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sukanya320's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Wow! I am so glad that I picked this one up.
Phoenix Unbound isn't a pretty tale. It is intense, emotional, frustrating, and richly satisfying all at the same time. Please look up the trigger warnings! The opening section is fairly brutal, the setting may well be too much for some readers.
Gilene has to undergo the yearly Rites of Spring every year as part of a sacrifice and tithe for the empire. Azarion, who is enslaved as a gladiator, was sold and betrayed by his cousin out of his birthright to lead his clan. He is a plaything of the ruthless Empress. He sees through Gilene’s illusions and realizes that her abilities are key to not only escape from the empire but to regain his place to lead his clan at The Sky Below.
This story will grip you by the throat and make you look long and hard at human nature. I really enjoyed the lore and magic of this book. The culture of Azarion’s people and the magic Gilene carries. There are also hints of other types of magic throughout the book that lead me to believe there are many subtle forms of it in this world. I liked the different horse clans and how they operated. I also enjoyed the concept of the struggle against the evil Empire. It definitely reminded me of the Roman Empire a little. On the final one, the scene towards the end of the book was movie-worthy!
Overall, this is a solid fantasy romance story, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes the genre, just don't forget to look up the TW.
Phoenix Unbound isn't a pretty tale. It is intense, emotional, frustrating, and richly satisfying all at the same time. Please look up the trigger warnings! The opening section is fairly brutal, the setting may well be too much for some readers.
Gilene has to undergo the yearly Rites of Spring every year as part of a sacrifice and tithe for the empire. Azarion, who is enslaved as a gladiator, was sold and betrayed by his cousin out of his birthright to lead his clan. He is a plaything of the ruthless Empress. He sees through Gilene’s illusions and realizes that her abilities are key to not only escape from the empire but to regain his place to lead his clan at The Sky Below.
This story will grip you by the throat and make you look long and hard at human nature. I really enjoyed the lore and magic of this book. The culture of Azarion’s people and the magic Gilene carries. There are also hints of other types of magic throughout the book that lead me to believe there are many subtle forms of it in this world. I liked the different horse clans and how they operated. I also enjoyed the concept of the struggle against the evil Empire. It definitely reminded me of the Roman Empire a little. On the final one, the scene towards the end of the book was movie-worthy!
Overall, this is a solid fantasy romance story, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes the genre, just don't forget to look up the TW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
michelle_mightbereading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gore, and War
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
shamaramill's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
livruther's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this was a solid fantasy romance with good writing and a satisfying ending. i would recommend :) but be sure to check tws
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Slavery, and Violence
birbpal's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
Reading 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, another book by Grace Draven, I was surprised at how dark the tone was for this story. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it immensely and finished it in a day.💖
✅️The Good:
• The stakes were high and yet personal for both characters. Gilene needs to get home back to her village in order to continue her role as a Flower of the Spring to spare her village. Azarion must return to his clan where he will take his rightful place as chieftain. But in order to do that, he must bring Gilene.
• A lot of moral dilemmas that came up in the book made me question what I would do if I were in any of the character's shoes. Would I continue to sacrifice myself for a village that doesn't care for me? Would I steal, murder, and lie my way to return to my clan, even if I might die doing so? These questions made me appreciate Gilene and Azarion as the main characters all the more. It made them fleshed-out and interesting.
• The battles/fighting were well written. Oftentimes, I have a hard time imagining battles in books, but Grace did a wonderful job making me feel as if I was witnessing the fights with my own eyes. It was very exciting!
🚫The Bad:
• This was an enemies to reluctant allies to lovers story. The enemy/ally part of the book was written pretty strongly. The romance part of the book, however, felt lacking. One moment, Gilene barely tolerates Azarion's existence. In the next, he is suddenly the hottest man she has ever laid eyes on, and she loves him. Their love story just didn't feel natural to me. Logically, I understand they spent a lot of time constantly together, but I wish the author had shown more of this along with their progression of falling in love. We didn't get a lot of tender moments between them where the barriers keeping them from forming a bond were beginning to fall.
I noticed this similarly happening in 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 but unlike in this book, the romance was more believable due to the fact the main character became very good friends before lovers. With Gilene greatly disliking Azarion for the majority of the book, I can't suspend my disbelief.🤷♀️
My final thoughts? I enjoyed this book more as a fantasy read than a romance. I will be reading the next book in the series, and hopefully the romance will be written a little bit better. Otherwise, I enjoyed every other aspect of this book. 🐥💕
Reading 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, another book by Grace Draven, I was surprised at how dark the tone was for this story. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it immensely and finished it in a day.💖
✅️The Good:
• The stakes were high and yet personal for both characters. Gilene needs to get home back to her village in order to continue her role as a Flower of the Spring to spare her village. Azarion must return to his clan where he will take his rightful place as chieftain. But in order to do that, he must bring Gilene.
• A lot of moral dilemmas that came up in the book made me question what I would do if I were in any of the character's shoes. Would I continue to sacrifice myself for a village that doesn't care for me? Would I steal, murder, and lie my way to return to my clan, even if I might die doing so? These questions made me appreciate Gilene and Azarion as the main characters all the more. It made them fleshed-out and interesting.
• The battles/fighting were well written. Oftentimes, I have a hard time imagining battles in books, but Grace did a wonderful job making me feel as if I was witnessing the fights with my own eyes. It was very exciting!
🚫The Bad:
• This was an enemies to reluctant allies to lovers story. The enemy/ally part of the book was written pretty strongly. The romance part of the book, however, felt lacking. One moment, Gilene barely tolerates Azarion's existence. In the next, he is suddenly the hottest man she has ever laid eyes on, and she loves him. Their love story just didn't feel natural to me. Logically, I understand they spent a lot of time constantly together, but I wish the author had shown more of this along with their progression of falling in love. We didn't get a lot of tender moments between them where the barriers keeping them from forming a bond were beginning to fall.
I noticed this similarly happening in 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 but unlike in this book, the romance was more believable due to the fact the main character became very good friends before lovers. With Gilene greatly disliking Azarion for the majority of the book, I can't suspend my disbelief.🤷♀️
My final thoughts? I enjoyed this book more as a fantasy read than a romance. I will be reading the next book in the series, and hopefully the romance will be written a little bit better. Otherwise, I enjoyed every other aspect of this book. 🐥💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Physical abuse, Torture, Death, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Minor: Blood, Gore, and Kidnapping
buzby72's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual content
imreadden's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
seasaltrose's review against another edition
Subject matter was darker than previous books I had read by this author (Radiance). The writing and characters were good I just wasn’t in the mood for dark romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, and Sexual assault
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.25
Content Warnings: sexual situations, violence, death, murder, torture, rape, human sacrifice, sexual violence, confinement, animal death, and infertility.
OMG, my first Grace Draven read and it was beautiful! We get a barbarian-esque [definitely some Kal Drogo vibes with the whole tribes constantly moving, living off the land, etc] man who's determined to get back to his family and people...and a woman who constantly sacrifices so much to protect those that she loves.
The world building, lore, tension...just so yummy! I cannot wait to read more Grace Draven!
OMG, my first Grace Draven read and it was beautiful! We get a barbarian-esque [definitely some Kal Drogo vibes with the whole tribes constantly moving, living off the land, etc] man who's determined to get back to his family and people...and a woman who constantly sacrifices so much to protect those that she loves.
The world building, lore, tension...just so yummy! I cannot wait to read more Grace Draven!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, Torture, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Confinement, Sexual assault, Murder, and Infertility
september_red's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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
5.0
This book was TOUGH to get through in many spots due to the dark subject matter, and I would absolutely check trigger warnings before reading, but I have never been more satisfied with the ending of a book. The world Draven describes is rich with lore and doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable subjects. This is one of the best high fantasy books I’ve read in a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Torture, War, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury