Title: The King’s Feather
By Amy Earls
Under His Wings #1
Genre: YA Fantasy/Allegory
Publication Date: June 30th 2023
Portal Publications
My Review:
Okay, so putting my thoughts down about this book is rather hard. First, I want to say I didn’t hate it. In fact, I found the premise rather interesting. It isn’t every day that I run into a retelling of the story of Jericho. I found the writing to be excellent, with plenty of personality. The characters were well developed, and the Earls really knew what she was doing with their arcs. I also love how the villain wasn’t painted as a cardboard character and had some depth to him. Also, I do really like portal fantasy, so that was a nice addition.
Now, some things I wasn’t in love with. First, the love triangle. I wasn’t in love with the half-brother twist. It reminded me of From Up on Poppy Hill which I hate to say is my least favorite Ghibli film. If you love the movie, then I would definitely recommend the book, but if you’re not a fan, then just a fair warning.
Another thing was the worlds and how they connected, plus the overall fantasy-esqueness of it and how Elohim/the Trinity fit into it. I will admit that writing separate worlds, fantasy systems, and incorporating religion into a book without it being preachy or bogging down the story is hard. I really do, so I value Earls’s efforts. I just think it could have been executed in a more linear and sensible way to make things make more sense. I also was afraid that the story would end up being a little cliche, but was different enough to interest me. (It’s hard as someone who has read a LOT of books to not find a few as cliche.)
Other than that, I think The King’s Feather was a solid story. It’s nice to have more Biblical retellings immersed in fantasy on the shelves for those readers who would rather not read the historical Biblical fiction and is also a way to keep teens grounded in the Bible while still giving them a fun adventure. I think it helps to not be so heavy-handed, however.
Overall, The King’s Feather is a fun adventure perfect for those who love allegorical fiction with a mix of fantasy.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the author for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Book:
Rescue Mom. Handle The Prophesied Power.
And Don’t Fall in Love.
Sure. No Problem at All.
Pero Moshe’s mom vanished from their Oregon home, and the prophecy says it will happen to Pero, too. But when it does—and Pero is transported to an older universe, life gets more than a little nuts.
Throw in a bodyguard who is almost criminally cute, a corrupt and brilliant doctor who wants to steal Pero’s power and rule all of Moon City, and her mom showing up as a pawn in the whole thing. And all Pero wants is to grab her mom and go home.
But, uh, yeah, that’s not happening.
In the end, Pero is forced to choose between forgiveness or escaping with those she loves before a shout crumbles Moon City’s walls to pieces. And both choices come at a cost she’s not sure she’s willing to pay.
Paper, Ink, & Lizard 