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Ember Savita Chronicles #1
Veiled Phoenix
Can a secret be kept? Will friends protect friends? A growing prejudice against non-magic users threatens to destroy the peace forged hundreds of years ago. Ember attends magic school after years of being homeschooled. Often ridiculed for not being great at magic, they shrug it off. Despite what their classmates think, Ember is confident in their abilities. When a school field trip to find midnight herbs reveals Ember’s secrets to those around them, will it destroy years of trust?
Once Ember’s family learns they’ve been outed, it’s time to run. They’ve always moved on … their secrets and safety are more important than where they live.
Meanwhile, there’s a new movement spreading dissension and speaking of a divide between witches and non-magic users. If they stay, they can help those trying to bridge the gap. It’s an old fight Ember’s parents battled in the past. Can Ember convince their family to stay and resurrect peace from the ashes of fear and hate?
Once Ember’s family learns they’ve been outed, it’s time to run. They’ve always moved on … their secrets and safety are more important than where they live.
Meanwhile, there’s a new movement spreading dissension and speaking of a divide between witches and non-magic users. If they stay, they can help those trying to bridge the gap. It’s an old fight Ember’s parents battled in the past. Can Ember convince their family to stay and resurrect peace from the ashes of fear and hate?
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2024
12 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 16, 2024
Phoenixes are just as awesome as dragons
Every now and then, you come across a really good story that combines all your favorite fantasy elements. Aside from the lack of dragons, Veiled Phoenix does just that, with an interesting MC and her quirky friends, a magic academy, rare fantasy creatures, and a prejudiced social movement needing to be countered. With a unique twist on firebirds that had me giggling, and strong ties of friendship that touched my heart, I recommend this book as fun for all ages.
Every now and then, you come across a really good story that combines all your favorite fantasy elements. Aside from the lack of dragons, Veiled Phoenix does just that, with an interesting MC and her quirky friends, a magic academy, rare fantasy creatures, and a prejudiced social movement needing to be countered. With a unique twist on firebirds that had me giggling, and strong ties of friendship that touched my heart, I recommend this book as fun for all ages.
July 21, 2024
Let me say at the outset that this isn't a genre that I read much, so I'm not the target audience for this. That said, this was an interesting story.
Ember has been home schooled all their life till they are sent to a magic school where they struggles to fit in. Their parents have asked them to keep some of their abilities secret and this causes them to be judged by some of the popular clique at school as non magical and human. Despite being bullied, they makes friends with another witch called Daisy and also has a boyfriend in a powerful witch called Felix.
A new movement has started, wanting the magic users to rise against humans, and Daisy is dangerously attracted to the idea. The movement at school is led by one of the popular kids who has her own agenda.
During a school trip, Ember's powers are revealed and their parents, for once, decide not to run. Ember is now a teaching assistant, helping other students, but their powers and their views have placed them on the crosshairs of those in charge of the movement.
Though it isn't touted as such, this is an academy book, with all the usual staples of teenage witch drama, bullying, powerful MC etc etc. Except in this case, the MC has always known who they were and their powers, and the humans already know of the magic users. There was a war once but peace has reigned for a long time now. Their friends come to know slowly but are accepting and even happy with it. Ember is remarkably mature for a teen MC, but it also throws into light how immature most of the others, especially the bullies, are.
If you love YA fantasy and academy books, you will love this one.
Ember has been home schooled all their life till they are sent to a magic school where they struggles to fit in. Their parents have asked them to keep some of their abilities secret and this causes them to be judged by some of the popular clique at school as non magical and human. Despite being bullied, they makes friends with another witch called Daisy and also has a boyfriend in a powerful witch called Felix.
A new movement has started, wanting the magic users to rise against humans, and Daisy is dangerously attracted to the idea. The movement at school is led by one of the popular kids who has her own agenda.
During a school trip, Ember's powers are revealed and their parents, for once, decide not to run. Ember is now a teaching assistant, helping other students, but their powers and their views have placed them on the crosshairs of those in charge of the movement.
Though it isn't touted as such, this is an academy book, with all the usual staples of teenage witch drama, bullying, powerful MC etc etc. Except in this case, the MC has always known who they were and their powers, and the humans already know of the magic users. There was a war once but peace has reigned for a long time now. Their friends come to know slowly but are accepting and even happy with it. Ember is remarkably mature for a teen MC, but it also throws into light how immature most of the others, especially the bullies, are.
If you love YA fantasy and academy books, you will love this one.
February 17, 2025
A FANTASTIC MODERN FANTASY
Review: This is an incredibly well-written take on modern fantasy. The plot is nicely tangled and twisty, and the characters are vibrant and interesting (even the not so nice ones). I love the mix of a contemporary world and a magical environment. The main character, Ember, goes from Potions class and Earth Magic to Gym class and Spanish. When they practice a new spell, they record their efforts on a cell phone to watch back later.
And it’s this mix of magical and non-magical societies that causes a lot of the tension in the novel, as several of the most influential magic users are trying to start an us-versus-them war against the “humans”.
Beneath all the political drama is Ember and their friends, trying to deal with high school drama. For magic users, it’s much like normal high school drama, but, you know, with more fires and explosions and mind magic and stuff.
This is a fun, exciting ride that’s safe enough for younger readers and still written with a deft, creative hand so fantasy readers of all ages will love it as well.
**One note - Like all good fantasy novels, this series is CHOCK FULL of allegory and symbolism. The main character is written as non-binary with they/them pronouns, and their identity is a major plot-point to the story.
Overall, I loved this book, and I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the sequels.
Review: This is an incredibly well-written take on modern fantasy. The plot is nicely tangled and twisty, and the characters are vibrant and interesting (even the not so nice ones). I love the mix of a contemporary world and a magical environment. The main character, Ember, goes from Potions class and Earth Magic to Gym class and Spanish. When they practice a new spell, they record their efforts on a cell phone to watch back later.
And it’s this mix of magical and non-magical societies that causes a lot of the tension in the novel, as several of the most influential magic users are trying to start an us-versus-them war against the “humans”.
Beneath all the political drama is Ember and their friends, trying to deal with high school drama. For magic users, it’s much like normal high school drama, but, you know, with more fires and explosions and mind magic and stuff.
This is a fun, exciting ride that’s safe enough for younger readers and still written with a deft, creative hand so fantasy readers of all ages will love it as well.
**One note - Like all good fantasy novels, this series is CHOCK FULL of allegory and symbolism. The main character is written as non-binary with they/them pronouns, and their identity is a major plot-point to the story.
Overall, I loved this book, and I can’t wait to see how the story continues in the sequels.
June 14, 2024
Veiled Phoenix by Huckleberry Rahr is a story of history repeating itself. It is a history of fragile egos with superiority complexes longing for power and ultimate control while striving to eradicate those they deem lesser. This urban fantasy has witches, shifters, and humans caught in the crossfire.
The MCs are interesting and unique personalities. The main plotline is fairly predictable. As I said, it is history repeating itself. The difference is with the magic system and lore. They are fun and intriguing and hold my attention.
It moves along at a steady pace. Nothing especially shocking happens, but it is suspenseful in the anticipation of what will come. Perspective changes are done in separate chapters and work well with the plot to keep me engaged. There is showing instead of telling and bits of inner monologue mixed in to give personal insight. The writing isn't perfectly polished, but nothing detracts from the story.
I love Felix because he is intelligent, kind, sensitive, and strong in his magical proficiency. Ember's abilities are fascinating. They are just a really cool non-binary individual.
The way the book ends is not a cliffhanger perse, but it is clearly just part one of a series. It doesn't upset me, and I am looking forward to what happens next.
I give this a rating of 3.75 stars rounded up.
I received this free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
The MCs are interesting and unique personalities. The main plotline is fairly predictable. As I said, it is history repeating itself. The difference is with the magic system and lore. They are fun and intriguing and hold my attention.
It moves along at a steady pace. Nothing especially shocking happens, but it is suspenseful in the anticipation of what will come. Perspective changes are done in separate chapters and work well with the plot to keep me engaged. There is showing instead of telling and bits of inner monologue mixed in to give personal insight. The writing isn't perfectly polished, but nothing detracts from the story.
I love Felix because he is intelligent, kind, sensitive, and strong in his magical proficiency. Ember's abilities are fascinating. They are just a really cool non-binary individual.
The way the book ends is not a cliffhanger perse, but it is clearly just part one of a series. It doesn't upset me, and I am looking forward to what happens next.
I give this a rating of 3.75 stars rounded up.
I received this free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
August 2, 2024
YA Fantasy is one of my favourite genres and I love seeing LGBTQ representation, so I knew I had to read this as soon as I saw it. And I’m so glad I did, I absolutely devoured it in one day and it’s left me with such a book hangover, I can’t wait for book two!
Ember hides her true potential and strength with certain magic from her classmates in an attempt to fit in, but it only draws attention to her. I loved seeing her develop and come into her own throughout the book, showing people what she could do, and I can’t wait to see more of that in future.
I found the characters to be well developed and relatable. I loved the friendship between Ember, Daisy and Felix and the school environment along with bullies which I wanted to 🤛🏻.
Highly recommend giving this series a go! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ember hides her true potential and strength with certain magic from her classmates in an attempt to fit in, but it only draws attention to her. I loved seeing her develop and come into her own throughout the book, showing people what she could do, and I can’t wait to see more of that in future.
I found the characters to be well developed and relatable. I loved the friendship between Ember, Daisy and Felix and the school environment along with bullies which I wanted to 🤛🏻.
Highly recommend giving this series a go! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 11, 2024
Ember has a secret. No one can know, but as secrets tend to do, they come out... They tried to hide the family secret, and unrest in the communities around them and bullies at school forced the secret out, but in the process, Ember gets to shine amongst the doubting students, and also long-lost family found in the end. This book isn't in the normal genres that I read, I love all books shifter, where this one is, but I normally read sapphic books, but I will definitely follow this one and the rest in the series, I am invested in the story now.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
May 11, 2025
Veiled Phoenix is a richly imagined tale of resilience, rebirth, and found strength. Huckleberry Rahr weaves together a dark yet hopeful narrative that dives deep into identity, trauma, and transformation. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric, wrapping you in a world that’s both raw and strangely beautiful. While the pacing slows in a few spots, the emotional depth and character growth kept me invested. I especially loved the symbolism and the haunting beauty of the phoenix metaphor. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy that explores what it means to rise from your ashes, this one’s worth a read
July 15, 2024
This is a great first book in the trilogy featuring witches and secret hidden identifies.
Ember is thought to be the school dummy when she hides her abilities from her teachers and classmates. When a new uprising comes into the school and the bullies, who make Embers school life hell, are the leaders things go awry very quickly. This is a fast paced book, with a lot of content. It doesn’t hang on a cliffhanger but it did leave me eager for book 2.
Ember is thought to be the school dummy when she hides her abilities from her teachers and classmates. When a new uprising comes into the school and the bullies, who make Embers school life hell, are the leaders things go awry very quickly. This is a fast paced book, with a lot of content. It doesn’t hang on a cliffhanger but it did leave me eager for book 2.
August 16, 2024
It’s Harry Potter meets a PG Zodiac Academy, absolutely loved the story. The writing was a bit juvenile compared to what I’m used to in fantasy but it’s about teenagers so I guess that makes sense. I loved the inclusion of a NB main character. They have a bunch of juicy secrets that I wouldn’t wait to figure out. The side characters are interesting, if obnoxious! Starting the second one asap!
July 19, 2024
Omg I want to start by saying this author created such amazing chemistry between her characters it sucked me straight into the story! Though it’s YA I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this read!! Woah what a cliffhanger to end the book off!!
January 17, 2025
Oh wow! What a fresh spin on fantasy! This is the first novel I’ve read where the main character is a phoenix. I love that they are non binary too! We need more books like this out there in our universe.
September 24, 2025
it’s okay
This is an alright read, not as good as Jade’s series by no means. This MC didn’t grab me into their story like I was hoping. The hook just never set in this read, but may see what happens with the next book.
This is an alright read, not as good as Jade’s series by no means. This MC didn’t grab me into their story like I was hoping. The hook just never set in this read, but may see what happens with the next book.
May 22, 2024
This is an amazing story! I love the characters' growth and development throughout the book. Learning how to accept self and learning how to trust others! 10/10 must read!!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews