Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven

Phoenix Unbound (The Fallen Empire, #1)

by Grace Draven

In this USA Today bestselling novel, a woman with power over fire and illusion and the enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy.

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. Unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

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

Reviewed by Vicki on

4 of 5 stars

Share
3.5 Stars

Really nice read, but in my opinion wasn't quite as good as some of Grace Draven's other books. I enjoyed her earlier books so much that my expectations were high going into this and maybe it's unfair of me to compare, but there it is.

The story was enjoyable, if not a bit predictable. I think what really held this back for me was the romance. Hate-to-love romances are my favorite and those definitely need a slow build, but it was almost like this was too slow. In fact, it's probably not until more than half way through the book that you start to see Azarion and Gilene's feelings for each other. Also, I didn't feel we really saw their feelings grow and develop. It was like slow-burn insta-love, if that makes any sense. Seemed like one day they hated each other and the next day the both knew they loved each other. I felt like this had such promise and could have been an amazing fantasy romance, but it just fell a little flat for me.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 9 December, 2018: Finished reading
  • 9 December, 2018: Reviewed