J.A. Culican is a USA Today Bestselling author of the middle grade fantasy series Keeper of Dragons. Her first novel in the fictional series catapulted a trajectory of titles and awards, including top selling author on the USA Today bestsellers list and Amazon, and a rightfully earned spot as an international best seller. Additional accolades include Best Fantasy Book of 2016, Runner-up in Reality Bites Book Awards, and 1st place for Best Coming of Age Book from the Indie book Awards.
J.A. Culican holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Niagara University, in which she has been teaching special education for over 13 years. She is also the president of the autism awareness non-profit Puzzle Peace United. J.A. Culican resides in Southern New Jersey with her husband and four young children.
For more information about J.A. Culican visit her website at: www.jaculican.com and follow her on Facebook: @jaculican
this was interesting. Actually, it was my first time reading of Phoenixes and they're portrayed so differently from what I imagined them to be! Pink hair? Sign me up. What's also really compelling is the fact that this underground town, Hollows Ground, exists thanks to the magic of crystals that are... Produced? by Phoenixes. Such a unique view over these mythical creatures! Definitely suggested.
This is an introduction to Gemma, a young phoenix, living in Hollow Grounds, a magical place full of magical beings. Something is changing but only the four Phoenix’s that know what is happening.
Gemma’s duty as a phoenix, in the cave she works in alone, is not what I expected at all – but I won’t tell you as that would take away from the story.
An anomaly occurs on this day, but Gemma has no time to ponder upon it as she has to go to a ceremony for the retirement of the oldest phoenix, Stella. The four phoenixes have always been balanced, two male, two female. One for each of the elements – earth, wind, fire and water.
What happens during the ceremony is a surprise. The three remaining phoenixes are young and have no real reference point to seek advice from now Stella is gone. An unbalance has occurred and whether this is an omen for good or bad will no doubt be explored in the first book of the series, Second Sight.
I received a free download of this book from Bookfunnel through the authors’ newsletter and I have freely given my own opinion of the novella above.
It is a tempting little novella giving just a glimpse into the life and work of a phoenix and the Shades of Hollow Grounds. Great fun and easy to read. Leads me to want to follow up and read the full book – Second Sight.
A short introduction to the world of Hollow Grounds, where four Phoenixes guard the balance. This story depicts one relatively short scene, but one that is crucial to the further happenings - an event, in which the balance is disrupted and all goes wrong. Stones of unusual color? That is not the biggest surprise awaiting Gemma on this very special day - a day when balance is crucial, but somehow it goes wrong.. It's hard to judge when you know more of the story is coming. It is a very promising opening, hooks up the reader and provides motivation to grab the next book, however reveals very little about the characters, even the main character, only some background info and the situation she is in now. I'd like to see where Gemma's story goes, though.
Short story with an interesting premise. Not familiar with the world it's set in and felt like I should have read other works by the author in order to appreciate this story.