The Phoenix Keeper

De: S. A. Maclean

Narrado por: Stephanie Bentley

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 ofThe House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends and Lattes.

As head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, Aila's childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring caveat: her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. When a tragic phoenix heist sabotages the flagship initiative at a neighboring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins.

But saving an entire species from extinction requires more than stellar animal handling skills. Carnivorous water horses, tempestuous thunderhawks, mischievous dragons... Aila has no problem wrangling beasts. But mustering the courage to ask for help from the hotshot griffin keeper at the zoo's most popular exhibit? Virtually impossible.

Especially when that hotshot griffin keeper happens to be her arch-rival from college: Luciana, an annoyingly brooding and insufferable know-it-all with the face of a goddess who's convinced that Aila's beloved phoenix would serve their cause better as an active performer rather than as a passive conservation exhibit. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success is no longer merely a matter of keeping her job...

She is the keeper of the phoenix, and the future of a species–and her love life–now rests on her shoulders.

©2024 S. A. MacLean (P)2024 Orbit

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Filled with mystical creatures so vivid I could swear they’re real, two endearingly relatable zookeepers, and the coziest possible combination of intrigue and romance, THE PHOENIX KEEPER is a sparkling debut. I’d give anything for a ticket to the San Tamculo Zoo, and MacLean’s transporting book made me feel like I’d truly gone for a visit. I look forward to whatever’s next from this magically creative new voice in fantasy."—Laura R. Samotin, author of The Sins On Their Bones

"Fresh, funny, and fantastical, S.A. MacLean's debut introduces an imaginative and authentic new voice to cozy fantasy. By turns witty, poignant, and joyfully romantic, The Phoenix Keeper is utterly transportive!"—Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black

"This book has it all: pining, a healthy amount of nerdiness, a cast of characters you'll consider friends, one amazing griffin keeper– and at its heart, a warming story about passion, preservation, and childhood dreams... Spiritually, I'm still at San Tamculo Zoo. Don't miss out!"—Vanessa Le, author of The Last Bloodcarver

Very cute

This was like a warm hug. You know where it’s going but you’re excited none the less

.

Absolutely loved this book. Though a little slow of a start the ending and romance was great. I’d love to see more of this story

Like a warm hug

I didn’t expect to love this book as much but it was fun to enjoy a cozy low stakes fantasy about a 28 year old girl who just loves her birds.

Disappointing & Frustrating, Could Have been so much more

The basic idea was fun … but I struggled with all of the expo dumping, but especially with the main character who is supposed to be 28 but through actions seems like 18-21 and way too often behaves like she was 14. It made me feel that the good vibes at the end were unearned. I had contemplated DNF-ing at 25% but someone in book club said it got better - and it did, but I’d still rate it as 2.5.

Great story and narration

It started a little slow but it’s worth staying with it. Great story and highly recommend.

Stellar!

The author brilliantly shows the growth of the main character over the book. In the beginning, I found Ayla to be wholly unlikeable. She was quite the curmudgeon and selfish and sometimes a bad friend. As she learned healthier coping mechanisms and communication, it was impossible not to root for her. Luciana’s character was also very well developed. Tanya’s too. LGBTQ representation is seamless throughout. Story was very cute! Wished for Luciana’s POV in many many parts.

Like a vacation for your mind.

Wonderfu vibrant story full of fantasy beings and realistic love story. I loved the emotional growth and introspection aspects that are brilliantly interwoven into the narrative.

🐦‍🔥 Fantasy zoo keeping?! My dream book!

I don’t think I’ve ever rated a cozy fantasy this high! Such a fun story with queer romance, social anxiety rep, and immersive zoo keeping details. Enjoyable, upbeat narration in the audiobook. Loved it and wish there were more!

The setting was unique and lovely

It was such a heartwarming story. I loved Aila’s passion for her phoenix’s! My favorite thing was the setting and the birds

Magical Zoo, Mild Vibes

🌟🌟🌟 – The Zoo is Magical, But Where's the Spark?!

Okay listen. I wanted to be feral for this book. I was READY to dive headfirst into a glittery tornado of phoenix feathers, unicorn drama, and brooding griffin keepers with cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass. And yes—THE VIBE IS THERE. Magical zoo? ✅ Sapphic enemies-to-lovers slow burn? ✅ Creatures with too many teeth and too much attitude? ✅✅✅

But y’all… the pacing gave me whiplash and not in the good “my emotions are being tossed around by plot twists” kind of way—more like "I'm stuck in a fog of anxiety and can't find the exit" kind of way.

Aila, bless her stress-ball heart, is our main character and phoenix keeper, but she spends 80% of the book vibrating with anxiety and the other 20% oblivious to the fact that her own best friend is crying for help in broad daylight. Like girl... you're literally surrounded by thunderhawks and kelpies, and yet the real beast you needed to wrangle was your interpersonal communication skills. 🧍‍♀️

Luciana? The goth griffin goddess of my dreams. But we barely got enough screentime with her to fuel my fanfic folder. And the romance? More of a slow simmer than a phoenix flame, tbh.

I would've given anything—ANYTHING—to spend more time with the actual magical creatures, or to dive deeper into her relationships (family? backstory? emotional baggage carousel?). Instead, it felt like we were hyper-focused on one plot thread while the rest of the zoo just kind of… existed in the background.

That said—will I read the next one if there's a sequel? Probably. Because I'm nothing if not loyal to chaotic magical girlies with emotionally unavailable love interests and a zoo full of creatures that could eat me.

Tl;dr: Whimsical setting? Yes. Queer romance? Yep. Actual energy of a phoenix rising from the ashes? Not quite—but there's definitely a spark waiting to catch fire. 🔥🪶