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Phoenix
THE SUPERNOVA IS COMING . . . ONE BOY ALONE CAN SAVE THE GALAXY!
Lucky thinks he's an ordinary Human boy. But one night, he dreams that the stars are singing - and wakes to find an uncontrollable power rising inside him.
Now he's on the run, racing through space, searching for answers. In a galaxy at war, where Humans and Aliens are deadly enemies, the only people who can help him are an Alien starship crew - and an Alien warrior girl, with neon needles in her hair.
Together, they must find a way to save the galaxy. For Lucky is not the only one in danger. His destiny and the fate of the universe are connected in the most explosive way . . .
Lucky thinks he's an ordinary Human boy. But one night, he dreams that the stars are singing - and wakes to find an uncontrollable power rising inside him.
Now he's on the run, racing through space, searching for answers. In a galaxy at war, where Humans and Aliens are deadly enemies, the only people who can help him are an Alien starship crew - and an Alien warrior girl, with neon needles in her hair.
Together, they must find a way to save the galaxy. For Lucky is not the only one in danger. His destiny and the fate of the universe are connected in the most explosive way . . .
496 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
56 people are currently reading
1087 people want to read
About the author
S.F. Said
10 books203 followersSaid grew up in the Iraqi diasporic community in London, moving there with his mother at the age of two. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he worked as a press attaché and speech writer for the Crown Prince of Jordan’s office in London. He began a Ph.D. in 1997 looking at the lives of young Muslims in Britain, but left academia to focus on film journalism for the Daily Telegraph – where he brought attention to much 'world cinema', including contemporary Islamic cinema – and writing for children
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Want to read
October 23, 2014I’m a big fan of SF’s Varjak Paw and can’t wait to get my teeth in to this beautiful new tome, wonderfully illustrated by Dave McKean. JS
March 15, 2017
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
A beautifully illustrated sci-fi fantasy (heavy on the fantasy), seemingly aimed at the younger side of the Middle Grade audience.
The story is told in past-tense third-person limited from the perspective of "Lucky," a young boy who lives alone with his mother on a human colony in some indeterminate distant-future reality. The humans are at war with an alien species known as the Axxa--for which Lucky holds a fearful disdain and only the vaguest understanding. But as it turns out, Lucky may not be entirely human himself. His mother has been keeping secrets from him that Lucky's own body is betraying. The stars themselves are in danger of being snuffed out, and Lucky may be the key to saving the entire galaxy.
What I Liked:
The black and white illustration work is stunning and ethereal--perfectly capturing both Lucky's vast astral journeying as well as his varying emotional states. I appreciated Dave McKean's work in THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, but here he's really outdone himself. Somewhere around 1/4th of this book's pages are in some way enhanced by his unique blend of organic and geometric elements. Fractals, Moire patterns, and starscapes... oh my!
Along with many of the illustrations, the segments describing Lucky's Astro/Astral-projection travel between (and interaction with) the stars were easily the brightest highlight. Here the simple prose became more vivid and lyrical.
The most standout characters in this story may arguably be the "needles" that Bixa wore in her hair. We aren't given much by way of explanation for them, aside from the understanding that they are a form of weapon to her. But their reflective response to her emotions in color and behavior was a consistent and enriching detail worth looking forward to.
What Didn't Work For Me:
-Not knowing Lucky's age was continually disorienting. As a result, I had to guess and gauge based on his internal thoughts, vocabulary, and dependency level--which I would place around that of a 10-year-old--an immature 12-year-old at the very oldest. We are told he thinks the alien girl, Bixa, is his age... but he doesn't seem to know anything about her people's physiology or lifespan, so the comparison wasn't particularly effective. Regardless of his age, he comes off as a pretty passive and bland character. There was some growth in him by the end, but not enough to forge the degree of connectivity this reader prefers.
-Regretfully, the worldbuilding left a lot to be desired. Having 12 star systems based on the 12 astrological signs was an interesting element in concept, but the "twist" applied to it toward the end negates a lot of the originality. Alien names like "Mystica" and "Quicksilver" reinforced a more fantasy feel, as did a lack of emphasis on anything remotely scientific. And aside from the insult "moonbrain" and weapons like "sensory dazzler," there's little by way of adaptive slang or terminology. A few of the oddly non-alien non-futuristic colloquialisms the Axxa use (even when they don't know a human is around) include:
*"Take the bull by the horns."
*"How in heaven's name...?"
*"...the best seat in the house."
-The prose is serviceable, but without being memorable. Unremarkable portions are sometimes overwritten, and the cryptic messages (presumably from the stars) at the beginning of each chapter end up more ponderous than foreboding. There's a general poverty of description--both in physical (i.e. no idea what Lucky's mother looks like) and in terms of the numerous space-based locations. As a result, much of what is being talked about is difficult to picture.
Content Notes:
-A subversive anti-parent sentiment seems to persist throughout, from the negligence and deception of Lucky's mother to the "twist", to actual quotes from endeared characters: "No father can tell him what to do. It is not a parent that he needs, but that which is already inside him."
-The book contains some entry-level curse words, and there is a scene where the characters are forced to strip for a travel search and the female love interest makes an admiring comment regarding Lucky's naked posterior. (How inappropriate this is depends somewhat on the character's ages, but as we aren't told their ages, and as Lucky's thought process gives the impression of a child no older than 12, I leave this to individual parents to gauge.)
-At the risk of giving "spoilers" here, I wanted to alert parents and readers that this book has evidently jumped on the recent bandwagon of re-branding Satan (yes, literally The Devil) to make him appear sympathetic--heroic, even. (Never mind that it's also a bizarre and incongruent insertion that made a shoehorn fit into the rest of the sci-fi and astrological theme of the book at large.)
"But he is Lucifer!" ...
"And you know what that name means?" ... "It means "Bringer of Light.' That's all. Lucifer wasn't just the Devil. He was also called the Morningstar: the brightest star. And in all the legends, one thing shines through. Lucifer was stubborn! He stood for free will and choice. So even if *** is Lucifer, I reckon he can do whatever he wants with his power. He's the only one who can decide..."
A beautifully illustrated sci-fi fantasy (heavy on the fantasy), seemingly aimed at the younger side of the Middle Grade audience.
The story is told in past-tense third-person limited from the perspective of "Lucky," a young boy who lives alone with his mother on a human colony in some indeterminate distant-future reality. The humans are at war with an alien species known as the Axxa--for which Lucky holds a fearful disdain and only the vaguest understanding. But as it turns out, Lucky may not be entirely human himself. His mother has been keeping secrets from him that Lucky's own body is betraying. The stars themselves are in danger of being snuffed out, and Lucky may be the key to saving the entire galaxy.
What I Liked:
The black and white illustration work is stunning and ethereal--perfectly capturing both Lucky's vast astral journeying as well as his varying emotional states. I appreciated Dave McKean's work in THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, but here he's really outdone himself. Somewhere around 1/4th of this book's pages are in some way enhanced by his unique blend of organic and geometric elements. Fractals, Moire patterns, and starscapes... oh my!
Along with many of the illustrations, the segments describing Lucky's Astro/Astral-projection travel between (and interaction with) the stars were easily the brightest highlight. Here the simple prose became more vivid and lyrical.
The most standout characters in this story may arguably be the "needles" that Bixa wore in her hair. We aren't given much by way of explanation for them, aside from the understanding that they are a form of weapon to her. But their reflective response to her emotions in color and behavior was a consistent and enriching detail worth looking forward to.
What Didn't Work For Me:
-Not knowing Lucky's age was continually disorienting. As a result, I had to guess and gauge based on his internal thoughts, vocabulary, and dependency level--which I would place around that of a 10-year-old--an immature 12-year-old at the very oldest. We are told he thinks the alien girl, Bixa, is his age... but he doesn't seem to know anything about her people's physiology or lifespan, so the comparison wasn't particularly effective. Regardless of his age, he comes off as a pretty passive and bland character. There was some growth in him by the end, but not enough to forge the degree of connectivity this reader prefers.
-Regretfully, the worldbuilding left a lot to be desired. Having 12 star systems based on the 12 astrological signs was an interesting element in concept, but the "twist" applied to it toward the end negates a lot of the originality. Alien names like "Mystica" and "Quicksilver" reinforced a more fantasy feel, as did a lack of emphasis on anything remotely scientific. And aside from the insult "moonbrain" and weapons like "sensory dazzler," there's little by way of adaptive slang or terminology. A few of the oddly non-alien non-futuristic colloquialisms the Axxa use (even when they don't know a human is around) include:
*"Take the bull by the horns."
*"How in heaven's name...?"
*"...the best seat in the house."
-The prose is serviceable, but without being memorable. Unremarkable portions are sometimes overwritten, and the cryptic messages (presumably from the stars) at the beginning of each chapter end up more ponderous than foreboding. There's a general poverty of description--both in physical (i.e. no idea what Lucky's mother looks like) and in terms of the numerous space-based locations. As a result, much of what is being talked about is difficult to picture.
Content Notes:
-A subversive anti-parent sentiment seems to persist throughout, from the negligence and deception of Lucky's mother to the "twist", to actual quotes from endeared characters: "No father can tell him what to do. It is not a parent that he needs, but that which is already inside him."
-The book contains some entry-level curse words, and there is a scene where the characters are forced to strip for a travel search and the female love interest makes an admiring comment regarding Lucky's naked posterior. (How inappropriate this is depends somewhat on the character's ages, but as we aren't told their ages, and as Lucky's thought process gives the impression of a child no older than 12, I leave this to individual parents to gauge.)
-At the risk of giving "spoilers" here, I wanted to alert parents and readers that this book has evidently jumped on the recent bandwagon of re-branding Satan (yes, literally The Devil) to make him appear sympathetic--heroic, even. (Never mind that it's also a bizarre and incongruent insertion that made a shoehorn fit into the rest of the sci-fi and astrological theme of the book at large.)
"But he is Lucifer!" ...
"And you know what that name means?" ... "It means "Bringer of Light.' That's all. Lucifer wasn't just the Devil. He was also called the Morningstar: the brightest star. And in all the legends, one thing shines through. Lucifer was stubborn! He stood for free will and choice. So even if *** is Lucifer, I reckon he can do whatever he wants with his power. He's the only one who can decide..."
Read
January 17, 2020I picked this up because I like McKean's art, and I enjoyed this author's Varjak Paw.
I didn't really get into it. There's not enough character development, especially in light of the traumatic events that take place. And it dragged a bit. I might recommend it for kids who are into space adventures with more fantasy elements and less hard sci-fi.
I didn't really get into it. There's not enough character development, especially in light of the traumatic events that take place. And it dragged a bit. I might recommend it for kids who are into space adventures with more fantasy elements and less hard sci-fi.
September 20, 2015
S. F. Said is one of those rare writer's who, despite writing books for a younger audience, manages to pack very vivid well-developed characters and difficult themes into his books whilst never bogging it down or slowing the pace. Having previously read Varjak Paw when I was younger and again a few years ago, I knew to expect brilliant writing and themes from Phoenix but with this being a science fiction novel, obviously this would be a departure from the more philosophical Varjak Paw stories.
Pairing S. F. Said's writing with Dave McKean's dark and atmospheric illustrations will always be a winner for me. The use of the black and white illustrations that almost bleed in and around the text makes this a really well-designed book and I couldn't imagine this story without the images.
The world building and characters, as I said, are vivid and believable. I grew emotionally attached to all of them but especially Lucky, our young protagonist. I loved how there was a perfect balance with regards to the characters; there were strong female and male characters, making this a rare middle-grade/YA read that hasn't been overtly gendered and could be enjoyed by any young reader.
This book explores themes such as power, fear and war in a way that would never be too overwhelming or complicated to a younger reader but it has the right level of depth and intrigue for older readers alike.
Overall I would highly recommend this novel if you are looking for fast-paced science fiction read, a book for a younger reader or anyone who wants an introduction to the genre.
Pairing S. F. Said's writing with Dave McKean's dark and atmospheric illustrations will always be a winner for me. The use of the black and white illustrations that almost bleed in and around the text makes this a really well-designed book and I couldn't imagine this story without the images.
The world building and characters, as I said, are vivid and believable. I grew emotionally attached to all of them but especially Lucky, our young protagonist. I loved how there was a perfect balance with regards to the characters; there were strong female and male characters, making this a rare middle-grade/YA read that hasn't been overtly gendered and could be enjoyed by any young reader.
This book explores themes such as power, fear and war in a way that would never be too overwhelming or complicated to a younger reader but it has the right level of depth and intrigue for older readers alike.
Overall I would highly recommend this novel if you are looking for fast-paced science fiction read, a book for a younger reader or anyone who wants an introduction to the genre.
October 15, 2015
The absolute brilliance of SF Said has bought a story that brings fantasy of science fiction to be so real life and heart warming.
Brilliant illustrations by Dave Mckean and fantastic writing by SF Said, make this book so fascinating. Every page you read you can create a picture in your mind. Every chapter leaves you with wanting to read on and the story fills you with warmth through Friendship, will power and the ability to bring new things to light!
My new favourite book!
Brilliant illustrations by Dave Mckean and fantastic writing by SF Said, make this book so fascinating. Every page you read you can create a picture in your mind. Every chapter leaves you with wanting to read on and the story fills you with warmth through Friendship, will power and the ability to bring new things to light!
My new favourite book!
December 5, 2014
Up until recently Moontrug was not a fan of science fiction books. E.T. kind of stressed her out and even WALL-E made her feel a bit shivery. But SF Said’s latest book, Phoenix, is packed full of the best aliens ever – and Moontrug is starting to realise that there are boundless stories lingering up there in the stars. Phoenix is a cracker of a book, as Moontrug knew it would be after meeting the author, SF Said, back in October, but when the book started topping Best of 2013 Children’s Book charts Moontrug knew she had to start reading it right away…
Lucky thinks he’s an ordinary Human boy. But one night, he dreams that the stars are singing – and wakes to find an uncontrollable power rising inside him. Now he’s on the run, racing though space, searching for answers. In a galaxy at war, where Humans and Aliens are deadly enemies, the only people who can help him, are an Alien starship crew – and an Alien warrior girl, with neon needles in her hair. Together, they must find a way to save the galaxy. For Lucky is not the only one in danger. His destiny and the fate of the universe are connected in the most explosive way…
Even from the opening lines of the book, SF is onto a winner. He talks of ‘a million points of silver light, shining in the black,’ and of the ‘small, soft, silvery sound, like the chime of a faraway bell.’ The writing is so ‘fierily poetic’ that you end up feeling the stars aren’t just calling Lucky; they’re calling you, too, up into their sparkling galaxy. And the writing just gets better and better as the book goes on. An Alien called Mystica tells Lucky that ‘the stars call across the immensities of space – like great whales singing in the oceans deep, or bells chiming out, like silver in the black – we hear their songs, and we feel the truth inside ourselves.’ SO COOL. Moontrug is secretly hoping that she might discover she’s in fact a Startalker in disguise. Unlikely though – because Moontrug’s as clumsy and ‘unmeditative’ as you can get, like some explosive ball of misdirected enthusiasm. Not sure how the stars would respond to someone like that… Moontrug will settle with the knowledge from the Professor that she’s part star instead: ‘You see, Lucky, everything in the universe is made of atoms and elements that were created in the heart of the stars, billions of years ago. Even our own bodies. You are entirely made of stardust.’
Phoenix is bursting with stunning illustrations by Dave McKean. Somehow he makes black and white squiggles look so enchanting, so mind-bogglingly magical, that he’s able to conjure up space in just a few pages.
On top of fabulous writing and brilliant illustrations, Phoenix also boasts a fantastically fast-paced plot: Shadow Guards are bent on ripping brainscans, Supernovas are exploding and Astral Martial Arts are being done on a MASSIVE scale. And while all of that is going on, Mystica is brewing up Xoco – the alien version of hot chocolate which smells like a ‘strange mixture of gunpowder, chocolate and spice’ – and Lucky is discovering important truths: ‘Lucky looked at the world, laid out beneath them like a tapestry, or an open book… “But just because it’s going to die one day…doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for. Maybe it matters even more, because it’s all we’ve got.” ‘ Despite the vastness of the galaxy, Lucky realises that we ‘matter.’ And that’s a truth worth hearing.
Lucky’s warrior-friend, Bixa, is original and as feisty as they come. I mean, anyone who uses ‘moonbrain’ as an insult is going to get you on side. And wow, what an ending the book has… Lucky’s realisation of who he is is SPECTACULARLY good and Bixa’s realisation of his significance is heartbreakingly cool. Nice work, SF Said – Phoenix has earned a place up on Moontrug’s Altocumulus Tower. The Tower is growing nicely in size these days, jostling for space amongst the clouds. Who knows, perhaps the tower will reach so high soon that the books will start hearing the ‘small, soft, silvery sounds’ of the stars…
(Extra moontrug comment for SF Said himself: I reckon the ‘S’ of your name stands for ‘Star.’ Star-Flyer? Star-Finder? Hmmmmm…)
Lucky thinks he’s an ordinary Human boy. But one night, he dreams that the stars are singing – and wakes to find an uncontrollable power rising inside him. Now he’s on the run, racing though space, searching for answers. In a galaxy at war, where Humans and Aliens are deadly enemies, the only people who can help him, are an Alien starship crew – and an Alien warrior girl, with neon needles in her hair. Together, they must find a way to save the galaxy. For Lucky is not the only one in danger. His destiny and the fate of the universe are connected in the most explosive way…
Even from the opening lines of the book, SF is onto a winner. He talks of ‘a million points of silver light, shining in the black,’ and of the ‘small, soft, silvery sound, like the chime of a faraway bell.’ The writing is so ‘fierily poetic’ that you end up feeling the stars aren’t just calling Lucky; they’re calling you, too, up into their sparkling galaxy. And the writing just gets better and better as the book goes on. An Alien called Mystica tells Lucky that ‘the stars call across the immensities of space – like great whales singing in the oceans deep, or bells chiming out, like silver in the black – we hear their songs, and we feel the truth inside ourselves.’ SO COOL. Moontrug is secretly hoping that she might discover she’s in fact a Startalker in disguise. Unlikely though – because Moontrug’s as clumsy and ‘unmeditative’ as you can get, like some explosive ball of misdirected enthusiasm. Not sure how the stars would respond to someone like that… Moontrug will settle with the knowledge from the Professor that she’s part star instead: ‘You see, Lucky, everything in the universe is made of atoms and elements that were created in the heart of the stars, billions of years ago. Even our own bodies. You are entirely made of stardust.’
Phoenix is bursting with stunning illustrations by Dave McKean. Somehow he makes black and white squiggles look so enchanting, so mind-bogglingly magical, that he’s able to conjure up space in just a few pages.
On top of fabulous writing and brilliant illustrations, Phoenix also boasts a fantastically fast-paced plot: Shadow Guards are bent on ripping brainscans, Supernovas are exploding and Astral Martial Arts are being done on a MASSIVE scale. And while all of that is going on, Mystica is brewing up Xoco – the alien version of hot chocolate which smells like a ‘strange mixture of gunpowder, chocolate and spice’ – and Lucky is discovering important truths: ‘Lucky looked at the world, laid out beneath them like a tapestry, or an open book… “But just because it’s going to die one day…doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for. Maybe it matters even more, because it’s all we’ve got.” ‘ Despite the vastness of the galaxy, Lucky realises that we ‘matter.’ And that’s a truth worth hearing.
Lucky’s warrior-friend, Bixa, is original and as feisty as they come. I mean, anyone who uses ‘moonbrain’ as an insult is going to get you on side. And wow, what an ending the book has… Lucky’s realisation of who he is is SPECTACULARLY good and Bixa’s realisation of his significance is heartbreakingly cool. Nice work, SF Said – Phoenix has earned a place up on Moontrug’s Altocumulus Tower. The Tower is growing nicely in size these days, jostling for space amongst the clouds. Who knows, perhaps the tower will reach so high soon that the books will start hearing the ‘small, soft, silvery sounds’ of the stars…
(Extra moontrug comment for SF Said himself: I reckon the ‘S’ of your name stands for ‘Star.’ Star-Flyer? Star-Finder? Hmmmmm…)
March 5, 2015
A brief diversion before I begin this review. Once, a long time ago, I went to see Persepolis in the cinema. For those of you who don't know it, it was an animated adaptation of a wonderful graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi: -The Complete Persepolis. The film is glorious in many, many ways but there was one particular scene which tore me open and stands with me now. Marjane is on her way to study in Austria. Her parents wish her well at the airport. Farewells are said. Smiles. Hugs.
And Marjane turns around, one last time, just one last moment, to see her mother crying her heart out and being helped away .
This is love, then, this mad and foolish and facade-full thing; we love, we put our faces on, and we sacrifice the whole of ourselves for another, we want them to live and to love and to thrive and to be themselves, to be whole and to be the best that they can be and to be the person that they should and could be and we will stop ourselves and hold ourselves and make that happen because we love them. We love them.
This is Phoenix. This is Phoenix. I am sunk by this book and how underneath the layers of space and of aliens and of war, it is a book about humanity and hope and belief and of love. It is a book about being brave. It is a book about fighting for what you believe in. It is a book about hope. About faith.
And again, always, about love.
Phoenix is so much about love and about connections and about fitting into the great space of the world(s), that I am a little bereft at finishing it. It is - it is something.
It is so very definitely something; a text that dances with shadow and light and illustrations that pull and tease the words until something strange and alchemical happens to them.
This is Phoenix. A book about a boy with the power of the star.
And it is a book about us.
And love. Oh god, oh how much this book is about love.
And Marjane turns around, one last time, just one last moment, to see her mother crying her heart out and being helped away .
This is love, then, this mad and foolish and facade-full thing; we love, we put our faces on, and we sacrifice the whole of ourselves for another, we want them to live and to love and to thrive and to be themselves, to be whole and to be the best that they can be and to be the person that they should and could be and we will stop ourselves and hold ourselves and make that happen because we love them. We love them.
This is Phoenix. This is Phoenix. I am sunk by this book and how underneath the layers of space and of aliens and of war, it is a book about humanity and hope and belief and of love. It is a book about being brave. It is a book about fighting for what you believe in. It is a book about hope. About faith.
And again, always, about love.
Phoenix is so much about love and about connections and about fitting into the great space of the world(s), that I am a little bereft at finishing it. It is - it is something.
It is so very definitely something; a text that dances with shadow and light and illustrations that pull and tease the words until something strange and alchemical happens to them.
This is Phoenix. A book about a boy with the power of the star.
And it is a book about us.
And love. Oh god, oh how much this book is about love.
June 24, 2021
Reminds me of Becky Chambers' series, esp. as we get accustomed to being crew w/ the Axxa. And the rescuing of the father from a scary government is straight out of A Wrinkle in Time. John Campbell would've loved it. A little woo-woo, a little pretentious. I do not like the art, though I do like the design. In *my* opinion, a two star read, except for the expression of the themes in the ending. Creation vs. destruction, vengeance vs. love & connection. Good read for teens, much better than most of the angst they usually get.
War isn't between us and them: "It's all the people who want war on one side, and all the people who don't on the other."
War isn't between us and them: "It's all the people who want war on one side, and all the people who don't on the other."
August 2, 2017
A phenomenal sci-fi story by SF Said - perfect for UKS2 to support a topic on Space. Opportunities to pair with range of non-fiction texts to support understanding and even war poetry to discuss futility of war which is key theme.
January 25, 2016
It is rare to find good science-fiction for children, but this really pulls it off whilst also being so much more. Set in a distant galaxy, where the Humans are at war with the devil-like Axxa, an alien race, our hero Lucky is growing up with filled with prejudices against the enemy. But when he finds himself on board an Axxa spaceship, he is soon to discover that there is more to the Axxa - and more to himself - than meets the eye. Maybe one day he will discover why he can sometimes hear the stars singing?
Although the writing style is fairly simple, the story is so involving and detailed that it really pulls you in. Even more amazing are Dave McKean's simply gorgeous illustrations, which add something completely unique to the book, intermingling with the text to create something magical and immersive.
This is a must-read for pretty much any 9-12 year old! Whether they are a boy or a girl, and a sci-fi fan or not, this book really has something for everyone. Adventure, magic, space, destiny, battles, and just a little bit of romance - but not too much!
Although the writing style is fairly simple, the story is so involving and detailed that it really pulls you in. Even more amazing are Dave McKean's simply gorgeous illustrations, which add something completely unique to the book, intermingling with the text to create something magical and immersive.
This is a must-read for pretty much any 9-12 year old! Whether they are a boy or a girl, and a sci-fi fan or not, this book really has something for everyone. Adventure, magic, space, destiny, battles, and just a little bit of romance - but not too much!
April 26, 2014
Phoenix is so good, it shot straight up into my list of 20 best books of all time. SF Said manages to cover life, death and the meaning of the universe in one story, with big dollops of humour and pathos thrown in. Lucky is one of the most interesting and unusual protagonists in MG fiction, and the truth about his clothing's unfortunate tendency to spontaneously combust in a crisis makes for a fantastic reveal at the end. Populated with wonderful characters, Phoenix explores everything from the pointless nature of war to the music of the spheres. It struck such a deep chord, I found myself listening hopefully to the night sky afterwards - just in case I could hear the stars...
PS Buy the book rather than ebook edition if possible. The illustrations by Dave McKean are extraordinarily good.
PS Buy the book rather than ebook edition if possible. The illustrations by Dave McKean are extraordinarily good.
September 8, 2016
Excellent book. Science-fiction for children with gorgeous illustrations by Dave McKean.
I was worried at first because Said's Varjak Paw books are a bit different and this was a whole different genre really, even though also written for children. I shouldn't have worried so much, Said has a very original and coherent writing and thinking, so it's always a highly enjoyable reading experience. Aliens, space battles and exploding stars... what more could you want.
Phoenix & Varjak Paw deserve more recognition.
I was worried at first because Said's Varjak Paw books are a bit different and this was a whole different genre really, even though also written for children. I shouldn't have worried so much, Said has a very original and coherent writing and thinking, so it's always a highly enjoyable reading experience. Aliens, space battles and exploding stars... what more could you want.
Phoenix & Varjak Paw deserve more recognition.
July 18, 2018
Pheonix is so good and I could not put it down! I've read it around 23 times and I love the amazing adventure that lucky and his friends have! Definitely five stars!
February 21, 2020
First things first, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this one; a true science-fiction epic that takes us on a journey across the stars.
Humans and Axxa have been at war for what feels like forever and if you add the Wolf That Eats the Stars into the mix, you’ve got almost certain destruction of the universe. But when Lucky starts his quest to find out the truth about who he is, it turns out that all is not as it first appeared. There are shadow guards, startalkers, kings, presidents, ship captains and even a Phoenix (despite it being the literal title of the book I was still not expecting to meet one). Books are whole other worlds we can escape to and this one is no different, I genuinely could not put it down at points.
You can’t help but fall in love with the intrepid team of unlikely heroes. When they run into trouble, you root for them to find a way out. When they get their hearts broken, your heart breaks with them. And when they make breakthroughs, you share in their joy. To connect that deeply with characters is testament to the person that created them. As the story progresses, we learn more about each of them and as Lucky slowly begins to discover his true identity, we are discovering it at the same time as him.
Phoenix is jam packed full of rich language that would be a delight for readers of any age. Said’s words evoke a kaleidoscope of emotions; from joy to anger, from love to desperation, from fear to hope. They create an almost ethereal-like atmosphere and generate a sense of awe and wonder at the sheer expanse of space and the majesty of the stars. All of this in combination with McKean’s two-tone, flowing illustrations allow us readers to picture these worlds so vividly in our imaginations. There were several points within the story where I felt like I was reading some sort of movie epic, Lord of the Rings style! This idea of being able to hear the stars and navigate through them is truly a magical concept and the way that Said writes about it and McKean illustrates it, makes you want to travel the stars yourself.
The seven years of work Said put into this book have not been in vain and I cannot wait to pass it on to others so they can share in this incredible story and experience the exploration of space alongside Lucky and his friends.
Humans and Axxa have been at war for what feels like forever and if you add the Wolf That Eats the Stars into the mix, you’ve got almost certain destruction of the universe. But when Lucky starts his quest to find out the truth about who he is, it turns out that all is not as it first appeared. There are shadow guards, startalkers, kings, presidents, ship captains and even a Phoenix (despite it being the literal title of the book I was still not expecting to meet one). Books are whole other worlds we can escape to and this one is no different, I genuinely could not put it down at points.
You can’t help but fall in love with the intrepid team of unlikely heroes. When they run into trouble, you root for them to find a way out. When they get their hearts broken, your heart breaks with them. And when they make breakthroughs, you share in their joy. To connect that deeply with characters is testament to the person that created them. As the story progresses, we learn more about each of them and as Lucky slowly begins to discover his true identity, we are discovering it at the same time as him.
Phoenix is jam packed full of rich language that would be a delight for readers of any age. Said’s words evoke a kaleidoscope of emotions; from joy to anger, from love to desperation, from fear to hope. They create an almost ethereal-like atmosphere and generate a sense of awe and wonder at the sheer expanse of space and the majesty of the stars. All of this in combination with McKean’s two-tone, flowing illustrations allow us readers to picture these worlds so vividly in our imaginations. There were several points within the story where I felt like I was reading some sort of movie epic, Lord of the Rings style! This idea of being able to hear the stars and navigate through them is truly a magical concept and the way that Said writes about it and McKean illustrates it, makes you want to travel the stars yourself.
The seven years of work Said put into this book have not been in vain and I cannot wait to pass it on to others so they can share in this incredible story and experience the exploration of space alongside Lucky and his friends.
April 22, 2017
What a lovely book! As it begins, a young boy called Lucky, asleep on the planet Phoenix, has a vivid dream of flying among the stars. When he wakes, he finds he's somehow burned a hole in his sheet. His mother, appalled, insists they have to flee.
Phoenix is a peaceful world, but Lucky has grown up in a galaxy at war. Since before he was born, the alien Axxa and the humans have fought each other. The Axxa look like mythical devils, have glowing eyes, and worship the stars. They're also said to eat eyeballs. The most feared force among the humans are the shadow warriors, highly trained and relentless troops who operate by stealth and can steal peoples' memories. And, as Lucky finds out all too soon, the shadow warriors are hunting him and his mum. Their only hope of escape is a beat-up Axxa ship with a tiny crew.
At great cost, Lucky's mum manages to get him onto the ship. Lucky hopes to find the father he's never seen in the war zone. But his mum has been hiding many things from him, not just his father's name. What he learns, and the choices he makes, could destroy the galaxy--or save it.
The artwork in this book is really striking, and I loved the way the legend in these pages amplified and commented on the main story. As for that story, I admired how Said keeps his plot moving and brings out relevant themes, such as religious and racial prejudice, through the action. I also liked that the three young people (Lucky himself and the two Axxa, Bixa and her big brother Frollix) all have important choices to make about how they will use their talents. I loved the sweet, tentative proto-romance between Lucky and Bixa, too. She's a fierce warrior; he's a clumsy kid who doesn't, at first, know that he has any special talents at all; they 're both probably 13 or so. Their growing friendship and feeling for each other was charming and realistic.
Oh, and there's lots of action. Boys and girls alike should enjoy this book, and find lots to engage them. And, though the themes will resonate with young adult and adult readers, there's nothing in the text to keep it from a bright middle-grader. This book should be more popular than it is. It's really good.
Phoenix is a peaceful world, but Lucky has grown up in a galaxy at war. Since before he was born, the alien Axxa and the humans have fought each other. The Axxa look like mythical devils, have glowing eyes, and worship the stars. They're also said to eat eyeballs. The most feared force among the humans are the shadow warriors, highly trained and relentless troops who operate by stealth and can steal peoples' memories. And, as Lucky finds out all too soon, the shadow warriors are hunting him and his mum. Their only hope of escape is a beat-up Axxa ship with a tiny crew.
At great cost, Lucky's mum manages to get him onto the ship. Lucky hopes to find the father he's never seen in the war zone. But his mum has been hiding many things from him, not just his father's name. What he learns, and the choices he makes, could destroy the galaxy--or save it.
The artwork in this book is really striking, and I loved the way the legend in these pages amplified and commented on the main story. As for that story, I admired how Said keeps his plot moving and brings out relevant themes, such as religious and racial prejudice, through the action. I also liked that the three young people (Lucky himself and the two Axxa, Bixa and her big brother Frollix) all have important choices to make about how they will use their talents. I loved the sweet, tentative proto-romance between Lucky and Bixa, too. She's a fierce warrior; he's a clumsy kid who doesn't, at first, know that he has any special talents at all; they 're both probably 13 or so. Their growing friendship and feeling for each other was charming and realistic.
Oh, and there's lots of action. Boys and girls alike should enjoy this book, and find lots to engage them. And, though the themes will resonate with young adult and adult readers, there's nothing in the text to keep it from a bright middle-grader. This book should be more popular than it is. It's really good.
March 12, 2022
I vowed I would never read this book because I had heard some things about varjack paw another book series written by this author and I thought it was weird and odd so I steered clear of this authors work entirely. Until now…
Was this book weird? Yes definitely but omg did it shock me… I was stunned I loved the charecters. The end of the book had me searching for more non existent pages and I hoped even a next book. I felt shattered when I found out there was no next book.
My reactions to this book were a lot. loads of gasping and slapping the nearest surface in shock and excitement, just one more chapter became 5 more chapters.
I loved this book very much and I definitely recommend it
Maybe I should pick up varjack paw and give that a go?
Was this book weird? Yes definitely but omg did it shock me… I was stunned I loved the charecters. The end of the book had me searching for more non existent pages and I hoped even a next book. I felt shattered when I found out there was no next book.
My reactions to this book were a lot. loads of gasping and slapping the nearest surface in shock and excitement, just one more chapter became 5 more chapters.
I loved this book very much and I definitely recommend it
Maybe I should pick up varjack paw and give that a go?
April 25, 2021
We all know I'm a sucker for fantasy and sci-fi by now.
But this was beyond even my expectations.
The beautifully done metaphors that spanned the entire books, the depth of foreshadowing, the connections of the characters - flawlessly done.
I will be making this book a core piece of my repertoire as a teacher. It has so much potential for learning: space, constellations, light, music, creative writing... my ideas as I read were practically never ending.
But arguably more important is its capacity for emotional discussion. The empathy this book teases out of the reader, the curiosity, the questions... even a reluctant reader would be hard pressed not to be clinging onto every word.
But this was beyond even my expectations.
The beautifully done metaphors that spanned the entire books, the depth of foreshadowing, the connections of the characters - flawlessly done.
I will be making this book a core piece of my repertoire as a teacher. It has so much potential for learning: space, constellations, light, music, creative writing... my ideas as I read were practically never ending.
But arguably more important is its capacity for emotional discussion. The empathy this book teases out of the reader, the curiosity, the questions... even a reluctant reader would be hard pressed not to be clinging onto every word.
December 15, 2023
Although many of the fantastical plot beats and science fictional character tropes feel familiar, the way Said weaves them into his own story is sprinkled with stardust.
December 16, 2023
Said makes the familiar ideas presented here new and original. Super fun.
January 25, 2023
Incredibly ambitious, emotional, creative and exciting.
December 5, 2025
An epic intergalactic story of why we should never harm mother nature.
June 28, 2019
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This was a middle grade sci fi novel. I didn’t go into it expecting too much and I came out of it thinking pretty much the same to be honest. I thought that the book was entertaining especially with the whole Alien aspect and finding out more information on them. I also thought that this book had presented some good messages – learning to find the similarities between each other rather than the differences, etc.
One thing that stood out to me was the illustrations. For whatever reason, I didn’t realize that there were going to be a lot of illustrations in this book but there were and I actually really enjoyed them. The ending also really surprised me because I definitely didn’t expect the conclusion at all. There were a lot of factors that completely threw me off, in a good way. If you’re looking for a fun and relatively light-hearted MG sci fi novel then this one might be for you.
This was a middle grade sci fi novel. I didn’t go into it expecting too much and I came out of it thinking pretty much the same to be honest. I thought that the book was entertaining especially with the whole Alien aspect and finding out more information on them. I also thought that this book had presented some good messages – learning to find the similarities between each other rather than the differences, etc.
One thing that stood out to me was the illustrations. For whatever reason, I didn’t realize that there were going to be a lot of illustrations in this book but there were and I actually really enjoyed them. The ending also really surprised me because I definitely didn’t expect the conclusion at all. There were a lot of factors that completely threw me off, in a good way. If you’re looking for a fun and relatively light-hearted MG sci fi novel then this one might be for you.
June 25, 2014
I really can't think of a category this book fits into 100%. Sci-fi? Definitely, but also with a strong spiritual element that grew and was revealed as the story progressed.
Lucky, the book's protagonist, is an innocent young boy, suddenly left alone in a galaxy at war after his mother is killed. He knows only that his father is far away and fighting for humanity against the Axxa, an devil-like alien race and he vows to find him.
As the story unfolds, we follow Lucky's journey as he discovers a lot more about the universe, humanity's enemies and his own origins, with a reveal at the end that just blew me away.
A lovely, spiritual, engaging and totally original book.
Lucky, the book's protagonist, is an innocent young boy, suddenly left alone in a galaxy at war after his mother is killed. He knows only that his father is far away and fighting for humanity against the Axxa, an devil-like alien race and he vows to find him.
As the story unfolds, we follow Lucky's journey as he discovers a lot more about the universe, humanity's enemies and his own origins, with a reveal at the end that just blew me away.
A lovely, spiritual, engaging and totally original book.
October 24, 2016
I didn't like this book either. It was kind of weird anyways. The book would have been okay but at the end the author said the main character he called Lucky was Lucifer. Then the author tried to portray Lucifer as having good characteristics such as being a creator and someone who gave us choice instead of the liar and devil he was. I don't like books that reinterpret the scriptures and make characters in books to reflect their beliefs (especially when they reinterpret the scriptures wrong). I don't think anyone with strong religious beliefs will like this book. I certainly didn't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2014
Epic, visionary and beautiful. S F Said has written a classic which every part of what it is to be alive and what it takes to be part of the universe. Dave McKean brings his unique view to bear through the most remarkable illustrations of his career. Spread the word, Phoenix deserves a wide audience.
November 15, 2015
Finished this in a matter of hours, I didn't want to put it down! I completely fell in love with the characters, the twists and turns & the mystery of Lucky and his Alien friends. I would never have picked this up if it wasn't a recommendation from a friend, as this isn't my usual genre of choice, but I will definitely consider more in the future!
April 11, 2019
I have read this book over 5 times, and it can't get better! The characters are lovely, but I would have appreciated a little but less sad ending. It needs a sequel!!!!!!😍💕😍😍 I read this in like 1 week. 💖😍
July 13, 2016
One of those books that I have no idea why I didn't like - I should, real SF, but couldn't be bothered to finish.
August 6, 2021
Oh man. I have read a lot of bad books lately, but at least I was able to get through them. Sadly, I couldn't get through this one.
This book was notable for an incredible lack of description. I'm not one for long or overly-detailed descriptions in the first place, but I would at least like to know what hair color the protagonist has. I never found out. The book rushes from plot event to plot event with hardly any time spent on anything else. As a result, not only is the description lacking, but as a whole the book is disorienting. This is doubled by the fact that the main character knows extremely little about anything in the universe. This isn't due to a plot event like a memory gap or unreliable narration... he just doesn't know anything for no reason whatsoever. He doesn't even know about a the giant wall that separates all of space for gawds sake. The author clearly does this so that the other characters can just use shallow exposition to talk about everything, which gets tiring.
Also, for some reason the main character, Lucky, has no backstory at all. I guess nothing ever happened to him ever before the sudden events of the first chapter? He mentions school one time in the first chapter, but never mentions anything else about himself ever again. Again, not due to a plot event. Just due to bad writing.
The book ends up being very plot heavy, but the plot isn't good. In the first few chapters of the book, Lucky is saved from being captured by guards because he just happened to pick up an incredibly valuable and rare object when leaving his house for the last time, an object which his mother wasn't going to bring along either, for some reason. The plot uses conveniences often, and characters often get saved in situations not due to their own effort, but by some outside event happening.
Lastly, all of the characters were extremely one-dimensional. I can't think of one character who had any depth to them. For example, Bixa, the female lead/love-interest was every bit the stereotypical "tough" female character oft used in middle-grade literature as of late. Her only defining characteristic is that she liked to "fight" and "beat people up". This gets tiring when mentioned for the infinite time in every scene. The romance between the two leads was forced into the narrative and felt unnecessary.
In conclusion, the writing was below mediocre in every available measure: plot, characterization, and especially description and clarity. There wasn't anything positive about the book that kept me interested, so I had to quit. I don't recommend this book to anyone.
This book was notable for an incredible lack of description. I'm not one for long or overly-detailed descriptions in the first place, but I would at least like to know what hair color the protagonist has. I never found out. The book rushes from plot event to plot event with hardly any time spent on anything else. As a result, not only is the description lacking, but as a whole the book is disorienting. This is doubled by the fact that the main character knows extremely little about anything in the universe. This isn't due to a plot event like a memory gap or unreliable narration... he just doesn't know anything for no reason whatsoever. He doesn't even know about a the giant wall that separates all of space for gawds sake. The author clearly does this so that the other characters can just use shallow exposition to talk about everything, which gets tiring.
Also, for some reason the main character, Lucky, has no backstory at all. I guess nothing ever happened to him ever before the sudden events of the first chapter? He mentions school one time in the first chapter, but never mentions anything else about himself ever again. Again, not due to a plot event. Just due to bad writing.
The book ends up being very plot heavy, but the plot isn't good. In the first few chapters of the book, Lucky is saved from being captured by guards because he just happened to pick up an incredibly valuable and rare object when leaving his house for the last time, an object which his mother wasn't going to bring along either, for some reason. The plot uses conveniences often, and characters often get saved in situations not due to their own effort, but by some outside event happening.
Lastly, all of the characters were extremely one-dimensional. I can't think of one character who had any depth to them. For example, Bixa, the female lead/love-interest was every bit the stereotypical "tough" female character oft used in middle-grade literature as of late. Her only defining characteristic is that she liked to "fight" and "beat people up". This gets tiring when mentioned for the infinite time in every scene. The romance between the two leads was forced into the narrative and felt unnecessary.
In conclusion, the writing was below mediocre in every available measure: plot, characterization, and especially description and clarity. There wasn't anything positive about the book that kept me interested, so I had to quit. I don't recommend this book to anyone.
December 19, 2024
I got my son S.F. Said's 'Varjak Paw' (ninja cat) books when he was 8. He loved them so much, he used his allowance money to buy Said's next book, 'Phoenix'. When he'd finished reading it, he told me it made him feel quite emotional and he wasn't sure why. I was curious about the first book to make my little boy cry, so I decided to read it myself. Lo and behold, I cried, too!
This is everything I wish all children's books could be. It begins as a typical kids' sci-fi adventure - the preposterously named Lucky wakes up and discovers he's somehow heated up so much that he burned a hole in his bed sheets. His mother finds out and panics, tells him they have to leave, get off the planet right away, but she won't say why. A terrified series of events leaves him orphaned on the spaceship of the Alien, as his home planet's sworn enemies are called in the news. Inevitably, he learns the media have been feeding them all propaganda to make them hate a race of people who aren't a whole lot different from themselves - and so the true adventure begins. It finally transforms into a tale of self-discovery, young love, self-belief / belief in general, and the hunt for answers about Lucky's father - which leads to a genuinely surprising twist ending that had me tearing up uncontrollably because it was so moving and beautiful.
There were so many layers to this book. I had to sit my son down the next day and have a long talk with him about it all - about everything from racism to war to religion (the author grew up in England, but has Iraqi parents, if that's any hint at some of the ideas metaphorically sprinkled throughout the book). It culminated in me reading him the first few pages of the Book of Genesis, throughout which he kept interrupting excitedly to say, 'Hey, that's just like such-and-such in Phoenix!' And I would give him a knowing look and read on. By the end, he was so fascinated that he wound up writing his own creation myth :)
All in all, this is a fantastic book for children who think a little more deeply - and for their sci-fi loving parents (my husband wound up reading it, afterward, and he really liked it, too). Oh! And the artwork is incredible. It's not just a book you read, but a book you slip into and experience. Just writing up this review makes me want to re-live the journey! I only wish I could erase my memory and be shocked by the ending, all over again. A truly wonderful book, and I will be looking out for the author's future works.
This is everything I wish all children's books could be. It begins as a typical kids' sci-fi adventure - the preposterously named Lucky wakes up and discovers he's somehow heated up so much that he burned a hole in his bed sheets. His mother finds out and panics, tells him they have to leave, get off the planet right away, but she won't say why. A terrified series of events leaves him orphaned on the spaceship of the Alien, as his home planet's sworn enemies are called in the news. Inevitably, he learns the media have been feeding them all propaganda to make them hate a race of people who aren't a whole lot different from themselves - and so the true adventure begins. It finally transforms into a tale of self-discovery, young love, self-belief / belief in general, and the hunt for answers about Lucky's father - which leads to a genuinely surprising twist ending that had me tearing up uncontrollably because it was so moving and beautiful.
There were so many layers to this book. I had to sit my son down the next day and have a long talk with him about it all - about everything from racism to war to religion (the author grew up in England, but has Iraqi parents, if that's any hint at some of the ideas metaphorically sprinkled throughout the book). It culminated in me reading him the first few pages of the Book of Genesis, throughout which he kept interrupting excitedly to say, 'Hey, that's just like such-and-such in Phoenix!' And I would give him a knowing look and read on. By the end, he was so fascinated that he wound up writing his own creation myth :)
All in all, this is a fantastic book for children who think a little more deeply - and for their sci-fi loving parents (my husband wound up reading it, afterward, and he really liked it, too). Oh! And the artwork is incredible. It's not just a book you read, but a book you slip into and experience. Just writing up this review makes me want to re-live the journey! I only wish I could erase my memory and be shocked by the ending, all over again. A truly wonderful book, and I will be looking out for the author's future works.
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