Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'The Phoenix Keeper' by S.A. MacLean

Some days you need a book that will just give you a warm hug and 'The Phoenix Keeper' is exactly that. Who doesn't want to read a book about a woman and her birds?
I just adored this book and I wanted to grab it and hide it so nobody could ever take it from me.

The Phoenix Keeper is a cosy, light hearted fantasy book, perfect for if your favourite trope is magical animal companions & you’re looking for a fun low stakes story.

I really, really loved the world SA built, modern but with fantastical animals is just perfect in my opinion, our world but elevated! The creatures she has come up with are amazing & I hope we get to see more stories set in this world that explore some of the other animals mentioned. I liked the zoo setting, it felt like research had gone into how the behind the scenes of zoo’s work too, always a bonus.

I did not however, get on with the main character, Alia, & as that’s what usually keeps me invested in a book, I found that I struggled. To me, she was just so annoying & selfish but not in a cute, forgivable way. Alia’s character did grow slightly during the book, but not enough to redeem herself in my eyes. I did like the supporting characters though, Tanya was excellent, as was Luciana!

The romance heavy marketing I think does this book a disservice, it’s quite romance light & I get that’s what’s selling at the moment but I think it will lead to some disappointment if that’s the main draw for some readers.

Thank you to Gollancz and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

I really loved the premise of this book and that's what made me excited to read it.

If I'm being completely honest though, I almost DNF quite a few times. The pacing seemed very slow to me and the character seems to often go off on tangents and I felt it took me out of the book.

It was a really cute story but it felt a little like there was one main event and most of the book was here's what happens each day and followed a bit of a pattern. I decided to stick it out because I love animals (and this was magical animals!) and I wanted to see where the book would go but it could maybe have benefitted from a stronger plot or subplot as a lot seemed filler.

The main character is very anxious, and I can relate really strongly to this, so I understood a lot of how she felt. She isn't the best character but we see a lot of development happen and she really starts to better herself.

There is some romance, closed door, and I guessed pretty early on how that would turn out. There is a character that I didn't trust from the start and that also went as expected. There is a lot of excitement for Aila, the main character, but the majority of the action doesn't really happen until 88% in.

So the book is cute, there is a strong friendship and also teamwork when stubbornness and pride are put aside. There's romance and magical animals!

If you prefer a faster paced book, this may not be for you but I got invested and am happy I stuck around for Rubra and Archie especially❤️

3.5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Orion Publishing Group, Gollancz and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

"The Phoenix Keeper" by S. A. MacLean is a true delight, with a story that's both heartwarming and exciting. I was immediately drawn in by the premise of a phoenix keeper trying to save endangered firebirds.
But what really sets this book apart is its incredible representation of diverse characters. The main character, Aila, is a lesbian, and her romance with Luciana is sweet and tender. The book also features a trans character, and the author handles these representations with sensitivity and care. I was so impressed by the way the author tackled these issues, and I felt seen and represented in ways that are rare in fantasy novels.
Aila's anxiety is also beautifully represented in the book. It's not something that's glossed over or used as a plot device; it's a real part of her life, and the author does a great job of showing how it affects her daily interactions. I felt so seen and understood by this portrayal, and I think it's something that will resonate with many readers who have struggled with anxiety.
The plot of the book is engaging and exciting, with a clear goal (saving the phoenixes) and obstacles to overcome. The characters are all well-developed and complex, from the lovable zoo animals to the humans who work alongside them. I particularly loved the friendship between Aila and Luciana, which is built on mutual respect and trust.
If I have one criticism, it's that the romance could have been more developed. While it's sweet and tender, it feels somewhat relegated to the background compared to the rest of the story. However, I think this is a minor quibble, and overall, I was completely enchanted by "The Phoenix Keeper".
If you're looking for a cosy fantasy with a strong focus on character development and representation, then this book is definitely for you. It's a delightful read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

Quite possibly the cutest, most heart-warming book I have read!
I was squealing and kicking my feet the whole way through and I rarely do that. Cozy never evokes each strong feelings in me.

Alia has her childhood dream job as a phoenix keeper in San Tamculo Zoo. Her wish is find a partner for the critically endangered Silimalo phoenix, Rubra, in her care and lead a breeding programme.

This book, despite being fantastical, had some of the most profound character insight and realistic internal struggles I have read.
Alia is extremely introverted. Diabolically shy. Terrified of public speaking and interaction.
She never feels good enough, constantly scared of failure, and always scared of how she might come off to others.
In other words, I found Alia relatable in certain aspects. She’s the girl who had her nose in a book at school. Who prefers being home, in her pyjamas after 7pm. Who surrounds herself with non-judgemental animals rather than humans.

She made the mistake of wearing mascara one time in high school. Every kid in her class pointed her out. Who was the quiet girl trying to impress? Who was she trying to be?
She never wore make-up again.

Add quirkiness, the most supportive, fellow zookeeper kickass best friend, and an enemies-to-lovers plot that I adored (and you should know that that troupe is normally an instant turn-off and avoid for me); this book was perfect book, right time.

Yes, okay, some of the twists were glaringly obvious, but did I still gobble it up faster than the kelpie in this book? YES!

“I was.. gonna go for something from the heart? Whatever comes to my brain?"
Teddy's brow rose higher.
“Shit. You're right, "Aila groaned. “That's a horrible idea. I'm a horrible idea.”

If you still need convincing, there’s a mischievous archibird called Archie who loves theatrics, and who can say no to that scheming adorable face?

Thank you to Gollancz for providing a physical copy and a delightful goodie box in exchange for a review!

The cover and the title draw me to this one and I wanted to love this. The premise sounds really good!! Unfortunately, cosy fantasy is not my cup of tea and I struggled with this one.

Unfortunately I struggled to get invested in this one. I am sad but would still recommend if cosy fantasy is your genre of choice. I loved the premise, I just wanted to connect and love it more than I did.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I really liked the premise of this, and it was well written, easy paced and I especially liked the non-instalove pace of the romance. Aila is a very relatable character and I really wish that the magical creatures existed in our world! What prevented it from being a 5 star rating for me was that the plot was very predictable. Still, I recommend this for fans of cozy fantasy!

This story was just so magical.
I’ve yet to read a story like this so it was very unique.
I loved all the creatures in this story and I could not put it down!

A fun and cosy story about the care of magical creatures from an anxious and socially insecure marshmallow, The Phoenix Keeper was a joy to read, from Aila's anxious and hyperfixated beginnings to her slow thawing out thanks to the warming cockles of lurrrve. I loved the dynamic between the characters and how Aila's anxiety(and possibly autism?) was dealt with, showing both how she is treated and how she SHOULD be treated, and that she deserves to be loved for who she isand Connor - the fantasy equivalent of an NFT bro - could NEVER deserve her.

The creatures were brillaint, I particular loved Tanya's married couple fighting dynamic with her Bix Phoenix, as well as Aila's toddler like Archie.

I'm only disappointed that I clocked Connor from the first date! xD

The Phoenix Keeper by S. A MacLean
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 13 August 2024

As the head phoenix keeper at a prestigious zoo dedicated to magical creatures, Aila is on the cusp of fulfilling her childhood dream of safeguarding endangered firebirds. However, a major obstacle stands in her way: her zoo's breeding program has been dormant for a decade. When a devastating phoenix theft undermines a neighbouring zoo's flagship conservation effort, Aila must demonstrate that her neglected facilities are ready to take the lead.

Aila is adept at handling all manner of beasts. But captivating zoo visitors? That's a different challenge altogether. And mustering the courage to seek assistance from the renowned griffin keeper, a former rival from college, feels nearly insurmountable. Especially when that rival is Luciana: brooding, insufferable, and frustratingly talented.

This debut novel, a cozy and whimsical fantasy, was a delightful read. It's refreshing to take a break from the usual novels brimming with war, revenge, and death, and instead, immerse yourself in something fun and light-hearted. The plot was as exquisite as the characters, brimming with tension and action on every page.

I will gladly recommend this book and eagerly anticipate future works from this author.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Orion Publishing, and the author, S.A. MacLean, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This book is everything. It's so much more than I expected, and I want to read it again and again.

The world building is immaculate - the details clearly thought out and lovingly shared, without making you feel for a minute like it's too much. In fact, I want more! I want textbooks and documentaries and just generally to devour every single scrap of information about this world.

The characters were perfect, the animals were perfect, the plot was totally predictable - but I didn't care one bit because it was still perfect. My only wish is that the flurry of drama at the end had gone on for longer, but I can forgive that because this book is a gift. I intend to send everybody I know a copy for Christmas!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Absolutely adored this low stakes cozy fantasy, it’s everything I love in fantasy nowadays. A slow burn sapphic romance, lots of representation and very cute magical animals.

Thank you to Orbit UK for the chance to read an early copy of this cosy fantasy. Almost all of the story takes place in a zoo for magical creatures slowly being driven to extinction by humans. Aila is a Phoenix Keeper fighting to restart their breeding programme after a nearby zoo's phoenix hatchlings are stolen.

Aila is an anxiety-riddled and passionate lover of animals who struggles to connect with humans. Her best friend Tanya was one of my favourite characters as she was fierce, supportive and funny. She's also trans and fabulous in every way. Aila's rival is Griffin Keeper Luciana but there's a fine line between love and hate which leads to a wonderfully sweet sapphic romance.

This is cosy fantasy but there's still plenty of tension, misunderstandings, and climactic action scene to save the phoenixes. I just want to see all these magical creatures now though!

This book reminded me so much of Newt Scamander and the Fanastic Beasts world. Aila's story is so beautifully written, with an amazing magically creatures written into it. This is a gorgeous book that needs to be on your beach/pool side reads for this summer.