Thank you so much to Orbit and Netgalley for the arc!!
When I first read the description for this book my thumb flexed so quickly to request it!! And then when it hit my inbox….the gasp I gasped was so loud!!!
To be honest it took me a minute to find the rhythm in the story. The beginning felt a bit like an info dump but that’s not to say it wasn’t exciting!!! Magical creatures in a zoo?? PLEASE!!! I would have loved this job!!
This is a perfect low stakes cozy fantasy for those cold, rainy days when you just need that hug from a book. You’ll be sure to enjoy it!

I love all the details and research the author put into creating the world and all the magical creatures. Thought at the start, there’s ton of info dump.

I enjoyed the book okay, but not as much as I thought I would have. The book reads more like a dairy and not like a story.

Recommend the book if you’re looking for a cute, cozy fantasy.

Great concept and wonderful addition of what anxiety can be like in the workplace. However, I just couldn’t get into the story, i didn’t finish the book. Perhaps ‘Romanticy’ is not for me.

The world building was incredible, and I loved the animals. I was a little less sold on the human characters, but still a very enjoyable story.

A cozy fantasy about a day in the life of our awkward zookeeper,Aila, who is trying to save the phoenixes by restarting the defunct breeding program.

I had mixed feelings about this book. On one end it was a very simple and easy read (albeot predictable) but enjoyable nonetheless. I adored Tanya and Luciana.

I think where I struggled was the main character Aila. She read as neurodivergent so I tried going from that perspective most of the book. But she really just ended up coming across as rude, obnoxious, and bratty most of the time. Even when revelations came about other characters where she knew she was in the wrong and needed to address it, she still moaned and groaned. Given that she is 28 acting like a 16 year old, it just gave me a headache.

The fantasy is purely just magical creatures; which is totally fine! But just as a heads up to those who might be expecting more. Also romance is secondary, but it was actually nice because the impact felt greater. I feel as though had it been the focal point, it would have tried too hard.

If you like cozy books, definitely give this a try. But just be warned that the main lead can be a bit much.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the early copy!

Cozy Fantasy Vibes. You get to enter a world full of magical creatures, poachers and those who love them enough to do anything to save them.

Our story follows Alia, phoenix keeper and all around animal lover. Working at the zoo and determined to be the phoenix breeding program up and running, she takes on a mountain of a task, bringing life to the untouched breeding area as well as attempting to get a male phoenix transferred in. I think the bigger task is having to ask her “college enemy” for help.

You’ll experience some romcom vibes, awkward flirtation, complicated feelings Alia has towards Luc “enemy” as the story progresses, an anxious and socially awkward MC (who you can relate to but not like until you are able to experience her growth through this journey.) The plot twist and finding out who is behind the disappearance of the zoo animals. The best part is the entire zoo coming together to save this beautiful creatures from extinction.

This was just the sort of lower stakes fantasy I think a lot of us have been asking for. I had such a great time reading this book, and loved this whole world and all the creatures residing in it. I definitely look forward to reading whatever S.A. MacLean writes next.

I received an ARC copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for the opportunity.

Aila is the head phoenix keeper at a zoo dedicated to magical creatures. From a young age, she wanted to be part in conserving the population of the endangered phoenix. With the help of her best friend, Aila faces challenges to bring the breading program back to the zoo; obnoxious guests, debilitating anxiety, and her longtime rival/head griffin keeper, Luciana.

I almost DNF around 30%, but continued on hoping it would get better (it did around 2/3rds of the way through). Written in 3rd person, this book reads way more like a text book for the first 50% than a fantastical zoo, with less dialogue than needed. There is no real romance until the last third (not a make or break for me personally).

Aila is (I think) supposed to be written as a neurodivergent 28 year old. However, I could only see her as a 28 year old woman who never mentally grew up from college, who holds grudges for things that happened in college, and never once puts her friends’ feeling first. I know everyone processes things differently, but some of the things Aila says/does are so unlikable and down right mean and selfish, that it made it a real struggle to continue on. Near the end, Aila does (somewhat) grow as an adult, but the way it is written feels forced.

Yes, yes, main character has flaws and learns and grows from it, but how… unlikable Aila was in the beginning, almost made this a DNF.

3 stars, only cause the last quarter was really cute.

The cover of The Phoenix Keeper is absolutely stunning—probably one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen, and it instantly caught my eye.

I enjoyed the slow-building relationship. It’s refreshing to see a bond develop gradually through various experiences. The setting was also a high point, with detailed care of magical animals.

However, I did feel a bit let down by the romance aspect. The book is marketed as a fantasy romance, but if you’re expecting a lot of romance, you might be disappointed. The central romance, doesn’t really start until late in the book, and for a standalone, that’s a pretty long wait. It felt like the romance was more of a side note than a main focus.

As for the fantasy elements, they’re pretty light. Apart from the presence of the magical animals, there isn’t much else that screams fantasy. The world-building felt a bit thin; the author lists places but doesn’t give much concrete detail to make the world feel fully realized. Honestly, the story could probably work just as well without the fantasy elements, which was a bit disappointing.

I also struggled with reading the first half of the book. The made-up words, places and names (especially Aila & Silimalo) didn’t flow well and made it hard for me to get into a good reading rhythm. I found myself mentally modifying these words to make it easier to read.

Overall, The Phoenix Keeper has its strengths with well-developed characters and an interesting setting, but it falls short on delivering the romance and immersive fantasy experience I was hoping for. Still, it’s a decent read with a beautiful cover and a strong finish.

Do you like shows about animals, such as The Zoo and Secrets of the Zoo? Did you stay up as a child to watch Big Cat Diaries and Shark week on Animal Planet? Did you go to zoo camp, or wish you could have gone to zoo camp? Well, The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean might satisfy some of your fantasies about being a zookeeper without you ever having to leave your chair.

The Phoenix Keeper is set in a modern world, with modern comforts like cell phones and the internet, except there are also magical animals (don't think about it too hard). There are also graduate programs for studying magical animals (I wish). And people who want to profit off of magical animal parts (gasp). And you can keep some of the animals as pets (*squee*).

Alia has been obsessed with magical creatures since childhood and all she has ever wanted was to be a Phoenix Keeper. Getting through some of the coursework was rough, and not helped by the presence of the charismatic and stunning Luciana. When Alia lands a job at her local zoo, caring for an endangered Phoenix named Rubra, she doesn't expect to have to interact with Luciana at all. However, their passion for animals forges a connection between them that might even be able to repair old jealousies.

I loved reading about the escapades of the animals and the tireless persistence of the keepers. I fell in love with Rubra the Phoenix just as much as I rooted for Alia. Kind of like a cozy fantasy meets zoological romance, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I wasn't disappointed. The descriptions of the animals were lovingly rendered, and the unasked-for mental health advice was a plus (through Alia's therapist, of course). Alia is relatable to anyone who was ever afraid of public speaking and to anyone who has ever spent months preparing for a big exam. If you want an easy-to-read heartwarming book with good representation, look no further. The gorgeous cover doesn't hurt either. Available August 13, 2024.

Scheduled for posting on https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/category/book-reviews/

I just loved this book! It was like the coziest most magical hug, with the added benefit of being gay as hell. I really identified with Aila’s struggles with anxiety, and thought her journey was inspiring and amazing. I loved all the magical creatures, and couldn’t get enough of them. S.A. MacLean is one to watch out for!

Aila is the chief phoenix keeper at a zoo dedicated to magical creatures. Her lifelong ambition is safeguarding critically endangered phoenix, but the non-existent breeding program hinders her dreams. When a phoenix heist happens at another zoo, she is more determined than ever to spearhead conservation efforts. This will be challenging for her because she has an innate ability to charm these creatures. Still, the zoo guests and the other handles are challenging for her, especially regarding her longtime rival, Luciana, who has the zoo's premier exhibit. Their rivalry is marked by tension and disdain. She must do something before the poachers take her precious creature.

The book argues for exploring divergent viewpoints on conservation ethics and the animals for human entertainment. Aila dedicates her life to learning and preserving the creatures, but she must learn to work with others to rescue them. This book also focuses on resiliency, the enduring power of optimism, and how passionate individuals can make a profound impact. It creates an uplifting message. I connected with Aila and understood her challenges in communicating with people. This book was a cozy fantasy mystery with sapphic characters that tackled various relevant themes.

I received an ARC copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Netgalley and Orbit Books, for the opportunity.

Set in a magical zoo teeming with mythical beasts from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens, The Phoenix Keeper is a fierce joy of a cozy fantasy novel with a soul-restoring queer romance at its heart, for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends and Lattes.
I am a fans too and I find that this novel mindblowing.

Aila is living her childhood dream of taking care of an endangered and rare phoenix at a world renowned zoo. Awkward, anxious and introverted, her goal becomes to get the phoenix breeding program up and running again after 10 years.

As other people have mentioned the overall plot was a tad predictable. This gave the book more time to explore their characters, it's always nice to have a neurodivergent protagonist and for the plot to be overall low stakes.

Working in veterinary medicine myself, I enjoyed reading the description of the animals and the care and love the keepers all had for their charges. The animals in the zoo all day distinct personalities and were so much fun.

The romance was a VERY slow burn enemies to friends to lovers. The beginning of the book took a bit to pick up but about 1/2 way though the story really found it's footing and I couldn't put it down.

If you're looking for a fun, low stakes romance and love animals as much as Alia does, this is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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

When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to get my hands on it ASAP. But when I read the authors note, I knew I was going to be completely biased in my reading experience. In her authors note, S.A. MacLean explains her inspiration for the story. She grew up going to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks, and had a strong connection with learning about some of the incredible conservation success stories from the two parks. She specifically talks about their success with the California Condor’s and how stories like that influenced her higher education, earning degree’s and working in environmental fields. I, too, grew up visiting the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. I absolutely adored them. I, too, was incredibly captivated with the stories of conservation and rehabilitation. I even wrote my high school thesis paper on zoos and very specifically focused on both San Diego parks and the story of the California Condor’s. I, too, went on to receive a degree in an environmental capacity, specifically Zoology in my case. While I did not pursue a zoological career, I do still have a huge place for animals and conservation in my heart, and this book absolute spoke to that.

Alright, enough about me, I’m sure you get the picture. Let’s talk more about the book.

We meet our FMC, Aila Macbhairan, in her natural environment right off the bat – working at the San Tamculo Zoo. It becomes clear immediately that while Aila has a connection to animals, that does not translate to humans, especially with her chronic anxiety. She has a great relationship with her former college roommate turned coworker, Tanya, but otherwise she is not particularly keen on human interactions. Can’t say I blame her.

We are also introduced to some of the wonderful and magical inhabitants of the zoo, such as Archie the Archibird and Maisie the Kelpie. But most importantly, we are introduced to the beautiful and cheeky Rubra, our resident Phoenix.

After a tragic incident involving the trafficking of a Phoenix at another zoo, Aila is determined to protect her bird, and also get her a mate. Over the course of the book, we learn about the various mystical animals in this world as well as the zookeepers that take care of them. To help prepare for the upcoming evaluation of Rubra and her enclosure, Aila and Tanya team up with coworkers Connor and Luciana. While Connor is the resident hottie of whom Aila is crushing on, Luciana is her rival from college. Excited for Connors help, and begrudgingly accepting Luciana’s, the four of them set out to not only aid in the conservation and continuation of the Phoenix species, but also help prevent future trafficking.

I truly adored this book and think that anyone with a love for both fantasy and animals would too.

3.25 stars rounded down

I love the premise of this novel, centering around a zoo filled with magical creatures and the conservation efforts for the endangered phoenix that the protagonist, Aila, is passionate about. The creatures and their personalities were quite adorable, and some of the descriptions were nice, though sometimes the similes were a little much.

I feel this is quite subjective, but I just did not find Aila a very charming protagonist to follow, and I think that’s an important feature for a cozy fantasy. I like how she had flaws and an arc to go through, and I could see her growth, and she was very relatable with her public-speaking anxiety and shy and introverted nature. It’s all very relatable, but I just couldn’t quite like her, and didn’t understand why the other characters did. Her passion for phoenixes is charming, but other than that she’s so self-absorbed that she can’t even help her closest friend who’s done nothing but help her and she lets a grudge from years ago affect her professional relationship with a co-worker. She felt immature over all and her internal monologue was kind of mean and lacking empathy for others. and for being so shy I thought it was so weird when she almost cracked a sex joke with her crush, like I had no idea where that came from. I think it did too good a job at portraying her as such a mess who needs to improve that I couldn’t find much redeeming about her. I also wasn’t a huge fan at how she kept referring to the phoenixes as “my phoenixes” like they were her pets or something. It was a little too possessive for my taste. I would have much preferred to follow Luciana or Tanya as the protagonist.

The reveal (?) at the end was so blatantly obvious that I didn’t understand how she didn’t get it (I think it’s also because I found her unlikeable that I wasn’t surprised with it). I wish that was more subtle, or at least portrayed to not be so surprising. The romance was fine, but I think my issues with the protagonist didn’t make me as invested in it.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC!

The Phoenix Keeper was a fun, sweet and delightful. A bit different from the current theme in fantasy books, this one is centered around fantastical creatures. From unicorns, dragons, griffins to phoenixes and more. At first it was a lot follow all the information and terms about the animals and places they are from but as get more in the story one starts to get into what is what. The main character Aila is a zoo keeper in charge of the one the aviary exhibits, but whose true passion lies in trying to prevent the extinction of the Silimalo phoenix. After years trying to get a male phoenix transferred to the zoo for breeding her dream comes true, due to some phoenixes being stolen from another zoo.

I will say the romance in the story is secondary, which I don't mind but he focus is definitely in Ailas passion for the animals and maybe character growth for her. She has trouble being around people, has always been very awkward, never having much friends. She also has stage fright and finds it difficult to express herself. There were certain scenes in whichshe came across as a bit selfish and judgmental, not being able to let go of past experiences that could have been resolve with a conversation. Like with her friend Tanya, who was helping her trough the whole process of getting ready for the phoenix transfer and also going through her own stuff which Aila was not equally supportive to in the beginning. Then with Luciana, a griffin keeper and old classmate who Aila kept judging and holding a grudge with for years without knowing the whole story. Later on this gets resolves.

This is a bit spoiler-ish so don't keep reading if you haven't read. But I knew Connor was sus from the beginning. He went from barely talking and acknowledging Aila to helping her with her phoenix project to kissing and asking her out. And it was clear they didn't have much in common and chemistry. When Luciana came in later they had much more of a connection.

*Also as and added note I think it's cool that the author previously worked with birds, you can feel her passion come through this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Book for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

S.A. MacLean’s “The Phoenix Keeper” was a truly delightful read. It follows Alia, a phoenix keeper who works towards her goal of successfully breeding phoenixes after they have become endangered due to poaching. This book contains a lot of amazing rep: lesbian characters, bisexual characters, trans characters, and a main character with anxiety. There were so many lovely characters in this book, from the main character and the love interest, to the birds in the zoo. Many aspects of this book made me smile while reading. While about mythical creatures, I think this book will speak to every child who wanted to be a marine biologist while growing up (aka me).

I really loved the anxiety representation in this book. It’s not done in a light hearted manner. The main character’s anxiety has a very large impact on her life and her interactions. I felt represented by this and could see myself in the main character.

I somewhat wish the romance had been a bigger part of the story. It was definitely on the back burner. However, I do think the plot line is the most important part of the story. Even though I think the romance could have been more established, aspects like friendship, dreams, and finding one’s self deserved the spotlight more.

If you’re looking for a sweet and light hearted cozy fantasy, this one could be for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the author, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!

I am a cozy connoisseur and this really delivered just that! The author’s love for birds and conservation efforts of all endangered animals shined so bright in this! The concept of a magical zoo was beautiful and well developed so the reader can perfectly picture it in all its magical glory!

The ending was easy enough to see coming but that can be expected in a cozy romantasy where low stakes are the standard. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was all the “dork” and “loser” throwing that the one character does even though it’s done in jest. I could have done with a little more of the romance and more of a cap to the story at the end, as well.

Overall, this was a great debut and I can’t wait to see more stories from this author in the future!

Bird people--your time has come!!

This was a super adorable cozy fantasy that will check a lot of boxes for folks. Aila's got her dream job (honestly, it probably would be my dream job if Phoenix's were real too), but she's also got debilitating anxiety. And not the fun, quirky kind--the kind that prevents you from speaking to literally anyone who isn't your best friend, or almost makes you pass out if you have to talk to a group of people. She felt super relatable and real, especially in dealing with all of the pressure she felt/put on herself.

While this is technically a book about a magical zoo and breeding Phoenixes, it's also a story about finding your place and where you belong. Which is something we usually see in YA stories, not in stories written for adults, and I think it's a great message that there's no end date on when you're supposed to find your people and have everything figured out.

I think Aila's an extremely relatable character, and a lot of folks will relate to her struggles and feelings. The stress of trying to "make it" and the concern that you can't be yourself because who you are isn't good enough. This was an adorable cozy fantasy book that is perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher or Travis Baldree!

I DO, however, want an entire book dedicated to Archie and his antics. Birds, man.