3.75 stars, rounded up

Mainly read this because I didn't realize there was a book 1, when I signed up for book 2 ARC, Phoenix Caged which comes out on August 23rd!

Phoenix Awakening is mainly about the unavoidable impact of war, even when leaders try to keep it hidden.

In the Kingdom of Ignis, Princess Moira's biggest concerns were choosing outfits, skipping her lessons, and hanging out with friends or partying too hard.
Everything changes on the night of her eighteenth birthday when the protective walls of the Five Kingdoms are breached, and she rescues a wounded soldier through her shadow.
As the war begins and Moira is left to her own devices, she sneaks through hidden tunnels to gather information. However, she finds herself consumed with jealousy over her best friend’s growing interest in and constant attention to her brother. She unlocks her dormant Gifts to prove herself worthy of her royal responsibilities. But despite her efforts to get her father's attention and reveal the chaos of the ongoing war to his subjects, he refuses to acknowledge her intelligence or share the truth.

Honestly, I'm struggling to rate this.

It was fun and engaging though a bit annoying at times because the fmc came across as overly immature (she seemed very selfish and entitled).

I really wish there was more of a romance aspect to this story.

Moira's love interest feels undetermined, there's Markus, Kieran, and Alden (a soldier whom she really likes, and might be the main love interest. I wish we got more of him!! I really like their interactions and scenes where he's combat training her.)

Overall, besides struggling to rate this, I really enjoyed the story, I loved the world and descriptions and I loved her awakening scene!
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