The Phoenix Keeper
by S. A. MacLean
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Pub Date Aug 13 2024 | Archive Date Aug 06 2024
Hachette Australia & New Zealand | Gollancz
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Description
The Phoenix Keeper is an irresistible queer romantasy standalone set in a magical zoo of mythical creatures by ecology professor S. A. MacLean.
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 neighbouring 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. Inspiring zoo patrons? That's another story. 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 grace of a basilisk and 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 now rests on her shoulders. There's just one thing she has to remember: she is also not alone.
Against an epic fantasy backdrop teeming with all your favourite mythical beasts from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens, The Phoenix Keeper combines the cozy fantasy stakes of TJ Klune and Travis Baldree with the heartwarming contemporary romance of Alice Oseman and Casey McQuiston.
Advance Praise
'This book has it all: some good old 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
'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
'Delightfully inventive and charming, The Phoenix Keeper is a sweet sapphic romance set in the most magical zoo you can imagine. MacLean's empathy for all living things - from vanishing ducks and endangered phoenixes, to endearingly awkward zookeepers and their crushes - shines through in every word. I couldn't stop smiling the whole way through. Sign me up for a lifetime membership to the San Tamculo Zoo, please!' - Julie Leong, author of THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781399616560 |
| PRICE | A$34.99 (AUD) |
| PAGES | 472 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Bookseller 1199003
Cosy fantasy is very hit or miss (usually miss) for me, but I'd been interested in this one for a long time because a) my two favourite things as a kid were animals and magic, and not much has changed; and b) the author is an actual biologist, so I had hopes the magic animal stuff would at least be cool. And boy oh boy, were my hopes not only met but bashed right out of the park--and not just when it came to the magical creatures (though I will say, the inventiveness in magical species was probably my favourite part. To quote my partner: 'Yes, you've told me about the mouse griffins three times. Please stop telling me about the mouse griffins.' (In my defence: there are MOUSE GRIFFINS!!)). This title is proof that a book can have a gripping plot, narrative tension and a proper character arc WHILE ALSO hitting the warmth, charm and low stakes (though for me, an animal lover who also has a bio background, the stakes were ANYTHING BUT LOW, oh my god) of cosy fantasy.
I was so invested in poor, disastrous Aila, with her crippling social anxiety and deep love for her animals. I loved how her anxiety was handled with real compassion, while the narrative also held her to account for her actions; I loved how rich and real both she and the whole cast felt, and how while this is billed as a romantasy, the central relationship is really between Aila and her best friend (and the true hero of the story) Tanya. That being said, I also loved the romance, or rather romanceS, and the way they were used narratively to highlight Aila's own development, and to show what it looks like to allow someone to see you for yourself, and help you grow into the best version of yourself. I loved the gentle way the narrative slipped in teaching moments about zoos and conservation. And, of course, I loved loved loved the animals, and the obvious both knowledge and love with which they were imagined and brought to life.
All in all, this was both a brilliant debut and, for me, the platonic ideal of what a cosy fantasy can look like. I had a wonderful time from the first page to the last, and can't wait to see what Sarah MacLean does next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for the eARC in exchange for my review!
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