Bright Feather

Phoenix Heart, Episode 3

By: Sarah K. L. Wilson

Narrated by: Elise Hoffman

Length: 2 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The flame of courage is burning.

It's Sersha and Kazmerev against the world in this wild third episode of Phoenix Heart. With her cousin stolen and her friend Judicus once again in trouble, everyone needs Sersha to save the day. But not all is as it seems - there are villains lurking in every hill and hollow - and Sersha must use all her skills to fight against impossible odds. Her bond with Kazmerev is growing, and together, they are seeing the world in new ways, but will it be enough?

For lovers of Dragon School, Crown of Feathers, Dragon Riders of Pern, and Howl's Moving Castle comes a new serial novella series from USA Today best-selling author Sarah K. L. Wilson, sure to fill you with the love of adventure and bright hope.

Note from the author: Phoenix Heart is a series very much like your favorite streaming TV show. There are seasons and episodes. They’re intended to be fast-paced and exciting, and they release frequently so that you can keep up with the story even if you have a very busy life. Perfect for lunch breaks, a single evening of enjoyment, and younger listeners who prefer bite-sized chunks.

Season one:

• Episode 1: Ashes
• Episode 2: Secret Keeper
• Episode 3: Bright Feather
• Episode 4: Rope Worker
• Episode 5: Grand Hadri

©2021 Sarah K. L. Wilson (P)2021 Sarah K. L. Wilson

Can Sersha save Judicus and Mally?

Book 3 picks up straight after book 2, and sees Sersha trying to rescue Judicus out of the tree that she has to leave him in after the events that occurred at the end of that book. Things are not going particularly well for Sersha at the start of this book as Mally is missing, still in the custody of the Lady Lightland. With the forest burning, raiders hunting them, Sersha must focus to get Judicus from the tree and escape before the dawn.
Of course, then she only needs to help him heal, find Mally, work out what the Ai’sletta is, as well as her role as a Flame Keeper.
The Phoenix Heart books are short Novella’s, each another episode in Sersha’s life as she goes from being a young serving girl in a tavern, one with no voice, to a Flame Keeper, the heart bonded rider of a Phoenix that rises every sunset and dies every dawn. During their nights together, the two must accomplish all they can together, not only trying to achieve the various goals that are set out before them (like trying to rescue Mally, or stopping Judicus from either dying from his wounds or falling out of a tree), but also teaching Sersha all they can about her new role.
Sersha and the Phoenix, Kazmarev, are bonded after Veela, Kazmarev’s former Flame Keeper passed his ashes to Sersha just before she died from grievous wounds. Through this bond, Sersha can talk to Kazmarev telepathically, but more than this, she gains other abilities as well, and whilst this has started to be explained in books 1 and 2, we get to find out even more about this in book 3 as her bond with the Phoenix grows.
One of the other really fascinating things in book 3 is the discovery of the Stryxex, another mythical creature like Kazmarev, in that they are rare like Phoenix’s but, they are the darker side, a creature that absorbs the light and comes from darkness. I don’t want to say too much and give away spoilers, but the addition of the Stryxex adds this extra dimension to the story, one that already has so many facets to it.
The world building for Phoenix Heart is just exceptional, the descriptions of the villages, the cities, the sail boats, and the people that live in this world. But it is not just this, it is the stunning depictions of the Phoenix, Kazmarev is just beautifully described, so that you can really feel it every time he is born and Sersha’s breath is taken away.
Just as wonderful is the character work. It is difficult to have a main character that can’t talk, and yet Wilson manages to make Sersha more expressive than most characters that are capable of using words. The character development and the bond that is growing between her and Kazmarev is fascinating, as this creature of mythology, wise and ancient, with decades, possibly centuries of life, mourning the loss of his last Flame Keeper, is still overwhelmed by the bond he has with his new one. Just as overwhelmed is poor Sersha, someone who has spent her entire life being unnoticed, struggling for attention, and is now the centre of it. She can’t understand why this magnificent creature has bonded to her, and yet, at the same time, she is completely in love with him. It is a beautiful and intriguing relationship.
Whilst this is a Young Adult series, it is a lot of fun, and full of action, adventure, and the relationship between Sersha and Kazmarev is well worth the read. Looking forward to book 4!!
Elise Hoffmann has such a beautiful voice, it is so easy to listen to, and makes this one story that you just want to get the Audiobook because she is so nice to listen to, and tells the story so well. She has a wonderful range of male and female voices, really bringing the story to life. She also adds powerful emotions to the characters as she tells their stories, so that you really understand and feel what is happening, such as Kazmarev’s sarcasm, or Sersha’s frustration (either at not being able to speak with someone, or at Kazmarev). The Narration is just outstanding, and it absolutely a must listen, Elise Hoffman has such a lovely voice and does such a wonderful job!!