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Phoenix Series #2
Phoenix Burning
Toby and Ayla have to infiltrate a sect of sun worshippers to steal the equipment their ships need. They enter a trial to be chosen as the Sun and the Moon, a position of great honour for the sect. As the trial commences, Toby and Ayla discover the true cost of failure. But there are other young couples who are equally desperate to win...Can Toby and Ayla survive days without sleep, hours sitting in the blistering sun and a deadly maze? They'll need to work together to win - their mission depends on it...
Perfect for fans of Veronica Roth, Anthony Horowitz, Philip Reeve and Suzanne Collins.
Perfect for fans of Veronica Roth, Anthony Horowitz, Philip Reeve and Suzanne Collins.
416 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2016
About the author
Bryony Pearce
24 books189 followersBryony Pearce (formerly McCarthy) lives with her husband and two children in a village on the edge of the Peak District. She completed an English Literature degree at Corpus Christi College Cambridge in 1998 and afterward worked in the business-to-business market research sector. She went freelance in 2004 so she could devote more time to writing. Bryony was a winner of the 2008 Undiscovered Voices competition with her MG novel Windrunner's Daughter. Her first YA novel, Angel's Fury, will be published on 4th July 2011 by Egmont.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 13, 2017
Wish there was more to come. Great series, great characters (Gotta love Toby, Hiko and Ayla), great storyline. One of the good ones
December 27, 2017
My name is Toby, and Ayla has stepped onto the deck of the Phoenix again. I thought she liked me up until the moment she had me imprisoned on her mother's ship, the Banshee. My father installed solar panels to power our ship, but we can't use them without an inverter. That's why Ayla is here; she needs one too for her mother's ship. Ayla has an idea. The two of us will win a competition on the island of Gozo and steal their inverters. There are a few problems with her plan. We don’t know where the inverters are kept, we don’t know how to escape, and we’ll be immediately blinded if we win. Now, that we’re here, I see the Sun and Moon competition is all about surviving the challenges. And despite teaming up with Ayla, I know she may stab me in the back at any moment.
This book is the sequel to Phoenix Rising, and you need to read it first. You need to know the story of Toby and Ayla’s relationship and the complications arising from their families’ past histories. The setting is in the future, far enough ahead to present creative worlds but close enough to the past to remember how things used to be. Much of this book takes place on Gozo, and the inhabitants have cult-like beliefs. Their whole world is centered on the sun and moon, and they resent other cultures that have misused the sun’s power. Having the contest winners sacrifice their sight in honor of the sun is pretty radical, but sacrifices made by the losers isn’t much better. Throughout the plot, the focus is on the fragile teamwork between Toby and Ayla and their contrasting motivations. The author leaves a dramatic surprise for the climax that is sure to affect the sequel. The utopian island the characters seek is still a mystery, but they discover exciting clues in the book’s resolution.
This book is the sequel to Phoenix Rising, and you need to read it first. You need to know the story of Toby and Ayla’s relationship and the complications arising from their families’ past histories. The setting is in the future, far enough ahead to present creative worlds but close enough to the past to remember how things used to be. Much of this book takes place on Gozo, and the inhabitants have cult-like beliefs. Their whole world is centered on the sun and moon, and they resent other cultures that have misused the sun’s power. Having the contest winners sacrifice their sight in honor of the sun is pretty radical, but sacrifices made by the losers isn’t much better. Throughout the plot, the focus is on the fragile teamwork between Toby and Ayla and their contrasting motivations. The author leaves a dramatic surprise for the climax that is sure to affect the sequel. The utopian island the characters seek is still a mystery, but they discover exciting clues in the book’s resolution.
February 19, 2022
Where the first novel, Phoenix Rising, was more traditional "pirates on the high seas," Phoenix Burning is more reminiscent of The Hunger Games.
Phoenix Burning has a slightly faster pace than Phoenix Rising. And each trail Toby and Ayla had to face became harder and more life threatening, making it difficult for me to put the book down. There was one complication thrown in during the last 75 pages that I didn't feel necessary, but the ending made up for this.
I really enjoyed reading this duology and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about pirates, especially futuristic ones.
Phoenix Burning has a slightly faster pace than Phoenix Rising. And each trail Toby and Ayla had to face became harder and more life threatening, making it difficult for me to put the book down. There was one complication thrown in during the last 75 pages that I didn't feel necessary, but the ending made up for this.
I really enjoyed reading this duology and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about pirates, especially futuristic ones.
March 13, 2016
Phoenix Burning is the second entry in Bryony Pearce’s Phoenix duology, following after last year’s
Phoenix Rising
. I really enjoyed Phoenix Rising and I remained firmly #BansheeCrew after finishing it, much to my own surprise really. As such I was really looking forward to Phoenix Burning to see whether what came next would change my stance and of course to see what would be next for Toby and Ayla.
Where I considered Phoenix Rising to be more towards the younger end of the YA scale, Phoenix Burning definitely skews older than that. Both Ayla and Toby have grown and matured over the course of the last book and this is reflected in the narrative. Phoenix Burning is far more about the consequences of your actions — or your inactions — and about forgiveness and trust, particularly how hard it is to regain the latter once you lose it. The one thing I wished for in my review of Phoenix Rising was that there could have been more Ayla and Pearce fulfilled my wish quite deftly. Phoenix Burning is very much a Toby and Ayla book, since for most of the narrative they are stuck on Gozo together. Granted, the story is still told from Toby’s point of view, but we learn far more about Ayla and her inner life than we did previously. The conflicting loyalties that plague both of them are played out to great effect with the tension between their feelings for each other and the needs of their respective ships stretching them further and further.
The setup of the Solar Order on Gozo was terrifying and strangely believable. I can totally picture how some people would gravitate to such a sect after as devastating a global event as the super volcano eruption. The need for solace guidance would be great after such traumatic events, but it would be easy to understand why faith in current religion would wane. The selection of the avatars of their faith in the form of a series of trials is both reminiscent of earlier religions and of the gruesome trials such as those seen in the Hunger Games and Divergent, creating a sense of continuity. The trials are all meant to test the competitors’ endurance, cunning, and discipline by confronting them with physical and mental hardship based on those things that humanity often instinctively fears, such as fire, drowning, the dark, and creepy crawlies. The harshness of the Order is only reenforced by the two leaders Father Dahon and Mother Hesper, who are both unforgiving and unkind, though we catch some glimpses of kindness in some of the other Brothers and Sisters of the Sun.
Toby and Ayla are joined by eight other couples in the trials. I really enjoyed the different couples, especially the ones who stay in the race longer as we learn more about them and about their background. They and the competition also serve to show the essential differences between Toby and Ayla: Toby thinks in terms of creating alliances and support, where Ayla only thinks in terms of besting others—she’s basically that one contestant in any reality show competition saying: “I didn’t come here to make friends, I came to win!” But we also see that Ayla can’t help herself being kind when she can, sometimes in spite of herself. The final trial and outcome of the competition was quite surprising, I hadn’t seen the twist coming. There are also some unexpected appearances in the novel, with the most notable one coming towards the end of the book. I won’t go into details for the sake of avoiding spoilers, but it was an interesting narrative choice and crystallised the bond between Toby and Ayla even more clearly.
The ending of the novel is satisfying, wrapping up the plot nicely and leaving the characters on a hopeful note. Yet at the same time, this is not happily ever after and Pearce definitely left herself a great big hook to come back to if she ever decides to return to this world. Which, to be fair, I hope she does, because I truly enjoy the world Pearce has created and the characters that live in it. If you enjoy interesting dystopian settings, exciting adventures and pirate capers, then check out Phoenix Burning and its predecessor Phoenix Rising, they are both well worth the read. Oh and in case you were wondering? I'm still #BansheeCrew all the way.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
Where I considered Phoenix Rising to be more towards the younger end of the YA scale, Phoenix Burning definitely skews older than that. Both Ayla and Toby have grown and matured over the course of the last book and this is reflected in the narrative. Phoenix Burning is far more about the consequences of your actions — or your inactions — and about forgiveness and trust, particularly how hard it is to regain the latter once you lose it. The one thing I wished for in my review of Phoenix Rising was that there could have been more Ayla and Pearce fulfilled my wish quite deftly. Phoenix Burning is very much a Toby and Ayla book, since for most of the narrative they are stuck on Gozo together. Granted, the story is still told from Toby’s point of view, but we learn far more about Ayla and her inner life than we did previously. The conflicting loyalties that plague both of them are played out to great effect with the tension between their feelings for each other and the needs of their respective ships stretching them further and further.
The setup of the Solar Order on Gozo was terrifying and strangely believable. I can totally picture how some people would gravitate to such a sect after as devastating a global event as the super volcano eruption. The need for solace guidance would be great after such traumatic events, but it would be easy to understand why faith in current religion would wane. The selection of the avatars of their faith in the form of a series of trials is both reminiscent of earlier religions and of the gruesome trials such as those seen in the Hunger Games and Divergent, creating a sense of continuity. The trials are all meant to test the competitors’ endurance, cunning, and discipline by confronting them with physical and mental hardship based on those things that humanity often instinctively fears, such as fire, drowning, the dark, and creepy crawlies. The harshness of the Order is only reenforced by the two leaders Father Dahon and Mother Hesper, who are both unforgiving and unkind, though we catch some glimpses of kindness in some of the other Brothers and Sisters of the Sun.
Toby and Ayla are joined by eight other couples in the trials. I really enjoyed the different couples, especially the ones who stay in the race longer as we learn more about them and about their background. They and the competition also serve to show the essential differences between Toby and Ayla: Toby thinks in terms of creating alliances and support, where Ayla only thinks in terms of besting others—she’s basically that one contestant in any reality show competition saying: “I didn’t come here to make friends, I came to win!” But we also see that Ayla can’t help herself being kind when she can, sometimes in spite of herself. The final trial and outcome of the competition was quite surprising, I hadn’t seen the twist coming. There are also some unexpected appearances in the novel, with the most notable one coming towards the end of the book. I won’t go into details for the sake of avoiding spoilers, but it was an interesting narrative choice and crystallised the bond between Toby and Ayla even more clearly.
The ending of the novel is satisfying, wrapping up the plot nicely and leaving the characters on a hopeful note. Yet at the same time, this is not happily ever after and Pearce definitely left herself a great big hook to come back to if she ever decides to return to this world. Which, to be fair, I hope she does, because I truly enjoy the world Pearce has created and the characters that live in it. If you enjoy interesting dystopian settings, exciting adventures and pirate capers, then check out Phoenix Burning and its predecessor Phoenix Rising, they are both well worth the read. Oh and in case you were wondering? I'm still #BansheeCrew all the way.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
May 11, 2016
In Phoenix Burning we are once again reunited with young pirate Toby and his inventor father aboard the legendary Phoenix – a ship designed to navigate the poisonous, junk filled seas of the future. Despite being left heartbroken and betrayed by Ayla, first mate from aboard their nemesis ship The Banshee, the duo are soon thrown together again as they attempt to infiltrate the land of the Sun Worshipers to steal vital components for their ships. Disguised as contestants in the yearly competition to be crowned Sun and Moon, Ayla and Toby must put their differences aside to partake in increasingly dangerous trials in order to win the title. Pitted against eight couples from varying backgrounds, they are forced to fight to survive – growing ever closer as they do so. But where will their loyalty lie in the end, with each other or with their crew?
This second novel in the Phoenix series is even more action packed than the first. Toby and Ayla have matured, and as their characters grow and develop readers are given a deeper insight into their motivation and the reasons behind their actions. This is particularly interesting when it comes to their feelings for one another – they may be falling in love but that can’t change the fact their parents are mortal enemies with a violent and bloody past. Even the secondary characters are fully fleshed out, as each of the couples they must fight is given a believable and interesting back story. The tone of this second book is definitely darker than the first - the trials the protagonists face are horrific, the punishment for failing even worse – and the atmosphere is eerie and claustrophobic, with the duo stuck inside the walled city, surrounded by silent religious fanatics who consider sun blinding to be the highest honour.
It’s a fabulous follow up in a great series. Pearce has created a completely new dystopian future, yet one that is frighteningly possible. I just hope this is not the last we have heard from Toby and Ayla!
This second novel in the Phoenix series is even more action packed than the first. Toby and Ayla have matured, and as their characters grow and develop readers are given a deeper insight into their motivation and the reasons behind their actions. This is particularly interesting when it comes to their feelings for one another – they may be falling in love but that can’t change the fact their parents are mortal enemies with a violent and bloody past. Even the secondary characters are fully fleshed out, as each of the couples they must fight is given a believable and interesting back story. The tone of this second book is definitely darker than the first - the trials the protagonists face are horrific, the punishment for failing even worse – and the atmosphere is eerie and claustrophobic, with the duo stuck inside the walled city, surrounded by silent religious fanatics who consider sun blinding to be the highest honour.
It’s a fabulous follow up in a great series. Pearce has created a completely new dystopian future, yet one that is frighteningly possible. I just hope this is not the last we have heard from Toby and Ayla!
February 20, 2016
Crossposted from http://thewhisperingofthepages.blogsp...
After setting up her new world of salt heaving seas and scavenging pirates, Bryony Pearce has followed with a fantastic continuation of the series, which I think I may have enjoyed even more than the first.
In Phoenix Burning, we see a very different side of the world that Pearce has created. With any devastated world comes a group of religious fanatics who are desperate to find meaning in everything that has happened. The cruelty that the challenges that Ayla, Toby and the other competitors faced was suitably dark for this kind of sect, though this is certainly not the kind of book for those who are squeamish!
The ending was filled with twists and intrigue, leaving me with the feeling I always get when I read something really good. I definitely am looking forward to seeing what's next for Toby.
After setting up her new world of salt heaving seas and scavenging pirates, Bryony Pearce has followed with a fantastic continuation of the series, which I think I may have enjoyed even more than the first.
In Phoenix Burning, we see a very different side of the world that Pearce has created. With any devastated world comes a group of religious fanatics who are desperate to find meaning in everything that has happened. The cruelty that the challenges that Ayla, Toby and the other competitors faced was suitably dark for this kind of sect, though this is certainly not the kind of book for those who are squeamish!
The ending was filled with twists and intrigue, leaving me with the feeling I always get when I read something really good. I definitely am looking forward to seeing what's next for Toby.
March 11, 2016
After receiving the first novel in this series, Phoenix Rising (you can read my review here), I jumped at the chance to join the journey again! This time, we follow Toby and Ayla as they join forces to try and find the missing piece that will get them to the island. Encountering hardships, deepening feelings and plenty of heat, this novel overall was a fantastic sequel!
Sometimes with series, the following novels can loose the spark the first one held. This one didn't! It was just as intriguing and gripping as the first, maybe even more so. I loved the twists and turns, not quite knowing what was going to happen next and who could be trusted on either ships!
Check out the rest of my review on my blog, along with an author interview!
http://jennieelouisee.blogspot.co.uk/...
Sometimes with series, the following novels can loose the spark the first one held. This one didn't! It was just as intriguing and gripping as the first, maybe even more so. I loved the twists and turns, not quite knowing what was going to happen next and who could be trusted on either ships!
Check out the rest of my review on my blog, along with an author interview!
http://jennieelouisee.blogspot.co.uk/...
March 1, 2016
This is a very enjoyable sequel and I have really enjoyed it. Toby and Ayla are ace.
Full review to follow.
Full review to follow.
March 16, 2020
A good, well written sequel, which keeps up the suspense and drama from the first novel well. Somehow manages to add more quirks of the world, which make it feel very lived in and unique.
January 31, 2016
Book Review will be posted on blog www.mrripleysenchanted.books.com
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews