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The Phoenix Series #1
Torn From Stone
They tore off her wings. Buried her past. But instinct always finds a way.
Phoenix thought her life was ordinary—until a sharp-toothed creature appeared under her sink and told her the truth.
She’s not human.
She’s a Traveller—one of the winged, time-walking beings nearly erased from existence.
With no memory of who she is or where she belongs, Phoenix is thrust into a whirlwind of ancient lands, ghost-haunted futures, and cities that breathe beneath the sand. The Sirens want her dead. A silver-skinned warrior hunts her like prey. And the only thing she has to defend herself is a baseball bat… and a stubborn refusal to break.
They say you can’t get blood from a stone.
But maybe you can get wings.
Torn From Stone is the fierce beginning to The Phoenix Series—a fast-paced, emotionally charged adventure about power, memory, and reclaiming what you were never meant to forget.
Somewhere in the shadows of time, her story is waiting to be remembered.
Phoenix thought her life was ordinary—until a sharp-toothed creature appeared under her sink and told her the truth.
She’s not human.
She’s a Traveller—one of the winged, time-walking beings nearly erased from existence.
With no memory of who she is or where she belongs, Phoenix is thrust into a whirlwind of ancient lands, ghost-haunted futures, and cities that breathe beneath the sand. The Sirens want her dead. A silver-skinned warrior hunts her like prey. And the only thing she has to defend herself is a baseball bat… and a stubborn refusal to break.
They say you can’t get blood from a stone.
But maybe you can get wings.
Torn From Stone is the fierce beginning to The Phoenix Series—a fast-paced, emotionally charged adventure about power, memory, and reclaiming what you were never meant to forget.
Somewhere in the shadows of time, her story is waiting to be remembered.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Sarah Rockwood
12 books18 followersSarah Rockwood writes poetry, literary fiction and fantasy — with teeth. Cinematic, gothic, and best read by candlelight, her work draws on the beautiful things that bite. An author, poet, and recording artist, Sarah makes gorgeous, unsettling things, then hands them to you. Trusting you'll emerge softer, stronger, and not quite the same.
Read her micro fiction collection - Jet Black Glass & Other Tales for free at
https://www.sarahrockwood.com/jetblac...
These are small, patient horrors — each one a held breath, a movement in the shadows, a glimmer of light on a blade. This dread doesn't pounce; it paces, deliberately, across your heart and down your spine.
Some doors you open, some doors open you.
Read her micro fiction collection - Jet Black Glass & Other Tales for free at
https://www.sarahrockwood.com/jetblac...
These are small, patient horrors — each one a held breath, a movement in the shadows, a glimmer of light on a blade. This dread doesn't pounce; it paces, deliberately, across your heart and down your spine.
Some doors you open, some doors open you.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 22, 2018
2.5 stars
When I began reading this, I had very high hopes: first, because the cover is really amazing, second because the story really seemes nice. The cover and the storyline still are lovely but I was undeniably disappointed.
I know i have no real right to criticize (I obviously can't do any better than the author did), but i am still planning to. Not to look down on the book, that is not my intention at all but because I think the world depicted in this book has extraordinary potential and not just the world, the characters and the story too.
I am disappointed because everything that makes me like reading is concentrated in the story (in a way I can't even say it made me hate reading or anything of the sort) but there was Something big lacking. I can't be precise about itbut I think it comes from the descriptions of the scènes and the way the whole thing was written. I mean it feels like it is not a story but a sumary of one. Phoenix (the heroine) describes the world in a really fresh manner that makes me want to read forever (that's the good point) but it is not immersive enough. For example, when she is tired, she says tired, there is absolutely no feelings involves, it's like she's a robot. Even speaking to yourself you don't often say it like that, you would maybe say " I feel like dying";"my legs are f**** noodles"; "i'm fantasizing about a bed right now"; etc ( those may be really bad examples but I'm not pretending to be a writer here).
In the same way, when she meets Archer, I think it should have ended there , not gone on any longer so that the next book (I understand there is one) may focus a bit on them but NOOOOO. The end was crammed, feelings as tight as sardines, just a summary of what could have been extremely beautiful. It just felt like a rush to me. Again, I'm not saying that the book was bad, far from it, but I'm sure Something can be done about those things to make the book better, I mean it deserves it (it is a book with a strong story, suuuuuper interesting and a world building that's better than many a bookseller I have read). It either needs more wit, more humour or to make it darker, make the character even more confused, lost, make her FEEL THINGS (cause the story is pretty dark in fact).
In short I recommend the book but I still wish for these things to be taken into account and again, that's just to show I really expect a lot from this author in the future. I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.
When I began reading this, I had very high hopes: first, because the cover is really amazing, second because the story really seemes nice. The cover and the storyline still are lovely but I was undeniably disappointed.
I know i have no real right to criticize (I obviously can't do any better than the author did), but i am still planning to. Not to look down on the book, that is not my intention at all but because I think the world depicted in this book has extraordinary potential and not just the world, the characters and the story too.
I am disappointed because everything that makes me like reading is concentrated in the story (in a way I can't even say it made me hate reading or anything of the sort) but there was Something big lacking. I can't be precise about itbut I think it comes from the descriptions of the scènes and the way the whole thing was written. I mean it feels like it is not a story but a sumary of one. Phoenix (the heroine) describes the world in a really fresh manner that makes me want to read forever (that's the good point) but it is not immersive enough. For example, when she is tired, she says tired, there is absolutely no feelings involves, it's like she's a robot. Even speaking to yourself you don't often say it like that, you would maybe say " I feel like dying";"my legs are f**** noodles"; "i'm fantasizing about a bed right now"; etc ( those may be really bad examples but I'm not pretending to be a writer here).
In the same way, when she meets Archer, I think it should have ended there , not gone on any longer so that the next book (I understand there is one) may focus a bit on them but NOOOOO. The end was crammed, feelings as tight as sardines, just a summary of what could have been extremely beautiful. It just felt like a rush to me. Again, I'm not saying that the book was bad, far from it, but I'm sure Something can be done about those things to make the book better, I mean it deserves it (it is a book with a strong story, suuuuuper interesting and a world building that's better than many a bookseller I have read). It either needs more wit, more humour or to make it darker, make the character even more confused, lost, make her FEEL THINGS (cause the story is pretty dark in fact).
In short I recommend the book but I still wish for these things to be taken into account and again, that's just to show I really expect a lot from this author in the future. I will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.
May 15, 2018
A book where every character is so, so impressed by this cool world the author has created. The rest of the story is one dimensional characters either doing uninteresting things for no reason, or doing improbable things to get to the next plot point. The main character's personality seems to correspond with the mood the author was in at the time of writing. A very awkward book. I loved to hate-read it.
July 1, 2020
I really liked this series by an honorary Canadian. It was a quick easy read which is especially nice when you’re just not in the mood for deep and heavy. The characters were fantastical but easily relatable and she did a great job of making you want to read the next to find out more. I actually emailed her (first time I’ve ever done that) to see when book 5 is coming out (early 2021). I’m a lover of a series and all things fantasy. Who knew my favorite characters would end up being a wimpy turned philosopher minion and a brain damaged, lovable gargoyle.
February 21, 2018
Great read
Got "bounty of ash " the second book in the series as a freebie and had to buy books one and three. While book two can be read by itself "torn from stone " sets the scene as to how Phoenix loses her wings and what caused her to be banished from the void . A great story of family, love,friendship, betrayal,magic and power among many different weird and wonderful creatures,some good some bad. Loved the book and will be reading more from this author in the future.
Got "bounty of ash " the second book in the series as a freebie and had to buy books one and three. While book two can be read by itself "torn from stone " sets the scene as to how Phoenix loses her wings and what caused her to be banished from the void . A great story of family, love,friendship, betrayal,magic and power among many different weird and wonderful creatures,some good some bad. Loved the book and will be reading more from this author in the future.
February 27, 2018
First time reading anything by Sarah Rockwood and I must say I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit it kept me hooked from the very beginning and now I am looking forward to the next book of this series because I have to know what happens to Phoenix. If you haven’t read any anything by Sarah Rockwood well try this book because there’s no harm in trying, I tried and I’m glad I did because I found a good story and different reality to sink into.
February 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. There are a spattering of grammar errors and weird word usage, but this is likely just a difference of language region. I was happy to find an offering of a free book download after signing up for her mailing list, I ended up with two books of the same series- book 2 "Bounty Ash" and a collection of stories about characters in the series "Tales from the Void". I have high hopes for these next two books.
July 28, 2021
An ok tale to enjoy while traveling, appropriate as the characters travel quite a bit here, thru realms. Follow along with the main character as she (re)discovers who and what she is and her place in the world(s). Some distracting typos, but that could be the version.
February 23, 2018
An amazing fantasy story to brighten your day. Loved it and ready for more by this author.
December 27, 2020
Easy read. Fun adventure.
March 6, 2022
I liked the book. The characters could have been developed more.
February 9, 2023
A slap bang, good dash up. Very fun to read. I look forward to the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews