Book Review – Phoenix Flame by Sara Holland
Phoenix Flame by Sara Holland (Havenfall #2)
Fantasy | Young Adult | 320 pages
Published on 4th March 2021 by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Mildly spoiler review
Synopsis
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?
My rating:
Read my review of Havenfall
Review
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I am confused by this book. I honestly thought throughout it would be a trilogy because of the pacing, and this was massively enforced by the ending. While we get resolution on most of the storyline, there is a sort of epilogue moment that really lead me to think there should be more! This review is a little spoilery because I want to discuss some of this, so I’ve marked it for spoilers and beware if you read on.
So to start there is NO resolution on major life stuff for Maddie – who does she chose for romance? How does she handle all the innkeeper things? What happens with her parents? SO MANY QUESTIONS WTF.
Honestly, I’m getting a little mad about it, now I think back. Which is a shame because there are so many good things. We finally get to see another realm, we get some lovely moments around Maddie’s family, and find out more about the soul trade.
I loved Havenfall so much and I wanted more from this. I would have rated it higher if there had been less resolution and a third book coming. I feel Sara struggles with duologies, as I really liked Everless but was let down by Evermore. Hopefully she’ll try a standalone next!
3 stars.
Buy Phoenix Flame by Sara Holland from Waterstones.
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4 Comments
Lorraine
A book that doesn’t resolve the love interest is crazy! Maybe a secret 3rd book will come!
Booksandlemonsquash
I can but hope!!
Ellie
So weird! I wonder why the author chose not to make this a trilogy. Sounds like it would’ve been much better as a trilogy!
Booksandlemonsquash
I mean I think so! Maybe it’s open for a companion book from diff POV? Who knows