The Phoenix Bride is a beautifully written standalone historical novel by Natasha Siegel. Released 12th March 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Dell imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
By turns haunting and poignant, it's less of a romance (though there are elements of forbidden romance, with a slow progression), than a deep examination of healing and grief, set against the great London fire and in the wake of the plague.
The prose is beautifully wrought and is definitely the best part of the book. There's a poetic, dreamlike quality, which comes through even in the most distressing parts (and there are dark and distressing elements - violence, death of a spouse, racism, rigid class systems, and lots of general death).
The overall story arc is positive and full of redemption, but there's a -lot- of melancholy and sadness along the way. Not a very "up" book.
Four stars, gorgeously written with lush and melodic prose, but darned depressing in places. It would likely make a good choice for book club study, public library acquisition, and home reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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