The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps - Brooke Marley Jones

Walking home late one night, burned-out barista Nell accidentally incinerates someone. nn n nn Whoopsie! nn n nn Now, if this tale began in a fantastic, far-away land, or Nell were, perhaps, a wizard, such a mishap might make some kind of sense.

But this is not a wondrous, fantasy world. This is real life, and Nell just wanted to go home and eat macaroni. As Nell stares upon the smoldering corpse, she realizes something with horrifying certainty: She's magic.

nn n nn And not the cute, pulling-a-rabbit-from-a-hat kind of magic. nn n nn Unfortunately, during Nell's little outburst, she suffers a mortal injury. Fortunately, Darragh, a rugged and magical outcast, witnessed the entire incident.

To save Nell's life, Darragh whisks her away to a world where magic reigns. However, as is so often the case with magic, it comes at a price. In this harsh world, the entities that lurk in the darkest corners of Nell's nightmares await her in hungry anticipation.

nn n nn As Nell and Darragh vanquish monsters and ghouls, their affections for one another take root. Just when this treacherous tale is beginning to look like a love story, Darragh is captured by a wretched, cadaverous queen. nn n nn Now, it's up to Nell to save him.

nn n nn The Forest Where the Phoenix Sleeps boasts portal magic reminiscent of A Darker Shade of Magic, the romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the action-packed adventure of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and the humour of Tress of the Emerald Sea. nn n nn