Phoenix Unbound

The Fallen Empire Series, Book 1

By: Grace Draven

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

In this USA Today best-selling 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.

©2018 Grace Draven (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Grace Draven's exciting romantic fantasy features characters who are fresh and original. Their problems and triumphs will keep you reading into the night.” (Charlaine Harris, number-one New York Times best-selling author)

“Fierce and captivating, Phoenix Unbound is the story of a gladiator and a fire witch fighting for their freedom against an empire that wants them enslaved. With impossible odds, breathtaking battles, terrifying magic, and an unlikely love, this book is a must read. Grace Draven is a master of romantic heroic fantasy.” (Ilona Andrews, number-one New York Times best-selling author)

“Fabulous. Quite possibly Grace Draven's best book yet. I couldn't put it down, and I didn't want it to end!” (C.L. Wilson, New York Times best-selling author of The Sea King)

Now on our auto-buy list!

Grace Draven became a favorite after reading a previous series. We bought this one knowing very little about it. We also hadn't heard this narrator before. We loved both! The world-building is, as expected, amazing. We could imagine being there, interacting with the main characters and all of the supporting cast. The narrator did a fabulous job of taking us inside the heads of the cast without being over-the-top. When the next book of the series arrives, you can be sure we'll be one-clicking. We hope we get the same narrator, too!

magnificent!

Unsurprisingly, Grace Draven has written another magnificent story. The narrator was a perfect choice! So worth a credit!

Loved!

Freakin loved it! I’m so sad it’s over! I want MORE!!!! Grace draven never disappoints!

Beautiful

This was a wonderful adventure and I would highly recommend taking a chance on this one. The world this writer and narrator created will leave you breathless. Thank you for this amazing new add to my favorites!

Very gripping

This is a very gripping book, I found it hard to put it down! After reading too many books recently that couldn’t grab my attention, this one definitely did the job.
I’m not really a romance reader, so I’m glad to say the romance didn’t bother me too much. It was more than I usually need in my books, but it wasn’t overbearing (except toward the end, oh well), and it allowed the story and characters to develop and be a part of it.
I liked the world building, but it could have been a little more robust to my liking. Again, this isn’t something that really bothered me, because I was drawn in by the characters and what they were going through.

The audiobook version was great. The narrator read a bit slow, but that’s why we can speed up. ;) after that - she really did a wonderful job.

Draven never disappoints

Draven’s characters grip me from sentence one and never let go. Yet, she manages to make them even more astonishingly moving into the next read, and the next. Enjoyed this world immensely. On to book 2.

Gorgeous, though a bit dark, writing

The first of a trilogy - "Fallen Empire" and a whopper of a read. I am flummoxed with how to review a book by the oh so masterful Grace Draven when I try not to compare it to many of her other books. As many others have noted this book feels darker. The characters of Gilene and Azarion are as complicated as their relationship. And everyone (as is every place) influenced by the disgusting and cruel Empire (hence the emotional, mental and event-filled darkness). One of the numerous things I admire about Ms. Draven is her amazingly lyrical use of language even when describing heavy and difficult events or personalities. Not so much in this book. This does not mean "Phoenix Unbound" is not a worthy read. I still finished the book feeling satisfied with the breadth of her writing. And I liked the ending. And I am starting book two "Dragon Unleashed" tomorrow.

Second time around: Listen with Audible and Katherine Lee McEwan narrating well.

Swept into the world of this book

This book is well written and moves at such a pace you resent anything that causes you to put it down.
My only regret was that it ended.

Her stories are richly gratifying

I have read several of her books and this one - as usual - you don’t want to end- you just want MORE - it is painful leaving behind the characters that you have fallen in love with! The main characters in this story are normal flawed people - not perfect heroes. Normally when reading a romance (whether historical - fantasy - sci-fi or whatever) I prefer the fantasy of the Gorgeous heroine or fantastically perfect hero, but her stories inevitably draw me into the deeply satisfying intricacies of her story even More by the way she gets the reader to recognize the depth and character contained in normal people in extraordinary (if fantastical) circumstances. LOVED this story! I read almost every category of book... and believe if any romance reader who eats up books will thoroughly enjoy Grace Draven’s Phoenix Unbound.

Love the author but couldn’t get into this story

Draven’s writing is amazing as is her painting of a tale. For some reason, unlike with her other works, this story did not sing to me. Her Wraith King series is still my favorite, along with its’ narrator. Draven is definitely an author to follow.