The Phoenix Keeper BY S. A. MacLean

In a magical zoo that houses a dazzling array of mythical creatures—from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens—Aila is the dedicated head phoenix keeper, living her childhood dream of conserving the critically endangered firebirds. However, her ambitious goal is threatened by a decade-long malfunction in the zoo's breeding program and a recent phoenix heist at a neighboring zoo that sabotages their efforts.

To save her beloved species from extinction, Aila must prove her zoo's facilities are up to the task. This challenge is compounded by the presence of various magical beasts requiring her expertise, from carnivorous water horses to tempestuous thunderhawks. Despite her adept handling of these creatures, Aila faces an immense personal hurdle: seeking assistance from Luciana, the hotshot griffin keeper who is also her college arch-rival.

Luciana is a brilliant but infuriatingly brooding figure, and her views on the role of Aila’s phoenix—preferring active performance over conservation—only add to the tension. With the future of the phoenix species and her own job on the line, Aila must navigate this fraught professional relationship. Amidst the looming threat of poachers and the intense scrutiny of the world, Aila’s efforts to salvage the breeding program intertwine with a budding romance, challenging her to balance her passion for conservation with her personal desires.

The Phoenix Keeper offers a heartwarming blend of cozy fantasy, mythical intrigue, and a soul-stirring queer romance, perfect for fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends and Lattes.