This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Published by Ace
Released on September 25, 2018
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
The Delight
A lavishly painted fantasy world, a gritty plot, and compelling characters are only the the beginning of why this book pulled me in at page one, had my heart and guts clenching, and played on all my emotions. I’ve been meaning to pick up one of this author’s books so a new series release was the perfect opportunity.
Review
Phoenix Unbound introduces a world that centers around an old vast empire. It resembles the decadence and decay of the waning years of the Roman Empire enslaving and suppressing all before it. Lavish pageantry beside brutal entertainments in the coliseum-style pit. In the center is a gladiator slave who sees his opportunity to get free, return to his home, and get his revenge against the one who betrayed him. To gain his freedom, he threatens a fire witch from a small village to help him gaining her reluctant assistance. Gilene has used her magical abilities to be able to present herself each year as the village’s tribute for the human sacrifice to the gods. She is bitter and has no hope, but faces her fate with courage. This hostile, wary pair have an adventure that rocks an empire.
The world is a dark place for anyone not in the elite aristocratic class and I ached with hurt for those caught up as slaves or the poor class in the system. Rape, pillage, human sacrifice, brutality was all the norm (no, rape is not detailed out, but this is not a light and easy story). Even though, Azarion’s early actions might seem brutish, the author wrote it all in such a way that I was cheering for both him and Gilene even while they were opposed to each other. Both their situations were desperate.
The road trip style adventure of the first half lent to a nice slow build to the character and relationship development. There were some intense action moments and I loved how the magical element played a role. The second half of the book took on a whole different style adventure when a new people group were introduced that had a Mongolian nomadic culture that was a brilliant contrast to the Empire.
There was a great build to the final big climax and an emotional and slowly ebbing denouement that was perfect. I sobbed twice in the last quarter of this book and sat clutching it with a teary-eyed smile in the end.
In summary, I was left sated, but also hungry for me. I want more of this series and will be hitting Draven’s backlist hard. Those who love gritty adventurous fantasy romance should definitely snag this one.
I rec’d this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
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I’ve heard so many great things about this author and your review just confirms them. I’m adding this to my ‘must read’ list.
Oh yeah, you really must, Angela. Totally worth it for the fantasy mood.
I am going to have to grab this eventually, it sounds like it has many elements I enjoy.
Yes, this one will tickle your fantasy romance needs nicely. 🙂
Sooo beautiful! I love that cover. The books sounds pretty good too.
Double yes! I hope you get the chance to read it, Carole!
I really enjoyed this one too, Sophia Rose! I made the mistake of reading just one chapter in bed before planning to go to sleep…but wow that first chapter made it impossible to put the book down right away.
Oh man, I have made that mistake, too. This was unputdownable in places. 🙂
I love fantasy books. This sounds like one that I’d enjoy! Adding it to my TBR 🙂
Good move, Crystal. It’s well worth it for fantasy romance fans. 🙂
Looking forward to it 🙂
The rumors of the great things is all true. 🙂
Don’t get concerned about my tears. I’m a crier so others might not be that worked up about what made me cry. 🙂
Enjoy your day, Alyssa!
I recognized Draven’s name so had to pop onto my kindle to see if I’d read her. I haven’t BUT I do own Radiance so I’m going to have to put that one in the queue. Phoenix Unbound went on my tbr. I love the sound of the world building, the character development, and the action. Great review, Sophia!
Yes, I have her backlist on my wish list now and I can’t wait to see her other series. She has a gift for description and drawing in the reader’s emotions. I don’t find too many fantasy romances that I like so this was a fab find. Hope you like it, too, Brandee!
It sounds like a dark and gritty world for sure. The characters sound like an unusual pair, but those can be a great to read about. And that sounds great how the author wrote both characters that you were cheering for them even when they where still on opposite sides. I like the sound of the magical element. Great review and that’s nice she has a backlist of books you can check out next.
Yes, the unusual pairing and their situation in it all was what hooked me in most. I loved how she set up the story and blended the magic in. A new author to follow, for sure!
You’re the second person I’ve heard good things about this one from. I love the sounds of the first half of the book.
I think there will be a lot of love for this one. A gritty plot and a strong enemies to lovers let alone the two ’empire’ styles that add some exotic to it. 🙂