Phoenix Prince is book 4 of the Brothers of Fire series about the royal phoenix shifters of Mont de Leucoy. If you love mm fated mates, past lives, princes, and spies, join the phoenixes.
TJ Nichols (they/them) is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Familiar Mates series. They write mostly gay fantasy and paranormal romance, but sometimes gay action/horror as Toby J. Nichols.
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Phoenix Prince is the fourth book in T.J. Nichol’s Brothers of Fire series and I think it was my favorite so far. This series follows an overarching plot and the groundwork for this story has been laid in previous books, so you definitely want to read these in order. There are also some related books set in this world that are helpful reading, but not essential (see my review for the first book, Phoenix Spy, for more details). From a plot standpoint, this story pulls together the various threads that have been building throughout both this series and some of the other books set in this shared world.
While I really enjoyed seeing all the puzzle pieces slot into place, the highlight of the book for me is the fascinating character development for Everest.
I was so mad at Everest for making all the plans and putting g his brothers lives at stake!! But I totally understood as I read this story. It was so good. I loved Cadel as well. So much action in this book! I love it when a story gets to a point where you have no idea how they can make it a happy ending. This book did just that.
I can't wait for the final book. I loved all of them so far.
Phoenix Prince is the latest book in the Brothers of Fire series and is very intense and focussed. It follows Prince Everest as he escapes from being held for treason, taking his bodyguard Cadel with him. Everest is dangerous and will stop at nothing to find and rescue his brother Olier from the Shadow Board. He has already put his father’s life at risk and as well as all the citizens of Mont d Leucoy in his quest. That does not take into account putting his own life in the line of fire. He has a ‘soul bruise’ that resulted from the kidnapping of Olie. A soul bruise is more than just guilt and it follows a phoenix from one incarnation the next unless it is resolved. We know that Everest has found a way to access his past memories in the previous book, Phoenix Mate. In Phoenix Prince we find out just how far he has been willing to go remove the bruise, handing himself over to the Shadow Board.
This is a brilliant read that follows Everest as his mental state begins to unravel and how he becomes more dependent on Cadel to keep him on task while flirting with him. The interaction with the remnants of the Shadow Board are both tense and amusing as Everest plays the spoilt prince in making demands and belittling them.
Phoenix Prince works extremely well and the series is excellent. Lots of threads are resolved here and the scene is set for the final book. As always great nuanced characters
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE ** Reviewed for Divine Magazine
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Phoenix Prince, by T.J. Nichols Brothers of Fire, 04 ★★★★★
3rd person, dual character POV with a brief, third POV Themes: LGBTQIA+, Romance, Royalty, Shifters, age gap, undercover Triggers: mild violence, missing relative, betrayal, exploration of deteriorating mental health Genre: MM, Romance, Shifter, PNR, Crime
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Phoenix Mate is the fourth and penultimate book in the Brothers of Fire series, which continues the story of the Shadow Board and phoenixes, while finally exploring the full extent of Everest's behind-the-scenes machinations.
Everest has always been an interesting character, but last book we finally discovered that he's been accessing memories of most of his previous lives, which have all led up to this moment. He's been plotting how to use the Shadow Board to find Olier, his missing brother, for many lifetimes, and now all his plans have come to fruition. The problem is that he never planned to live beyond those plans. Cadel is a relatively new bodyguard and he's about to ruin all of Everest's plans. While he suspected that his current paramour bodyguard would be loyal, that doesn't prove the case once it comes time to escape captivity within the castle and disobey the King. Instead, it's Cadel who goes with him and proves to be just the solution he needed...in more ways than one.
The dynamic between Cadel and Everest was brilliantly executed, because Cadel is so by-the-book and Everest is such a rule breaker that they shouldn't fit together, on paper. However, they both offer something the other person is lacking. Cadel's background gives him great undercover capabilities, while Everest can see ten steps ahead. Cadel is the rational logic and reason, while Everest is the action and scheming master manipulator. However, Everest is also a victim of his own intelligence and past, while Cadel enjoys living in the moment and giving opportunities a chance to surprise him.
The pacing of the book was quite slow, but that was necessary, as there were a lot of pieces being moved in the background and Everest had to play the hostage to get everyone into the right positioning for what he wanted. That gave Everest and Cadel time to explore a tentative romance, which fully blossomed near the end.
At the end, we got to see Quentin again and the brothers, who all had a part to play. There was a chapter or so of Kaine's POV, which let us see how they all reacted to the eventual reveal of Everest's plans and the subsequent consequences.
The book was a nice little snippet of how things had been planned and plotted and working in the background for the previous three books – and some of the Familiar Mates books.
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Favourite Quote
“I have never lost a charge.” “I was already lost.” Cadel cupped Everest's jaw and tilted his chin. “And I want to find you.”
“If this was a game of chess, Everest had built the board, carved the pieces, created the rules, and he was three moves from winning.”
I love this series, and how it crosses over with The Familiar Mates series. I like the different challenges the phoenixes face with each book, and how Everest has spent generations planning for this end game. I loved the chess anthology – he not only is the player, but designed the board! Another series by this author that I need for my paperback shelf.
I loved how Everest is not how he appears, and that Cadel sees beneath the façade, and is able to help, despite Everest himself. The guilt Everest feels that drives him comes across well. I loved how he’s trying to anchor himself in the present with past memories threatening to overwhelm him.
Cadel is exactly who Everest needs. I love their interaction, and banter, and how Cadel doesn’t take any nonsense from Everest, despite him being a prince.
The Shadow Board is a formidable enemy, and nasty with it. The dinner where Everest takes control is a plan brilliantly executed and a fun read. I liked the mix of romance, drama, and action, and the reappearance of other characters. I enjoyed the interactions/relationship between Everest and his brothers, and the reason they founded their kingdom.
I’m looking forward to the conclusion to this series, and will be sad when it’s finished.
Everest is many things - prince of Mont De Leucoy and heir to the throne, as well as spy and double agent. This is all necessary to ensure he meets his true goal - to locate and rescue his missing brother. It has taken two life times and old magic but he is finally ready to complete his goal and time is running out. His bodyguard, Cadel McKeon, finds himself breaking his orders and following him to help him achieve success. Everest’s plan takes into consideration getting in but not getting out. Cadel is determined to get them all out. To do that he needs to enlist the help of many who do not trust Everest
Everest’s story was well worth the wait. He is snarky, fresh, and more than willing to be annoying, especially to the Shadow Board. Some of his conversations with them are so well done, you feel as if you are there and trying to avoid laughing out loud. Cadel played his role perfectly, and soon that led to so much more. This story was fantastic, well-written, fast-paced and filled with more than a few surprises. This is a not to be missed story. I received a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
This was a super interesting addition to the series. I'm very pleased with the way the overarching plot progressed and it definitely kept me turning pages. Cadel intrigued me on several levels and I wish we could have gotten more of his backstory--it'd be interesting to see how he became the person he was in the book. Everest...look, he's always been my least favorite character in this series and that hasn't changed. No matter the reasons given or the pain he suffered (self-inficted or otherwise), I still don't like him. The fallout of his actions in this story (trying to avoid spoilers here) didn't feel like enough to me. And maybe that's on me. I was just expecting something more, I don't know, volatile? It feels like he did a bad (a bunch of bads, really) and for the most part got away with it because...he's so sad and broken? Dunno. Again, could be my dislike of his character in general. The story--the writing--was spectacular as always. As far as I'm concerned, TJ Nichols could make a grocery list fascinating, so I'm definitely happy that I got to a chance to read this book.
While I have enjoyed the previous Brothers of Fire books, I did not much care for Everest, the crown prince in Phoenix Prince by TJ Nichols. This is because he came across as bratty and self-indulgent in the previous tales. However, as we learn early on this is a facade to hide the dangerous game Everest is playing to rescue his last known brother. Along on this journey is Cadel, his latest in a string of bodyguards. Cadel differs from the previous bodyguards in that he only cares to do the best job he can of protecting Everest, even from his own mind. There is a lot of suspense in the book since Everest only reveals his long-range plan one step at a time to Cadel. The fact the plan involves allowing himself and Cadel to be kidnapped by the evil Shadow Board seems folly at first, but in a romance everything works out in the end. It was fun trying to determine where the kidnappers take the pair based on the food they are fed. It was enjoyable too to see the bad guys get their due. I received a free copy of the book from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story is an unusual 'romance' between phoenix Prince Everest and his bodyguard Cadel McKeon. It can fairly be described as a quasi-thriller, though given the action in which the two shifters are involved, 'romantic suspense' would work as well. That being said, I find it very light on the 'romance', and despite the words of love they exchange at the end, it doesn't follow the expected pattern of a love story. Still, there's a lot that binds these two together ... honor, loyalty, humor, lust, commitment to doing what's right, and genuine affection. Everest's self-appointed task almost kills him, and the irony of how his mind as well as his life is spared is not lost in this tension-filled drama where the fate of a captured phoenix is at stake. I like Cadel a lot and love that Everest finds him to be the one he can not only respect but also trust. The rating is for the suspense part of the story more than it is for the 'romance'.
Everest and Cadel story was exhilarating as things start to unravel, secrets and plotting are revealed, loose threads are being knotted, and the pieces in the puzzle fall into their place. It had a lots of danger, risks, and careful planning that puts everything into motion, but also unpredicted ones that glues everything together and increases the chances of survival and success. There were made mistakes, as well as retribution for those, a begging for forgiveness that is slowly granted, as well as a mastermind that orchestrated every detail but also taking a couple of risks. Their relationship is slow progressing as they are oriented towards survival and protection, but it was what eventually gave them the chance to prosper. I enjoyed the read and I'm looking forward to see what happens next.
I just finished Phoenix Prince and absolutely loved the story! This is a story that keeps you hooked page after page as you wonder if the plan will work, and will Everest be able to save Oliver from the evil witches that have bound and kept him captive for years. This is a love story of how Cadel, hired as a bodyguard to Prince Everest, put everything on the line to save the prince from harm. There’s a surprise in their relationship as well that will make you smile. I’m not going into details because you really need to get the book and dive right in and read! I have read many books by TJ Nichols and I love this series and can’t wait until the next one comes out. Do I recommend this book? Oh, heck yes! This book will take you away to an Earth filled with humans, shifters, and witches and where love rules!
For the past two lives Prince Everest has been planning to rescue his lost brother, Olier/Oliver. He knows that the other phoenixes would stop him if they knew. As it is, Kalmon, Gerrit and Kaine aren't sure if the Shadow Board has turned the young phoenix. Caden, a lion shifter, is one of Everest's revolving door bodyguards. When the prince escapes the palace, Caden follows him to keep him safe. Everest really played into his brat persona and Caden needed all his patience. Their chemistry is steamy and angsty. Not my favorite pairing of the brothers. Good worldbuilding, good secondaries. Some of the plot twists had me going 'huh'. After Oliver's book, it might be a good idea to do a binge reread. I liked this book well enough. Some of it dragged. I am looking forward to Oliver's story. I received an advanced copy of this book from GRR and this is my review.
WOW! I liked this book even more than I liked the rest of the series and I loved the other books. This one features Everest who has been involved in the previous books and at times it wasn’t clear what side he was on. This book clears that up in spectacular fashion. As the blurb says he has been working towards a mission for two of his phoenix lives and the way that TJ Nichols has plotted this all out makes for an intriguing read. I just loved how it slowly comes out how much he has been manipulating everyone around him and the way we are strung along with everyone in the book. I’m struggling to not give away any spoilers because it’s so much fun to read and I encourage you to find out what I’m being so cryptic about. Bwahahaha!
This series overall has been full of adventure and intrigue. Prince Everest is on the run with his bodyguard Cadel there to help protect him. The prince is trying to save his brother Ollie from the Shadow Board, He is dealing with a soul bruise and he is trying to find a way to remove it. The interactions between the prince and Cadel were fun to read about as these men approach life very differently but together they work well which was necessary given the daring plan that they enact in relation to dealing with the Shadow Board. No spoilers but this was good to the last work and a worthy addition to the series. I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was amazing. So much detail and keeping things consistent while filling in and enriching the plot line. The skill blows me away. I have struggled with how to write this review without giving anything away. Trust me when I say that this is the one you were waiting for. So many things become clearer and things you’ll see differently. Everything has been building up to this including the Familiar Mates series. In my opinion this compares to some of the best complex world building series that many of us have enjoyed. Personally, as much as I’ve enjoyed and have read those books I’ll take phoenixes and shifters over rings and wardrobes.
The adventure in this story is phenominal! Prince Edward, is determined to save his brother who was captured two hundred years prior. There are many elements to his mission. He must sacrifice much during his rescue. He is not always viewed favorably by those he left behind. His bodyguard Cadel is assigned by the King to protect Edward, but that is not easy. Edward's mission, challenges Cadel in many ways some contrary ot what the King wnants. Edward must deal with the Shadow Board from within and that challenges Edward and Cadel. Good action and adventure. Great characters and nice flow. An absolutely enjoyable read. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Such a great series that I will definitely be re-reading once all the books are out so I can read back to back as I'm sure I've missed some things! Such a brilliant storyline and I was completely enthralled following Everest's journey. It was such an intense and emotional read as his mental state unravels and he relies heavily on Cadel. These moments and the underlying plot that continues through the series had me hooked until the end! So looking forward to the next one! I received a free arc copy from GRR and this is my honest review.
This is the fourth book in a series and you’ll definitely want to start with earlier installments, if you haven’t already, for context on the world and the overarching plot lines. This book gives readers both interesting characters and interesting plot developments, and the narrative threads are deftly woven and easy to follow. Everest has layers aplenty, and Cadel is a good match for him— well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I loved this fascinating book full of adventure, drama and danger as Everest enacts his plan to rescue Oliver. His bodyguard Cadel is there every step of the way to protect him, even from himself. The world-building and characters are fantastic, and the plot keeps you riveted to the pages wanting to see if they will succeed, and wondering what will happen next. Sooo good. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
This series has just grown and grown. Everest has been planning for a long time to retrieve his missing brother. His guilt had him keeping the secret from his brothers who were worried about his actions. Cadel was a safe bodyguard for him because height so Everest can't seduce him to distract him. Until of course they are unable to resist. I was a true page turner to find out how this book went. I loved it!! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I was really looking forward to this story. But it took me so long to get into it. I struggled quite a bit. Dont get me wrong the story did pick up. But I found it a bit of a slog to get to where I enjoyed the story. The idea that Cadel chooses Everest, is I think the bit that surprises everyone. I do look forward to Olivers story.
Best of the series!!! I felt like this had the answers to questions that have been lingering in this universe. It couldn't have been better! This book is definitely not stand alone so I would suggest starting from the beginning, it doesn't disappoint with great characters, lots of intrigue, spice and HEA's.
* I received an, ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
This is quite an entry in the series - one of my favorites. Everest is such an incredibly complicated character. I felt for him and his determination to rescue his brother but also wanted to give him some knocks upside the head for his harebrained scheme that risked so many lives. Cadel's loyalty and love was tested repeatedly here along with all his skills as a protector.
That was a really intense one and full of surprises. I didn't expect Everett to be the master manipulator and happy that he was able to deal with the shadowboard and find his lost brother. Great plot and nice tying up Familiar series with Brothers of Fire. Very imaginative.
He is a prince and heir who wants to save his brother who has been captive for 200 years. He may need some help to get his brother free. It may even find love along the way. How will it all go? Will he find love? Will he save his brother? See how it will all go
This is another adventure filled story. Prince Everest and Cadel's story had me right from the first page. This is such an great addition to this world. TJ Nichols has made me love these characters and I can't wait for the next one.
This is book four of the series and what another great action packed addition it is, Everett and Caden’s story brings together and answers a lot of questions and sets us up for the last book in the series and I can’t wait to read it.
Wow, lots of reveals. This was the 4th book, and there was a lot to pack in here. Kudos to T.J. Nichols for bringing us a great development arc for Everest. Best Bodyguard prize goes to Cadel.