The perfect book doesn’t ex—

Cozy fantasy? A zoo filled with magical creatures? A socially awkward and reluctant heroine? An enemies to lovers romance? Who am I kidding? I was hooked at cozy.

This delightful debut novel is set in a modern-day world where the animals are magical, but the same issues plague humanity. Gorgeous creatures, vital to their unique ecosystems, are critically endangered, poached to the brink of extinction.

Enter the zoo—a living classroom, offering opportunities that inspire both a love for animals and a commitment to their protection. At the San Tamculo Zoo, Aila is the head keeper for the critically endangered Silimalo Phoenix. She is awkward and bumbling, but determined to protect and advance the animals that she’s loved since childhood.

The book has a great cast of diverse characters and features a slow burn, queer romance—certainly more “cozy” than “romantasy.” The animals were equally entertaining, especially the mischievous Archibird and Bix Phoenix.

I had a delightful sense of nostalgia reading this book. I couldn’t stop thinking about the early scene in Harry Potter where Harry visits the zoo and finds himself talking to the boa constrictor. HIGHLY recommend for lovers of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Emily Wilde, and Harry Potter.

Finally, that cover. 👀😍🐦‍🔥

Many thanks to NetGalley and author S.A. Maclean for the ARC! I can’t wait for the world to get to read it.

#ThePhoenixKeeper #NetGalley #booklovers #bookstagram

This was a delightful surprise! If you’re interested in a cozy book about a shy zookeeper that is full of imaginary creatures (with the addition of an enemies-to-lovers light romance) then add this to your TBR.

I’m not a big fan of reading romance, but I am a big fan of wandering around zoos. The strength of this book is its descriptive world building: I felt like I was at this fantastical zoo, observing all the fantastical creatures. The author provides enough information about each to spark your imagination - plus, you may already know some of these creatures, as the author borrows from various mythologies and folklore to populate the zoo.

The human characters are also detailed and diverse, and I thought the author handled representation and the anxiety/mental health theme well. It’s refreshing to read a book that normalizes therapy, and some readers will certainly relate to the main character. I also appreciated the strong friendship narrative throughout, and the romance component wasn’t too overpowering. Though the plot was somewhat predictable (in that cozy fantasy way), my only minor complaint was the pacing, which was perhaps too cozy and slow at times, though it does build and then gets resolved in a satisfying way. I also appreciated the behind the scenes insight into running a zoo, though I can’t comment on the accuracy. The author includes a hand written introduction, a zoo map, and a few creature illustrations throughout, which was a nice additional touch.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this cozy story, and enjoyed visiting the fantastical zoo even more!

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

a cozy fantasy novel about a phoenix keeper who works in a magical animal zoo. To save an endangered species of phoenix, she will need to collaborate with her college adversary, who happens to be hot on the scene. the ideal fusion of romance, fantasy, and heart! This served as a good reminder that stories don't always have to involve horror and murder. Occasionally, they may revolve on a silly girl and her birds.

What a cute story! A warm-hearted novel about a 28 year old neurodivergent (at least that's how I read her) zookeeper and her mission to obtain and care for a successful phoenix breeding pair, loosely based on the real life conservation project of the California condor. It's sort of a contemporary fantasy-lite; countries and ethnicities have different names, and the endangered species in the zoo are all fantastic animals like phoenix and dragons.

There's some foreshadowing about poachers/animal smugglers in the beginning but not much in terms of stakes for most of the book (if you don't like the slow character-based plot of cozies, you won't like this). The climactic scene was very exciting though and l loved how all the birds showed up to kick ass. I'm a little disappointed that no poachers were eaten by the kelpie at the end, but I suppose having a pool filled with bloody human pulp was a little too dark for a cozy fantasy. Because it is a very cozy, very sweet story with likeable characters that made me happy.

And it even has an important moral: don't trust men who talk about their investment portfolio on the first date.

I really enjoyed this cozy, fantasy, slow burn, romance. I could relate with and see myself in the main character. This is an absolute treasure!

Aila is the head phoenix keeper the the zoo for magical creatures and works hard to help conserve the endangerment of the wonderous firebird. The problem the zoo's breeding program hasn't worked in years and she must decide if her facility is ready to take the lead. Ailia must also gather public support which is much easier said then did and must ask for help from the griffin keeper whom is also her rival for college. There is also the threat of poachers which puts much more then just her job at risk.

Anything involving magical creatures and I am instantly in. I think this book puts the trope of rivals to lovers in a whole new magical world. this is a great cozy fantasy that doesn't go to deep but is such a fun read.

5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

Every so often you’ll come across a book that speaks to you, knows you inside and out and just h i t s. That is The Phoenix Keeper for me. I saw myself on every page, in every failed conversation, every hard social interaction, in every best friend talk. In the struggles and the fears. This story hit my soul in a way no book ever has before.

The tackles of social anxiety, the ease of animal companionship, the talk of conservation, the mostly low stakes. The nemesis to lovers. This cozy read was a joy and I am so thankful it gets to exist in this world.

However I wouldn’t necessarily cast this as a romance, it is there but it doesn’t start until halfway through the book and doesn’t take off until around 70% and is very subtle. But what it does is layout the importance of friendships, of relationships, and taking chances, of passions and asking for help. The struggles of anxiety and how it affects us in all aspects and stays with us for years. And it does it beautifully.

This one will stick with me.

The Phoenix Keeper is a cozy, enchanting fantasy about Aila, a zookeeper determined to save endangered phoenixes. Set in a magical zoo, the story beautifully weaves Aila's personal growth and her developing relationships, including a nuanced queer romance. The book's rich world-building, diverse characters, and thoughtful exploration of zoo ethics make it a delightful and heartwarming read.

The Phoenix Keeper was SO GOOD! Seriously, it's like it was made just for me. It's a standalone fantasy set in an alternate contemporary world. The main character Aila is the zookeeper for a critically endangered phoenix and more than anything else, she wants to revive the zoo's breeding program for the phoenix. Unfortunately, she is short one male phoenix. Thus begins our cozy, queer, fantasy that you do not want to miss!

One of the things I loved about The Phoenix Keeper was Aila's character arc and growth. She suffers from social anxiety which makes her a loner amongst her zoo colleagues, save for her one long-time friend. However, along with the anxiety, Aila views the world in a self-centered way. She has a habit of thinking poorly of others, most notably her long-term rival Luciana, who runs the zoo's griffin show. Aila is immediately relatable, but not alway likable. This is clearly on purpose. Watching her grow as a person alongside her plot journey was a delight. To see her connect with others, care about them, and even come to think of more people as friends, was like watching her blossom. Her growth is interwoven really well with the story such that it sneaks up on you. Suddenly she's approaching people and community in a new light, but all the work is there. It helps that there are several time jumps in the book, so it doesn't feel like she becomes a totally new person in two weeks.

I am a total zoo nerd. I was already excited for The Phoenix Keeper, but when I learned that it is inspired by the San Diego zoo and the conservation efforts to save the California condor, I knew I was in for a treat. While I am no expert in zookeeping or animal care, the author clearly knows her stuff. The world of the zoo was intricate and exact. We got daily care routines for a variety of magical animals (many similar to real-life animals). We got inner-zoo rivalries. We got the bureaucracy and competitiveness of endangered animal care. I went along this journey with Aila from the every day routines to the extraordinary adventures. The book explores *why* zoos matter, both in Aila's world and ours. It also integrates the very real threat of poaching, not just in the wild, but in supposedly protected zoos. And it shares the way animals are harmed both by active human greed and ambition, but also by lack of care.

While the romance isn't the core of the book, there is a sapphic romance side-plot. The world is largely queer-normative, or at least Aila's portion of it is. There's no 'coming out' or exploration of sexuality. Aila is attracted to many genders. Her best friends is trans. None of this is questioned or even noted beyond to share with the reader. She begins the book with a crush on co-worker, and dragon keeper, Connor. But over time, she develops some complicated feelings for her long-time nemesis Luciana. Aila's character arc in relation to Luciana in particular felt really well-done. While the book doesn't fall into the 'sexy fantasy' category we see a lot nowadays, I think it will do well with romantasy fans who want to lean more into the fantasy side of things.

I want to note that there is a map at the beginning of the book, however, I was not really able to see it in my digital ARC. I bet it's as amazing as the rest of the book, but I will be discovering it with everyone else when my preorder comes.

I would be remiss to end this review without noting the absolutely GORGEOUS cover. Truly a 10/10. The detailing on the phoenixes is exquisite. There are so many magical creatures described in the book, one thing I would love to see are illustrations of the other animals at the zoo. The kelpie is one of my favorites (you'll discover why when you read it), but there are also several types of dragons, phoenixes, griffins, unicorns, and more. Also, the vanishing ducks. Aila spends a lot of time in an aviary with an assortment of different avian magical species, and it would be cool to see an illustration featuring Archie's tower and the other critters roaming around. And as long as I'm placing an order, I want stickers of all the creatures in the book. I think this book does very well as a standalone, but I will not say no to literally anything else I can get. I will definitely be reading S.A. MacLean in the future and you need to check this out when it releases in August!

I have elected not to finish The Phoenix Keeper after 3 chapters. This book is long and jam-packed with descriptive imagery. I know this might be a selling point for some, but I found it to be very wordy and difficult to get through. I found myself not picking up the book at all and having no desire to go back to it. It took me a while to get through the first 3 chapters, and I don't feel like the story was really going anywhere at that point.

I was hoping the book would be heavier on the romance with a very nice fantasy backdrop, but that is not what I found through the beginning of this book. I'm sure it may have picked up, but I found the writing style just too difficult for me to push through.

This may be for you if you do enjoy cozy fantasy with very descriptive imagery!

The Phoenix Keeper is the best hug. Not only does it feature a bisexual main character, queer romance, and zookeeping, but it's a slow burn romance full of angst and pining. I fell in love with Aila. With how much passion she has for phoenixes, how she doesn't understand why people would need reasons to love and want to protect animals. It's so pure and reminds you of the things we love unconditionally, see the magic in them. Yet at the same time, I loved how Aila sometimes has to see the bigger picture, to realize when we aren't being a good friend.

2.5* rounded up to 3. I initially had high hopes for this book as someone with anxiety. However, while I liked the supporting characters quite a lot, I couldn’t get past Aila - her dialogue was just hard to read & I found her storylines to be very aggravating.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.
Fresh, fun read!

A magical, cozy fantasy that leaves you with a sense of delight.

What did I like about this book? In a word, everything. I was nervous going in, a magical zoo with cozy vibes and LGBT representation felt like a lot to take on for a debut novel. So, I was shocked that the book not only managed to nail those aspects but also had good character diversity and strong female friendships, representation of mental health struggles, and a cute slow-burn romance.

The Phoenix Keeper is about Aila, a zookeeper at a magical zoo who is pursuing her passion for animal conservation. She has been dreaming of an opportunity to help save endangered phoenixes for years. However, when the chance comes, she looks at her falling apart breeding facility and realizes she may be in over her head. With help from her best friend, Tanya, Aila will face off against an old enemy and her own anxieties to get all she needs for her Phoenix program. Guest staring a whole cast of magical animals, including phoenixes, unicorns, dragons, griffins, and one badly behaved archibird.

The story occurs almost entirely within the zoo, and all of the magical elements in the book come from the animals. Initially, I wondered if the setup would make the world feel flat or lacking in magic, but I never felt it did. It helped to reinforce the idea that for Aila, the zoo is her whole world. I wasn't expecting a cozy fantasy to have a more profound message, but it did a fantastic job of discussing ethical issues around zoos (magical or otherwise) in a non-distracting yet thought-provoking way.

While there is romance, I appreciated that the book did not sacrifice the plot for it and that romance was not its primary focus but naturally fits into the story. The book focuses mainly on Ailas's passion, friendships, and learning to accept herself. Aila struggles with accepting herself throughout the book as she deals with severe anxiety. Her struggle with anxiety felt authentic. It didn't come and go when it was convenient for the plot, but instead, we saw how she coped with it as the plot progressed.

What didn't I like? I'll be honest: I have almost no complaints about this book. If I had to nitpick, Ailas' lack of social awareness can sometimes be tiring. But it's hard to get too upset with it because it feels very intentional, as though Aila herself is annoyed with it, and you're experiencing that as the reader.

Who is this for? This is primarily a cozy fantasy with some romance. I recommend this to fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. While I understand the comparison to Legends & Lattes, this book felt more plot-driven. This book can be heavy on animal descriptions, and all of the magic comes from animals, so it may not be the best choice for someone looking for a magic-focused book. This book is a skip if you want a spice or romance-focused plot.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Despite some initial frustration with the main character's stubbornness, I found this book to be a pretty decent read. The world-building was intriguing and there was significant character growth as the story progressed. Overall, it was a cute and enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you to Orbit and to NetGalley for allowing me to read an early copy of this book! warning that if you read this right before bed (and perhaps half of metal from heaven),you will have extremely gay dreams. thank you orbit for the sapphic drama in my dreams, i appreciated it!

Soft and definitely lower stakes, with enough information for my nerdy mind because I love to know all the information-- and io know so many others who would as well! I appreciated the alt-world of it, and it was still relatively simple to figure out which each country/city was based on-- I think.

I also loved the sideplot about Aila's friend, and how much she was doing, without Aila's acknowledgement!

I received an advanced reader's copy of The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and it made the afternoon fly by while I read. There was action, adventure, intrigue, and scheming. The characters were well-crafted, the pace of the novel was steady, and the world building was engrossing. Definitely worth reading!

This was the perfect book to read cozied up in front of the window while its raining, when they said cozy, they MEANT IT.

I loved how there wasn't any spice, I think that set it apart from other romantasy books.
The slow burn was burning for SURE

COZY! This book is so cozy and whimsical! I really enjoy Aila's character and you can feel her love and care for animals. Like most cosy books, the stakes are relatively low so you can just vibe. The romance doesn't start until probably 50-60% of the book so I don't think it would fall firmly in the romantasy category. Some things that I found at times took me out of the story was certain world building elements such as time and place, but overall this would be a good read for those who enjoy a low stakes story which involves magical animals.

Thank you so much NetGally, Orbit Books & S.A MacLean for providing me with an eARC!
* will add reviews to StoryGraph & tiktok after July 13

The setting of a magical creatures zoo and main character of a Phoenix Keeper sets a whimsey level for a story on par with many middle-grade (children's) fantasy books, but other aspects of the story of The Phoenix Keeper are more adult. There is a romance, slow-burn, not spicy but I wouldn't call this a romantasy, either. This is the story of a curious young woman who suffers from an anxiety disorder, especially social anxiety and how her interest and dedication to her phoenix helped her cope and even work through her anxiety. Anyone who went through an awkward phase or isn't particularly comfortable in social situations can relate to the main character, Aila, of some level. The main thread of the story is seeing her passion for her program and how it gives her strength to open up to others and cope with her anxiety. There is a thread of suspense that comes into play later in the story and a light romance, but as with any "cozy" story, these are low stakes. This was a sweet story that was fun to read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of whimsy rather than drama to escape into.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.