Week 31 Review: The Phoenix Keeper

From Goodreads:

A socially awkward but determined phoenix keeper must partner with her longtime rival to save her beloved exhibit from falling into obscurity in this charming, romantic fantasy debut.

Aila is a little obsessed with phoenixes. As head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, her childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. When a tragic phoenix-nabbing cripples the flagship program at a neighbouring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins.    

But saving a species takes more than stellar animal handling skills. Carnivorous water horses, tempestuous thunderhawks — Aila has no problem wrangling beasts. Inspiring zoo patrons? That's another story. Finding the courage to ask for help from the hot dragon keeper at a neighbouring exhibit? Virtually impossible. And don't get Aila started on her arch-rival from the glamorous leader of the zoo's wildly popular griffin show, who's convinced that Aila's beloved phoenix would serve better as a performer than a conservation exhibit.   

Aided by both friends and enemies, Aila must conquer her social anxiety if she is to restore her breeding programme. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success isn't only a matter of keeping her the future of a species depends on her.

My Review:
This was such a warm hug of a read! I'm really enjoying this wave of cozy fantasy, of low stakes, and this one in a world with magical creatures, and the zoos and conservation efforts, yeah, I would love to spend more time in this world!

Aila is anxiety walking, and I could relate so easily to her! She worries about every single thing, basically, from talking to the guy that she's attracted to, to talking to the public about the creatures under her care. That what if, what if something goes wrong, that little voice in the back of your head, I related so much! 

This world of creatures that are mythological in our world, being zoo creatures, some of which are near extinction, was so interesting to read, and all the methods that they have to deal with these creatures, it's basically our technology level and society, but in this fantasy world, which was so interesting to read! 

Oh, but her relationships in this book were so great! Tanya, the steadfast friend, Luciana, someone who humiliated Aila in college, and now is a rising star at work, with the enemies to lovers? They were all so great to read about, I loved all their dynamics, and the growth in all these relationships! 

I did guess who the bad guy was right at the one point, because the way that he was rubbing her wrong, and that one factoid being brought up, yeah, that made me suspicious. So it was a delight to be proven right, though awful, too, because he was such an awful person! 

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by S.A. MacLean! 

Author: S.A. MacLean
Read: July 27th, 2024
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a DAC Book, SAC 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Orbit
Expected Publication: August 13th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars