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Phoenyx Rising
As a danger to the world, I’ll be locked away here forever. Afraid to move on, afraid to start my life, I have no idea who I was or where I belong, only that I am a killer.
Desperate for a connection I clung to Asher, a bad boy fire chaser like me, the only person who knew my pain. But in this world everyone has something to hide, and Asher's secrets could break me.
My life unraveled pretty quickly when I put my faith in the wrong person. All I ever wanted was to belong. I never saw rock bottom coming until I was too late.
These are my mistakes, this is how my life began.
Desperate for a connection I clung to Asher, a bad boy fire chaser like me, the only person who knew my pain. But in this world everyone has something to hide, and Asher's secrets could break me.
My life unraveled pretty quickly when I put my faith in the wrong person. All I ever wanted was to belong. I never saw rock bottom coming until I was too late.
These are my mistakes, this is how my life began.
200 pages, ebook
First published March 25, 2015
8 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Kolleen Fraser
6 books43 followersI’m a foul mouthed Canadian Netflix addict. I have a dark & twisted sense of humor as you will come to see.
I’m a writer, a beta reader, a wife, mom and a domestic goddess, who hates housework.
I’m a writer, a beta reader, a wife, mom and a domestic goddess, who hates housework.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 27, 2015
Kolleen is an author to watch out for. This book has a great story with a bit of smut thrown in. You watch Phee come into her own maneuvering past unthinkable hurdles. Kolleen recaps then expands the story throughout the book making things flow smoothly. There is a cliff hanger-- just enough to make you want more but oddly enough satisfied. Keep it coming Kolleen!
September 8, 2015
3.5 Stars
Phoenyx wakes up with non memory of who she is, but has a power within her that can burn everything around her if she doesn't control herself. Branded a murderer, a crime she can't remember, she is sent to the island a place where she learns what she is and over time maybe she'll learn who she it.
Over time she must learn who to trust and when and must make difficult choices as she learns to grow up in the strange world she lives in. Life isn't easy but it's hers to live as she wants.....right?
Phoenyx is strong in body, but her mind has been messed with so many times it has taken a true beating. As time goes on she must learn to become stronger or risk losing herself altogether.
There are those there to help her and others to keep an eye on her. Will she ever be able to tell them apart? And will she ever learn about her past?
The storyline was interesting, but I wish it had been a bit better developed and understandable with regards to the world created. At times I was confused about certain aspects, but overall the story kept me entertained throughout. Phoenyx was well developed, but I would have like to learn more about the other characters giving them a bit more depth.
Interesting story and I'm intrigued to see where it goes.
Phoenyx wakes up with non memory of who she is, but has a power within her that can burn everything around her if she doesn't control herself. Branded a murderer, a crime she can't remember, she is sent to the island a place where she learns what she is and over time maybe she'll learn who she it.
Over time she must learn who to trust and when and must make difficult choices as she learns to grow up in the strange world she lives in. Life isn't easy but it's hers to live as she wants.....right?
Phoenyx is strong in body, but her mind has been messed with so many times it has taken a true beating. As time goes on she must learn to become stronger or risk losing herself altogether.
There are those there to help her and others to keep an eye on her. Will she ever be able to tell them apart? And will she ever learn about her past?
The storyline was interesting, but I wish it had been a bit better developed and understandable with regards to the world created. At times I was confused about certain aspects, but overall the story kept me entertained throughout. Phoenyx was well developed, but I would have like to learn more about the other characters giving them a bit more depth.
Interesting story and I'm intrigued to see where it goes.
April 29, 2015
Disclosure: This ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an HONEST and not necessarily positive review.
Reviewer: Megan Townsend
At the age of 16, Phoenyx killed 4 people. But she doesn't remember how, or why. All she knows is her name and that she’s a demigod. She is punished for her crimes by being sent to the academy for young demigods, in hopes that she can learn how to control her powers. But how can she when her whole life is a blank space. As she fights to control her powers, to figure out how to move on with her life and to maybe find happiness, she keeps getting pulled back.
This was an amazing story that kept you involved. You wanted Phoenyx to find herself, to figure out what happened to her. It broke your heart every time she was forced to forget. It was like a movie you couldn't wait to finish.
Reviewer: Megan Townsend
At the age of 16, Phoenyx killed 4 people. But she doesn't remember how, or why. All she knows is her name and that she’s a demigod. She is punished for her crimes by being sent to the academy for young demigods, in hopes that she can learn how to control her powers. But how can she when her whole life is a blank space. As she fights to control her powers, to figure out how to move on with her life and to maybe find happiness, she keeps getting pulled back.
This was an amazing story that kept you involved. You wanted Phoenyx to find herself, to figure out what happened to her. It broke your heart every time she was forced to forget. It was like a movie you couldn't wait to finish.
October 7, 2015
3.5 stars
First off many thanks to the author, Kolleen Fraser, who provided a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Phoenyx Ember is a fire starter, and that's pretty much all she knows of herself other than random flashes of memory. She is sixteen when she is brought to the Academy, both for training and confinement. They tell her she's a murderer, but she has no memory of her crime, only the bands tattooed around her wrists telling the world she is a killer. Her only chance of being allowed to leave the island of the Academy is to dedicate herself to becoming a Titan, a super soldier of sorts.
The world that this author has built is an interesting one. The Academy reminds me of a cross between Dr Xavier's school in X-Men and Alcatraz. Phoenyx is filled with both guilt and anger, and they both cause her to get herself into some sticky situations. Her fire starting abilities are rare, and when she finds another student with the same talent she thinks she has found her soulmate. If only things could be that easy for Phoenyx.....
Behind all of this is the shadow figure of Marcus, the puppet master who holds the key to Phoenyx's vanished memories and her uncertain future. He has his hand in her life in more ways than she could ever imagine.
I found the concept of this story intriguing, but I found myself frustrated with Phoenyx's terrible self worth issues. She spent a lot of time chasing around a guy who, in my humble opinion, wasn't worth the skin he stood up in. A lot of her struggles were led her to self growth, but I would have rather she didn't spend so much time beating up on herself for her choice of bed partners.
This is only the first book in the Demigods series. Fans of fantasy and superhero storylines alike will find this series fascinating.
First off many thanks to the author, Kolleen Fraser, who provided a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Phoenyx Ember is a fire starter, and that's pretty much all she knows of herself other than random flashes of memory. She is sixteen when she is brought to the Academy, both for training and confinement. They tell her she's a murderer, but she has no memory of her crime, only the bands tattooed around her wrists telling the world she is a killer. Her only chance of being allowed to leave the island of the Academy is to dedicate herself to becoming a Titan, a super soldier of sorts.
The world that this author has built is an interesting one. The Academy reminds me of a cross between Dr Xavier's school in X-Men and Alcatraz. Phoenyx is filled with both guilt and anger, and they both cause her to get herself into some sticky situations. Her fire starting abilities are rare, and when she finds another student with the same talent she thinks she has found her soulmate. If only things could be that easy for Phoenyx.....
Behind all of this is the shadow figure of Marcus, the puppet master who holds the key to Phoenyx's vanished memories and her uncertain future. He has his hand in her life in more ways than she could ever imagine.
I found the concept of this story intriguing, but I found myself frustrated with Phoenyx's terrible self worth issues. She spent a lot of time chasing around a guy who, in my humble opinion, wasn't worth the skin he stood up in. A lot of her struggles were led her to self growth, but I would have rather she didn't spend so much time beating up on herself for her choice of bed partners.
This is only the first book in the Demigods series. Fans of fantasy and superhero storylines alike will find this series fascinating.
August 31, 2015
I hate to give three stars. I rarely do. I just couldn't with this one. I hope this will help the author more.
The basis of the book is amazing. I loved it. The idea of the characters different powers were so different. I loved that uniqueness of the book versus other books. Phoenyx could have been an amazing heroine and perhaps on the second book I will like her a bit more. I get that she is a teenager, figuring herself, drowning herself in the things around her. She felt lost. Hated what she was around. There is something about it that I can relate to, I was that girl.
But the way that it happened was not believable. Whoring it up is one thing but the way she was doing it wasn't so believable? I wanted to see more time elapse. More detail. Not a ton of skipping. I love Asher (some might hate me), love Mason and Silas all. They combined would be the best. Mason being her friend for a long time and then allowing her to become just another number on his and her belt both? To me that wasn't believable. Especially him saying 'let's get even..' I feel like Mason would have been so much better.
Silas ditching a good girl to go to the Titans? Marcus trying to hide her. I mean at the end it made a bit more sense but still. Through the whole thing he was suppose to be a villain, protecting her and so on. To me it wasn't believable. How he would call her a stupid bitch one moment. I love you the next. If he loved/cared for her I thought he would get more respect.
The paragraph lay out was hard to follow as well.
The concept is amazing and hope the second book will be amazing. I am going to continue to read. I hope my review doesn't come across as bitchy. Because it is not meant to be at all. I wish you luck Kolleen and look forward to the books following.
The basis of the book is amazing. I loved it. The idea of the characters different powers were so different. I loved that uniqueness of the book versus other books. Phoenyx could have been an amazing heroine and perhaps on the second book I will like her a bit more. I get that she is a teenager, figuring herself, drowning herself in the things around her. She felt lost. Hated what she was around. There is something about it that I can relate to, I was that girl.
But the way that it happened was not believable. Whoring it up is one thing but the way she was doing it wasn't so believable? I wanted to see more time elapse. More detail. Not a ton of skipping. I love Asher (some might hate me), love Mason and Silas all. They combined would be the best. Mason being her friend for a long time and then allowing her to become just another number on his and her belt both? To me that wasn't believable. Especially him saying 'let's get even..' I feel like Mason would have been so much better.
Silas ditching a good girl to go to the Titans? Marcus trying to hide her. I mean at the end it made a bit more sense but still. Through the whole thing he was suppose to be a villain, protecting her and so on. To me it wasn't believable. How he would call her a stupid bitch one moment. I love you the next. If he loved/cared for her I thought he would get more respect.
The paragraph lay out was hard to follow as well.
The concept is amazing and hope the second book will be amazing. I am going to continue to read. I hope my review doesn't come across as bitchy. Because it is not meant to be at all. I wish you luck Kolleen and look forward to the books following.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2016
You know when you see a really nice dress in your favourite shop and you try it on and all the mirrors and lights in the dressing room make you look like a princess so you buy it.
Then you get it home and look in your own mirror and you look just like yourself pretending to be a princess?
That's what I get with this book.
I was really intrigued by the pretty cover and the blurb sounded enticing and different. Like this would be THE book I'd want to dive into again and again.
But then I started reading it and I felt a bit let down. It wasn't quite making that splash I thought it would.
Phee annoyed the ever loving crap out of me. Maybe it's just because I'm old in comparison and over all that teenage angst.
I just couldn't take to her. And all her sleeping around? At her age? I mean, I know we all had a bit of a time where we needed to find ourselves and I suppose I dont have a brother wiping my memory ever half hour or so but I'm still convinced about all the sex working well for her!
I will say, the idea behind it is a good one. I kind of like the different ways they control their elements. And the characters, with a little more ooomph and depth would be devine...Asher especially. I love me a bad boy. I was actually a bit disappointed when their relationship fizzled.
Im not saying I didn't like the book at all, it did still keep me up til the wee hours. It just didn't have the kick I was hoping for. I wanted a bit more power, a bit more magic...not so much teenage angst and big brother mind control.
Then you get it home and look in your own mirror and you look just like yourself pretending to be a princess?
That's what I get with this book.
I was really intrigued by the pretty cover and the blurb sounded enticing and different. Like this would be THE book I'd want to dive into again and again.
But then I started reading it and I felt a bit let down. It wasn't quite making that splash I thought it would.
Phee annoyed the ever loving crap out of me. Maybe it's just because I'm old in comparison and over all that teenage angst.
I just couldn't take to her. And all her sleeping around? At her age? I mean, I know we all had a bit of a time where we needed to find ourselves and I suppose I dont have a brother wiping my memory ever half hour or so but I'm still convinced about all the sex working well for her!
I will say, the idea behind it is a good one. I kind of like the different ways they control their elements. And the characters, with a little more ooomph and depth would be devine...Asher especially. I love me a bad boy. I was actually a bit disappointed when their relationship fizzled.
Im not saying I didn't like the book at all, it did still keep me up til the wee hours. It just didn't have the kick I was hoping for. I wanted a bit more power, a bit more magic...not so much teenage angst and big brother mind control.
September 29, 2015
This story was a little hard for me to follow at some points. Maybe it would have helped a little to have a more clearer vision of what the "world" we were following Phoenyx in looked like a little more. That is just my opinion though.
When we meet Phoenyx, she is a young lady that is waking up in a strange place to her and has no recollection of how she got there or what happened with the murders they are sticking on her. The people think that she is just playing dumb, but she honestly has no idea what they are talking about. When they banish her to an island, Phoenyx has to learn about what her powers are and how to use them. She also has to do a lot of soul searching within herself to figure out who she is exactly as well.
Phoenyx has to learn who she can trust and who are the people that she needs to stay away from. When she falls in love, one guy ends up breaking her heart only later to come back and steal her away from the guy that has helped her get over that heart break. Phoenyx gets confused and has to figure out what and who she really wants. She has had a rough past with her father being the way he was and causing Phoenyx to have trust issues with people.
Overall, I thought that this story has a little bit of everything- romance, suspense and action. I think Kolleen Fraser is definitely one to watch for with her writing.
When we meet Phoenyx, she is a young lady that is waking up in a strange place to her and has no recollection of how she got there or what happened with the murders they are sticking on her. The people think that she is just playing dumb, but she honestly has no idea what they are talking about. When they banish her to an island, Phoenyx has to learn about what her powers are and how to use them. She also has to do a lot of soul searching within herself to figure out who she is exactly as well.
Phoenyx has to learn who she can trust and who are the people that she needs to stay away from. When she falls in love, one guy ends up breaking her heart only later to come back and steal her away from the guy that has helped her get over that heart break. Phoenyx gets confused and has to figure out what and who she really wants. She has had a rough past with her father being the way he was and causing Phoenyx to have trust issues with people.
Overall, I thought that this story has a little bit of everything- romance, suspense and action. I think Kolleen Fraser is definitely one to watch for with her writing.
October 8, 2015
I haven't read a book in a long time that has grasped my attention so quickly and literally kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens next. I didn't want to put this book down and after the sneak peak into the next book I can't wait to see what comes next for Phoenyx! This book had a little of everything mystery, suspense, drama, romance (dirty sex included) and magic! I loved all the characters (even if it was only to love them to hate them...) you really get a good sense of who they are. I highly suggest reading this book! You won't regret it! I can't wait to see what happens next!!!!
May 22, 2015
I was was given the honor of reading a beta copy of this book and I have to say I honestly loved it. The characters in this book are so real. Phee was so tough and smart yet so vulnerable. I loved her from the start and wanted to protect her immediately. This book has a little bit of everything- romance (hot sex included), mystery, drama and action. It's a great story that was well developed and easy to follow. If you like paranormal or even dystopian type books then you should try this out. You won't regret it.
October 14, 2015
This was a really interesting book with a fresh and unique concept. I have to say I became highly irritated with Phoenyx many, MANY times over the course of the story, but isn't that the hallmark of a good main character? She could most certainly be a real girl, making true-to-form mistakes, especially at her age, and I almost felt like one of her friends, hoping and praying she'd turn her life around for the better.
I think that, in itself, shows how much this book stuck with me, and I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel.
5 stars =)
I think that, in itself, shows how much this book stuck with me, and I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel.
5 stars =)
February 20, 2015
I had the honor of being a beta reader for this book almost from the beginning. I loved the storyline and development of each character. Reading Phoenyx grow and come to terms with her powers and who she is was like watching a movie unfold. Such a good book and I can't wait to see what the next one holds.
April 8, 2015
I purchased this book because I'm always up for an adventure, and based on the synopsis, this story looked to be more original that the typical twilight-vampire-inspired stories that appear to be so popular right now. I found the story to be fast-paced and character-driven, with a climax that leaves the reader looking forward to the next book in the series. Well done, Kolleen!
July 4, 2015
I am having a hard time continuing, I am pausing this book and will pick up again at a later date. the story has just left me lacking :( I want to like it more than I do, it's just gone a bit flat and I don't want to force myself, when I went into this wanting to love it. .... Will continue later, dnf for now.
stopped at 64%
stopped at 64%
November 18, 2016
Wow. Just wow. It has been a long time since a book has grabbed my attention so quickly. I just loved this story and am looking forward to finding out what's next for Nyx. The story kept my attention all the way through and I loved how it was such a mix of genres. Action packed but still with some romance too.
February 20, 2015
Beta read this book for Kolleen.
This book has it all.
Mystery Check
Romance check
Magic check
Kolleen brings the main character from confused, messed up teen to mature woman.
Pick it up to see what happens on her journey to adulthood.
Loved it!
This book has it all.
Mystery Check
Romance check
Magic check
Kolleen brings the main character from confused, messed up teen to mature woman.
Pick it up to see what happens on her journey to adulthood.
Loved it!
April 2, 2015
This book....OMG!! Kolleen did such an awesome job with an intriguing storyline and an even more intriguing MC. I loved Nyx, especially getting to watch the character grow through her trials. For a debut novel, so so good!
February 23, 2015
I read this book as a beta read, and it was amazing. There are many unexpected twists and turns, that make you anxious to see where the road leads. It left me wanting more. I can't wait until the next books come out!! If you love paranormal books you will love this!!
January 16, 2014
Can't wait for the polished version to come out! Awesome story line! Loved the beta.
June 19, 2021
I loved the story line of this book! Great characters and great pace! I just wanted to keep reading. I look forward to more :)
September 8, 2015
3.5 Stars
February 23, 2014
I liked it. Not my normal type of book but so far.
April 28, 2015
This book was so great. I couldnt put it down!
September 8, 2017
Look I wrote a book. :) Check it out.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews