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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While it is acknowledging that this is a soft fantasy, there still needed to have more of a plot. Majority of the book was an overdose of fact building on the settings and creatures which felt too unnecessary. Even character development begun too late in the book. It could’ve been condensed into a shorter story.
I appreciated reading about a bi FMC engaging in relationships with two different genders without their genders being a key element/theme when discussing or comparing the two relationships.
I appreciated reading about a bi FMC engaging in relationships with two different genders without their genders being a key element/theme when discussing or comparing the two relationships.
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book despite it's flaws! This was very cozy, which created good vibes but did unfortunately hinder the story at times because it felt very slow with little to no drama until the last 50 pages especially considering how long this book was. At the same time, it's nice to read a book where not much happens and things aren't that serious once in a while.
The villain of this book was obvious to me, and at times the characterization fell a little flat and juvenile. But, the magical creatures kept me interested and honestly had more personality than the characters. As much as I think Aila's characterization was not the best, I could relate to her anxiety a lot so I think that helped my enjoyment of the story.
The villain of this book was obvious to me, and at times the characterization fell a little flat and juvenile. But, the magical creatures kept me interested and honestly had more personality than the characters. As much as I think Aila's characterization was not the best, I could relate to her anxiety a lot so I think that helped my enjoyment of the story.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The highlight of this book is that all the animals in this otherwise normal, current day, world are mythological creatures. It’s a really big, fun highlight and the main character’s relationship with her best friend is wonderful.
Ayla’s personal development increasing her insight into the ways her anxiety causes her to behave in ways that are hurtful to others and push them away was well-depicted. I wish we saw growth like this more often in characters.
The exclamatory phrases (i.e., “skies and seas!”) were cute the first several times but they were repeated so frequently I found them irritating by the end of the book. Who! exclaims! that! much!
The way the characters interacted with Connor sometimes felt like they came out of left field or like their feelings about him changed more suddenly than made sense.
The romantic storylines and the big mystery twist felt like high-stakes busy work so the characters would have something to do in between the scenes about the animals.
Ayla’s personal development increasing her insight into the ways her anxiety causes her to behave in ways that are hurtful to others and push them away was well-depicted. I wish we saw growth like this more often in characters.
The exclamatory phrases (i.e., “skies and seas!”) were cute the first several times but they were repeated so frequently I found them irritating by the end of the book. Who! exclaims! that! much!
The way the characters interacted with Connor sometimes felt like they came out of left field or like their feelings about him changed more suddenly than made sense.
The romantic storylines and the big mystery twist felt like high-stakes busy work so the characters would have something to do in between the scenes about the animals.
Notes from the first hour of the book:
- 15min in, and there’s one thing I know for certain about Aila: She hates children. Problem is, zoos are crawling with children. So I’m unsure why tf she became a zookeeper and not, idk, a field conservationist, if she loathes kids this much. Her love of magical creatures is in part because of going to the zoo as a child, yet she has zero grace or patience for the kids who roll on the ground, etc. Baffling to me that she chose the job she has, or at least that she’s still there and didn’t leave after 6months of enduring the tortures of children (eyeroll). Not a good start.
- Why is a notoriously thieving bird loose in the aviary to sh!t on people and steal their stuff, including not just sunglasses but also phones? That seems like a bad way to, ya know, encourage repeat visits from visitors (ie revenue generators). Is it their fault for not “reading the warning signs posted,” or is it the zoo’s fault for not creating a healthy and safe environment for both humans and animals?
- One of the reasons Aila gives for preferring birds: unlike a magical primate that is an excellent verbal mimic, birds…don’t mimic? Do parrots not exist in this world?
- Oh look, Aila can’t do public speaking, which is a significant aspect of her job. She hates public speaking and sucks at it, even after three years, and she also hates the general public and their general(ly stupid) questions. Idk about the real world, but in this world zookeepers are half-animal caretakers and half-educators, so again, why does she have this job? How did she get it to begin with, and if she’s that sh!t at public speaking, why hasn’t anyone at the very least relocated her to a different assignment?
So why the DNF after a mere hour (a new record for me?)? We have a main character whom the author claims is just shy and introverted, but is actually obnoxious and whiny. And listen, I, too, am shy and introverted—and hella autistic and awkward—but I hope to god I’m nothing like Aila in terms of immaturity. You can be all those things and still be an interesting, decent human being with a personality.
Aila is also snooty toward the zoo’s attractions, acting like she’s better than others because she doesn’t care as much about the charismatic and showy animals at the zoo. Newsflash: Charismatic animals are huge draws for attendance to zoos. Also, showy feedings or literal shows are huge draws for attendance to zoos. Zoos exist for two reasons: 1) Showcase rare and exotic animals, and 2) Conserve endangered species. The primary reason they exist, however, is that first one. You can’t have a zoo if people aren’t excited and going to it because no people means no tickets means no revenue. If you have an issue with that, don’t work at a zoo; work at an animal conservation center or an animal sanctuary, which may still allow in the gross general public and gasp! children, but which primarily focuses on that second point instead of the first. Or, work in the field studying these creatures in their natural habitats. Yeah, maybe you can’t work directly with your beloved critically endangered phoenixes, but at least you won’t have to deal with the absolute worst horror of the world, ie the pre-adolescent human.
The book synopsis states: “The Phoenix Keeper is a fierce joy of a cozy fantasy novel with a soul-restoring queer romance at its heart, for fans of <i>The House in the Cerulean Sea</i> and <i>Legends and Lattes</i>.” This is a wild book to invoke <i>Legends and Lattes</i> on considering that book had likeable characters and an interesting setting, all wrapped in skillful writing that makes you taste and feel the comforts of Viv’s shop (maybe I should just reread that??). This book, however, isn’t cozy, nor is it joyful, and I guess my soul will remain withered since I don’t have the patience to let it be restored by the queer romance, which hadn’t been introduced yet. Instead, this book is bland and obnoxious—which is where I see the similarities with <i>The House in the Cerulean Sea</i>.
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was really interested in this premise and I don't think it quitee hit the spot. It a cute story, about conservation, learning to work with our fears, and romance BUT god was Aila annoying the fuck out of me for about 3/4 of this book. I think part of it was just a portrayal of how anxiety leads to self sabotage but girlll I needed her to get it together. I do think where the book kinda lost me was on the worldbuilding, there is a lot of it but it not particularly well incorporated just confusing imo, like I see where we were going but there was no point of reference to like go of for a lot of it so u are just reading these paragraphs of descriptions without it really adding much to the story.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
wasn't hooked by the first 25%, might just be in a place where I can't give time to this book right now