Book Review: The Phoenix Priest
BOOK REVIEW: THE PHOENIX PRIEST BY CASSIDY CLARKE
Elias Loch has nothing left but grief for his lost battlemate. While in Artem to warn an equally grieving empress of the new dangers occurring in Atlas, Elias is plunged into trials that will test his faith more than ever.
The Saltwater Heir was my favorite read of 2021, and The Phoenix Priest was my most anticipated read of 2022. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on an ARC, and it did not disappoint! This review contains minor spoilers from The Saltwater Heir, so beware if you haven’t read it yet.
What I liked:
– The prose. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Clarke’s writing style is poetic. The descriptions, the choice of words, and everything in between melds together perfectly. It’s what my novels want to look like when they grow up.
– Finn. The Trickster Prince stole my heart since the beginning, and his storyline in TPP was just… *chef’s kiss* I got giddy each time his chapter header appeared, and I eagerly devoured those chapters.
– The nod to steampunk. What kind of steampunk author would I be if I didn’t appreciate the couple of elements from the genre I write? They made me smile while reading, and I can’t wait to be able to discuss them with others!
What I didn’t like:
– The first few chapters. This is just a personal preference, but I’m not big on political discussions in books or even in movies. Forming alliances or not, it makes my eyes glossy and goes right over my head. I just want to get to the action!
– Anima. Another personal preference, but I dislike her, and I just couldn’t get into her chapters. Unlike the giddiness I felt with Finn, I internally groaned each time I came upon her chapter headers. Also, (TSH SPOILER!) I’ve found that I’m not a fan of reading two people in one headspace.
Overall:
– While it didn’t quite reach the same level TSH did for me, it’s still an amazing book, and I can’t wait for the next one! Things are getting intense!
Let me know if you’ve read The Saltwater Heir and if you plan on reading The Phoenix Priest or not! Now both available!
Raine
*I was given a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.