The Phoenix Crown.

 

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher: William Morrow for providing me with an  ARC in exchange for an honest  review

 

 

RELEASE DATE: 02/13/2024.

 

 

San Francisco, 1906. In a city bustling with newly minted millionaires and scheming upstarts, two very different women hope to change their fortunes: Gemma, a golden-haired, silver-voiced soprano whose career desperately needs rekindling, and Suling, a petite and resolute Chinatown embroideress who is determined to escape an arranged marriage. Their paths cross when they are drawn into the orbit of Henry Thornton, a charming railroad magnate whose extraordinary collection of Chinese antiques includes the fabled Phoenix Crown, a legendary relic of Beijing’s fallen Summer Palace. 

His patronage offers Gemma and Suling the chance of a lifetime, but their lives are thrown into turmoil when a devastating earthquake rips San Francisco apart and Thornton disappears, leaving behind a mystery reaching further than anyone could have imagined . . . until the Phoenix Crown reappears five years later at a sumptuous Paris costume ball, drawing Gemma and Suling together in one last desperate quest for justice. 

 

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I am a devoted Kate Quinn fan and have read nearly all her books. I was thrilled to hear that she was releasing a new book. I couldn’t what adventure she would take us on. Since she was co-authoring the book, I was interested in how it would turn out. I was delighted when I got approved to read an early copy of the book. I was hooked from the beginning to the end; every page left me wondering what would happen next. I am very familiar with Kate Quinn's work. She draws you in and makes you love the story and the characters. I had never read any books by Janie Chang before, but now I can't wait to read more of her work. I enjoyed reading their narratives, and their collaboration was evident. I hope they get to work together again in the future. 

Reading narratives can sometimes be challenging, but Kate Quinn and Janie Chang have made the women's narratives compelling and engaging. I found it difficult to put the book down, as every time I thought of stopping, the stories kept me hooked for hours. My favorite books are the ones that keep me engaged and wondering what's next for the characters. I loved how the narratives were given from different points of view, and I enjoyed reading each of the women’s separate stories, but I was also wondering how their stories would connect. If I had to choose a favorite character, it would be difficult because each one is unique and has an interesting story. I experienced a range of emotions while reading The Phoenix Crown . 

I thought the first half of the book was more action-packed and mysterious than the final few pages. I felt as if I had learned far more about the historical period than I had previously known. I believe that each of the characters evolved during the book, but Gemma changed the most. After finishing the book, I found myself contemplating the story. I would recommend it to any fans of historical fiction.