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Phoenix
First a soldier and then a diplomat, Juberi now spends his solitary days on a single trying to resurrect the phoenix, which has been extinct for centuries. He’s not pleased when he is obligated to attend a public ceremony in memory of an elderly friend and former colleague. But at the ceremony, Juberi meets the friend’s beguiling son, Desen. Despite being from a markedly different culture, Desen has much to offer. But after decades of denying his own desires, Juberi fears there is no alchemy that will reopen him to love.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Daily Dose package "Never Too Late."
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2015 Daily Dose package "Never Too Late."
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2015
About the author
Kim Fielding
180 books1,314 followersKim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that eighth tattoo.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 31, 2015
Set in a fantasy world of potions, incantations, and flying carpets, Phoenix is about dreams, hope, and second chances.
Juberi, a once-upon-a-time ambassador to the neighboring kingdom of Tamrat, lives for his Phoenix feathers. For decades, he's hoped to bring a Phoenix back to life.
When Juberi meets the charismatic Desen, son of one of Juberi's closest, now deceased, friends, his long-buried yearnings return.
But in the kingdom of Kokoto, love between two men is taboo.
Juberi and Desen are in their 50s. Their bodies are not perfect, their hair going gray.
Desen is so vibrant and alive, Juberi feels dusty and creaky next to him.
But Desen admires Juberi. He wants Juberi to laugh and live. Juberi hides in his Phoenix room, pursuing a dream faded with time.
Sometimes a dream becomes a prison, and no longer a dream at all.
Beautifully written, poignant, a little sad, Phoenix is a romantic fantasy with a startling HEA about two older men discovering love ... and magic.
Juberi, a once-upon-a-time ambassador to the neighboring kingdom of Tamrat, lives for his Phoenix feathers. For decades, he's hoped to bring a Phoenix back to life.
When Juberi meets the charismatic Desen, son of one of Juberi's closest, now deceased, friends, his long-buried yearnings return.
But in the kingdom of Kokoto, love between two men is taboo.
Juberi and Desen are in their 50s. Their bodies are not perfect, their hair going gray.
Desen is so vibrant and alive, Juberi feels dusty and creaky next to him.
But Desen admires Juberi. He wants Juberi to laugh and live. Juberi hides in his Phoenix room, pursuing a dream faded with time.
Sometimes a dream becomes a prison, and no longer a dream at all.
Beautifully written, poignant, a little sad, Phoenix is a romantic fantasy with a startling HEA about two older men discovering love ... and magic.
June 9, 2015
I am always too happy to read anything by Kim Fielding, as she has slowly become a favorite of mine. 'Phoenix' is a short story in this year's Dreamspinner Press anthology, 'Never Too Late'. The theme for this year is most appropriate as each of these stories tells the tale of someone taking charge of their life, their desires, their dreams, and their world. I was enchanted by this story, as I'm sure you will be, also.
This installment is set in a fantasy world which includes flying carpets, magic spells, and two kingdoms with very different cultures. Juberi has spent most of his life collecting the rare feathers of the very extinct phoenix, in the hopes that with the correct spells, he can recreate these beautiful, extinct, birds. Juberi was once an ambassador to Tamrat where he received quite a few culture shocks as Tamrat is much more liberal than Kokoto where he is from. The biggest shock of all was the open acceptance of two men as lovers, which is forbidden in Kokoto.
When Juberi meets Desen, the son of a close friend, all the feelings he left behind in Tamrat over twenty years ago come rushing back to the fore. But Juberi is conflicted and feels he is too old to return to Tamrat and begin a new life.
“Why a phoenix?” Desen finally asked, his voice soft.
“What do you mean?”
Desen regarded him steadily. His eyes were mournful. “You’ve spent years trying to bring a dead thing back to life. Why?”
Ah, Kim, my friend, you've done it again. You completely enchanted me with this short story. I adored the ending, and I think you brought out the best in Juberi.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
This installment is set in a fantasy world which includes flying carpets, magic spells, and two kingdoms with very different cultures. Juberi has spent most of his life collecting the rare feathers of the very extinct phoenix, in the hopes that with the correct spells, he can recreate these beautiful, extinct, birds. Juberi was once an ambassador to Tamrat where he received quite a few culture shocks as Tamrat is much more liberal than Kokoto where he is from. The biggest shock of all was the open acceptance of two men as lovers, which is forbidden in Kokoto.
When Juberi meets Desen, the son of a close friend, all the feelings he left behind in Tamrat over twenty years ago come rushing back to the fore. But Juberi is conflicted and feels he is too old to return to Tamrat and begin a new life.
“Why a phoenix?” Desen finally asked, his voice soft.
“What do you mean?”
Desen regarded him steadily. His eyes were mournful. “You’ve spent years trying to bring a dead thing back to life. Why?”
Ah, Kim, my friend, you've done it again. You completely enchanted me with this short story. I adored the ending, and I think you brought out the best in Juberi.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
October 8, 2015
Who in the hell thought this was a good cover for this book? Seriously...
Just to be clear, I thought this was a really well written book. 4.5 stars (rounded down) well written... and only 44 pages. I just don't like the cover. I get it, it's part of an anthology, but if the publisher is going to split them up, give some thought to the content. This is a fantasy short story with one character, Juberi, having darker skin, and Desen having lighter skin. Desen has longer hair and, once again, hello, fantasy. This is such a generic cover and I like well thought out covers.
My review is at
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
Just to be clear, I thought this was a really well written book. 4.5 stars (rounded down) well written... and only 44 pages. I just don't like the cover. I get it, it's part of an anthology, but if the publisher is going to split them up, give some thought to the content. This is a fantasy short story with one character, Juberi, having darker skin, and Desen having lighter skin. Desen has longer hair and, once again, hello, fantasy. This is such a generic cover and I like well thought out covers.
My review is at
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
December 2, 2025
Sadly, this one lacked any meaningful relationship building. Happily, it was very short. The ending sentiment was sweet but I was never invested in the characters or the story in general. Moreover, I found one of the characters a little creepy. Desen is already in love with Juberi without ever having met him, based solely on his father’s stories the man. He leans in and gives Juberi an intimate kiss within minutes of meeting him, asks Juberi to move back to Desen’s country the second time they meet, sleeps with him the third time they meet and tells him “Honestly, I’d lie on hot coals if it meant I could be with you.” IMO it gave celebrity stalker vibes… As I sit here trying to find words, my face is all 😬 and 🥴 and my heart is all 🙅🏻♀️🙅🏻♀️🙅🏻♀️ That’s it, 3 meetings and they’re off to another country to live happily (or whatever) after together with Juberi only knowing Desen as the son of a dear colleague and what he learned of him from 3 brief meetings…
Though I love a beautiful love story, even fantastical ones that require suspension of disbelief, I’m also a cynical realist and this one simply didn’t work for me. 2 stars.
Though I love a beautiful love story, even fantastical ones that require suspension of disbelief, I’m also a cynical realist and this one simply didn’t work for me. 2 stars.
June 25, 2015
Set in a wonderfully magical world of strange customs, exotic enemies who are now friends, and an abundance of spells, incantations, and even flying carpets, this is an amazing love story. Like the extinct phoenix that Juberi is trying to bring back to life, his feelings, needs, and love of men is almost dead when he finally meets Desen. Desen for his part has spent years knowing of Juberi, but only meet him at his father’s funeral. Full of magic and unexpected revelations, Juberi and Desen’s tale transported me into a different world. I loved every minute of it!
Juberi thinks he is old. He sees himself as “An inconsequential man who spent his days slinking among books and papers, accomplishing nothing, hoping for very little.” The restrictions in his home country of Tamrat on male/male love mean he can never truly be himself, and after a life as a soldier and diplomat, he has withdrawn to the confines of his workroom. His only remaining focus is bringing the extinct phoenix back to life, but years of hard work have been fruitless.
When the Kokoto ambassador whom Juberi used to work with dies, his son Desen comes to the funeral and suddenly all the old temptations are back. Desen is interested, but Juberi is so convinced their love cannot be, that he fights back with all his might. It takes a night of passion and a minor miracle to show him the error of his ways…
If you like magical stories set in exotic countries, if you think years of denial and restraint deserve to be rewarded, and if you’re looking for a read that is as romantic as it is filled with suspense and wonder, then you will probably like this short story as much as I did. I almost wish I’d never read it so I could start all over again and be swept away into its world all over again. Simply beautiful!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
Juberi thinks he is old. He sees himself as “An inconsequential man who spent his days slinking among books and papers, accomplishing nothing, hoping for very little.” The restrictions in his home country of Tamrat on male/male love mean he can never truly be himself, and after a life as a soldier and diplomat, he has withdrawn to the confines of his workroom. His only remaining focus is bringing the extinct phoenix back to life, but years of hard work have been fruitless.
When the Kokoto ambassador whom Juberi used to work with dies, his son Desen comes to the funeral and suddenly all the old temptations are back. Desen is interested, but Juberi is so convinced their love cannot be, that he fights back with all his might. It takes a night of passion and a minor miracle to show him the error of his ways…
If you like magical stories set in exotic countries, if you think years of denial and restraint deserve to be rewarded, and if you’re looking for a read that is as romantic as it is filled with suspense and wonder, then you will probably like this short story as much as I did. I almost wish I’d never read it so I could start all over again and be swept away into its world all over again. Simply beautiful!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
September 9, 2025
I felt like I have read most of Fielding's books - then I saw a new release and I immediately bought it. I read it last night, it was quick and nice read despite it being short, and well, a bit undeveloped in terms of relationship since it was WAY too fast (apparently Desen had a worship complex for the man that his father kept telling him about). I enjoyed it nonetheless.
... and wanted to put my thoughts here on Goodreads, only to find out that 9 years ago, I gave this up early *laugh*. I guess, yes, taste can change.
---------------------
First try 2016
I am going to chalk this up as me-not-you situation and leave it unrated.
When I bought this, I didn't even pay attention to the blurb. It's Kim Fielding's; it is a name I trust my reading experience with. BUT, reading the first page, with the strange names and the strange place, it just threw me off my balance. I wasn't expecting fantasy. Somehow, the cover (it was a generic one for the Daily Dose, I should've taken that into considerations) and Kim Fielding made think of contemporary (weird deduction, I know, because Fielding writes a lot of fantasy!) and my brain wasn't prepared for the alternate fantasy universe. I was quickly disconnected with the story early on and ended up skimming, without ever got the interest.
MAYBE I would re-read this one day with a better mind-frame. For now, for the sake of my book catalogue here in Goodreads, I would put in on the 'my issues not yours' shelf.
... and wanted to put my thoughts here on Goodreads, only to find out that 9 years ago, I gave this up early *laugh*. I guess, yes, taste can change.
---------------------
First try 2016
I am going to chalk this up as me-not-you situation and leave it unrated.
When I bought this, I didn't even pay attention to the blurb. It's Kim Fielding's; it is a name I trust my reading experience with. BUT, reading the first page, with the strange names and the strange place, it just threw me off my balance. I wasn't expecting fantasy. Somehow, the cover (it was a generic one for the Daily Dose, I should've taken that into considerations) and Kim Fielding made think of contemporary (weird deduction, I know, because Fielding writes a lot of fantasy!) and my brain wasn't prepared for the alternate fantasy universe. I was quickly disconnected with the story early on and ended up skimming, without ever got the interest.
MAYBE I would re-read this one day with a better mind-frame. For now, for the sake of my book catalogue here in Goodreads, I would put in on the 'my issues not yours' shelf.
June 23, 2015
This one just did not work for me. I enjoyed the oriental feel to the story. I could not connect with either Juberi or Desen. So many customs and angst just made this short feel like it dragged on forever.
January 17, 2020
A short high fantasy novella about an elder statesman who gets a second chance at life and love. Beautifully written!
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
June 19, 2015
Juberi has a passion for the Phoenix, an extinct bird that he believes he can resurrect. He’s devoted his life to studying the magic to do such a thing almost to the exclusion of all else.
In his past, he’s also been an ambassador to a country with far different rules than his homeland. There he was able to have his male lover and to drink alcohol and sleep on feather beds. When he’s called home from his service, his lover essentially breaks his heart and Juberi has never loved again.
We find Juberi at the funeral of an old friend from that time and we meet that friend’s son. The son, Desen, has heard all about Juberi and has had a virtual crush on the man for years. When they meet there is instant attraction but Juberi feels he’s too set in his ways and that to act on that attraction would be wrong.
It is Desen’s persistence and Juberi’s work on with the Phoenix that proves Juberi wrong.
**
Kim Fielding is an amazing writer and always manages to tell a great story – whether short or long. I love her ability to world build and to make the reader invested with a minimum of words.
Though I found this to be an engaging and wonderful story, it was not my favorite of hers. I loved the ending and was hopeful for the lovers, but I wish we’d seen just a bit more of the relationship between them. I didn’t feel that wonderful connection she usually shows us between the lovers nearly as strongly as I have in the past.
In his past, he’s also been an ambassador to a country with far different rules than his homeland. There he was able to have his male lover and to drink alcohol and sleep on feather beds. When he’s called home from his service, his lover essentially breaks his heart and Juberi has never loved again.
We find Juberi at the funeral of an old friend from that time and we meet that friend’s son. The son, Desen, has heard all about Juberi and has had a virtual crush on the man for years. When they meet there is instant attraction but Juberi feels he’s too set in his ways and that to act on that attraction would be wrong.
It is Desen’s persistence and Juberi’s work on with the Phoenix that proves Juberi wrong.
**
Kim Fielding is an amazing writer and always manages to tell a great story – whether short or long. I love her ability to world build and to make the reader invested with a minimum of words.
Though I found this to be an engaging and wonderful story, it was not my favorite of hers. I loved the ending and was hopeful for the lovers, but I wish we’d seen just a bit more of the relationship between them. I didn’t feel that wonderful connection she usually shows us between the lovers nearly as strongly as I have in the past.
January 24, 2021
3.5 Stars
January 24, 2022
After years of keeping himself out of the world as much as possible, nursing old hurts and wounds, a man attends a ceremony and discovers something worth changing for. Short and sweet.
September 1, 2025
I liked this one well enough, there's just nothing particularly engaging in it for me, until the last few pages.
June 22, 2015
4 Heart Review by Dan
I quite liked this short story from Kim Fielding. Like Kim’s other works, it is well written, with believable characters and a good storyline. I really like her style of writing. The story is set in an alternate world, complete with flying carpets, where two lands who were formerly enemies now know peace because two ambassadors, one from each country, helped hammer out a peace agreement many years before. The land of the Tamrati is progressive, the land of the Kokoti is not. Love between men is forbidden to the Kokoti.
In Phoenix we meet Juberi, a retired general and Kokoti ambassador who gave his younger life to first fighting a war and then to being the ambassador to the Tamrati after the war was over. Many of the Tamrati credit him as having been the unifying peacemaker.
When the story starts Juberi is bemoaning his need to appear in public at an event to honor his dear friend and counterpart, the Tamrati ambassador to his own country. The friend has passed on, but at the event commemorating him, Juberi meets the friend’s son, Desen, who is actually very close to Juberi’s age. Since getting out of politics, Juberi has isolated himself from the world and has been working selflessly on resurrecting the phoenix, extinct for centuries.
Now along comes Desen, asking impossible things, and igniting passions best left in the past. Is it too late for Juberi to rise from the ashes like the phoenix?
I recommend this story. It was an entertaining quick read, and did I mention they have flying carpets? I’ve wanted one since I was a kid!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I quite liked this short story from Kim Fielding. Like Kim’s other works, it is well written, with believable characters and a good storyline. I really like her style of writing. The story is set in an alternate world, complete with flying carpets, where two lands who were formerly enemies now know peace because two ambassadors, one from each country, helped hammer out a peace agreement many years before. The land of the Tamrati is progressive, the land of the Kokoti is not. Love between men is forbidden to the Kokoti.
In Phoenix we meet Juberi, a retired general and Kokoti ambassador who gave his younger life to first fighting a war and then to being the ambassador to the Tamrati after the war was over. Many of the Tamrati credit him as having been the unifying peacemaker.
When the story starts Juberi is bemoaning his need to appear in public at an event to honor his dear friend and counterpart, the Tamrati ambassador to his own country. The friend has passed on, but at the event commemorating him, Juberi meets the friend’s son, Desen, who is actually very close to Juberi’s age. Since getting out of politics, Juberi has isolated himself from the world and has been working selflessly on resurrecting the phoenix, extinct for centuries.
Now along comes Desen, asking impossible things, and igniting passions best left in the past. Is it too late for Juberi to rise from the ashes like the phoenix?
I recommend this story. It was an entertaining quick read, and did I mention they have flying carpets? I’ve wanted one since I was a kid!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
June 28, 2015
Where do I start? This story was wonderful. In few words, Ms. Fielding brought the sites, the sounds, and the flavors to life. She also made Juberi, Desen and a few wonderful secondary characters wonderfully real. I want to visit both countries, see phoenixes, and enjoy a ride on a flying carpet.
Who’s with me? 5 stars!
Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystals Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
Who’s with me? 5 stars!
Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystals Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
August 29, 2015
Full review can be found at The Novel Approach
June 15, 2015
Well done romance with a steampunkish-historical setting, the perfect quirky romance I've come to expect from this unique author.
June 19, 2015
I definitely liked this story but sadly I couldn't really feel the connection between the two MC's. For me that was a bit out of the blue
June 21, 2015
Desen and Jurbi - Having to learn to love and live again. Sometimes you have to take risks.
October 10, 2015
Just the right amount of everything.
July 13, 2015
I just wasn't that into it. The world never seemed to make sense and I didn't form any sort of bond with the characters. I finished it only because it was short.
July 26, 2015
Well written. Not my favorite setting, but more my issues I think.
August 29, 2025
Lovely, as always. Re-read and loved it as before.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews