Name: Nicole Dykeman's review of Phoenix Flame by Sara Holland
Item: Phoenix Flame
Rating: 2
Author: Nicole Dykeman

Sara Holland

"Maddie must embark on a dangerous mission to put an end to the black-market trading of magical objects and open the Inn's doors to Solaria, the once feared land of shapeshifters."--

Phoenix Flame

Krystal Campbell 

Nicole Dykeman

This could have been really great if it took its time—260ish pages didn’t cut it. It went by in a flash and a lot of stuff happened, but none of it was satisfying. The love triangle is unresolved, as well as a few other key points of conflict. But I think the biggest issue I had with this book is that I didn’t have enough time to truly get to know the characters enough, so I wasn’t that invested in the outcome of the story. Maddie, the only character who we get a more complete picture of, is just…really dumb. She continually makes nonsensical choices in the name of pushing the plot forward to the point that it got a bit infuriating. There’s lots of conflict but the stakes could not have been lower. 

I think that maybe this duology could have worked if the two books became one book and there was another 100 pages of content added into the mix. The story needed more room to breathe.

Sarahi

A lot more deliberation and less action than the first one. Felt longer than Havenfall, despite being shorter and somehow nothing really happened? The visit to the other worlds were brief? I dont know, it feels like it could have been a lot more, a dive into those other worlds, a longer quest. Less stagnant politics. I didn't think Maddie developed much throughout this either, you'd expect a book without much action to at least have some good impactful character interactions but that didn't really happened. Taya seemed to have been pushed aside entirely as well. The resolution would've have been a lot better if there had been consistent buildup.
This unfortunately didn't live up to expectations and I really wanted to like it.

Phoenix Flame is a fast paced book with an engaging plot and unique characters. It lifts the magic of Havenfall and the realms while containing a darker storyline with the soul trade.

Suzannah McGhee

Adrianne

*A copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

After reading the first book in the series I was very curious about where the author would go with the plot of the second instalment. If you enjoyed Havenfall, you will definitely enjoy this one. We get to explore some of the realms, even though not as much as I was hoping. I’m not sure if there will be a continuation, but there should be. 
I was hoping for some more questions to be answered and relationships to be developed. There was a chance to experience a bit more of the politics and culture, but it was only mentioned, and not actually included within the plot. All in all, I was a bit disappointed as the idea for this series was brilliant but the execution lacking in development. Maybe it’s due to the series being aimed at young adult readers, but there was definitely the potential for more.

danielle bush

I really loved the concept of Havenfall. A neutral place where inhabitants from other worlds can come and visit earth, and with each other. I didnt really connect with the characters, but the world was amazing and I knew I wanted more of that, and hoped that in the sequel I would be able to connect with the charaters more. 

However I had the same feeling after finishing this book as the last one. I still didn't seem to be able to connect with any of the characters. So I a hard time caring what happened to anyone. I understand wanting to stop the soul trade and find your missing family members, but Maddie went off the rails alot. She made promises knowing full well that she was probably going to break them.. 

I did really like getting a glimpse of Brekkens home, and meeting his mom.. Also they had ice wolf puppies which were super cute.. I dont want to get into any spoilers, but Phoenix Flame does answer quite a few of the questions Maddie had about what happened to her brother Nate. 

I do think that if you loved Havenfall there is a good chance you will enjoy this one, I think that this series just isn't for me.

Maddie Morrow is the only one who can protect the Inn at Havenfall, the safe haven between worlds that her family has run for generations, hidden high up in the mountains of Colorado. Last summer, the treacherous Silver Prince betrayed them all and almost destroyed the Inn forever. But even though Maddie has temporarily restored peace among the worlds, danger still looms. The Silver Prince has escaped back to his home of Byrn and plans on gathering an army to wage war on not just the inn, but everything and everyone on Earth. Desperate for allies and to find their friend Taya who may hold the answers to Maddie's family secrets, Maddie and boyfriend Brekken must cross through closed gateways and journey into the other magical realms. But traveling to the other worlds is risky for humans, especially Solaria, land of the shapeshifters. Maddie may not survive, and if she does, who she can trust? And what if saving everyone means destroying the only home she's ever known? Maddie must prepare herself for the ultimate sacrifice--because it's not just the inn at stake. It's her entire world.

Jelke Lenaerts

I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 


I wasn't a big fan of this book. I just think this book was a bit too fast pasted. That casued for things to also feel a bit too easy at times and left all the stakes out. Therefore I also just wasn't really invested in this story. I didn't like our main character. She just makes so many irrational decisions even though literally everyone around her explains in depth why what she's doing is irrational and what is the better desicion. However, the story still goes with her ideas and because there are 0 stakes of course it all ends up alright. I also just didn't have the same intrigue with the world as I did in the first book. I also feel like the ending is a bit too open and I wish more things were wrapped up. Just to add in a positive in here, this book was a very quick read which I needed because I'm in a massive reading slump.

Samantha Bass

Nikki Sojkowski

I was given an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love the fantasy world of the Havenfall series and it was great to be back! Holland presents a well thought out and balanced magical system, with a new twist (sorry, that's spoilers). With the returning health of Maddie's uncle, she steps down from being the Inkeeper of Havenfall, but that doesn't stop her adventures! The soul trade is alive and well, the Silver Prince has escaped to Byrn, and a new soul trader has been discovered in Fiordenkill. Can Maddie successfully pull off her infiltration mission? Will her relationships, especially her two crushes, survive the turmoil ahead?

One of my favorite aspects that I truly appreciate about this series is Maddie's bisexuality. It's not an in-your-face part of the book, and I don't think sexuality has to be. I love that the book is not about Maddie struggling with her sexuality and it's not about Maddie having an identity crisis. She lives her life and just happens to be bisexual. The book is not super romance heavy, but when she talks about her crushes one is a guy and one is a girl. It feels like a totally natural representation and it is so refreshing to finally see someone like me reflected in the characters I read.

I do wish that Maddie's character had more of an arc in Phoenix Flame. I still enjoyed Phoenix Flame, but she felt more complicated and had more depth in Havenfall that was not quite replicated here. I couldn't help but notice that Maddie appeared more passive in this one, though to be fair many of the situations she was in were totally out of her control. That being said I was still hoping for a bit more, especially from the climax itself. This is what took the book down one star for me.

Emily 

The best thing is when a sequel starts right where the last book ends & Phoenix flame did this so it was easy to jump back into the story. I did feel like certain parts of the book were rushed & never really resolved, I wish that there was an epilogue for this book as it would of answered some of my questions. Overall this is an easy to read fantasy that I would recommend to anyone new to fantasy

Kate

After loving Havenfall, I was so excited to dive into this as soon as possible and I'm very happy to be able to say it didn't disappoint. The low average rating for this duology beyond confuses me. It's got everything you could want in a YA fantasy. It's got a fast paced and addictive plot, an easy to follow but no less engaging world and magic system, casual LGBTQIA+ rep and an intriguing and memorable cast of characters. The relationships, characters, world, magic and story hooked me from page one of Havenfall and carried me through the years wait until I finished the final page of Phoenix Flame. I thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to the audiobook and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone wanting a thrilling, easy fantasy read.

Oona Walraet

New York Times bestselling author Sara Holland continues her blockbuster contemporary fantasy series, Havenfall, with this unforgettable sequel. 'Sara Holland is a fierce storyteller' STEPHANIE GARBER After saving the inn at Havenfall from the wicked Silver Prince, Maddie thought all her problems were over. The Silver Prince has been banished, her uncle the beloved Innkeeper is slowly recovering from a mysterious coma, and there are still a few weeks of summer left to spend with her handsome more-than-just-a-friend Brekken. But danger still looms and Maddie soon realises there's more work to be done to protect Havenfall, the safe haven between worlds that her family has run for centuries. Maddie must embark on a dangerous mission: to venture into the icy Realm of Fiordenkill and put an end to the black market trading of souls that threatens the balance of the Realms. As Maddie tries to accomplish these seemingly impossible tasks, she stumbles upon family secrets that could change everything. What if saving everyone means destroying the only home she's ever known? This next breathtaking fantasy from the bestselling author of Everless is perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Holly Black.

Krystal Campbell &
Phoenix Flame by Sara Holland

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