Phoenix Unbound

This is the 3rd book by Grace Draven that I've read. Honestly, I love her work and I love this book! Gilene and Azarion stole my heart with their chemistry. Their journey isn't an easy one, and I definitely love how their story developed. Their trope is forced proximity, and I love how Azarion and Gilene is written.

3.25 stars This was a rough one. I really wanted to like it, but it was so slow. I never really got into the world or magic system. Gilene and Azarion actually have one of my favorite dynamics, but the slow burn was mostly painful. Also, there was something toward the end that enraged me, even though it righted itself. I don't know if I was just not in the right headspace for this or if this is indicative of Draven's work, but the slow pace really ruined the experience.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Phoenix Unbound is a stunning tale that I was very excited to pick up for sure. I have such a deep affection for Grace Draven and she writes epic fantasy romance which is not as common as I would like. So after hearing such raving reviews, and having this book as our Discord Romance Book Club read for the month of October, I was even more thrilled since now I had a good excuse to pick this one up. I first want to mention that despite the rating I really enjoyed this book, it wasn't perfect but quite a thrilling ride!! Gilene has powerful abilities, abilities to manipulate fire and air and her abilities have saved her village and her family from death. Her world is full of uncertainty from cruel and evil leaders of the empire who demand on sacrifices to be burned by fire. But because of Gilene's abilities she can survive the fire and pose under other identities. But this year is a bit different for Gilene, she comes face to face with a gladiator who wants her for other reasons....to help him escape this prison he has been forced to survive in for over ten years. Azarion, is desperate for freedom and to get his vengeance on the one who betrayed him to a life of slavery of horrific proportions. He will do anything for his freedom, even manipulate circumstances to convince Gilene to free him. When the struggle only pleased the torturer and made the torture worse, you stopped fighting and learned to endure. To endure was to survive. But the agreement that Azarion and Gilene come to is much more complicated than either of them planned on. With Azarion determined to bring the man to justice to his people's laws and take his position that is rightfully is, he never thought that he would want Gilene in his life for good or what it would cost him to give her the freedom that she desires. But soon both Azarion will be in a battle for their lives and their freedoms, will they survive or end up losing each other? Phoenix Unbound is a powerful story that brings together so many unique elements to the story. The beginning of the story, the first few chapters, start off with thrills and excitement. I was pulled into the story right away, however, soon the story takes a drastic turn. We see some adventure and slow tension build between our pair however I felt like the pacing was off. The first half of the book was a struggle. I am not sure if it was the way the world building was displayed in the story, or if it was the actual writing, but it slowed down quite a bit but I never gave up on my author and once I hit the 50% mark, then the story really sped up and I didn't want to put this down. I will conquer all of the Empire to bring you back. The plot of the story and the romance really deepen in detail and emotion and you get caught up in this powerful story. I was addicted to Gilene and Azarion and the intimacy that builds between them. This is a slow burn romance, with those sweet romantic moments that build slowly in connection and vibrant feels. The plot that is placed in this story is PHENOMENAL. Now to be honest, I struggled with some of it since it was pretty intense at times and had too much of a "hunger games" like feel to it (books I still refuse to read) however, Grace Draven just didn't disappoint me when it comes to writing a spectacular series of plot events that capture the imagination and keeps you up late reading. Both characters have their own abilities and strengths and I found that they really balance each other out in the end. We see how well they compliment each other and they never lose faith in what they have together and push one another to be stronger and improve themselves and accept each other as they are without reservation. Now I do think that this is a series where each book the romance will become more focused, so there isn't as much of a strong romantic element as I normally come to expect from Grace Draven. However, I definitely have faith in her writing and her ability to connect to her readers through her storytelling which she definitely succeeds in. Be still. Be silent. Some lust for beauty, others for fear. Don’t show them yours. Overall I found Phoenix Unbound to be a stunning, leave you breathless, keep you at the edge of your seat in anticipation tale of a fantasy that will exceed the expectations and keeps you yearning for more......A THRILLING ADDICTIVE READ!!

5 ⭐️ - this is exactly what I signed up for - grace draven commits like hell - ~ romance is perf ~ - send help - 😭😭😭😭

This book was SO GOOD!!!! I almost cried at the end. The question "will they get their HEA?" nearly ruined me. Writing was wonderful. I would have easily read all of this if it had been a trilogy.

This book was so good!! If you love high fantasy and you love a good love story, READ THIS! The female lead was so strong and level-headed, the male was so kind and strong. The world it's set in was *chefs kiss*.

Review coming soon!

4.5/5 This book was a lot more plot-driven than I had anticipated! The premise could make some people balk (blackmail, captivity) but it was handled really well in my opinion. The main interpersonal conflict wasn't "resolved" until well into the book, which made for a slow-burn romance that made sense in the context of this book. The topics that were dealt with in Phoenix Unbound were also much heavier than I initially thought so kudos to Grace Draven for not shying away from talking about the horrors of war, enslavement and captivity without being graphic. I loved Gilene and Azarion together and individually, their motivation, their relentlessness in their survival and their capacity to question themselves and showcase self-awareness, which I think is always good to equip your characters with. CW: sexual assault/rape

Going into this I was so certain I wasn't going to love it. It was slow going that first part. I liked the characters but when it was obvious there was a whole kidnapping situation I was thinking there went any chance of it being an enjoyable romance but somehow it worked. Probably because there were never any romantic overtures when the kidnapping happened or while Azarion was carting Gilene off to the Savator people. Instead any romantic interest happened later when they actually began to view one another as people and beyond their first impressions. Pacing was a bit iffy at times. I did feel like it moved in stops and starts with parts of the plot feeling rushed through I almost missed time passing. But I did really enjoy it and when I wasn't reading I was thinking about reading. When I found this was a series I'd expected a more drawn out plot over several books but then I found it was set in the same world but the books were focusing on different characters and somehow that works better. I still have plenty of questions I think didn't get answered in the book but here's hoping they were dangling threads to be picked up later.

4.5 Super slow burn but once they get together they are devoted and the conflict is entirely external (and very high stakes) - no big misunderstanding or other convoluted relationship conflict - aka the PERFECT ROMANCE ARC. Somewhat enemies-to-lovers, but they often have to operate as a team because external threats to their safety (and the empire they live under) are their real enemies and I LOVED THAT. Even when they're at odds, they develop respect and admiration for each other. I devoured the first half of part II - loved the escalating romance and the setting of the Stara Dragana. There is LOTS of plot (maybe a tiny bit too much?) and questions to answer even after the relationship is consummated, which keeps you gripped to the end. Things escalated a lot more than I was expecting around the 80% mark! Azarion is the kind of romance hero who almost never works for me - he can be quite brutal (not toward the heroine) and domineering - but the position that he's in, and his motivation for vengeance, are really well explored and he can also be so tender, protective, and in awe of Gilene (he definitely falls first). He is the best "tough-on-the-outside/soft-on-the-inside" hero I've read, although he doesn't really fall neatly into that dichotomy. A kidnapping romance would usually be a huge no for me but I didn't feel the romance had any element of coercion or ickiness. The strong world building and character background made me understand both characters' points of view. Basically, this book made me enjoy things I would normally hate! BIG content warnings: (view spoiler)[rape (frequently referenced as a past experience of both main characters, and once fairly explicitly described on page; as well as threats of sexual violence containing gendered slurs) and violence - the setting is a brutal, depraved empire and this book does not shy away from depictions of that (hide spoiler)]

3.5

THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE. Draven has done it again. No one can write and enemies to lovers like she can. In similar fashion to RADIANCE, the main couple do NOT start out insta-love and the journey to love is genuine and earned, not given. This world is brutal and dark with complex characters. I’m already grabbing for book 2 and can’t wait to read more of this beautiful story!