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The Phoenix Keeper

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The Phoenix Keeper

By: S. A. MacLean
Narrated by: Stephanie Bentley
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About this listen

 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.©2024 S. A. MacLean (P)2024 Orion Publishing Group Limited Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy LGBTQIA+ Creators Romance Heartfelt Fiction

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I had been struggling to read this book physically do I decided it was time to try the audio and it’s safe to say I was not disappointed!!! This audiobook quite literally saved this book for me! I loved how each character and animal had its own voice making the story more immersive.

Amazing characters!

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I loved the characters and the unique plot. Wonderfully crafted. Great development of the story. A very colourful world.

a wonderful read

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'There's nothing wrong with being an introvert' (Tanya - the best character in this book)... Absolutely, I agree. I like the shy, anxiety-ridden, neuro-spicy zookeeper idea. I could relate to her. I also like the mystical/mythical creatures zoo setting, and I was looking forward to reading this, and for the first few chapters, I wasn't disappointed. However, what started as quaint quickly became repetitive, predictable, and frustrating. Aila is too selfish and immature. The book is a cosy fantasy, but sadly, for me, reading this was just ok, not truly cosy.
The narrator was great though.

The Phoenix Keeper

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I absolutely loved this book and the story. It was nice having a fantasy book that wasn’t heavy in world building and didn’t have to concentrate really hard in that aspect. I loved having a fantasy book that was centred around animals and the conservation around endangered animals. I found Aila extremely relatable with her social anxiety and love of animals. The Phoenix Keeper covered a variety of topics and I honestly loved it all round. I have the illumicrate exclusive edition which is stunning but I listened to it on audio and the audiobook is really good. I will definitely be reading this book again. I loved it so much.

Loved this so much

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I did enjoy the coziness of the story but feel like I was missing something. The big reveal at the end I predicted from near enough the start and the main character just felt too whiny, selfish and childish at times. I did really like the animals/creatures and the audio book was really good. Overall, I am just feeling disappointed.

Cozy but very predictable

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