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Phoenix Down
Alex is just settling in to a relaxing Spring Break when a leprechaun appears at her door and tells her to run. And she doesn’t stop running: from the police, the FBI, angry griffins, a powerful wizard, and her teachers – who happen to be Amazon warriors. ‘Detention’ has a far more serious meaning if all your teachers carry spears across their backs and know how to use them! Her Buddha-quoting grandmother and the leprechauns seem to have a plan to get her out of her mess, but the more she follows it, the worse things seem to get. The down of the phoenix just might help, but then again, if she uses it wrong she could rip apart the very fabric of existence.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 13, 2015
The magical story of Alex Lee continues in Book 2 of the Island of California Series. I'm having so much fun writing this series, and I hope you have as much fun reading it. In this book, Alex goes to Amazon School and we meet one of her intriguing teachers, a master warrior called Azura the Wise. We also find out how Alex manages to form a band while she's on the run -- and even becomes famous.
February 9, 2017
Catherine Weaver asked me to read her novel, "Phoenix Down". It is a sequel to "Gold Dust" in the "Island of California" series. I have previously reviewed the first book and rated it highly. For this book I will examine Plot, Character and Polish and then assign a grade.
PLOT
The book's tone is immediately set. At the start, Alex wakes up to see a leprechaun riding a giant bunny and saying, basically, "come with me if you want to live". This leads to a new adventure and an awful lot of running.
The sequel to "Gold Dust" has a great plot. It is fast paced and follows the fallout of the previous book's climax. This makes it feel like an outgoing adventure and creates a greater sense of continuity. Furthermore, Alex's actions prove how much she learned from the previous book. Certain relationships also develop and I find it to be appropriate for their ages and experiences.
There is a good bit of world building. Phoenix Down is a magical catalyst and this develops the internal system of magic; by explaining what it can do, Miss. Weaver contrasts it with gold dust and standard magic. It's interesting stuff. Also, the previous book steered clear of population centers, so this one gives a good look at what the society on "the Island of California" is like. It's basically an Amazonian Lady Land but with some interesting nuances provided by the phoenix.
The "no-magic" effect returns and it is even creepier than last time. It is longer in duration and heavier in effect. The first chapter of it is called "we fight the zombies we've become" and shows Alex drifting in and out of Heroic Resolve and Heroic BSOD. No amount of third person description could match that; a fantastic use of show vs tell.
Finally for this section, I like how the plot develops. It holds an overall steady course but makes a number of twists and turns along the way. There are certain things that I wasn't expecting. Furthermore, I like how Miss. Weaver is able to resolve the major conflict in order to give the book closure while still leaving threads dangling for future books.
CHARACTERS
Alex Lee has transitioned from Unlikely Hero to more Reluctant Hero. She'd rather enjoy her Spring Break than go on another world-saving adventure, but she recognizes that Herman Mendez is a Big Bad and she's the one to stop him. Also, there's no more doubting her ability anymore; her actions, sometimes, but not her ability. As a result, her narration is more dry and playfully self-depreciating then panicked or truly putting herself down (although that sometimes happens too).
Ian has experienced a dramatic personality shift. His first scene in this book has him acting frigid to Alex and then going on a mini-rant about misogyny. It's like he was indoctrinated by Herman Mendenz or someone else in the pro-men/anti-amazon movement. More striking is his treatment of Celeste. The sum total of his motivation in the previous book was finding and rescuing her from Herman Mendez, and she is still being targeted by him but Ian doesn't seem to care. This happens before Dash is introduced and so I can't chalk it up to Jealousy-induced stupidity.
I like Celeste's development as well. While Mendez is still menacing her, she's stepped out of her role from the previous book; more working against him then just getting away from him. I can think of her more as "Alex's portal opening partner" then "Ian's captive cousin".
While the story doesn't specify this, I think that Celeste is more skilled with magic than Alex because she deliberately chooses to use only her singing voice when casting spells. For Alex, that is a handicap.
Third, Plucky Girl! While Ian and Alex had a break from adventure, Celeste still hasn't been able to go home yet. Both books have been a continuous adventure for her yet she's soldiering on.
The Mendez brothers continue to make great villains but for different reasons. Gabriel was previously Ambiguously Evil and now he reveals himself as The Unfettered For Science. Listening to him zealously talk about what he could do with Phoenix Down, just for the sake of doing it, is frightening. Herman, like before, is a power-hungry scumbag, and now he shows that he is vindictive as well.
POLISH
The book looks good. While I still think the first person narration is odd without a frame narrative, I now get the sense that one is incoming. It's like this is an auto-biography of how she became famous.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Phoenix Down" A+
PLOT
The book's tone is immediately set. At the start, Alex wakes up to see a leprechaun riding a giant bunny and saying, basically, "come with me if you want to live". This leads to a new adventure and an awful lot of running.
The sequel to "Gold Dust" has a great plot. It is fast paced and follows the fallout of the previous book's climax. This makes it feel like an outgoing adventure and creates a greater sense of continuity. Furthermore, Alex's actions prove how much she learned from the previous book. Certain relationships also develop and I find it to be appropriate for their ages and experiences.
There is a good bit of world building. Phoenix Down is a magical catalyst and this develops the internal system of magic; by explaining what it can do, Miss. Weaver contrasts it with gold dust and standard magic. It's interesting stuff. Also, the previous book steered clear of population centers, so this one gives a good look at what the society on "the Island of California" is like. It's basically an Amazonian Lady Land but with some interesting nuances provided by the phoenix.
The "no-magic" effect returns and it is even creepier than last time. It is longer in duration and heavier in effect. The first chapter of it is called "we fight the zombies we've become" and shows Alex drifting in and out of Heroic Resolve and Heroic BSOD. No amount of third person description could match that; a fantastic use of show vs tell.
Finally for this section, I like how the plot develops. It holds an overall steady course but makes a number of twists and turns along the way. There are certain things that I wasn't expecting. Furthermore, I like how Miss. Weaver is able to resolve the major conflict in order to give the book closure while still leaving threads dangling for future books.
CHARACTERS
Alex Lee has transitioned from Unlikely Hero to more Reluctant Hero. She'd rather enjoy her Spring Break than go on another world-saving adventure, but she recognizes that Herman Mendez is a Big Bad and she's the one to stop him. Also, there's no more doubting her ability anymore; her actions, sometimes, but not her ability. As a result, her narration is more dry and playfully self-depreciating then panicked or truly putting herself down (although that sometimes happens too).
Ian has experienced a dramatic personality shift. His first scene in this book has him acting frigid to Alex and then going on a mini-rant about misogyny. It's like he was indoctrinated by Herman Mendenz or someone else in the pro-men/anti-amazon movement. More striking is his treatment of Celeste. The sum total of his motivation in the previous book was finding and rescuing her from Herman Mendez, and she is still being targeted by him but Ian doesn't seem to care. This happens before Dash is introduced and so I can't chalk it up to Jealousy-induced stupidity.
I like Celeste's development as well. While Mendez is still menacing her, she's stepped out of her role from the previous book; more working against him then just getting away from him. I can think of her more as "Alex's portal opening partner" then "Ian's captive cousin".
While the story doesn't specify this, I think that Celeste is more skilled with magic than Alex because she deliberately chooses to use only her singing voice when casting spells. For Alex, that is a handicap.
Third, Plucky Girl! While Ian and Alex had a break from adventure, Celeste still hasn't been able to go home yet. Both books have been a continuous adventure for her yet she's soldiering on.
The Mendez brothers continue to make great villains but for different reasons. Gabriel was previously Ambiguously Evil and now he reveals himself as The Unfettered For Science. Listening to him zealously talk about what he could do with Phoenix Down, just for the sake of doing it, is frightening. Herman, like before, is a power-hungry scumbag, and now he shows that he is vindictive as well.
POLISH
The book looks good. While I still think the first person narration is odd without a frame narrative, I now get the sense that one is incoming. It's like this is an auto-biography of how she became famous.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Phoenix Down" A+
December 5, 2016
A Wonderful, Fantastical Tale of Magic, Universes and Friendship
Catherine Weaver has done it again with this wonderful follow up to her impressive first book, Gold Dust. Reading this series is a great treat for me as a Californian because I get to read about places from my childhood and see them transform into portals which lead to a magical other world. I wish I were a kid again because this book would have made me look at my environment in a totally different way. I would have super-imposed my own worlds everywhere I went, letting my imagination let loose and that's why what Catherine Weaver has done is so important. She breaks down the barriers of reality for her readers and gets them to imagine what else might be.
This fun, action-packed adventure is sure to please anyone seeking more than an escape. It's for anyone that would love to harness the power of magic, be able to unite worlds, heal friendships and find courage when all hope seems lost. Throw in leprechauns, Amazon warriors, gold, magical portals and rock concerts and you've got an attention-grabbing story for sure. I also highly admire the mixture of Eastern influences with Western traditions, the transformation of California into an island and how it's still about a girl trying to navigate through her world of parents, friends, boys and school (both real and magical).
Do yourself a favor and get this book for the young people in your life, then get a copy for you, so you'll stay young. Imagine, create, build universes and never stop using the magic inside you; Catherine Weaver never does. Phoenix Down is pure magic.
Catherine Weaver has done it again with this wonderful follow up to her impressive first book, Gold Dust. Reading this series is a great treat for me as a Californian because I get to read about places from my childhood and see them transform into portals which lead to a magical other world. I wish I were a kid again because this book would have made me look at my environment in a totally different way. I would have super-imposed my own worlds everywhere I went, letting my imagination let loose and that's why what Catherine Weaver has done is so important. She breaks down the barriers of reality for her readers and gets them to imagine what else might be.
This fun, action-packed adventure is sure to please anyone seeking more than an escape. It's for anyone that would love to harness the power of magic, be able to unite worlds, heal friendships and find courage when all hope seems lost. Throw in leprechauns, Amazon warriors, gold, magical portals and rock concerts and you've got an attention-grabbing story for sure. I also highly admire the mixture of Eastern influences with Western traditions, the transformation of California into an island and how it's still about a girl trying to navigate through her world of parents, friends, boys and school (both real and magical).
Do yourself a favor and get this book for the young people in your life, then get a copy for you, so you'll stay young. Imagine, create, build universes and never stop using the magic inside you; Catherine Weaver never does. Phoenix Down is pure magic.
May 3, 2017
*I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.*
Phoenix Down is the sequel to Gold Dust, by the author Catherine Weaver, and set in the real and also mythical Island of California.
This second trip into the life of the 'ordinary girl' Alex Lee and her magical adventures was even more action-packed than the first: she pops between worlds, forms a band, and starts Amazon warrior-school all on her way to saving her dad this time. Again, instead of the more traditional peril of death, this time it is the corrupted forces of law and order that are persecuting the Lee family (last time it was Corporate Business). This is an interesting dip into light politics for children's novels, although we also have a more traditional antagonist in the form of Herman Mendez: rich, powerful and out to rule the world mwuahahahaha. (It is not clear yet whether his brother Gabriel is also Evil, or just rather clueless and completely self-absorbed in his search for power via knowledge).
This is a factor of Catherine Weaver's characters that also featured in her previous novel: whilst the 'baddies' are definitely morally dubious there is no violence, just deception and power games; conversely the 'goodies' motivations are often clouded by self-interest, greed, jealousy (see Ian especially for the latter in this novel, which features a touch more romantic development!).
It was nice to see more of Alex's Obaachan (grandmother), and I thought the addition of neighbour Roger, the Trekkie, was a fun touch. It was good to see grumpy Stan back as well, and being his usual pleasant company.
Altogether a great children's series, especially for young girl readers, who get to see a strong female lead (although I am with Azura in wishing she would stop fainting...more Miso soup required!). If you are looking for a modern children's adventure story in a similar style to Enid Blyton (The Faraway Tree, or The Famous Five) then Gold Dust and Phoenix Down are just what you need!
“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth: not going all the way, and not starting.” - 'Obaachan', Catherine Weaver, Phoenix Down
Phoenix Down is the sequel to Gold Dust, by the author Catherine Weaver, and set in the real and also mythical Island of California.
This second trip into the life of the 'ordinary girl' Alex Lee and her magical adventures was even more action-packed than the first: she pops between worlds, forms a band, and starts Amazon warrior-school all on her way to saving her dad this time. Again, instead of the more traditional peril of death, this time it is the corrupted forces of law and order that are persecuting the Lee family (last time it was Corporate Business). This is an interesting dip into light politics for children's novels, although we also have a more traditional antagonist in the form of Herman Mendez: rich, powerful and out to rule the world mwuahahahaha. (It is not clear yet whether his brother Gabriel is also Evil, or just rather clueless and completely self-absorbed in his search for power via knowledge).
This is a factor of Catherine Weaver's characters that also featured in her previous novel: whilst the 'baddies' are definitely morally dubious there is no violence, just deception and power games; conversely the 'goodies' motivations are often clouded by self-interest, greed, jealousy (see Ian especially for the latter in this novel, which features a touch more romantic development!).
It was nice to see more of Alex's Obaachan (grandmother), and I thought the addition of neighbour Roger, the Trekkie, was a fun touch. It was good to see grumpy Stan back as well, and being his usual pleasant company.
Altogether a great children's series, especially for young girl readers, who get to see a strong female lead (although I am with Azura in wishing she would stop fainting...more Miso soup required!). If you are looking for a modern children's adventure story in a similar style to Enid Blyton (The Faraway Tree, or The Famous Five) then Gold Dust and Phoenix Down are just what you need!
“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth: not going all the way, and not starting.” - 'Obaachan', Catherine Weaver, Phoenix Down
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews