
The Kirelonia series - Adult romantasy.
Emma lives with her husband on the south coast of the UK, complete with pebble beaches and the seagull invasion. She has too many plants and is still waiting for someone to buy her a unicorn. Or a tank.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 2, 2024
I have read other books by this author but this is by far my favourite! An enemies to lovers fantasy romance must read! The slow burn romance was so well executed, the writing stunning, the world building deliciously vivid. I can't wait for the next book!
July 7, 2024
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A Curse of Feathers and Fire is a book which doesn't choose to stray too far from the now fairly well known 'An X of X and X' format. We've got a heroine with a somewhat mysterious past who doesn't know why she's important, a handsome love interest, a quest and a group of misfits, some of who may have secrets of their own. The book is enjoyable, and for fans of the format it's likely to be a quick win.
I did have some issues. The biggest one was world building. Everything just feels very underdeveloped. We never really get a good grip of what the world is like. We're told that the Governance are bad, but aside from a few Big Bads we never really see why. What would they be like to an average person who isn't wanted by them for being special, or being someone who has caused them issues? Same with the world itself, we're told that it's not thriving and that food is in short supply, but the book spends so much time in areas where this doesn't seem to actually be true, in fact often the opposite happens, with picnics, and good meals. It feels like more time was needed in areas that are affected by both the evil of the Governance, and the blight of the land, and less time spent on Fayde jokes.
Tshirts. Tshirts are not fantasy story clothing. Maybe if the story is magical realism, and features a world very much like our own, but not when used alongside parchment, honeyed bread wrapped around hunks of cheese, and cloaks. The first time I saw it I chalked it up to an oversight, but it's used multiple times and is very immersion breaking.
When it first started, I found myself enjoying the romance element of the book. The soft teasing, the feeling of dropping your inhibitions when with someone else. "Great", I thought "We've got a relationship that hasn't fallen down the hole of the weirdly possessive bloke, or the girl who goes stupid due to love" After the mandatory sex scene my opinion changed, with both of these stereotypes suddenly appearing. Urgh. Also, 'clenched her inner muscles' is so very very not sexy.
Overall, the book isn't bad. Don't let my review put you off, if you've found yourself enjoying the sort of soft romantic fantasy that is so loved by the likes of Booktok this book is probably right up your street. For me, I wanted more of the fantasy, and less of the romance.
A Curse of Feathers and Fire is a book which doesn't choose to stray too far from the now fairly well known 'An X of X and X' format. We've got a heroine with a somewhat mysterious past who doesn't know why she's important, a handsome love interest, a quest and a group of misfits, some of who may have secrets of their own. The book is enjoyable, and for fans of the format it's likely to be a quick win.
I did have some issues. The biggest one was world building. Everything just feels very underdeveloped. We never really get a good grip of what the world is like. We're told that the Governance are bad, but aside from a few Big Bads we never really see why. What would they be like to an average person who isn't wanted by them for being special, or being someone who has caused them issues? Same with the world itself, we're told that it's not thriving and that food is in short supply, but the book spends so much time in areas where this doesn't seem to actually be true, in fact often the opposite happens, with picnics, and good meals. It feels like more time was needed in areas that are affected by both the evil of the Governance, and the blight of the land, and less time spent on Fayde jokes.
Tshirts. Tshirts are not fantasy story clothing. Maybe if the story is magical realism, and features a world very much like our own, but not when used alongside parchment, honeyed bread wrapped around hunks of cheese, and cloaks. The first time I saw it I chalked it up to an oversight, but it's used multiple times and is very immersion breaking.
When it first started, I found myself enjoying the romance element of the book. The soft teasing, the feeling of dropping your inhibitions when with someone else. "Great", I thought "We've got a relationship that hasn't fallen down the hole of the weirdly possessive bloke, or the girl who goes stupid due to love" After the mandatory sex scene my opinion changed, with both of these stereotypes suddenly appearing. Urgh. Also, 'clenched her inner muscles' is so very very not sexy.
Overall, the book isn't bad. Don't let my review put you off, if you've found yourself enjoying the sort of soft romantic fantasy that is so loved by the likes of Booktok this book is probably right up your street. For me, I wanted more of the fantasy, and less of the romance.
June 13, 2024
A Curse of Feathers and Fire by Emma Bradley is an immersive fantasy with a slowburn romance and unfolding mystery amidst the backdrop of a quite literally divided world.
Something ACoFaF does remarkably well is to let readers discover the world as they read. Despite being written in third person, it's told exclusively from Neri's perspective and how she sees the world. That means that what seems ordinary to her is presented as such, even if it's completely foreign to the reader.
For example, there is something unique to this world besides a land split in two like realms, but it's not stated outright. Rather than stopping to say, "our world has..." a word we would use is simply modified. At first I thought I misread it, since something like that should have been in the summary (it wasn't, which is why I'm avoiding spoiling it here).
There are so many other examples of things that just naturally come up about the world, always from the perspective of Neri, meaning they're affected by her own feelings and biases. For me, this made the story so much more immersive than if these unique worldbuilding elements had been explained outright at the beginning. After all, who would she be explaining them to?
It also made it hard to know who to trust and who was on what side, as I only knew and experienced a perspective that left me as surprised as her, both by others and herself. I also really got her turmoil over what she does at one point, feeling her same rage and need for vengeance at the time.
Because of the journey of self discovery Neri is forced to take when she flees from her old life, the ever-present tyrannical government and the outmatched resistance fighting it, and the complications involved in the blooming feelings of love, this book has a lot of potential to appeal to readers like myself who mostly read YA fantasies.
The only real issues I had (since a few minor typos in an early ARC copy don't count) were wanting to get to knew some of the side characters more and it taking a while until I felt invested in the love story. Of course, I tend to read friends-to-lovers and instalove with mutual pining, so this sort of reluctant allies to lovers was about as out of my element as it was for Neri.
Also, keep in mind that this is the first book in a series and so there are many questions left unanswered and it ends on a cliffhanger. I'm not exaggerating here. There's a huge buildup and climax and then something happens that changes everything and we have to wait until the next book to find out. Yes, yes, I know that's how series work, so I get that. I was just on the edge of my seat at that ending!
So, if you're into immersive fantasy worldbuilding, a multilayered heroine with secrets even she doesn't know, dangerous villains, and a slowburn romance, this is definitely worth a read.
Something ACoFaF does remarkably well is to let readers discover the world as they read. Despite being written in third person, it's told exclusively from Neri's perspective and how she sees the world. That means that what seems ordinary to her is presented as such, even if it's completely foreign to the reader.
For example, there is something unique to this world besides a land split in two like realms, but it's not stated outright. Rather than stopping to say, "our world has..." a word we would use is simply modified. At first I thought I misread it, since something like that should have been in the summary (it wasn't, which is why I'm avoiding spoiling it here).
There are so many other examples of things that just naturally come up about the world, always from the perspective of Neri, meaning they're affected by her own feelings and biases. For me, this made the story so much more immersive than if these unique worldbuilding elements had been explained outright at the beginning. After all, who would she be explaining them to?
It also made it hard to know who to trust and who was on what side, as I only knew and experienced a perspective that left me as surprised as her, both by others and herself. I also really got her turmoil over what she does at one point, feeling her same rage and need for vengeance at the time.
Because of the journey of self discovery Neri is forced to take when she flees from her old life, the ever-present tyrannical government and the outmatched resistance fighting it, and the complications involved in the blooming feelings of love, this book has a lot of potential to appeal to readers like myself who mostly read YA fantasies.
The only real issues I had (since a few minor typos in an early ARC copy don't count) were wanting to get to knew some of the side characters more and it taking a while until I felt invested in the love story. Of course, I tend to read friends-to-lovers and instalove with mutual pining, so this sort of reluctant allies to lovers was about as out of my element as it was for Neri.
Also, keep in mind that this is the first book in a series and so there are many questions left unanswered and it ends on a cliffhanger. I'm not exaggerating here. There's a huge buildup and climax and then something happens that changes everything and we have to wait until the next book to find out. Yes, yes, I know that's how series work, so I get that. I was just on the edge of my seat at that ending!
So, if you're into immersive fantasy worldbuilding, a multilayered heroine with secrets even she doesn't know, dangerous villains, and a slowburn romance, this is definitely worth a read.
May 30, 2024
I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by the author.
A Curse of Feathers and Fire does not disappoint.
The first book in the new Kirelonia series, this is a fantasy novel designed to entertain and excite any reader.
Bradley's world building is genius. It's a story with characters that I felt an instant connection to. Neri is a strong and determined protagonist and Niall is just the kind of person you'd want by your side in any situation, utterly dependable.
Of course the romantic in me was absolutely LOVING the growing relationship of these two cast members, their dynamics truly made me smile and swoon.
With plenty of secrets and all roads travelled leading to the 'cursed forest', I was prepared for an adventure with twists and turns. And that is exactly what I got.
I'm already anticipating book two.
A Curse of Feathers and Fire does not disappoint.
The first book in the new Kirelonia series, this is a fantasy novel designed to entertain and excite any reader.
Bradley's world building is genius. It's a story with characters that I felt an instant connection to. Neri is a strong and determined protagonist and Niall is just the kind of person you'd want by your side in any situation, utterly dependable.
Of course the romantic in me was absolutely LOVING the growing relationship of these two cast members, their dynamics truly made me smile and swoon.
With plenty of secrets and all roads travelled leading to the 'cursed forest', I was prepared for an adventure with twists and turns. And that is exactly what I got.
I'm already anticipating book two.
April 26, 2024
This is one of my favourite books!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, and I was so pleased that I did. I have enjoyed Emma's other books, but this time she has excelled herself. Emma has created a wonderful new fantasy world and fully fleshed-out characters. It's pacey and full of mystery as we follow Neri on her journey as she tries to escape the Governance. On her travels she is accompanied by Niall - an enigmatic young man with a mysterious past. The question is, can we trust him? And are the rumours about the cursed forest and what lies beyond, true?
It's a fantastic read, and I can't wait for book 2!
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, and I was so pleased that I did. I have enjoyed Emma's other books, but this time she has excelled herself. Emma has created a wonderful new fantasy world and fully fleshed-out characters. It's pacey and full of mystery as we follow Neri on her journey as she tries to escape the Governance. On her travels she is accompanied by Niall - an enigmatic young man with a mysterious past. The question is, can we trust him? And are the rumours about the cursed forest and what lies beyond, true?
It's a fantastic read, and I can't wait for book 2!
November 8, 2024
Having read and enjoyed several of Emma's books I was intrigued to discover her new series. This one is an adult/crossover fantasy that delivers romance, mystery and a new dystopian order. Neri is a very likeable main character and I'm excited to find out more about her background. The slow burning romance works well and once again Emma has created a strong cast of characters for her story. I'm sure Dog will be a favourite with many readers. I look forward to seeing how this series progresses and what Neri will learn about who she is!
June 18, 2024
Another exemplary piece of fantasy from Bradley. Lush worldbuilding with the introduction of a new realm and characters (especially Dog!) to dive into.
The opening sets up a mystery and a dystopian-esque world which quickly morphs into a quest and an adventure for FMC Neri and compelling stranger Niall, while they navigate secrets that lead them deep into the cursed forest.
The scorching ending left me wanting more - can't wait for the next instalment!
The opening sets up a mystery and a dystopian-esque world which quickly morphs into a quest and an adventure for FMC Neri and compelling stranger Niall, while they navigate secrets that lead them deep into the cursed forest.
The scorching ending left me wanting more - can't wait for the next instalment!
September 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this fantasy book, it has some interesting world building and is the first in the series, so I can’t wait to see more of it.
I really liked the main character and her love interest, she strong and intelligent and the relationship that slowly builds doesn’t feel too formulaic.
The book has an exciting story line, leading to an interesting climax and I’m excited to see what comes in book 2!
I really liked the main character and her love interest, she strong and intelligent and the relationship that slowly builds doesn’t feel too formulaic.
The book has an exciting story line, leading to an interesting climax and I’m excited to see what comes in book 2!
November 18, 2024
I have read others books by Emma Bradley and they are all great, but this one is my fave so far. What a great start to a series. The world building is incredible and I loved everything about the strong female character and her love interest. Such a nice slow build that feels natural and not rushed. I cannot wait to read the next instalment.
May 9, 2024
Enchanting world building, political intrigue, curses and rebellions and a love story to keep you turning pages. Perfect for fans of fantasy!
December 31, 2024
Not my style
I had a hard time following the characters. The story seems a little off for me. I enjoy fantasy, but this one did not hold my interest.
I had a hard time following the characters. The story seems a little off for me. I enjoy fantasy, but this one did not hold my interest.
October 16, 2024
"An exciting crossover debut with gripping action and swoon-worthy romantasy”
After her mama and gramma died, and the Governance ransacked their home searching for something - Neri had to flee. But danger follows her and eventually she's taken to a safe house where she finds herself among people who all believe in magic and whimsey - in her eyes their beliefs are nonsense. But she likes them, and values them as kind people.
While she's with them, Neri learns more about why the Governance want her. And starts to get to know the mysterious Niall, who unsettles her with his secretive ways, and her feelings of attraction towards him. To survive, Neri has learnt to be on her guard and mistrust people. But she finds herself gradually lowering her defences around the inhabitants of the Sanctuary, and especially with Niall.
But soon she must leave the people she's grown to care for and face the danger that chases her.
This action packed adult/crossover, adventure, and romantasy novel is delicious, enjoyable escapism. With edgy conflict, mystery and passionate romance, 'A Curse of Feathers and Fire' is the type of book you fall into and don't want to leave because the world and characters enchant you.
An excellent adult/crossover debut, and an exciting start to a series with oodles of promise. I for one can't wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews