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.
It's so much more than I expected, and I want to read it again and again. The world building is immaculate... I want more! I want textbooks and documentaries and just generally to devour every single scrap of information about this world... I intend to send everybody I know a copy for Christmas!' 5-star NetGalley review
'My top read of the year so far! I loved this book from start to finish... I shall be keeping my eye out for this author's next book for sure!' 5-star NetGalley review
'This is a gorgeous book that needs to be on your beach/pool side reads for this summer' 5-star NetGalley review
'Absolutely adored this low stakes cozy fantasy, it's everything I love in fantasy nowadays. A slow burn sapphic romance, lots of representation and very cute magical animals' 5-star NetGalley review
'This book is the definition of cozy fantasy and I loved it... More please!' 5-star NetGalley review
'This is an adorable and heartwarming cozy fantasy book, full of great characters and fantastical creatures, and not to mention tons of warmth, heart and humour. Now I just need to figure out where I can get a pet phoenix...' 5-star NetGalley review
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