Against an epic fantasy backdrop teeming with all your favorite magical beasts from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens, The Phoenix Keeper combines the fierce joy of cozy fantasy kings TJ Klune and Travis Baldree with the soul-restoring romance of queer icons Alice Oseman and Casey McQuiston.

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. Inspiring zoo patrons? That’s another story. 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 grace of a basilisk and the face of a goddess, who’s convinced that Aila’s beloved phoenix would serve their cause better as an active performer rather than a passive conservation exhibit.

With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila’s success isn’t only a matter of keeping her job: the future of a species depends on her.

I received this book through Illumicrate last year, and after months of it waiting patiently on my shelf, I finally gave it the attention it deserved. I’ve never read a “cozy fantasy” and wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I found was a charming story filled with fantastical creatures, a heartfelt romance, and just enough intrigue to keep me engaged.

The premise of the book is both fantastical and refreshingly grounded. Aila, the protagonist, is the head phoenix keeper at a magical zoo dedicated to the conservation of mythical creatures. Aila is socially awkward, and her love life is awful – though she is majorly crushing on the hot dragon keeper, and why is she also somewhat attracted to the female griffon keeper who has been her sworn enemy since college? All Aila really cares about is her work and caring for her beautiful phoenix. She really wants to be approved to move a male phoenix to the conservatory to mate with the female phoenix. Doing so would be huge not only for her career but also for the conservatory.

When Aila’s request gets approved, things begin to look up for her, but then Jacinda – her sworn enemy – is put in charge of helping Aila with the PR. There’s also someone who has been poaching endangered species from the conservatories in the area. Could Aila’s phoenix’s be in jeopardy?

While the book is firmly rooted in the fantasy genre, Maclean cleverly situates it in a world that mirrors our own, making it accessible even for readers like myself who shy away from high fantasy’s sometimes overwhelming complexity. Instead of plunging the reader into a sprawling, unfamiliar universe, Maclean invites us into a world where phoenixes, thunderhawks, mischievous dragons, and other magical beings exist, and there are zoos/conservatories that protect them.

From carnivorous kelpies to majestic griffins, Maclean brings her creatures to life with vivid descriptions and a clear love for mythology. The zoo feels like a character in its own right, full of secrets and surprises that give the book its charm. The phoenixes, with their radiant feathers and fiery temperaments, are, of course, the stars of the show, and Maclean’s meticulous attention to their care and conservation lends a sense of authenticity to the story.

But this is more than just a book about magical creatures. At its heart, this is a story about connection – both with the creatures Aila cares for and the people around her. The relationship between Aila and Luciana, her former college rival and the griffin keeper at the zoo, is the emotional core of the novel. With her sharp edges and hidden vulnerabilities, Luciana is the perfect foil for Aila’s earnestness, and their dynamic feels natural and well-earned. The romance is sweet and slow-burn, adding just the right amount of heart to the story without overshadowing the central plot.

I also liked that Aila’s journey is as much about her personal growth as it is about saving the phoenixes. Her struggles with imposter syndrome, self-confidence, and asking for help felt deeply relatable.

That’s not to say the book is without flaws. At times, the pacing slows, particularly during some of the zoo’s day-to-day operations, which, while fascinating, can feel repetitive. And while the mystery is engaging, seasoned readers may find it a touch predictable. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise sweet and enjoyable read.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. While the stakes were low, the story was still enjoyable and went by pretty quickly despite a few slow spots. Whether you’re here for the mythical creatures, the sweet sapphic romance, or the gentle mystery, there’s something in this book for everyone.

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