What a fantastic debut!!! Do t you just love it when you start a new book and you get hooked immediately? Some of my favourite tropes where what drew me in initially and what a fantastic job the author has done in bringing them to life! The characters are very easy to connect to, the plot and pacing were perfect and I just LOVED the slow burn romance ❤️‍🔥 the tension between our brooding MMC and the badass FMC is off the charts! And while I loved the romance I never overtakes the plot. There’s deadly trials, animal companions and some lovable side characters! If you’re a fan on academy setting fantasy romance don’t miss out on this one 🔥

I posted video reviews to my Instagram and TickTok @her_bookish. life account on 6/8/2025. Amazon and Goodreads review was posted on 6/9/2025.
The links for the reviews and accounts are attached.
Below is the review I left on Amazon and Goodreads.


Dark, tempting, delicious and much sweeter than anticipated “ -Ara

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫= 4.5 stars

I received this book from NetGalley as a ARC and am so grateful I did.

I loved this book so much that I also purchased the paperback to support the author and publishing company.

Feathers of Ash and Hope is the first book in the Flameborn series by K.J. Altair. When I tell you that this book quickly had me not caring if my house was burning down around me, as long as my reading was not interrupted.

The FMC Ara/Summer is strong, smart and confident (no whining with this character). The MMC Tate has a tortured soul and is dark, tempting and as delicious as chocolate cake. Both characters are carrying heavy secrets that are revealed as the book progressed.

The world building is imaginative and detailed but in the best way. The details don’t drag the story on but instead enhances it.

Tropes you’ll find in this book:

Hidden Secrets

Friends to Lovers

Forbidden Love

Slow Burn Romance

Forbidden Magic

Found Family

Magical Beast Bonding

Good vs. Evil

Strong FMC

Dual POV

Militaristic School

Magical Systems

Cursed

Do yourself a favor and just read it. You’ll thank me later.

Pretty soon we’ll all be craving chocolate cake. Hopefully K.J. Altair won’t make us wait too long for the next slice

I adored this story- I couldn’t put it down for a second!!!
Every detail of this book was well thought out and progressed at a wonderful pace, I couldn’t get enough! The setting was detailed and rich, each character was beautifully written, with clear motivations and emotions. Ugh so many points in this story had me gripping my seat in anticipation, it was a wild ride and so incredible!!
Also,
The yearning was absolutely delicious and perfectly suspenseful!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait to get my hands on a shelf trophy and the next book!!!!

It was the premise that reeled me in, and the first chapter honestly was quite good, but I kept thinking I reading a version of Four Wings. I know many books have jumped on a military academy. The premise initially drew me in, and I found the first chapter quite good. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was reading a version of "Four Wings." While many books have jumped on the bandwagon of military academies and magical creatures, "Feathers" felt particularly derivative, with its similarities to other works being too obvious. and magical creature bandwagon; however, with Feathers, it seemed derivative, and the similarity seemed a little too obvious.


Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity

If you read Fourth Wing and wished it was mythical birds instead of dragons, or simply want a cure to your Fourth Wing hangover, this is the book for you!

Taking place in a world inspired by the Roman Empire, Feathers of Ash and Hope is a compelling, but familiar, romantasy. It is set in a magical academy for skyriders: those who bond to a mythical bird to help protect the borders of their world, marked by mists that swarm with monsters and other enemies.

Ara has spent her life with four overprotective brothers and a secret that could get her and her whole family killed for harboring her. She is cursed; magic-resistant and damned by decree as a result. But she and her family have kept her safe for twenty years, and she’s ready to shed the upcoming expectation to be married off. She then decides to join one of the aeries in the kingdom and become a skyrider, but to protect herself (and prevent her brothers from finding out), she enrolls with a false name and pretends to be a boy. Of course, she’s not the only one at the academy with secrets, and running into her childhood crush also wasn’t in her plans.

Even if some things are slightly predictable (mostly the Binding-related reveal that I won’t spoil here), I had a great time with this book. Unfortunately, that also meant I was so invested that I read until I finished it around 3am this morning, but my life choices are irrelevant. Feathers of Hope and Ash is clearly just the start to what I’m sure will prove to be another hit romantasy series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Edwyn Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 4.25 stars

Review posted to StoryGraph: June 9, 2025 (https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/8ca90bd9-219c-40f3-b3f8-428e85654913)
Review posted to Instagram: PENDING

Feathers of Ash and Hope by K.J. Altair has a STUNNING cover and a promising premise—curses, magical birds, and high-stakes trials at a fantasy academy—but ultimately it fell flat for me due to its overwhelming similarities to Fourth Wing.

I appreciated the worldbuilding and Ara’s fierce drive to protect her family, but the character dynamics, plot points, and even class names felt too familiar to enjoy this book on its own merit.

- The FMC is the youngest sibling whom everyone underestimates
- The MMC has dark hair and golden eyes...
- Set in a Mountainous region with Wards & Mental Shields
- Threshing vs Assessment complete with obstacle course...
- Ava befriends Calix in line vs Violet befriends Rhiannon
- Professor Etario vs Emetterio
- Commander Joel vs Squad Leader Dain
- Strategy vs Battle Brief classes

Thank you to NetGalley and Edwyn Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5 Stars rounded up for a debut author

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5
I received an ARC from NetGalley and wow—this book completely pulled me in. If you’re a fan of Fourth Wing or Silver Elite, definitely add this to your TBR. It hits all the Romantasy sweet spots: a magical academy, animal bonding, rare gifts, a forbidden slow-burn romance, and the fates weaving their way into everything.

Yes, it leans into familiar tropes—but in the best way—and still manages to carve out a story that feels fresh and unique. I was hooked from the very first chapter. And that ending?? Rude. But in the kind of way that makes me want to scream and then immediately pre-order book two. I’ll be counting down the days for the next installment in the Flameborn series.

Thank you tot Net Galley and K.J. Altair for the ARC.

Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4.5/5
Ending 4.255
Interest 4.5/5

Overall 4.25/5

-At first I was a little skeptical of this book. The writing felt a little off because it felt like it needed to detail everything at first for us to understand things as readers. Which is a good thing, but I feel like it could have gone by it another way. Other than that, I was truly entertained by the whole book and storyline. I always love a good school, especially these types where they can be pretty deadly. But I do wish that we saw more of the classes, trials and what they learn rather than the main focus being the relationship most of the time.

-The characters were great. To be honest, I quite liked how Tate knew that Ara wasn’t actually a boy so it made their relationship that much more interesting. But, I wished that there were more repercussions for Ara faking her identity, it felt like it was fully brushed over whenever someone was finding it out, even her brother (I don’t know about the other ones). Individually, the characters were fun. Ara was definitely the badass female character I really like. She had her skills but she wasn’t perfect in everything which was appreciated. Then we have Tate. He did kind of turn into that cinnamon roll guy whenever he was around Ara which was very sweet.

-The ending had quite the reveal. I thought things were the other way around and with that reveal, I really want to know what’s in store for these characters in the sequel. I’d love to read more. I do hope that we get to see more of the world and how it works with the birds / phoenixes and such.

Thank you to NetGalley and KJ Altair for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC and provide my honest opinion.

I loved the world building, character development, and relationship/banter between the two MCs.

If you like the following, you like this book:
-Badass FMC x Brooding MMC
-Military College
-Trials
-Animal bonding
-Forbidden love
-Slow Burn
-Elemental magic
-Dual POV

Looking forward to the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The debut fantasy romance by KJ Altair, Feathers of Ash and Hope honestly took me by surprise (in a great way)! I was almost instantly hooked in the story, with its unique world building and plot points. I loved having the multi POV’s, and I could really feel the emotional connection between Ara & Tate - it was beautifully written and drew me into the story. I found myself having an extremely hard time wanting to put it down and I devoured it!

I really loved reading a strong female lead who knows what she wants and is not afraid to reach out and take it. I absolutely cannot wait to continue the story!! Highly recommend everyone give this one a read - it was well worth it!

I really wish I could read this book again for the first time. I loved every second of it, trying to cherish it like a newborn baby.

Tamara, or Ara for short, devices a plan to visit her cousin for three months, but instead, she will actually join the Skyrider Academy, comes after overhearing her Mother and brother talking about fulfilling their end of her betrothal to the Crown Prince. She thinks that in doing so, she gain magic by bonding to a mystical bird to save herself and her family before anyone finds out about her curse.

I loved having dual POVs of both Ara and Tate to simultaneously learn how they both feel and think. They are both strong and independent characters. The banter was perfect, making me laugh and feel giddy. Even quips between the main and side characters was great.

I will be ready to devour the next book when that come out.

I received an ARC from NetGally but all thoughts are my own.

Feathers of Ash and Hope surprised me in the best way. K.J. Altair brings a unique blend of lyrical writing, emotional stakes, and slow-burn fantasy romance that had me fully pulled into the world by the halfway mark.

Pros:
•The worldbuilding is gorgeous and different this isn’t your typical elemental magic system. It feels spiritual, symbolic, and a little haunting (in the best way).
•The main character has heart. I really connected with her grief, her resilience, and her quiet strength.
•The slow-burn romance has so much potential. The tension is there, the connection is believable, and I was absolutely living for every moment they were on the page together.
•The writing style is poetic but still accessible. I highlighted so many passages because they just hit.

Cons:
•The pacing is a bit slow early on. It takes a minute to find its footing and momentum, especially as you’re trying to get a grip on the magic and the stakes.
•Some secondary characters felt like they needed more fleshing out I wanted to care more about them than I actually did.
•A few plot threads felt teased but not fully developed… yet.

All in all, a strong start to the Flameborn series that blends emotional storytelling with rich fantasy in a way that sticks with you. I’ll absolutely be reading Book 2 and I have a feeling this series is only going to get better.

I devoured this book overnight. I love me some academic enemies to lovers with hidden identities. This book is a great read for anyone who are fans of Fourth Wing. I cannot wait to read the next installment, especially after everything that we found out in the ending! Plus broody + sunshine = chefs kiss. Writing book 2 on my tbr now!

I usually take notes while I read to help prepare for my reviews… not this time. I was head down, nose in my book, and couldn’t pull myself away to jot down a single thought. I was completely lost in the story. It didn’t even occur to me to stop. I was hypnotized by this book, fully under its spell, and I loved every second of it.

All Ara had to do was deceive her family. Join the Skyriders Academy. Disguise herself as a boy. It all sounded like a great idea at the time. But now, right in the thick of it, things are getting hectic. Ava is cursed—a death sentence not just for her, but for the family that has protected her secret. Her one way out? Become a Skyrider, bond with a magical bird, and earn magic as her only true salvation.

What she didn’t expect was Joel Cassius—her longtime crush and her brother’s best friend being named her squadron leader. And she definitely didn’t expect Tate Kyronos—the cold, closed-off, and entirely too distracting centurion she can’t seem to stop staring at. Yeah… this plan definitely sounded better in theory.

I demolished this book. I devoured it and left the bones clean. I finished it in a day and a half. I ignored my children, neglected all my responsibilities, and I regret nothing. Ara is a fiercely independent, delightfully feisty FMC who relishes a challenge, has a quick tongue, and isn't afraid to use it. Tate is strong, fiercely loyal, and has a heart that made mine melt. Together? They are the definition of a delicious slow-burn, forbidden romance, and I ate up every second of it.

This story was fast-paced and action-packed, set in a beautifully depicted, utterly immersive world. Now I’m stuck not-so-patiently waiting for book two… and it might just kill me!

Thank you NetGalley and K.J. Altair for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

If Fourth Wing and the movie She's the Man had a baby, it would be this book. I was really impressed by the detail put into this world and how effortlessly it flowed in the story without feeling like info-dumping. The characters were really likeable and fun to read about, and the romance! UGH! The slow burn was so deliciously painful, but I loved every second of it. I need more books with men who yearn like Tate yearns for Ara. The pining and angst and desire was palpable between the two of them and I am obsessed. This one was almost a 5-star read for me, but there were some plot holes that even the vibes of the book couldn't get me to overlook. Part of Ara's test to get into the academy was a physical examination where she was stripped down to her under garments but the healer examining her failed to notice she was a girl?! Big major spoilers ahead! I don't understand Tate's big revelation at the end that Ara used to be betrothed to him and now is betrothed to his brother... didn't we, the reader, already know and understand that when we saw Ara figure out that Tate is the crown prince she was previously engaged to? And wouldn't he already have figured out that she was Tamara Blackstone when Darren announced to him that she was his sister? Especially since they literally used to hang out with each other's families as children?? I also found it a little annoying that when the POVs switched, often times time would jump back to the start of the scene that we just saw occur from the other character's POV instead of continuing where the chapter left off. Sometimes it was nice to see the scene from the other perspective to get a full picture of what was happening but often it felt like unnecessary information to know what exactly was happening with the other MC at that point in time. Overall though this book was a gem. I'll be thinking about it for a while and waiting for book 2 will be painful! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

ARC Review – Feathers of Ash and Hope
📖 Book 1 in the Flameborn Series

WOW – what a ride!
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. If you’re a fan of Fourth Wing, magical creatures (yes, I’m looking at YOU, majestic birds 🐦), forbidden love, slow burn romance, curses, secrets, and strong female leads – then this book is absolutely for you.

Ara is a fierce and lovable FMC who lives up to her nickname, Sunshine ☀️. Her banter, strength, and emotional depth made me root for her from page one. And Tate? Let’s just say… “he falls first” never hits as good as it does here 🧡

The world-building was immersive, the pacing strong (especially the second half – I could NOT put it down), and the dual POV added the perfect emotional balance. There were twists, heartbreak, and moments that made me tear up, especially one scene after the fire… 🥹

Yes, it has hints of Fourth Wing in structure – military academy, bonding with creatures, secret identity – but it stands beautifully on its own. K. J. Altair’s writing style is smooth, emotional, and filled with just the right amount of tension and tenderness.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Cliffhanger Warning: OH YES.
Final thoughts: I’m emotionally devastated (in the best way), and I need book 2 right now 😭🙏

Thank you to NetGalley, Edwyn Publishing, and the author for the chance to read this stunning ARC!

This was such a lovely story!
This is the best type of fantasy! I don’t think I can quite put into words.
K. J. Altair‘s writing is captivating. She knows how to pull the reader into a magnificent and intriguing place.
The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb.
The attention to details in her writing really set the scene and tone.

This is a non stop action read from cover to cover that you won't be able to put down. If you liked fourth wing, but wanted it to move along a bit faster - this is for you. Magical birds, unique magic powers, cast of characters with different personalities and a couple of hidden identities and you have all the makings for an adventure! Would have loved more background on the supporting characters as they were introduced with individuality and complexity that leaves you wanting more. I can't wait for the next book and to hear more about the whole cast and where they go from here.

⋆｡°✩ ᴀʀᴄ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ✩°｡⋆

ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Feathers of Ash and Hope
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : K.J Altair
ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ : Book 1 in the Flameborn Series

Tropes include:
⚬ Military Academy
⚬ Curses
⚬ Forbidden Love
⚬ Slow Burn
⚬ He Falls First
⚬ Banter FMC
⚬ Dual POV

This book is about a young woman who has a secret that could be her death sentence. To attempt to escape her fate she joins the Academy to become a Skyrider in hopes to bond with a magical bird. If she fails, everything will be exposed.

If you like Fourth Wing, Military Romances and Magical Birds this book is for you! I really enjoyed it and ended up binge reading the last 50% of the book!

I really LOVE Ara! She truly lives up to her nickname, Sunshine. I love how upbeat and smiley she is even with the crappy cards of life she's been dealt with. She's brave and a true good soul. Can i be besties with her please?

Tate?! I love how he fell first! omg. He was such a teddy bear for her and it made me feel for him! I really wish i knew more of his secrets and his past, the reason for the mark on his chest!

I had a little cry when them two was talking on the cliff after the fire. You really felt the despair and hurt, i love it when a book makes me cry.

The ending had me like what!!!! KJ ALTAIR HOW CAN YOU LEAVE IT LIKE THIS!!! Pls pls can we get book 2 ASAP?!?!

Wow!

I'm back blasted into the normal world after reading this beautiful exciting story about Tamara (Ara) and Tate. It give me immediately 4th Wing vibes (not with dragons but with giant-ass birds) and I just couldn't put the book away.

Ara is a girl, raised between 4 brothers who are all in the army (healers, infantry, general) and she's forced to be married. But that's not what she has planned, she wants to let everyone believe she can be a skyrider too and goes into the school where they become Skyriders. But she's hiding there as a boy and unrecognizable as the sister of the General.
In here she gets to know Tate, a 3rd year Skyrider and she's completely fallen for him..

I'm so thrilled to say I LOVED it, and can't wait for getting my hands on book 2.
WOW, I'm still mesmerized by Feathers of Ash and Hope.

****5 STARS****