Secret Keeper

Phoenix Heart, Book 2

By: Sarah K. L. Wilson

Narrated by: Elise Hoffman

Length: 2 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

She thought she could just leave her trouble behind. She was wrong.

Sersha is relieved to be able to leave Landsfall. Her people aren't safe as long as she stays, and her future lies with Kazmerev now.

But when her cousin Mally makes a series of headstrong decisions, it plunges Sersha and her friends into trouble they can't easily escape. Getting free will push her ethics, her abilities, and her newfound friendship with her beloved phoenix. Will she have what it takes to keep her people safe?

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. The episodes are 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

Beautiful Writing, Exceptional Characters

This is the second of the Phoenix Heart serial, and picks up straight after the battle that had taken place in the Village of Landsfall at the end of book 1, when Sersha’s Aunt Danna had tried to offer her up as the Ai’sletta in place of her own daughter, Sersha’s cousin, Mally, who is the real Ai’sletta. Sersha discovered this, after matching the patterns on Mally’s face to those on the medallion that Judicus had been carrying.
Judicus is a Rope Weaver, and he and Veela, a Flame Rider, had come to find the Ai’sletta and take her back safely to their home, as they have been looking for her for generations. Unfortunately, so have other nefarious factions, such as the people that hired the Raiders to find Mally.
Whilst her mother is adamant she is not going, Mally is determined to leave with Sersha and Judicus, these two having decided that they have to leave as soon as possible for the safety of the village. This has become even more urgent with everyone discovering that Sersha has bonded with Kazmarev, becoming his heart, and his Flame Rider (although at this time, kind of clueless as to how that works). Sersha, with Kazmarev’s aid, managed to not only fly the night before, but use some of her abilities to strike at the Raiders, forcing them back.
As we move into book 2 (and I am not going to give away spoilers – this is just too good a story to ruin it!!), Sersha, along with the severely wounded Judicus and a very bossy, and impertinent Mally, take a small boat, and escape onto the waters, trying to sail away. With Kazmarev overhead as a guardian, they should have been ok, if only Mally would have listened.
And this is where this book has such an amazing quality to it. Sersha is voiceless, as in a mute, unable to speak. She can sign, but this is only helpful if the others can also sign, and in the case of Mally, are willing to watch and ‘Listen’ as such, and translate for those that don’t understand as well (and translate truly!).
We get to see the world through the eyes of someone who hears everyone so clearly, better than nearly everyone around her, as she pays more attention than most, with an exceptional sense of hearing. Sersha is incredibly patient, not only letting others use ‘their words’, but also waiting until others are willing to give her the attention she needs to get her message across. Wilson’s character work with regards to Sersha is masterful, as she has truly captured the frustration of this young woman’s disability, but also how she has adapted to almost turn it into a strength, not a weakness.
When Sersha joins with Kazmarev, it is such a joy for her, as she can actually ‘speak’ with another intelligent being, converse with them like she has never done before. Whilst their ‘heart’ bond is incredibly powerful, this mental bond, the ability to communicate, adds a whole new dimension to their relationship and makes this bond even stronger.
Book 2 is not quite as action-packed as book 1, but there is far more intrigue, and we learn so much more about each of the major characters, not just Sersha and Kazmarev, but Judicus and Mally, as well as some new people as well that I won’t give away. We get to explore this fascinating, and beautiful relationship between Sersha and Kazmarev, seeing how they are not only becoming something more than friends, but Sersha is understanding what a Flame Rider can do. And we get to learn what more about the other aspects of the story such as the Ai’sletta, which is utterly compelling, and just makes you want to dive into book 3 (seriously, you can’t get through these fast enough)
Every aspect of this series is not just captivating, and beautifully written, the writing so easy to read (or listen to), it just flows off the page, Wilson is a masterful wordsmith, but along with this, the character work is just exceptional. This is a powerful, character driven story that has everything you want in a Fantasy story, intrigue, magic, mythical creatures (and a Phoenix!!!), and a heroine who despite her disability, is just remarkable in every sense of the word.
After reading book 1, I went and bought the entire first season, and I am already into book 3 – this is not to be missed!!
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 Sersha’s frustration at not being able to convey her thoughts, or Kazmarev’s anger, loss, anguish at various situations such as the loss of his former Flame Rider, or not being able to help Sersha with something due to her lack of experience, or just the bond he immediately feels for her due to their connection. The Narration is just outstanding, I have already bought the entire first ‘Season’ on Audiobook as I just love the Narrator’s voice, and think she is brilliant – this is one story you want to listen to rather than read, as Hoffmann is brilliant.