Forever Lost in Literature: Review: The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean

Orbit

Publication Date: August 13th, 2024
Paperback. 496 pages.

About The Phoenix Keeper:

"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 neighboring 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. But 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 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..."

The Phoenix Keeper has easily become one of my new favorite books and is one I absolutely could not get enough of. I may or may not still be harboring hopes to work at a zoo one day (and made me feel slightly jealous of Aila's job!), so this book pretty much felt like a love letter to zoos and my desire to be a part of taking care of so many different animals and making sure they are happy and healthy, and even helping those who are slowly inching towards extinction (something that seems to be happening more often these days).

The Phoenix Keeper follows Aila, a phoenix keeper at the San Tamulco Zoo, a zoo for magical creatures. The Silimalo phoenix population has been slowly dying out, and Aila wants nothing more than to be a part of the breeding programs to help recover their decreasing population. When a neighboring facility's newly hatched batch of phoenixes are stolen, Aila has to prove that her facility is prepared to take on the challenge and bring more phoenixes into the world.

Aila is incredibly passionate about phoenixes and probably knows more than almost anyone else about them. I found Aila's passion and love for her animals contagious, and it made me smile many times throughout this book. She also deals with some intense anxiety that impacts her daily life working at the zoo. Working with animals and making sure they have the best care ever and everything they could ever want? No sweat. Talking to visitors of the zoo, her rival, or her crush? Forget it. I really liked how MacLean portrayed Aila's anxiety in a way that felt realistic, didn't romanticize it, and showed the real life implications of how it can affect someone's life.

We also meet Tanya, Aila's best friend and coworker, as well as Aila's crush and one of her arch rivals (also both coworkers, though in different areas). I loved Tanya and thought she acted as a perfect foil to Aila as someone who is not afraid to speak her mind and is always there to assist Aila with whatever she needs. I think Tanya is far too supportive of Aila at times than Aila sometimes deserved, but that's very much a part of her loyalty and friendship with Aila, and there was resolution on this topic that I thought was handled really well. The romance has some interesting twists in this book and does take on a fairly large role in the story, but I would say it never really fully overtakes the larger overarching plot surrounding the phoenixes.

I would be remiss to not mention the magical creatures in this book, as they are the main event and truly the highlight of the whole book. MacLean did a truly incredibly job of bringing all of the magical creatures to life in such detail that I genuinely could've believed these were real animals–and there were so many creative magical creatures in this book that I couldn't help but feel captivated by this idea of being in a zoo so full of magic and wonder. I couldn't help but fall in love with all of them and feel a desperate wish that this were a real zoo. We are treated to so many descriptions of the different animals, their needs, how to care for them, the exhibits they inhabit, and so much more and I appreciated how much realism this brought to the story. Some may not appreciate so much detail, but it's something I personally was fascinated by. Archie in particular is a bird of chaos who will steal your heart, and of course the resident Silimalo phoenix Rubra is a delight to get to know through Aila.

I previously mentioned Aila's anxiety, and I just wanted to touch on that again because of how well I think MacLean handled it. She showcases it as something that really impacts the lives of those who struggle with anxiety and how those who struggle with it learn to manage with it. It showed the real impact intense anxiety can have on relationships, friendships, careers, and all aspects of life. There are also no quick fixes, which she exemplifies through Aila's slow but gradual growth over the course of the novel and her slow build up of confidence and skills to better manage her anxiety. This all resonated a lot with me as someone who also struggles with anxiety.

The Phoenix Keeper is not a fast-paced or action-packed book (mostly) and is told at a slower, steady pace. I can certainly see how some people could be a bit bored by some of this book if they are looking for something more fast-paced, but I love books like this that have a bit of a slice-of-life feel so had no issues at all and was in fact hooked on this and could barely put it down. It also has some 'cozy' vibes to it that I think will be really popular right now. MacLean's writing really lets you get into Aila's head and understand a variety of aspects to being a zookeeper. It's a lower stakes books overall, but I would also argue it as being a high stakes book for those of us who are also passionate about animals.

Overall, I've given The Phoenix Keeper five stars! MacLean captured an extreme love and passion for animals and animal care in this book and it showed on every page, and is also likely a huge part of what drew me to this book so much. She also mentioned in an author's note that she grew up visiting the San Diego Safari Park (or Wild Animal Park, as I recall it), and I loved connecting over this since that is also a place that holds a special place in my heart. I don't believe this has a sequel planned, but I would absolutely read a sequel of this book if offered.