I've loved other books by Draven and I started out loving this book as well. However, I just could not finish this one. It wasn't that it was a bad book or bad writing- it was just that I could not get connected to the characters. I may try and finish it at a later date but as of now I'm shelving it.

I think that Phoenix Unbound is my favorite Grave Draven novel to date! I generally like her work, but this book was so vivid and captivating. I couldn't put it down! I appreciated that this wasn't a story of insta-lust and the characters had their own duties, responsibilities, and goals independent of one another. I also loved both of the main characters--what a perfect pair! I can't wait for book 2!!

What I liked: well-written; creative world-building; realistic dialogue; well-developed, strong main characters. What I didn't like: the sadism expressed in this book was over the top and was a real turn-off, so to speak. Descriptions of sexual arousal due to violence do not equate to a positive reading experience for me, personally. I'm afraid I just couldn't read it after the first scene with the Empress. Not my cup of tea.

The Empire is brutal with gladiator games and a ritual burning of women every spring. Gilene's secret magic allows her to survive the fire and her village has sent her for the past 5 years despite the pain and consequences. However, Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion and demands her help for his silence.

Why I started this book: Netgalley provided an ARC and I was eager to read Draven's new book.

Why I finished it: The character development and arch of the story make this a great story, from enemies to reluctant allies. And the world building is great with a faint echo of Rome and Mongolia. I can't wait for the next book of the series... in the mean time, I'll just reread this one.

Straight of the bat, I am going to be honest. I didn't love this one and I didn't hate it either, it is legit some where in the between.

This story called Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven was a highly anticipated release for me, as always the world building was amazing, and yes ill be reading them all. I adore the cover, man do I ever!

Azarian and Gilene didn't capture my love as Brishen and Ildiko, it almost felt as if it was Silhara and Martise but smooched together. If you were hoping to go in this with anticipation of a start to finish action and romance you wont be finding that here. I found this story to be very slow, possibly to slow. The story its self has been told before, but I found with myself I couldn't DNF it because I was already invested to see what happened all the way to the end.

My favourite parts were when they ended back where Azarian was born, watching them fall in love and how Gilene finally stood up for herself believed in what was really happening. I hated her family, I felt they were so selfish. I am really looking forward to the next one, I think it will be fantastic, especially how this one ended.

I loved the Az, so much more then Gil, but then I loved the magic and what she could do. I thought wow, Grace can really create such an amazing and interesting worlds where you want to know more about, and the how's and whys!

I think Grace had won my over with Radiance, so coming into this one I had very, very high expectations.

This was a real enemies to lovers story, I think that what I didn't love as much as I was as I was hoping. But you guys I have to say it again and again, the world creating was so damn good. Phoenix Unbound is defiantly one to check out, the author has done a lot of work and research into this one, you can tell buy the way she writes about certain things. It is beautifully written and as I have said I would read more, and let everyone know to check it out, with a small warning that it is very slow moving.

I was gifted copy to read and review for honest feedback.

PNR Book Lover Reviews

Review excerpted from my blog post:

My Rating: 5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public libraries, either for Romance or Fantasy collections. If you are planning a Fantasy Romance display, I heartily recommend this one for inclusion.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will never reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.

Number of titles I have read by this author: 12

Love story speed: Slow burn

Relationship dynamics: Captor (H)/Captive (h)

Sexual content: Just a smidge. Sex between H/h is romantic, “onscreen,” and explicit (but not over-the-top explicit)

Triggers: Rape (male) onscreen (not between H/h); both H/h are rape survivors; Slavery (not between H/h)

Grammar/Editing: There are a few errors, but nothing that would hinder understanding. This is an ARC from a major publisher, so I expect that the errors I found will be gone from the final, published version.

Review: Grace Draven is a natural storyteller. Her writing tends to have a gentle, natural flow to it, and Phoenix Unbound does not disappoint on this score. The world building in this book is wonderful and done very skillfully. The action is expertly paced, with an excellent balance between relationship and conflict (both figurative and literal battles). Where other authors can seem heavy-handed and reliant on obvious tropes, Grace weaves everything together seamlessly and makes any tropes she does use (which she does sparingly) nearly invisible.

Gilene and Azarion are also very well-written, mature characters. They are relatable and believable, and the progression of their relationship feels just right (especially given their histories) – neither too slow, nor rushed too quickly. The supporting characters are also well developed, and several would be good candidates for main characters in the books that follow (although I have seen nothing to indicate that this is what Grace is planning). The ending of the book is one of those that inspires you to re-read it several times, gaze off into the distance, daydreaming, and then re-read it again. Which I may or may not have already done…

Purple Prose version: Reading Grace’s writing is like lying under the shade of a willow tree in the early days of summer with your gorgeous, ever-constant lover, enjoying the gentle breeze whispering through the trees.

Full disclosure: I have received a free advance review copy of Grace’s book via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Phoenix Unbound has been a highly anticipated novel for me. I have enjoyed Grace Draven's past novels and I couldn't wait to read this first book in a new series.

I enjoyed getting into this new story. Phoenix Unbound opened up a wonderfully vibrant and detailed new world. The premise alone was fascinating. Engaging characters, and a slow burn romance kept me flipping the pages.

A gladiator and a witch just sounded too fascinating not to pick up.

And I'm glad I did.

Grace Draven knows how to tell a story. Layered, complex and captivating, Phoenix Unbound promises a new wonderful series that I can't wait to read more about it.

But I must admit, the novel wasn't perfect. At times the story dragged, and the chemistry between the characters was slow to develop. That could have been because it was the first book in a new series, or because it was only the first book about this couple. At this point I don't know if the second book will be about Gilene and Azarion again or not. I would certainly love for it to be about Gilene and Azarion. I want to know so much more about this couple, and they just started on their journey together.

But what I can say with certainty is that I'm hooked. I want to read more about this fascinating world, its people and the characters I met so far.

Full review to be published online in late September.

Lovely story, as always. I worried that Azarian and Gilene wouldn’t capture me as characters as did Brishen and Ildiko, or Silhara and Martise; and they didn’t…but they were close. If I you are looking for a flashy tale with start-to-finish action and intrigue, you won’t find that here. Phoenix Unbound is very much a character driven story, lushly drawn and with a slow building relationship; and as always, fantastic wordbuilding that will take your breath away.

The summary pretty much says it all, and the storyline doesn’t really break any new ground, for that matter; but in Draven’s hands even the familiar is miles above the rest. She breathes new life into everything she writes. She is quite simply the best of the best; and one of a handful of authors who always leave me satisfied. A beautiful fairy tale, a lovely couple to root for; written as well and captivating as you could ask for...balm for even this jaded soul...