Age of Deception

The Firebird Chronicles #2

by T.A. White

War hero and daughter to two Houses, Kira is just beginning to learn how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Agreeing to accompany her father’s people back to their homeworld, Kira Forrest prepares for the fight of her life. She’s agreed to undertake the Trial of the Broken, a rite of passage every member of her father’s House must pass. It offers a path to independence and freedom that is too tempting to deny.

Not everyone welcomes this lost daughter of Roake. There are those who fear what her presence might bring to light. Betrayal stalks the halls of Kira’s birthplace—its roots embedded deep in the events that claimed her parent’s lives and set her on her current path.

Walking the wire’s edge between truth and deception will test the person Kira has become as she separates ally from betrayer. An old enemy has put into motion a plan that could topple the balance of power in the universe. Letting them succeed spells doom—but the price might be more than Kira is willing to pay.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Aliens, Space Opera, Space, Magic

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2020

About the author

Writing is my first love. Even before I could read or put coherent sentences down on paper, I would beg the older kids to team up with me for the purpose of crafting ghost stories to share with our friends. This first writing partnership came to a tragic end when my coauthor decided to quit a day later, and I threw my cookies at her head. Today, I stick with solo writing, telling the stories that would otherwise keep me up at night.


Most days (and nights) are spent feeding my tea addiction while defending the computer keyboard from my feline companion, Loki, who would like to try her paw at typing.

Reviews

[Cece ❀Rants, Raves &Reviews❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORE when a series clearly is planned out so that things hinted in the first book are more fully revealed later... WHICH IS NOWW BITCHESSS

“Jin rose from the ashes, his sphere glowing white-hot from the flames.
"Surprise, bitches! Did you miss me? Don't lie. We both know you did."
Finn inhaled harshly, sounding like an angry tea kettle.
Kira's arm was still extended, the blade held as if it were an extension of her body.”

That’s it, that's the whole second book haha

This is a fun concoction of space fantasy drama and romance all wrapped in one series!

Our favorite scavengers Kira and Jin are back, trying to survive in this crazy alien world. The premise begins eerily similar to the first with Kira meeting her *another* parental alien tribe. But where the mother's tribe was all about elegance and wanting to baby Kira. The father's tribe is some Sparta- amazon - warrior- earn- yo- place shit !!

Kira. She smart and willing to fight but damn is she also overwrought by guilt with a *slightly* annoying martyr complex

The plot works to perfectly balances insights into her past WITH how its affecting her present issues of Tuann politics AND what we should worry about in the future with Tsavitee manipulating. That’s just some good goddamn writing.



Her old friend Elise who has … died ??

Jin's own little secret identity
Okay but like who saw that coming?? That was so fucking brilliant !!

Blue one of the humans on the military squad that use to run with Kira... She had an interesting curious personality. This book worked to make her more dimensional... bummer she turned out to be lowkey a selfish bitch who guilts people *cough Kira cough* for not blindly helping the very people who betrayed her

“Tell me, Friend." The last word held a vicious bite. “How many wars must I fight for you? How many friends do I have to lose before you consider it enough?”

Sooo I guess I hate the humans now
Team Aliens !!

The love interest Graydon is continuing its ♨ slow-burn ♨. These two absolutely thrive on fighting and challenging each other

“Nothing was ever easy with this woman. Perhaps that's why he found her endlessly fascinating. She was complicated, with cracks that made her even more beautiful for their presence. ”

BURN BABY BURN



Now my critiques…

The trainers considering Kira small barbarian
Graydon calling Kira a child
Her unit dismissing her as a quitter

The constant Kira bashing is getting pretty fucking tedious. I mean, she did how many years of service for the human training? she has survived this far with her powers and abilities? and that still isn't enough?? I get with all her secrets and deception that she only portraying to be the underdog and she feels all guilty (blah, blah, blah) but really? She just sits there and lets everyone walk all over her? * fuck that noise*

The plot of she now working to pass the uhva na, the Trial of the Broken, along with other potential initiates, the first step on the path to eventually becoming free of the Tuann.

The training scenes … bothered me

The focus of the book is SUPPOSE to be training for the trial but gets snatched by some mystery solving

Because she isn’t given a single lesson
Not even to watch or participate with other people
No one can show her how to use Ki because she’s banned from it, and there is no theoretical learning either for some fucking reason ???



She has 0 growth of power ability or skills
She has the same that she started with last book and hasn’t even tried to build upon those skills.

“Not far now," he assured her. “You know that course is meant to be taken with two oshota pods. Not by a single woman with suicidal impulses."
"I see the conversation you wanted to have couldn't wait," Kira observed, her eyes drifting shut. Her words slurred. "I got skillz."
Graydon bounced her in his arms, jarring her awake. "No, you don't get to fall asleep now. Stay awake.”

This book is my favorite in the series because it the newest one.

Each addition of this series has built on the top and is *clearly* building up to something great and I can’t wait to see how all the different elements are going to come together. We get some fabulous Hidden Easter eggs with these subtle details scattered in the pages with. The history of Tunn on how they escaped their masters. This so creatively gave background to the world WHILE foreshadowing the major battles you set best knowing is coming

Then the importance revealed AT THE FUCKIGN END LEAVING US MINDBLOWNNNNNN

But did we have to have… aNotHeR cLiFf HaNgOvEr ??!

Like okay for the first book, it made sense to keep me captivated and invested in the characters. But now its the second book. I’m here. I’m invested. Can ya be a little nicer about it ?!?

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ⭐️. Love these books so far!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you aren’t reading this space/fantasy/drama/action/romance series, you are missing out!

I love it when a book series clearly has been planned out so that things briefly glimpsed in the first book are more fully revealed in future books. Kira’s and Jin’s history was more than a bit murky in Rules of Redemption and finally we get some (but nowhere near all) answers, and one of them is a doozy!

I will say this installment suffers from too many new characters, which is somewhat understandable given this book takes place on a different planet. But a couple of the characters appear in the beginning of the book and then disappear until almost the end of the book and by then I kind of forgot who they were despite reading this book in only a couple of days. I do recommend rereading the first book before picking this one up just to help refresh your memory of all the previous characters so you won’t be completely overwhelmed.

I am absolutely continuing this series.

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I hate cliffhangers so it’s a tragedy that I started this series before all the books are out.

Every book reveals more and more about the characters and the mysteries surrounding them.

Gah, I love it!

[Corina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Wow, I truly believe this is the author's best work yet.

It's an amazing ROMANCE sci-fi novel, filled with action, and twists and turns.

I'm still hanging on to all the feels. Which makes me think that this book actually gave me a book hangover. The only thing that bothers me is that I'll probably have to wait a year for the next book, and a year is just too long - lol.

___________________________________

You can find me on my blog and on Bookstagram

[Al *the semi serial series skipper* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone get the Delorean and send me into the future because I need book three like right now.

This book is so amazing, I am just smiling like an imbecile after that ending. Have I mentioned how much I love Kira, she is the best. I loved everything about this book, I cannot wait to see Kira go super saiyan on those Tasviste.

Gosh, I need more and there's no talk of book three yet. Why me.

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age of Deception is…deceptive. For me it’s a book of ups and down. The exterior subjects, the overarching plot, Kira and Graydon, continue to shine, but the smaller subplots, descriptions and definitions, are confusing and contradictory. Before going any further I want to be clear that I still enjoy this series. I’m excited to watch Kira continue to grow, but it is definitely in need of an editor to make sure all the plots are clear.

The further we dive into White’s world, the more time she has to define things, to create depth and motivations, and build culture. The more she attempts to do this, the more the definitions of the past fail to make sense. There are so many contradictory scenarios running around that I became more interested in trying to logically tie them all together than progressing in the story. Take for example Joule’s subplot. Joule is one of two survivors from a house that has lost its Overlord. We meet Joule in Rules of Redemption travelling to Luatha in hopes of being able to find someone to support his track to becoming an Overlord. In Rules of Redemption everyone is banned from showing him new techniques, claiming each House is highly secretive with their techniques and unable to share. This is true even of Graydon, who although he hails from Roake he is now the Emperor’s Face and free from any House ties. This time around, as Kira and company pass through the portal to Roake, they are immediately greeted by a company of initiates, all from different Houses hoping to seek training from Roake to either join this House or to use to pass the Adva Ka. Why is it suddenly okay to share House secret techniques with all manner of hopefuls who show up to train? Why then did Joule have such a hard time gaining training when it’s perfectly acceptable on Roake? If there is a difference between Luatha and Roake’s stances on these policies, why did Joule and his remaining Oshota not just travel straight to Roake? This is a big hole for me. Joule’s entire quest has been compounded by his inability to gain the appropriate backing to enter the Adva Ka. It is the reason he latches on to Kira, a woman with no ties, and thus no restrictions on her techniques. Yet all manner of people have shown up to train in a way that was previously restricted for Joule with no explanation of why these situations are different.

This is just one contradiction, and if it were to stay at only one I would be able to mostly ignore the inconsistencies, but they go on and on and on; to the point where I have made a list. Let us examine. Exhibit B: It is very clear that the Tuann are suspicious of drones. It is not exactly clear why, but it has been a solid sticking point for every Tuann encountered from its initiation. Although Jinn has come to be a tolerated part of Kira’s entourage, even Graydon would prefer he wasn’t. My issue comes in right at the start of Age of Deception. Let me set the stage. Jinn and Kira have a fight, Jinn disappears, Kira waits for him to accompany them to Roake (this is key here), and when he doesn’t show up, must shoulder on without. When he shows up in the bowels of her luggage, why is it so urgent to hide him? Not only is it urgent, but apparently the price of him being found would be death, not only for him but her as well, or so Kira thinks, repetitively and without actual evidence of this being the case. Why is it so horrible for anyone to know about him especially since Graydon and company stand with her waiting for him to appear? They all expect him to show and would have had to explain his appearance to Roake at some point but why the continued secrecy now? Had the opening drama not ensued, he would have literally appeared through the portal next to her, in front of the entire squad of initiates and Overlord. The amount of time Kira spends thinking about the consequences to his discovery is disproportionate considering every previous character knows he exists. It would be one thing if White chose now to explain Tuann’s aversion to drones (although they tend to use them in training modules, which means they are also responsible for producing them…) but to leave the reasoning curiously absent while spending time drumming up theoretical fear of discovery comes across as a plot hole rather than creating the desired high stakes situations.

There are quite of few situations like this that serve to distract me from the actual plot at hand. Graydon calls Kira a child because she has not passed the Adva Ka, yet we meet a character Elodie, who is seen as an adult and healer who voluntarily decided against attempting the test. The relationship between Oshota and Sword is just as confusing. Graydon tells us this time around that Oshota choose whom they serve based upon strength or nobility of person, and yet Graydon asks Fin to serve as Kira’s Oshota before he even meets her and he agrees. Also how can there be characters who are simply called Oshota and yet do not serve a direct master? Does it simply mean warrior or does it carry this higher meaning White often attaches to the position? If it is based on strength/nobility, why would someone like Wren not have acquired his own Oshota after he moved to a different position in life? Dear White, please do not try to suggest down the road that Wren doesn't have Oshota because he rejected them, because my next question is Why can't Kira reject Fin, which she has tried to do numerous times?! There are so many concepts that White has floating around and they are all interesting, but the more she tries to define them, the cloudier the concepts become.

My list goes on, they stack up at an alarming rate to the point where I started writing them down to make sure I don’t forget them or confuse them myself. Let see: There are the hover boards that rely mainly on the loss of altitude coupled with gravity to accelerate, and yet are used to fight in SPACE. And don’t even get me started on the Trial of the Broken, which has a mind of its own, and opens whenever it feels like it. Is only supposed to be entered by the one taking the test, yet has numerous backdoor entrances that even a child can find. What’s the age requirement? Why is Kira considered too young for it but Joule isn’t? Truly I have to stop listing my issues because they’re just serving to enrage me again.

It’s not just these conflicting details that distract from the overall story, but the quality of the main tale overall as well. Age of Deception feels like it should be the first book. Rules of Redemption opens with a blast. It’s filled with action and non-stop Kira ass kicking. In comparison Age of Deception is way tamer. White, probably realizing she gave everything to us the first time, is clearly trying to save some gas for later books. So what does she do? She hits us with a reason to subdue Kira’s powers, and sends her to a new planet to train. But having seen what Kira can accomplish in a fight it’s hard to go backwards and watch her regroup. It’s even harder to do it this time around because we don’t actually see her train… What do I mean? Well, the entire book is devoted to the initiates making themselves ready for the Trial of the Broken, yet her mentor Wren sends her off to run day one citing issues with endurance. From then on all Kira does is… run. Wren doesn’t teach ONE lesson through the entirety of the tale. Literally 80% of the story features Kira showing up to class and then running, occasionally interrupted by an attack, only to return to running. No one can show her how to use Ki because she’s banned from it, and there is no theoretical learning either. That means by Deception’s end, she’s in the exact same spot as we left her, making her character growth null and void. Please don’t cite the completion of the Trial of the Broken to me, it doesn’t count because she completed that trial using the same skills she already has, not something she learned over the course of this book.

It terms of plot there’s not much going on in Age of Deception. In fact it plays out similarly when compared to the prequel. Kira enters a new culture, must learn to mingle with the locals, stumbles upon an undercover double agent and defeats him. Once is cool, twice is redundant. There is also not a lot of headway made in Kira’s relationship with Graydon. Sure they flirt, and I for one think Graydon is an excellent male lead, but Kira is so wrapped up in her trust issues that it keeps her and Graydon in a repetitive dance of attraction without capitulation, and a surprising lack of screen time together. They spend time together, but I feel like we get more connection from them in the single balcony scene in book one then this entire book. So what we have is a rehashed plot and romance without a lot of development. I should rephrase. It’s not that there is a lack of revelations because there is definitely new information gleaned in all aspects, but they don’t have an effect on the plot of the current book and are revelations that will become relevant as we progress through. They make me excited to continue forward but don’t do anything to keep my interest in the current book.

I want to reiterate. I don’t hate this book. I just don’t love it either. I still love the external overarching plot and I like the potential I see. I feel attached to the characters and Kira remains a kickass heroine, but although I suggest this feels more like a first book then a sequel, had it been, I would be vastly less interested in the series as a whole. I feel like the next book will be a make it/break it for me. What I don’t want to see is Kira and company accompanying the delegation to Haldeel so that she can learn another culture, generally be badass, and stumble upon a hidden Tsavitee in their midst once again. White really needs to step up the plot she initiated. She has a lot of interesting plots circling but she has to start pulling them in now. She needs to commit to her cultures and stop contradicting her explanations. I’ll definitely show up for the sequel, but I’ll be along with an even more discerning eye. ***3 waiting stars***

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fact it took me 3 days to finish this book should tell you that I struggled with it 🙄. The 3 star rating is due mostly to my love of book 1, and the ending that tried to save the day. Honestly though it's difficult to appreciate a book when you can't really care about the heroine. I loved her in book one, but I could barely tolerate her here. She's stupid, overwrought by guilt and with a martyr complex and woe is me attitude that go way overboard.
I might have been able to go over it without the stupidity the author rained on me with the details. The most irritating was her relationship with the MMC which is warped by the fact he's cast in the role of male romantic interest so whatever should/happens gets suck in that black hole, reality notwithstanding. But all the 'wrong' details kept me bothered:
-Himoto, that stunt was stupid and useless. It jarred the story and wasn't explained. A hologram really. Why?
-Her lack of reaction to... well everything basically. She's all about trust or lack thereof and you don't see it at all.
She doesn't react to 'betrayal', to the Tuann trying to force bonding, the changing game. It's like I'm told she's black but she acts white (not talking about race of course). It's totally jarring.
Again she should be 100 and acts 20. You know she wasn't Tuann raised, so age should have impact.
Jin is all powerful except when he isn't. She has a plan that gets discarded because the book said so.... I think you get my gist..

God, it was boring.
Still I think I will read book 3.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Crap, that ending! I'm so happy to what was revealed. It just shows there is so much more to come, and I can not wait!

Refer to my review of the first book to see what draws me to this series. Everything still stands. We just get to learn a little bit more in this 2nd book and we get to enjoy the development of the characters and their relationships.

2nd Read Review: Still AMAZING! Seriously, read this series. Re-read was done through audible and the narrator was very good. I highly recommend both Kindle and Audible versions.

[Lauren loves llamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a lot of worries about whether this book would live up to its predecessor, which I thoroughly enjoyed and have reread numerous times since it’s release.

Short answer: OMG $@&& YES!

”I really should have made different life choices”

Medium length answer: this is a thoughtfully done (yet still action-packed, because, let’s face it, this is Kira) exploration of Kira’s past and how it’s formed her, good and bad. Plus, more of everyone’s favorite sarcastic not-a-drone, more Finn being stoic, more Tuann political shenanigans, more Tsavitee maneuvering, and, oh, we finally get to see Kira on a waveboard (!!).

Long answer: full review to come after I’ve stopped alternately squeeing gleefully and cursing the cliffhanger ending.

----- Actual review -----

Where Rules of Redemption was our introduction to Kira and her view of the universe, Age of Deception takes us deeper into her background and what makes her tick. This is a thoughtfully done (yet still action-packed, because, let’s face it, this is Kira) exploration of Kira’s past and how it’s formed her, good and bad. Plus, more of everyone’s favorite sarcastic not-a-drone, more Finn being stoic, more Tuann political shenanigans, more Tsavitee maneuvering, and, oh, we finally get to see Kira on a waveboard (!!). Also there are (obviously) spoilers for RoR in my review below.

“She knew she was never alone. Jin was always at her side.”

A big part of my love of these books is the relationship between Kira and Jin. Their banter is one of the highlights of the book for me, and Jin seriously gives Kira a run for most paranoid and distrustful. Kira’s still delightfully sarcastic and still prone to charge into situations, which leads to the typically Kira results of destruction and carnage. But while this book has plenty of action, the true focus is on Kira’s personal growth.

“Are you implying I’m broken?” Kira asked.
Graydon chuckled. “Never. You’re invested in protecting yourself and others. There’s no shame in that.”
That seemed like a nice way of saying something inside of Kira was broken.

I was incredibly excited to see Kira interact with House Roake, guessing based on Graydon that they’d be much closer to Kira’s personality than the Luathans. While Kira is still Kira (generally distrustful, skeptical of the Tuann’s motivations, unwavering from her personal – still secret – mission), Roake is an obvious better fit for her, paranoia and all. It’s their expectations – it’s no secret that she’s the Overlord’s daughter – that are what Kira has a problem with. Harlow, Kira’s uncle, is more like Kira than either want to admit, and he’s determined to convince her her place is with the Tuann. Because if there’s something broken in Kira, there’s also something broken in the Tuann, and they’ll both need to accept it and heal if they have any chance of defeating whatever the Tsavitee throw at them next.

“We can heal you,” Silas promised, his eyes never leaving Kira’s.
“And all you want in exchange is everything I am,” she said bitterly.
“You would be alive.”
Her smile was brief and didn’t reach her eyes. “There are things worse than death.”

In the last book, it was never quite clear what, exactly, caused Kira – who has a streak of responsibility the size of the galaxy – to abandon the Curs and go it alone, even after waking up from the coma. Kira’s reluctance to assume responsibility for others struck me as particularly funny, as throughout this book (and the last) she’s continually throwing herself into situations to rescue others with no thought for herself. It’s a little more complicated than that, though, and while we find out more about the events that changed Kira, what’s not as clear is whether she can heal from them – or whether she even wants to. There are parallels in her journey to that of the Tuann left behind after the Sorrowing and how they’ve moved on – or haven’t moved on – from those events.

“Son of a banter bot. I really should have made different life choices[.]”

All of this, of course, is happening while Kira is attempting to pass the uhva na, the Trial of the Broken, along with other potential initiates, the first step on the path to eventually becoming free of the Tuann. This introduces us to some new Tuann characters, as well as some returning Tuann (and human) characters from the first book. And, of course, there’s Graydon, who continues to be both annoyingly know-it-all and also unfailingly supportive of Kira. One of my favorite things about the last book was finding all the sneakily dropped hints and forming theories, some confirmed in this book, some most definitely not. And oh, there are some serious bombshells! While there is a bit of a cliffhanger – more like a new plot bomb dropped into the last chapter – the main plot of the story is wrapped up well, and there’s a definite direction the story is headed in.

Overall, I adored this book, and my only regret is that there’s no date yet for the third book. Highly recommended!

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Katyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it.

So much so that I am immediately re-reading it, y'all.

Re-read Dec 2020
I really love this series, and this book in particular is probably my favorite out of the first three. I love the glimpses we get of Kira's backstory, and the emotional arc of this book is big - even after multiple times through, I cried my eyes out at several points in this book.

[Bibi · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 stars*

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira might have managed to escape one of the houses and get on with her life but Graydon as the emperor's face is sneaky and brought House Roake into the game and they claim Kira has theirs.

Additionally after book 1 the Tsavitee are back, Kira knew that they were never gone but she had hoped. She is pulled in more and more into reconnecting with the world. The Tuann her people need bonds. She had the easy choice of being accepted straightaway as one of House Roake or take the hard way the Trial of the Broken. Kira took the hard way but also here there is rot which needs to be revealed and stopped.

Kira does however have so many secrets and they are getting out. She no longer has the power to contain them and she shall need to decide who to trust.

I adore this series so much. This book has completely and utterly blown me away. The characters, the world building and the plot make this a top notch book.

#Nixxy #Auntie #Graydon

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Very slow on the romance, and very strong with the story and characters and action.

Spoilers ahead! Notes on how this book ended so I can remind myself whenever book 3 comes out. Turn back now!

Okay, so Kira is awesome. Graydon is the emperors right hand and is totally in love with Kira, but hasn’t admitted it. They’ve just shared some stolen, passionate kisses. Kira is way too damaged from her 90 years of past to let anyone else in, so while she’s definitely attracted, she won’t let it be more than that.

Jin is a childhood friend who was killed early on and somehow his soul bonded to that of a small drone (I imagine about the size of a soccer ball). No one knows he’s more than an extremely sophisticated AI. The Tuann don’t like AI, so he’s not allowed on Roake, but he snuck in anyways. In the end, everyone learned of his presence, and Graydon figured out that he’s actually a person, and probably also knows he’s Tuann, and one of the stolen children from their past (stolen the same time Kira was).

Right at the end, Kira and Raider snuck off to find her ship that had somehow left the space station she left it at and found its way to Roake. Inside she finds her niece. Of course, at that moment, Graydon and her uncle (the Overloard of Roake) step on board as well. Seems she didn’t sneak out undetected like she thought. Kira reveals that the “child” is actually Raider’s daughter. Her mother is Elise, whom everyone believes to be dead. Elise was also a stolen Tuann child who later served in the military with Kira and was thought to have died. We know from Odin (some mysterious asexual alien) that Elise was actually captured by their enemy at the time of her “death” (this was a decade or two ago), but she’s since been spotted out and about. So either she escaped or she’s been brainwashed and the enemy is using her. Also, the Tuann are extremely long lived, so while Raiders daughter looks young, she’s probably 10-20 years older.

There’s also some odd history between the Tuann, the enemy race and an older race that the Tuann used to be slaves to (thousands of years ago). The older race is believed to be long gone, but Kira knows they’re not, because they oversaw the camp where she was tortured as a kid. The Roake are starting to suspect they’re still active due to recent events and hints from Kira.

Also Kira is now an apprentice to Wren and when he was nearly dying, she let slip that his daughter wasn’t actually dead and that he had some thing to live for. I think Elise is his daughter, making Raiders daughter his grandchild. This is either all about to get very complicated, or much easier as a lot of secrets are coming out and could either push people apart or pull them together.

[Ira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book just published but I already nagging this author on twitter and asked her when book #3 will out.

It so good, can’t remember when the last time I devour a book like this series, stay awake until 3 am two nights in a row! 😴
Go read it, if you love a no nonsense, mentally and physically strong heroine with a very kind heart and equal fabulous hero.
The romance part still too thin for my liking but I don’t care, because I just love this series world building and their story still going strong.

I also want my own Jin, until I read who it was before 💔.
But I love what it is for Kira now, and love their relationship to bit! ❤️❤️❤️

Go, I tell ya. Read this series!!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s more like a 3.3. I will just say that while parts of this read like a slick, sci fi adventure with sexy aliens who ride space surfboards into battle; there are other parts that belong in a cozy mystery from the POV of the mature lady detective’s cat. For instance, there are at least four actual “harrumphs” in this book; Characters, who aren’t busybody neighbours in New England sitting rooms, are just harrumphing away.

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I'm a huge T.A. White fan at this point


I've been waiting for this book the moment I read the last line of Rules of Redemption and it did not disappoint! I absolutely love Kira as a character she's so much fun to read and just like every character in this book I'm getting seriously attached 😭😭 So many of my questions from book 1 were answered and now I have even more questions but in true T.A. White fashion I'm sure everything will be answered in due time. I love the pace of this series and my only regret is finishing this in one night because now I have to wait for the third book 😂😂😂

Also can we get more of Kira kicking ass in book 3? please and thank you.

--------------------------------------

Aaaahhh February I can't wait

[Treena · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. This book is even better than the first. I LOVED it. And I really love what’s happening between Kira and Graydon.

I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Can I pre-order book 3 already? 😁

[charlene ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
★★★★★

1st reread: May 2020
2nd reread: September 2021
3rd reread: July 2022
4th reread: May 2023
5th reread: January 2024
6th reread: November 2024


The The Firebird Chronicles series reviews: 
#1     Rules of Redemption: ★★★★★
#2     Age of Deception: ★★★★★
#3     Threshold of Annihilation: ★★★★★
#4     Facets of Revolution: ★★★★★
#5     Trials of Conviction: ★★★★★




Once again, I am here to inform you.

This is one of my favourite books of all time. It is my favourite series of all time.

Would I recommend this book?
YES

Will I continue reading this series?
Of course. This is my ride or die series. I will be buried with it.

Will I re-read this book? 
I re-read this series all the time.

☞ Trigger warnings: *contains spoilers* mentions of child abuse, drugging, torture, physical and emotional abuse, murder & attempted murder, death, dead bodies, war themes and military violence, mentions of death of parent, blood and gore depictions, confinement, knife violence, mental illness, suicidal ideation, grief and loss depictions, loss of autonomy, PTSD. .

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[Saint Fitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is really interesting, but i suppose I thought it would have more overt romance. It’s there but pretty subtle within the context of the larger plot. This book has secrets upon secrets and I grew a little tired of the allusions to them without payoff. Her and Jin are holding everything extremely close to the vest and while we are given enough to speculate, we never receive the confirmation that provides a satisfactory push forward in the plot.

While I can’t say this book lacks action and adventure—it has it in spades—but none of it is really serving to push the plot in a massive way. In this book, Kira is tested more internally and the physical skirmishes serve to deepen her knowledge of herself and her connection to the Roake. I suppose I ended this book feeling pretty unsatisfied with the conclusion, knowing we are in a holding pattern with the plot...a big info bomb was dropped at the end that is a secret inside a secret....I mean, COME ON. Just tell us SOMETHING?!?

[Jeanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a twisty turny EPIC story & I can’t wait a year for another book.
5 holy fuck I did not see that coming stars.

[Book Keeper · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5-4 stars???

Dude... I'm so freaking lost! I am honestly not sure exactly what to give as a review?? The story went fast, then drug on and on, and then (of course) the last two chapters went extremely fast. That isn't really the problem, the problem (or source of my confusion) was Kira. What the ever loving hell is with the tidbits of her story slapping us in the face? I am so fucking lost in the sauce right now-- I will probably have to read this story again. With everything coming out the way it is... really... she didn't know she was Tuann? I have to call a certain amount of bullshit on that.

I will say the constant Kira bashing is getting tedious, she did how many years of service? and that still isn't enough?? I get with all her secrets and deception, she feels all guilty (blah, blah, blah) but really? Just keep sitting there and let multiple people walk all over you? I think that is a constant irritant for me in this story. I understand why she kind of lets them do it... but she is constantly being used as a tool by people over and over again--- and she is just supposed to sit there and take it *throws up hands* WHY?!?!?!

I know... this review doesn't make much sense, does it? I am giving you lots of information, but it doesn't fit completely together-- DOES IT?! Yeah, that is how this book felt for me. Like the author was partly writing stream of consciousness, part background information dump, part repetitive information for previous book, and FINALLY part new information. Don't get me wrong, I love T. A. White's books. I love the strong heroine's she paints and her stories, but this book just has my feelings jumbled. I liked the story, but at the same time it fell short of my expectations. I guess I just feel like the story really didn't make that much progress? It is definitely something you have read for yourself and you can't read this book out of order. Good Luck. :p

[Mika Auguste · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 i just love this series so much i genuinely have NO NOTES! someone please find me a book that has what i feel when i read this bottled up

[Miki’s⚠️ Safety Reviews & Rants⚠️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series!
I love the characters and world building.

‼️Book 2 was my least fav of all the books.

Little romance in the first 2 books but it’s there and I LOVE GRAYDON! ESP the further the series goes.
From book3 and on the romance builds quite nicely.

The story also builds the more the series goes on. I’ve enjoyed the whole series. I felt a little lull in book 2 but that was it.
Also I would have liked a hit more romance in book 1 & 2.

But overall highly enjoyable with lots of action and a great storyline.

‼️Safety for the whole series…
No OWD
No OMD
No sex till book 3
No real talks about their pasts.
We know Grayson NEVER pursued woman before they chased him and even then he was very picky. BUT HE IS THE MAIN PURSUER HERE.
No Manwhore
Kira had ONS when she wanted them.
No OP after meeting

[Sheia (Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read: March 24, 2025
Re-read: June 14, 2023 :- CAN YOU SEE I AM ON A BINGE HERE. YET AGAIN. CAN YOU?
BEST EVER.

All around best book which I will carry with me forever and ever. I cannot stop missing this universe right now, I am emotionally stuck after reading all three in the chronicles back to back. The loss is very real.

On a recommendation scale this is at the very very top!!! This is a treat and what dreams are made of. Don't think, just read.

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread Sept 2022
---------

I think I'm having blue balls from this book. Damn, can't they boink each other already?? Oh and that freaking cliffhanger and all the secrets? I am growing frustrated (in a good way). But seriously, I need to know everything by next book. I swear, I cannot stand these little tidbits and hints anymore.

Gaaggghhhh

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the Consortium Rebellion series by Jessie Mihalik you should check out this series.

Now I'm wondering when we get the next book...

[Erika ♥OwlwaysReading♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIREBIRD 2 DELETED SCENE

This scene takes place right before the last scene in book one and was the original prologue for book two.

The en-blade rose and fell in time with his steps. Up, down, diagonal, side-to-side. Each slash precise. Pristine. As meticulous and powerful as the man executing them.

Harlow's feet whispered across stone as he moved through fighting forms with the same ease with which he'd greet an old friend. Sweat slid down his chest as his powerful arms lifted the blade again and again.

The hall of warriors was still dark, cast in shadow, only the faintest flicker of helo lamps highlighting the stone and wood. Night still held sway, dawn barely kissing the horizon. Hours from now, when the sun dominated the sky, the hall would come alive, slightly chaotic as the warriors put in their time with the blade, striving for a perfection that could never be won—but had to be sought nevertheless.

Harlow had always preferred the peace and solitude of this hour, relaxing into the quiet as he created his own beauty in the expression of his movements.

It helped to soothe the raw edges of his soul, instilling a bit of calm in an otherwise turbulent universe. Today, he needed that more than ever. His skin itched with the need for action.

His kind were volatile. Inaction made their natural disposition to violence more extreme. Burning some of that excess energy off was a necessary task. Idle Tuann were dangerous Tuann, prone to easily prodded tempers. Victims to their own bad judgment.

It was their curse—and their gift.

Harlow was a man who prized control above all things. Hence his daily meeting with the en-blade.

After so many years as a warrior, the blade was now an extension of himself. As familiar as his own hand.

He was tireless, merciless, as he cut, the slight whistle of the blade slashing the air the only accompaniment to his steady breathing.

He was a big man but he moved like a cat across the floor dancing from one side to the other in a graceful display of power as he began to incorporate the warrior kattas that made up his practice.

His mother had started him on this path when he could barely take his first step. Now, little thought was required to move through the sword's dance. Pushing away the clamor of the world was second nature as he sunk into the complex movements, twisting powerfully through the forms.

With a long exhale he slid his blade into the last katta, stepping forward, his knee bending as his back leg and front arm straightened. He held the position for several long seconds before rising and lowering the blade so the tip pointed toward the ground.

"What news do you bring me?"

The oshota waiting silently in the shadows stepped forward, his gaze respectful as he approached his Overlord. "Silas and Quillon have confirmed it. She is Harding's child."

Outwardly, Harlow remained impassive as he stared unseeing at the stone that made up the walls of the training room, a place so steeped in tradition it seemed as if it had stood since the beginning of time and would remain long after his bones fell to dust.

"The Emperor's Face was right to call us then," Harlow finally said.

The oshota inclined his head. "His instincts were correct. There is no doubt. She is Roake."

Harlow wasn't surprised. He'd trained the boy himself until the emperor had called him to service. Graydon would know exactly what her presence would mean to him.

"Begin preparations," Harlow ordered, sheathing the en-blade.

"As you wish, overlord." The oshota bowed briefly at the waist before stalking away.

Harlow's feet whispered across the ground as he found himself drawn to the opposite end of the hall where banners representing the fallen hung. Countless banners lined the walls, overlapping with not a single inch of bare space from the floor to the ceiling a hundred feet overhead.

House Roake had never been a peaceful house. It showed here in the banners of the dead. The safety of their house came with a price, one paid in blood and tears.

His gaze moved over the banners. The oldest of them were faded and marked with age, the writing illegible. Most were half covered by those who'd fallen later. Roake only hung banners for those who died in service and defense of the house. To be added to the wall was considered one of the highest honors a member of the house could receive. The banners of those who'd died recently were still vivid and bright, the white letters of their names almost stark against the midnight blue of the banner.

Harlow ignored the old and the new, locating with the ease of long practice a banner larger than the rest where it rested midway up the wall in a place of honor. No other banner trespassed along its borders.

This one was half faded, the name not as crisp as it'd once been. Time was said to soften the loss even as it drained the banners of color, but Harlow still felt the person's absence as keenly as he had that first moment.

On the banner was written a name.

Harding. Harlow's younger twin brother, the other half of his soul and the former overlord.

The sins of the past wouldn't ruin the future.

"I will not fail her as I did you," he vowed.



*



The communicator on his desk chimed its signal announcing a personal communication on his encrypted line.

Harlow waved out the two oshota he'd been disciplining and waited until the door sealed behind them before he opened the line with a mental thought.

"Overlord." Silas's somber gaze met his. The man was one of the best when it came to mentoring and shepherding the young of the Fortress through to adulthood, preparing them to survive the dangers of the adva ka. Those who'd undergone his training passed with a higher rate of success than any others. Being trained by Silas was a near guarantee of a high-ranking place in the future.

Harlow took what the man had molded and shaped it further. His warriors were some of the best among the Tuann. Despite being a small house, few dared to test them. They knew Roake was merciless against their enemies. It had only taken a single demonstration of what they were willing to do for other Houses to back down.

Even the Emperor made use of their training, sending those who'd pledged their loyalty. No other House's warriors contained the reputation of his. They were the elite. The best of the best. Paid for in blood and reshaped in the crucible of fire.

"Old friend," Harlow greeted.

"I am sending you some of my personal feed." Silas didn't waste any time on pleasantries, correctly guessing his overlord wouldn't have the patience for them.

Colors and light took shape on the flat surface of his desk, a woman forming, her gaze piercingly intent. Her hair was the dark burgundy of her father, her eyes that of her mother's people.

"She resembles him," Harlow said in an emotionless voice.

The holovid began moving.

Harlow didn't react as a sword pierced her chest, her eyes widening in shock as blood bubbles formed at the corner of her mouth. That shock quickly changed to fear and then determination. It was like a glimpse of the past, her expression containing every inch of her father's stubbornness. A woman's face appeared above her shoulder, her expression mocking.

The first woman didn't react, her mouth forming a word as the sword was ripped from her chest. She hit her knees, still no fear on her face. Whatever she was staring at caused her to smile faintly before she toppled face first to the ground.

Her attacker sauntered toward the person recording.

Harlow almost missed the exact moment when things changed, when the tide of the battle shifted out of the attacker's favor.

The body of his niece stood, her skin darkening, violet symbols appearing on her body as if some invisible hand was writing them into her skin. Her eyes opened. The holovid blinked and she was behind her attacker, her hands reaching up and wrenching the woman's head sideways, breaking her neck with one well-placed blow.

Harlow froze the holovid, leaning forward to examine the woman's face. His niece.

"She's primus," he murmured.

"Yes. From the reactions of the humans, my guess is this wasn't her first time in this form," Silas agreed.

"She's young."

Silas nodded.

"How many of the markings does she have?" Harlow asked.

"According to Finn—all of them."

Harlow stilled, his gaze contemplative as he stared at the turbulent sea visible outside his window. "That is unexpected."

Not since the first Roake Overlord had there been another with a full set. In all those millennium the Mea'Ave had not determined another strong enough to carry the full weight of its will.

Unusual for it to make its claim on one exiled from her people.

"You know what to do," Harlow said.

Silas nodded. "Consider it done."

The holo vid disappeared leaving Harlow sitting alone in a silent room.

He leaned back and let out a heavy sigh. "Niece, fate has not been kind to you."

A silent nudge down along the network and his mind reached out to another's. The link opened.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Harlow said before the other could speak.

"I'm listening."

Type your paragraph here.

[Kyndall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm very torn on this series. I don't have many pull quotes for this book or it's sequel this time around so this is mostly just going to be my opinions.

The pros: the world is extremely interesting. Jin is amazing and by far my favorite character I think. The world-building is really great, and I really loved all the races. The obstacles Kira has to overcome are often really engaging and engrossing. I stayed up very late both nights I read these books. They aren't short by any means.

The cons: Oh boy. Okay. Here's the thing, despite the mystery and curiousity the characters and events incite, sometimes it's too much . I started getting a little frustrated with the intentional vagueness to keep the reader in the dark. I also think the page count could have been cut down with a little more editing.

The pacing and plot of this is what I would call non-traditional. It's a credit to the plot or writing that despite things being vague and unclear, and despite times of shallow characters, I still wanted to get to the end of this. But there's not really one thread that pulls the overall plot together, a lot of it is a series of random obstacles Kira has to get over. And there were times I didn't know why she did what she did, and it's not explained, she just makes a decision on a dime and changes her stance. At the end of the day, the pacing here is what gives it away that it's self pub.

Kira...hm. She is also something I'm torn about because her backstory is very good. But the trope of "I can't get close to anyone or get in touch with my feelings because it hurts" is dragged out for a long time. And even still by the end of the second book, there wasn't much forward progress with this.

Graydon could have used more fleshing out. I think that his character relies a little too much on common tropes and he could really step outside of that box.

I don't know. I would read the third book I think. I think part of the disappointment for me with this one is that it was pitched to me as "Ilona Andrews in space" and the character work and plot work just weren't really solid enough for me for that comparison. There's also not nearly enough romance to make that comparison, for me, at least.

For my cousins: clean so far.

[Andreacat · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not unenjoyable, this one was in desperate need of editing as well.

I liked the way another reviewer put it for the first book: this was a first draft. So many different threads and ideas were just dumped into the book. If things were pruned and made internally consistent, this could have been a spectacular book. Instead we got something just barely ok where the potential was never realized.