Do you like shows about animals, such as The Zoo and Secrets of the Zoo? Did you stay up as a child to watch Big Cat Diaries and Shark week on Animal Planet? Did you go to zoo camp, or wish you could have gone to zoo camp? Well, The Phoenix Keeper by S. A. MacLean might satisfy some of your fantasies about being a zookeeper without you ever having to leave your chair. 

The Phoenix Keeper is set in a modern world, with modern comforts like cell phones and the internet, except there are also magical animals (don’t think about it too hard). There are also graduate programs for studying magical animals (I wish). And people who want to profit off of magical animal parts (gasp). And you can keep some of the animals as pets (*squee*). 

Alia has been obsessed with magical creatures since childhood and all she has ever wanted was to be a Phoenix Keeper. Getting through some of the coursework was rough, and not helped by the presence of the charismatic and stunning Luciana. When Alia lands a job at her local zoo, caring for an endangered Phoenix named Rubra, she doesn’t expect to have to interact with Luciana at all. However, their passion for animals forges a connection between them that might even be able to repair old jealousies. 

I loved reading about the escapades of the animals and the tireless persistence of the keepers. I fell in love with Rubra the Phoenix just as much as I rooted for Alia. Kind of like a cozy fantasy meets zoological romance, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I wasn’t disappointed. The descriptions of the animals were lovingly rendered, and the unasked-for mental health advice was a plus (through Alia’s therapist, of course). Alia is relatable to anyone who was ever afraid of public speaking and to anyone who has ever spent months preparing for a big exam. If you want an easy-to-read heartwarming book with good representation, look no further. The gorgeous cover doesn’t hurt either. Available August 13, 2024.  

The Phoenix Keeper is due for release 13th August 2024. You can pre-order your copy HERE