As I read this book, knowing I would have to write a review, I thought about what I would change or suggest or edit. I could not think of anything. This book is so good. Spectacular, wonderful, practically perfect. I loved it.
So imagine a young zookeeper with big social anxiety and bigger conservation dreams. Since she was a kid, Aila has been in love with her birds, a species that has been hunted to extinction in the wild and which are only hanging on due to breeding programs in zoos. So Aila worked hard through school and landed her dream job working with one of her birds, just a few years after this zoo's breeding program shut down for the time being. But she's determined to bring it back, and when a nest of hatchlings and their mother is stolen, she's going to convince the conservation agency to send that newly lone male bird to her.
Oh, and it's a magic zoo. Her birds are phoenixes. All the animals are magic.
Aila is such a wonderfully compelling main character. Watching her come out of her shell to get what she needed was inspiring, as someone who also suffers from social anxiety. She's just a sweetheart. Tanya, our main supporting character, walked the line between the sassy, supportive best friend and also a fully fledged character with her own agenda. Luciana, Aila's old college nemesis and reluctant ally in the phoenix program, blossoms like a flower into a likable character that you can root for, as Aila comes to the same realization.
The worldbuilding, while being implausible, just worked. I was able to set aside my questions about would society really develop in the same way to the same point of having cell phones and modern cities if we lived in a world with dragons? because I was so caught up in the whimsy of having been presented with a really lovely world where we lived with dragons. The zoo was a fantastic setting, and the way that MacLean wrote about even the processes of making sure that the enclosures were painted for the inspection and the struggles of new linoleum floors makes me fully believe that she could write a description of paint drying that would make me root for the paint.
This whole book was so lovely. It's one that I genuinely probably will buy should I find it in the wild. I cried at the end. I loved it.

Such a cute story with amazing world building.. I loved the creatures so much but the story was bit weak and I think they could have done much better
3.5 stars

The Phoenix keeper follows Aila as she goes about her day to day duties tending to her phoenixes. Her dream is to save the species which is close to extinction. The problem? She has no male phoenix for her female phoenix. After an unfortunate incident at another zoo, Aila has the chance to prove that she is capable to reviving the breeding program after a decade of inactivity. However, it’s going to push her to her limits.

I really wanted to love this but it was just a complete miss for me. The story felt like it was filled with a lot of unnecessary filler that added little to the story. I enjoyed the zoo aspect and learning about each of the creatures, but everything else just didn’t work together. There was a lack of dialogue, repetitive phrases, and the story dragged in the middle. Credit to the author for a very unique story, but maybe cozy fantasy just isn’t for me and I went in with too high of expectations.

My biggest issue with the book though is that Aila is completely insufferable. She was a horrible friend and a terrible daughter. I understand she is supposed to be socially awkward and introverted, but that doesn’t give an excuse to how she acted only in the interest of herself and leaving her friends and family behind.

I think people who like cozy fantasy stories with low stakes will enjoy this, so please don’t let me dislike put you off!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who grew up going to the San Diego Zoo, the premise of this novel immediately grabbed my attention. A zoo full of magical creatures and a passionate keeper trying to save a species. It’s a very character driven story as we get to know Aila, her peers, and a rambunctious cast of animals. I really enjoyed the breadth of representation in this novel from LGBTQIA+ to mental health. My favorite relationship had to be our besties. Everyone needs a BFF like Tanya. The world building was very descriptive which helped me imagine and immerse myself in the world. At times it might have felt like too much info, and slowed down the pace. But as you get halfway through, it really picks up. All in all, a fun and cozy visit to the zoo!

DNI, unfortunately I just had a really hard time engaging with the characters or the writing style at all. That said, I absolutely loved the premise, so I would still recommend that you give this book a try and see if the style clicks for you. The cover is also absolutely beautiful!

4.25 stars

S.A. MacLean does a great job of weaving together a heartwarming story about friendship and finding love while conserving magical creatures at a zoo. This cute and cozy fantasy was a pretty quick read, and I loved the LGBTQ+ and anxiety rep. Even with the plot being predictable at times, I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance between Aila and Luciana.

What to Expect:
- Sapphic! LGBTQ+ rep (bi MC, lesbian LI, trans BFF) 🌈
- Rivals to lovers ❤️
- Cozy magical zoo 🦜
- Anxiety rep 😰

Thank you to S.A. MacLean, Orbit Books | Orbit, and to NetGalley for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This cozy fantasy about a phoenix keeper at a zoo for magical animals was tender and heartwarming, but it was also far too long for how much happened (or didn’t happen). The highlights were definitely Aila’s passion for the phoenixes, Aila’s relationship with Tanya, and the magical animal lore sprinkled throughout.

I just can’t help but feel like this could have benefited from being 100+ pages shorter. I love me a cozy fantasy setting, but I prefer low stakes to “no stakes until the last 20% of the story.” Despite the foreshadowing, the conflict felt thrown in and a bit out of place just because of how slow the rest of the book was.

Overall, a promising debut where some things didn’t click for me.

I read an ARC of this book provided by Netgalley.

4.5 Stars

The Phoenix Keeper is a book for fans of characters like Emily Wilde or Newt Scamander. The protagonist Alia is socially anxious and debilitatingly awkward. She may not know how to talk to her peers, or speak in front of strangers, or flirt without coming across as rude, but she does know one thing: the Silimalo Phoenix. In fact, it could be argued that she knows them better than anyone, due to the fact it is her lifelong special interest. (Is she autistic-coded? It kind of felt like it a bit, but there is no confirmation. More on this later.)

Overall, this is a very sweet, lighthearted book. It is about a girl overcoming her main source of unhappiness in her life--her inability to connect with others, both in a broader capactiy and in a romantic one--while literally living out her childhood dream after putting in years of hard work. Even so, the happy elements of the book get to shine when contrasted against topics of a darker nature--conservation of endangered animals, the realty of poaching and the effect it has on said conservation efforts, struggling with your mental health and how it impacts your life.

A particularly hard hitting part of this book, for me, personally, was when Alia had to contend with the fact that her anxiety made her self-involved, and was hurting her best friend. It is easy to be consumed by your own worries, your own obsessions, especially when it feels like others have it more together than you. That doesn't mean they don't need support, or aren't suffering too. A theme that get played into again, when Alia gets into a fight with her long-time nemesis (rivals-to-lover fans, this book may be for you, though the rivals part is a stretch, it has all the classic hallmarks of the trope) and realizes the the longstanding grudge she is holding was rooted in a (completely understandable, I must say, as I would think the same) misunderstanding of events. It is only through being open with each other, does Alia come to realize that her nemesis wasn't trying to hurt her, but rather be a good friend to another. It goes to show that anxiety has you so wrapped up in yourself, that sometimes, you fail to give the people around you grace in their own goings-on.

Aside for the characters, the setting was very interesting. The idea of a zoo for magical, endangered creatures was like catnip to me. While a fun premise, I do wish the settings were a little more descriptive, but it made sense for the character we were following. She cares more about the workings of the zoo, how they function and how the service the animals, over the grandiosity of the premise. Still, it was interesting to see a pro-zoo take after years of hearing how awful they are. Zoo's, as we see in the book, are often leaders in conservation efforts of endangered species, and the care of the animals are (generally) by employees who genuinely love and care for the species. It goes into the dark side of it too: using the animals for profit, the showmanship and exploitative nature of animal shows, and how it is also a necessity to bring in visitors, who in turn, pay for the running of the conservation programs. So, while I personally would have preferred a few more pretty phrases describing each of the animal habitats (an the animals), it is not to say that this book was lacking in world building. Like, at all. In fact, the world building was really well done. Informative, while keeping in tone with the novel and the main character.

Also, it needs to be said, there are some very pretty sketches at the start of each chapter. I would have ordered a hard copy of this book even if I hated (which I didn't, because I loved it!) because of those drawings. I am a sucker for characters like Emily Wilde and Newt Scamander, because I am a sucker for the natural world of the fantastical. Moving on.

Plotwise, I feel like the set up was solid. The 1st quarter did a decent job of introducing the characters, setting up the stakes, hinting at the larger scheme. I feel like the 2nd quarter was a bit shakier, but I think it was because (BIG PLOT SPOILERS) Connor was so obviously the villain from the start, and the whole m/f relationship felt forced (on purpose! It felt forced on purpose! I know it was plot important that it felt forced!) and it was annoying to read about. I was, already at that point, waiting for the juicy f/f rivals-to-lovers to be the juicy f/f rivals-to-lovers relationship I was waiting for. Even still, I can see why it was important to a) seed the over-arching plot, and b) give Alia a catalyst for her personal development. By the half-way point though, I was completely on board with everything. Even though Connor being in league with the poachers was, at times, painfully obvious, I felt anticipation for the other characters to piece it together. And as it came to the resolution, I didn't mind one bit, happy to see him get his comeuppance.

Now, I realize that to some, the twist might not have seemed to obvious. If you were rooting for Connor and Alia, if you weren't sensitive to the dismissive way he spoke to her (having had your own interests be disregarded in the same way), if you have thought, as Alia did for a bit, that it was a matter of being better a communication, at relationships, of being more reciprocating to differing interests. To that I say, it was a perfect example of playing with and subverting heteronormative expectations. Women are constantly asked to fit themselves into mens lives, to cater to their interests and needs, when entering a romantic relationships with men. He made her feel like she had to be a different person, and dismissed her lifelong passions, and seeing it so blatantly, within the context of a romantic setting? Vile.

Circling back to my initial assertion that Alia seemed autistic-coded, it should be said, as in with real life, people don't need to tell you their whole deal for it to be true. Though, without confirmation from the author (has there been? IDK) it would be incorrect to label her as such. However, if she was supposed to be autistic-coded, it was delightful not to see fictional autistic character infantilized in a professional setting. Alia was taken seriously by her conservationist peers, with the exception of the villain, and given the tools to succeed at her very daunting task of helping to preserve an entire species. (Actually, regardless of the autistic-coding, it was refreshing to see a young, female professional to be taken as seriously as Alia was by her mentors/idols in her field of choice.) Even in her romantic relationship (with Luciana! The far better choice, and was so the whole time, even before the villain reveal!), Alia flourished with support, and was given the space to build confidence.

All of this to say, I enjoyed the book.

Absolutely loved this book. The concept is so fresh and interesting, the world building was also very well done. As a birdwatcher it’s so fun to read all the descriptions of the birds and other magical fauna throughout the book. Aila, the main character is also really lovable! The book unfortunately does get really slow about midway through and is generally very predictable.

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books | Orbit for this advanced reader's copy. I adored this book! For anyone who has ever wanted to be a veterinarian, this book is for you, but better because you get to be a caretaker for fantasy creatures with phoenixes, griffins, mermaids, dragons, unicorns, etc. as this is a MAGICAL zoo!!! This book has a little bit of everything: animal caretaking, intrigue, a little love interest! And now the zookeepers have to watch out for poachers. Super exciting and I enjoyed every minute of this book.

Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the eARC!

Rating - 4/5

This ended up being such a cute, cozy read! When I first started the book, I didn't think I would enjoy it so much cause I have a hard time with 3rd person writing, but the author really captures you in this MAGICAL zoo!

I thought the growth of the main character was really well paced, and it was just a captivating story about mystical creatures!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC.

Alia has been dreaming about working with critically endangered Pheonix’s since she was a small child. Now, 20 years later she is the head Phoenix keeper at a world renowned zoo. When a nearby zoo experiences a devastating loss with their breeding efforts, Aila thinks it might be her chance to start a breeding project of her own. Breeding Pheonix’s however, turns out to be a lot more than Aila bargained for, and in order to succeed, she might have to swallow her pride (and her anxiety) and ask for help. It doesn’t make it any easier knowing that the best person to help is Luciana, Aila’s rival, nemesis, and former crush. Can Aila pull off a breeding program resurection? Or will she crumble under the weight of it all?

I absolutely LOVED this book. It was cozy, it had me squealing and kicking my feet. It made me cry. I loved the characters, the mythical creatures, the setting. All of it. This book exceeded every expectation I had for it and I am so happy I got an advanced copy. I cannot wait for the world to have this book.

- 2SLGBTQ+ representation
- Rivals/enemies to lovers
- Mythical creatures
- Anxiety rep
- Beautiful friendship

This was a five star read for me. I finished the book and wanted to start again. It felt like a warm hug, my favorite sweater, and a hot chocolate on a cold day.

Ah! Ahhhh! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! This was such a fun read, I absolutely loved it. It was cute and funny, but also had interesting dynamics and a great plot. I really enjoyed the accuracy of having a zoo for magical creatures and how each being got a ton of lore/scientific data behind it. Everything is incredibly well thought out.

The depiction of anxiety and social awkwardness in the main character was done well. She can be a bit cringe, but it doesn't feel like a forced aspect of her. And by the end, she isn't magically cured of it but learns how to work through it which was really refreshing to read.

Gonna go pre-order a physical copy, I'd love to reread it not on my phone.

4.5 stars

The perfect cozy read for lovers of animals and fantasy! I absolutely adored all of the magical animals with their different personalities and the focus on saving an endangered species. The MC Aila was flawed yet lovable - I loved how her anxiety was depicted and how she grew throughout the book. Being a huge animal lover myself, her passion and determination to help them made me appreciate her so much.

There’s also a really sweet enemies to lovers romance, amazing friendships, and an ending that had me on the edge of my seat. I would recommend this if you don’t mind a slower paced heartfelt read with an exciting conclusion.

Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC!

Thank you so much to Orbit for sending an arc of The Phoenix Keeper for an honest review!

I'm not usually a cozy fantasy reader, so I went into this book a bit hesitant, but I ended up loving it! The Phoenix Keeper is sweet, romantic, bright, and full of absolutely adorable animals and well built out characters. From the very first few pages, I could tell how much love and care was put into The Phoenix Keeper and it was just a book that made me happy to read.

Characters
Despite the fantastical creatures, The Phoenix Keeper is a very personal and human book, and no one exemplifies that better than the main character, Aila. She's a quiet, stubborn zookeeper full of anxiety and social awkwardness. She prefers her animals over people, considers the crowd demonstrations and speeches the worst part of her job, and is fiercely loyal of her best friend, Tanya. I definitely felt a connection to Aila and really appreciated how her anxiety was a developed part of her character, not just a simple flaw to be solved easily within a chapter or two.

Romance
The romance in The Phoenix Keeper was more of a subplot, but MacLean did a fantastic job threading it throughout and developing it. Love doesn't just solve everyone's problems, but having someone by your side to support you can make it a lot easier to face and handle those problems. Also it's queer! More queer wlw rep! It's really cute and I loved reading as Aila came out of her shell and found someone who supported her quirks.

Worldbuilding
Since I read this as an ARC, it didn't include the maps or illustrations that the finished edition will have. But even just from the descriptions and story alone, I could start to get a real sense of the world. And perhaps more than the world, the animals. Every animal had so much personality and every image was so descriptive that I could picture them. Archie, the adorable archibird obsessed with anything shiny, was definitely my favorite, but this book wouldn't be the same overall without the clear heart put into the animals.

Plot
I do think this book was probably a bit longer than it needed to be, but I can appreciate how rich the descriptions and characters are, and it didn't drag the story down that much. I thought everything else in the story was strong enough to hold up the slightly more relaxed plot, but the main story of Aila trying to revamp and set up a phoenix breeding program was still fun. I did see the main twist coming, but I was engaged enough that it didn't bother me too much. The character reactions were still well written and I felt for them when the twist was revealed.

Overall, a really fun, cute story, and I'm glad I decided to pick it up!

4.5 stars

S.A MacLean’s “The Phoenix Keeper” is a cute & cozy lighthearted fantasy following our introverted and socially awkward phoenix loving zookeeper Aila as she tries to reinstate her magical zoo’s breeding program after a phoenix heist at a neighboring zoo.

I had such a fun time reading this story - I love love LOVED all the intricate descriptions of our fantasy creatures within this sanctuary of a zoo. Our neurodivergent main character is quirky, adorable, and absolutely relatable to those of us who struggle with anxiety.

Along with delightful mythical creatures to obsess over, this book has delightful female friendship & an endearing enemies to lover scenario that I approve of. There’s wonderful LGBT+ representation in this book that comes naturally without feeling forced.

I would highly recommend this book to animal lovers who enjoy charming fantasy stories - don’t go into this book with high expectations for a romance novel, that definitely isn’t the main focus of this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review - I would absolutely read more from S.A. MacLean in the future.

A fun cozy fantasy book! I was super into this at first, but lost a bit of interest as I got further in. Part of that might be due to me being in a reading slump.

Aila issues such a great fmc. She’s so relatable. I don’t think I’ve ever read about a main character I relate to more than Aila honestly. Everytime she opened her mouth something crazy came out, and it was hilarious! Her obsession with her phoenixes was also very relatable. She’s just such a love-able character with how quirky she is.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me and arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ❤️

Talk about an AMAZING concept - a zookeeper at a zoo for magical creatures? Sign me up! I was instantly intrigued by this description giving my enduring love for the children's book series Fablehaven (nature preserve for magical creatures) but found the execution to be wanting. For one thing, this book badly needs a second encounter with an editor as it is FAR too long with endlessly superfluous descriptions. There are some places I enjoyed this - learning about the various animals, for example - but elsewhere it was a major weakness, leading me to space out and skim when I would otherwise have been engaged. I enjoyed the commentary about zoos and conservation programs generally, and it is clear the author did some pretty amazing research to prepare for this book, but I unfortunately could not get past the overzealous writing style.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and Orbit. I wanted to love this book so badly. I was excited to find the ARC listing and recognize the description as Illumicrate’s book for the month. I can’t finish it. I typically give books until at least 30% before DNFing but I stopped at 21% for this one. This is a debut book and it shows. The writing is overly descriptive, with most of the information being unimportant. I was spacing out as I read this. There is not much dialogue and I lacked any connection to the characters. The writing style is repetitive to me as well. If I read “of course” or “skies and seas” one more time I was going to lose it. I have never read a book that made me feel the way this one did. I was dreading picking it up but I was trying so hard to get through it to provide a full review since I received the ARC. I just can’t.

3.5 Rating

This story followed Aila who is a zookeeper at a magical zoo with the most incredible animals. Phoenixes are my favorite bird and being an animal lover is about 60% of my personality so I was eager to read this.

It’s a very cozy story, the animals personalities throughout the book are precious especially with their humor. I resonated with Aila being so protective of her Phoenixes because of my deep sensitivity surrounding all animals I’m the same way. I loved Tanya’s character she is such a loyal and supportive friend towards Aila.

At times it was hard to connect to the main character, the dialogue exchanges confused me on whether she was very young or in her late 20s. I only enjoyed her personality when she was angry because she sounded like a mature adult. I also felt the other characters treated her as if she was very young but maybe that’s because of her anxieties surrounding public speaking? I did enjoy the overall representation of anxiety and how Aila grew to be more comfortable in her skin.

By the end I was so happy for how things turned out, now I really want to go to a magical zoo with dragons.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this ARC