Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven @GraceDraven @AceRocBooks @nyliterary @BerkleyPub

Posted September 11, 2018 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Blog Tour, Book Review, Giveaway / 8 Comments

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven @GraceDraven @AceRocBooks @nyliterary @BerkleyPubPhoenix Unbound by Grace Draven
Series: Fallen Empire #1
Published by Ace on September 25, 2018
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
AmazonBarnes & Noble
two-flames
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more

I wanted to read Phoenix Unbound from the first I heard about it. The fantasy romance genre made me surprised by how grim dark it was. It felt much more heavy on fantasy with little focus on the romance. I read fantasy so this didn’t bother me, especially with the well-developed characters and the rich crafting of this world.

Gilene and Azarion are strong individuals with courage to do their duties, work hard to survive, doing what they can to better their futures while protecting those they love. While neither likes their situation, they bear it honorably.  Their adventures are exciting and suspenseful.  They take some risks to improve their own lives and those of many others.

Because the romance has only a small start, I wonder about how this series will continue. Specifically, if they will continue as main characters with their efforts further protecting and building the world. Or will a new couple take the next installment?  My impression is it will be different couples since on Grace Draven’s website it talks about the power of three women and the men devoted to them.  Either way, I am enthusiastic about continuing in this Fallen Empire series world.

 

Giveaway:

I have read and loved every one of these books in the giveaway. They are some of my favorite books ever – so it is the most awesome prize!

Enter to win here.

 

 

About Grace Draven

I’m an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.

I’ve loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.

Rating Breakdown
Plot
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Writing
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Characters
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Overall: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Anne - Books of My Heart
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • 2018 New Release Challenge
  • COYER BSBB

Posted September 11, 2018 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Blog Tour, Book Review, Giveaway / 8 Comments


8 responses to “Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven

  1. This is one of those authors I wish had more of her stuff on Audio. But somehow I will find time to read this since I love her.

  2. This did have a great fantasy world and I liked that it was gritty. This slow, background style romance fit with the overall story. Like you, I’m curious about what is to come from the series.