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It is 350 years after the events of The Five Ancestors. Phoenix Collns lives in Indiana with his grandfather who is teaching him kung fu. But Phoenix's real love is mountain bike racing. When unsettling  events reveal that his grandfather is not only one of the legendary five Cangzhen monks, but also almost 400 years old, Phoenix must race the clock if he is going to keep his beloved ancestor alive. Traveling to China, he meets an intriguing young woman who is a talented biker and a terrific mechanic. She offers to help him, but can she be trusted?

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

18 people are currently reading
545 people want to read

About the author

Jeff Stone

106 books159 followers
JEFF STONE is the bestselling author of the International Reading Association (IRA) and American Library Association (ALA) award-winning, middle-grade, kung fu action/adventure series, THE FIVE ANCESTORS, and its follow-up trilogy, THE FIVE ANCESTORS: OUT OF THE ASHES. Published by Penguin Random House, there are 10 novels in total with nearly 700K copies sold in 14 languages. Audio versions by Listening Library/Penguin Random House Audio. Film rights previously optioned by Nickelodeon and Likely Story.

A veteran writing coach and former college writing instructor with 30+ years experience, Jeff has facilitated more than 150 writing workshops at universities, educator conferences, and K-12 schools on three continents.

Like his main characters, Jeff was an orphan. Unlike them, he was adopted into the very best family imaginable. He spent 15 years searching for his birthmother before finding her. He found his birthfather a year later.

A Detroit native, Jeff is the proud father of an adult daughter and adult son. His former wife is from Hong Kong, where they had a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in the mid-90’s. His immersion in Chinese culture and shared ethnic experiences with their children informs his writing, as does his training in animal-style kung fu.

In 2005, Jeff traveled to Shaolin Temple in China with ambassadors from the Shaolin-Do Association and was given the HUGE honor of testing for his black belt in Shaolin-Do Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple. His highly interactive, kung fu storytelling school and library presentations are unforgettable.

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5 stars
139 (39%)
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105 (30%)
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70 (20%)
2 stars
27 (7%)
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9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Ji Mei .
239 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2016
I thought this was an interesting continuation of the first series. I like Phoenix Collins, the main character, and how he is kind, cheerful, and just an average teenager. The plot and the twists did make me unable to put the book down, however I do have some things I didn't like about this book. It seems more a book about racing bikes than kung fu like in the first series. I understand that this perspective was that kung fu was in other aspects of life, but I just don't like the focus all on bikes. After all, how would you continue the series? I'm not sure how it would and who the other people would be if Stone is going along with what he did in the first series. Also, the ending was sort of cheesy, but I guess Phoenix doesn't look like a jerk. Overall, it was an okay start, I wasn't overly disappointed. I just hope it would go up from here.
18 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2020
One of the first guides to writing is to write what you know. I got about 5 pages in and it was abundantly clear that the author didn't know mountain biking, and moreover hadn't bothered to consult those who do. Thought it might be a fun quick read, but there were so many errors that I'm honestly too disgusted to move past this.
Profile Image for HC.
208 reviews10 followers
October 21, 2012
I love that the book takes place in the 21st century!!!
1 review1 follower
March 10, 2017
Phoenix is a fiction book that includes more of an action and adventure to it once you read it. The theme of this book is about trusting someone for whom you really trust to be with and a bit of overcoming obstacles.
This book is about a boy named Phoenix who likes mountain bikes a lot. He also knows a bit of kung fu from his grandfather. He and his grandfather are home until they were attacked by a team called Team Vanderhausen and stole the dragon bone. Somehow his grandfather has a limit of days that he can live for without his dragon bone. He goes on a journey to China then as he arrives to China, he meets a strange girl that wants to help him whose good with bikes. From this day on, they travel together in order to retrieve the dragon before it’s the end of his grandfather.
Phoenix Collins is the main character throughout this book. He likes to ride mountain bikes and compete in races. His relationship with other characters are very distinctive. They’re distinctive, because he’s nice and helpful towards his family members and friends. He’s the kind of person that will take a risk even if it’s dangerous, because he rather save Grandfather than letting him die. Phoenix kind of reminds me of an actor that I always watch named Jackie Chan. He reminds me of him, because he’s always funny sometimes but takes things serious when it’s coming into his mission or journey like Phoenix. They are both really good at kung fu and would never give up on a fight.
This book was very interesting and entertaining to me, because I like how the characters go through a journey in order to save someone and having different fights against the bad guys. I plan to read the next two series and finish the whole series. I like how the author used third person, because he brings out more of the characters actions and emotions. I got to learn more about Phoenix and the other characters in this book. There’s been a lot of feelings throughout this book with Phoenix and the other characters and their relationships. The issue that this book raises is that Phoenix has to go through obstacles that he has to do. Some examples would be like when there are fights he has to do, trusting a new friend, and protecting a bit of the dragon bone. This book affected me, because it kind of reminds me of how I always thought of like traveling and going on a journey and learning some kung fu. I mean I used to do taekwondo, but I don’t anymore. Yet, I still have some of the moves and watch some of the moves that are like this topic.
The emotions that I got while I was reading was that I was confuse why Phoenix would join the team and meet Dr. V even though he was the bad guy. Yet while I was reading the book he sounded like he had a plan but didn’t know if Hú Dié should join in. The part that I like is when there was a small fight and stole something precious to them, because it shows how Phoenix would risk his life to save his grandfather and get the dragon bone and that he wouldn’t give. This feeling made me excited and interested throughout the book.
I would suggest this book, because this book has an action to it and brings out the emotions that the characters have between one another. It’s also a good series, because for the most part it takes place in China and talks about different monks and the Cangzhen Temple since its been mentioned a lot.
Profile Image for Vito.
Author 3 books9 followers
July 4, 2019
"Here you go, daddy."

My three year old thrust this book into my hands while spending time at the library. I'm assuming he was attracted to the light blue cover, but I thanked him and opened up to the first chapter to show I was interested.

It seemed like a fun book, so why not?

This is the start of a second novel series from Stone, taking place after the events from the first series. However, even though I didn't read the first series, I was not at a loss coming into this one. It was setup in a way that allow the reader to dive right in.

At its core, this is the story of a grandson going out of his way to help his grandfather. Its dressing is bike racing and martial arts, which fit nicely.

Considering its audience of younger readers, it has enough depth to bring in an older reader like myself and the pace is enough to keep you flipping pages until the end. At no point, did I ever feel like the book was dragging.

Phoenix is a likeable character and while an audience familiar with the grandfather's story would know more about him, I felt not knowing the history enticed me to read the first series. However, what really sparked me was how fitting this would be in my own classroom library.

It's worth the read and you will walk away with a significant amount of knowledge about bikes and bike competitions.
Profile Image for C.J. Milbrandt.
Author 21 books185 followers
December 6, 2021
Hundreds of years after the events of The Five Ancestors books, we meet a descendant. Phoenix has been raised by his grandfather, and he's into martial arts and mountain bike racing. Trouble takes the two of them by surprise when something precious is stolen from their house. Suddenly, his grandfather's life hangs in the balance, and saving him means a solo trip to China for Phoenix. Worlds collide!

A quick-paced, easy read. Since I loved The Five Ancestors stories, it was exciting to make connections with the past as this contemporary tale races forward.
Profile Image for Alysses.
1,050 reviews64 followers
September 25, 2012
Synopsis: It is 350 years after the events of The Five Ancestors. Phoenix Collins lives in Indiana with his grandfather who is teaching him kung fu. But Phoenix's real love is mountain bike racing. When unsettling events reveal that his grandfather is not only one of the legendary five Cangzhen monks, but also almost 400 years old, Phoenix must race the clock if he is going to keep his beloved ancestor alive. Traveling to China, he meets an intriguing young woman who is a talented biker and a terrific mechanic. She offers to help him, but can she be trusted?

I totally love Jeff Stone’s writing style. I have been a fan of his ever since I read his Five Ancestors Series with my son. The Five Ancestors is the tale of how five orphans save China using the skills taught to them by the monks who have raised them. Each one goes their separate ways after their temple is destroyed, each one having their own book to take us along their mega adventure. I was immediately drawn to the action packed books which feature individual animal kung fu fighting styles and that were also full of history and culture. Introducing my son to this series was my way of teaching him some Chinese culture and it truly worked out.

Needless to say I was ecstatic to hear that Jeff Stone would be starting a new series based on the Five Ancestors. Phoenix was born and so I just had to read it. This book takes place 350 years after the events in the original series. Phoenix’s grandfather happens to be one of the original ancestors who has managed to stay alive via a special supplement that he takes every day. Phoenix is a 13 year-old biker prodigy.

When the special supplement ends up being stolen, Grandpa sends Phoenix on his way to China to retrieve some so that he may stay in Phoenix’s life for a few more years.

Overall I enjoyed being back in this world again but I also had some mixed feelings about some things I read.

*As an adult, I thought the amount of bike talk was overdone a bit much but think a kid between the ages of 8 and 13 might enjoy all the bike talk.

*I found it strange that a 13 year old would be given permission to go to China all on his own in search of the supplement. It wasn’t so much the traveling there but the fact that once he was in China he had to travel throughout China on his own without adult supervision.

*My experience has been that the Chinese people living in the United States are very much traditional and hold on to their cultural traditions a lot tighter than many other groups of people. I found it strange that Grandpa, who had lived in China for almost 400 years and only the last 13 years in the US, hadn’t integrated Chinese, Mandarin or Cantonese, into Phoenix’s life to the point where he was fluent. I know that not all people speak the language of the people that came before them but this would have been Grandpa’s primary language prior to even being in Phoenix’s life. It just didn’t make much sense.

Looking beyond all that, you will find an interesting world full of mysteries, lots of action, with great characters that will appeal to the younger middle grade crowd.

ARC was provided by Random House Books for Young Readers via NetGalley.
1,451 reviews26 followers
January 8, 2015
Phoenix's life is exciting, but in normal ways. Mountain biking. Competing in races. Training in kung-fu with his grandfather. But when a disaster leaves his grandfather's life on the line, Phoenix finds himself racing the clock to find a mysterious substance known as dragon bone. Only it appears he isn't the only one after what little remains in the world . . .

This is connected to the Five Ancestors series, but only loosely. Although there are some nods to the original story, this one takes place in modern day, and has plenty of time in Indiana and Texas as well as China. Like the other books, though, there's some well-written kung fu alongside solid characters.

I like biking myself, and it was a lot of fun to read such a loving depiction of the sport, but the story is good not to assume too much outside knowledge. Everything complex gets explained.

I was also impressed with how the story handled Ryan. One thing I appreciate about these books is how they show the spectrum of good and evil: there is a clear villain, to be sure, and then people like Ryan who are caught in the middle. Ryan's criticism of Phoenix is dead on, and it's easy to see how the awkwardness of Ryan's father's death led others to shun him.

The only thing that puzzled me had more to do with the previous series. Long was supposed to receive money from the Emperor to rebuild the temple, but it appears the ruins are the same as they ever were (or did they get re-destroyed? It was hard to tell). Long said he would explain, but never got a chance, so it will be interesting to see if the rest of this series delves deeper into what happened between then and now.

Overall this is a very solid read. It's easy to get into even if you have no knowledge of the previous series (though this may make you want to pick that one up). I rate this book Recommended.
Profile Image for Tracy.
281 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2012
I really found this a fun book to read. Though I do have to be honest and say the parent in me cringed over the amount of traveling that the main character Phoenix did on his own. I mean traveling to China from Indiana as a 13 year old by yourself, I cringe allowing my 16 year old do that. But thankfully this is a fiction book and I can let it seep out of my mind. This is the first book of a new series that follows Jeff Stones The Five Ancestors Series.

Phoenix is a great character, very realistic, smart crafty and honestly able to handle the travailing that he does on his own. He is on a quest to save his grandfather. The action and adventure in the book is sure to capture the attention of almost any child who likes reading about sports and quests. There are lots of twists and turns in this book, which will also keep you interested in it.

I look forward to when the 2nd book in this series comes out. And until then I plan on catching up with the books from the The Five Ancestors Series.

Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own
Profile Image for Andi Raney.
28 reviews25 followers
Want to read
June 6, 2012
Book Summery (Summery from Amazon):

It is 350 years after the events of The Five Ancestors. Phoenix Collns lives in Indiana with his grandfather who is teaching him kung fu. But Phoenix's real love is dirt-bike racing. When unsettling events reveal that his grandfather is not only one of the legendary five Cangzhen monks, but also almost 400 years old, Phoenix must race the clock if he is going to keep his beloved ancestor alive. Traveling to China, he meets an intriguing young woman who is a talented biker and a terrific mechanic. She offers to help him, but can she be trusted?

From the moment I picked up Tiger back in 2005, this series quickly became one of my favorites. Even as I sit here, at almost 20 years old, I squealed when I learned of this new series.

And, yes, I will pre-order it! Afterall, it comes out two days after my birthday. It's like a birthday gift to myself!

Also: Freaking Indiana! Yes! :D
Profile Image for Robyn.
66 reviews2 followers
March 9, 2013
I can't believe I knew who the villain was from the very beginning, it was interesting how I was thrown off of that. I enjoyed Jeff Stone bringing the characters of the past back to the present; it was nice encountering all those characters again, but with a new main protagonist and a new cast of characters. I wonder how Jeff Stone will choose to continue the next volume because this book itself felt wrapped up.
Profile Image for The Styling Librarian.
2,170 reviews194 followers
December 29, 2012
Phoenix - The Five Ancestors Out of the Ashes Book 1 by Jeff Stone - Fascinating to see how Jeff Stone jumps forward in time to set up a whole new captivating adventure and incorporating the former ancestors into the story as well. Really enjoyed. Reminded me of how the author Susan Fletcher created Ancient Strange and Lovely - the gorgeous follow up to her Dragon Chronicles series jumping forward into present time but pulling along the strings of the past stories we loved.
Profile Image for Diane.
7,287 reviews
July 2, 2017
Phoenix, raised by his grandfather, learns that through Dragon bone his grandfather can live forever. When the dragon bone is stolen, his grandfather has very little time left. So Phoenix must travel to China to talk to the person who could give them a new supply. But the thieves follow Phoenix & steal the rest of the dragon bone - and Phoenix realizes that it's a friend's uncle who is behind the theft.
161 reviews
May 27, 2013
This is the first book in a follow up series to Stone’s Five Ancestors series. In this book, we meet Phoenix, an orphaned teenager from Indiana. He loves trail bike racing and is pretty good at it. When he learns that his grandfather is actually almost 400 years old, things get interesting for him. He is soon off to China to get back the dragon bone that has been keeping his grandfather alive. More adventures await as he tries to get the dragon bone back from some super bad guys.
4 reviews
September 15, 2014
Out of the ashes, Phoenix by Jeff Stone is an action packed book with many fights and mysteries. This book is packed with a lot of biking and a large amount of kung-fu. This book includes gun fights and some deaths but isn't gory. Out of the ashes, Phoenix has a lot of adventure in China and also back in Texas. If you have read any of The five Ancestors series, then you will be sure to like this book.
3 reviews
October 23, 2015
I personally loved this book because of the contrast between Old china and modern day lifestyle. For example Phoenix the main character is faced with a problem and is drived too keep his 670+ life cheating grandfather alive because he lost his substance that keeps him alive and must travel to china and find an old temple where his grandpas substance too cheat life lies. The story faces with many different conflicts and that is why i like it.
Profile Image for Beth.
928 reviews
June 10, 2016
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It's one of my summer book discussion books, and I cannot wait to see what the kids think of it. It's so full of action. From the kung fu to the mountain bike racing, I think boys will especially enjoy this book. The girls will enjoy the female main character a lot too...she's feisty! It's a great story that will have the kids wanting to read the rest of the books!
Profile Image for Janet.
189 reviews
April 20, 2015
Great story!

I really enjoyed this new addition to the Five Ancestors series. I read that series several years ago and just learned about the new Out of the Ashes series. If this is the first book you've read by Jeff Stone, I recommend that you go back and read the original series. It's mainly for younger readers, but I loved it at age 61.
Profile Image for Felicia.
204 reviews17 followers
February 14, 2017
Combining competitive cycling and martial arts seems like an odd choice, but Jeff Stone melds the two disciplines perfectly. While this follows the events of the first Five Ancestors series, it is voiced in a manner that a new reader could start here without being totally lost. Knowledge of the original series makes this a far richer experience.
Profile Image for Anne Patkau.
3,711 reviews70 followers
November 30, 2016
I like China visit - too short, tough wily girl for side-kick. If you like bikes, bike helmets, bike races, bike racetracks, then this teen guy is your hero. I also feel manipulated to skip to the first Ancient series, so I won't.
6 reviews
February 20, 2013
Very interesting, some parts were climactic and exciting, others not so much. But a very good book.
Profile Image for Charlie.
38 reviews
January 23, 2013
Loved this bookZ. Could not put it down. A lot more happened then I expected. There is a lot of double crossing and that stuff, though.
Profile Image for Susanna Chan.
129 reviews
March 10, 2013
Better written than the last few Five Ancestors series as it has less Chinese historical or cultural content to go wrong.
442 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2014
There was a murder in this book that was unsettling. Also other violence.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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