Phoenix Raised by Breanna Atkinson
I would like to thank Bookwormbooks UK and Breanna Atkinson again for this ARC!
The synopsis:
Phoenix Raised is the first book in the Esther Rising series. Phoenixes and humans reside in the land of Markandeya; the narrative focuses on the main character Abbigail, and her phoenix, Brigid. When a revelation unravels, Abbigail is thrown into a life she is unfamiliar with — an arranged marriage, newfound responsibilities and her role in power, all while uncovering the secrets of Markandeya and what they mean for her future.
My thoughts:
Oh my god. I think this is the best ARC I’ve read so far!! I absolutely LOVE the world-building and lore behind Markandeya; it’s so detailed, sophisticated, and incredibly unique! The idea about the Landing and the Rising was really well thought out and executed. My mind was blown when I found out — the concept didn’t cross my mind at all!
I love Abbigail as the FMC!! She’s feisty, determined, and isn’t afraid to call out those who betray her trust and loyalty. She can be a bit stubborn, however, but it shows how driven she is by her beliefs and morals to do what she thinks is right.
The same can be said with Jasper, the MMC, too — he’s ambitious and will do anything and everything to get what he wants, especially Abbigail herself. He’s often hotheaded and cocky; when he butt heads with Abbigail, the tension in the air increases by ten fold! The slow burn was DEFINITELY slow burning and the ending had me going: OMG WHATTTTTT???!!! I seriously need book 2 as soon as possible because your girl needs answers!!
Some of the side characters in this are my favourite. Brigid holds a special place in my heart, and I absolutely love her sibling banter and dynamic with Abbigail. They often bicker due to their contrasting personalities, but it evolves into a strong bond over time as they face challenges together. Their shared experiences in the narrative definitely help both to understand each other’s motivations and how to support one another.
Then there’s Winslow, Jasper’s Phoenix, who takes such great care of Brigid. He provides her with so much emotional support and comfort during her challenges, especially those related to Abbigail. He is very empathetic too; this allows him to instinctively respond to Brigid’s feelings and foster trust and safety in their bond.
There are Samson, Finley, and Eduard, who are all incredible friends to lean on. And then there’s Doxy who starts off as an absolute b!tch but mellows out and becomes ones of Abbigail’s closest friends towards the end of the narrative. She’s insanely spunky and has no filter with her words; she will directly tell you if she likes something or not.
Honestly, I could go on and on about Phoenix Raised and can’t recommend it enough! If you love powers, magic, and phoenixes, you NEED to read this!
These are the tropes you can expect in Phoenix Raised:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Arranged marriage
✨ Slow burn
✨ He falls first
✨ Secrets
✨ Powers
✨ Magic
✨ Mythical creatures
Phoenix Raised is now published, and you can get a copy on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and Apple.
Be sure to follow the author on Instagram and her website for updates about the book and series!
