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Phoenix Cycle #1
Phoenix Fire
After spending her life in foster care, Ava has finally found home. But all it takes is a chance encounter with hot nerd Wyatt Wilcox for it to unravel.
Now, things are starting to change. First, the flashes of memories slowly creeping in. Memories of other lives, lives that Wyatt is somehow in. Then, the healing. Any cut? Gone.
But when Cade and Nick show up, claiming to be her brothers, things get even weirder. They tell her she’s a Phoenix, sent to protect the world from monsters—monsters she never knew existed. It’s a little hard to accept. Especially when they tell her she has to end the life of a Phoenix turned rogue, or Cade will die.
With Wyatt’s increasingly suspicious behavior, Ava’s determined to figure out what he’s hiding. Unless she can discover Wyatt’s secret in time and complete her Phoenix training, she’ll lose the life, love, and family she never thought she could have.
Now, things are starting to change. First, the flashes of memories slowly creeping in. Memories of other lives, lives that Wyatt is somehow in. Then, the healing. Any cut? Gone.
But when Cade and Nick show up, claiming to be her brothers, things get even weirder. They tell her she’s a Phoenix, sent to protect the world from monsters—monsters she never knew existed. It’s a little hard to accept. Especially when they tell her she has to end the life of a Phoenix turned rogue, or Cade will die.
With Wyatt’s increasingly suspicious behavior, Ava’s determined to figure out what he’s hiding. Unless she can discover Wyatt’s secret in time and complete her Phoenix training, she’ll lose the life, love, and family she never thought she could have.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2018
9 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Grimm
23 books204 followersS. D. Grimm’s first love in writing is young adult fantasy and science fiction, which is to be expected from someone who looks up to heroes like Captain America and Wonder Woman, has been sorted into Gryffindor, identifies as rebel scum, and loves elevensies as much as afternoon tea. Her patronus is a red Voltron lion, her spirit animal is Toothless, and she totally has a superpower. She is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency, her office is anywhere she can curl up with her laptop and at least one large-sized dog, and you can learn more about her upcoming novels at www.sdgrimm.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 28, 2018
Phoenix Fire by S.D. Grimm is the first book in the new young adult Phoenix Cycle romantic fantasy series. The story is told from multiple points of view along the way switching as the chapters change.
In the opening we meet Ava who seems to be a teen that has spent her life in foster care but has finally settled with a family. Ava has one strange quality about her in that she has these flashes of what feel like memories but the aren’t her own.
When Ava gets in an argument and takes off she witnesses a horrible accident involving her foster brother. At the accident jumping in to help Ava is Wyatt who Ava has seen around but doesn’t really know well. After coming home from the hospital Ava notices Wyatt seems to have been injured but when she checks nothing is there. Then Ava’s own injuries seem to heal on their own too.
Next readers meet Cade and Nick who are actually Ava’s brothers but have been separated from her. Nick has his memories of being a light Phoenix but Cade who is Ava’s twin is just regaining his but Nick knows that time is short and they must get to Ava before the dark Phoenix, Gwen, finds them all.
Now when starting off reading Phoenix Fire my first thoughts were hm, this could be interesting. But then I’ll admit as the chapters switch around the point of view it did get a tad confusing in the beginning piecing together the characters and situations. What a reader has is one with no knowledge of the Phoenix at all, one who is slowly figuring it out, one who seems to know something but doesn’t admit to it and one who does know but refuses to let all of us in on the details. As I said a bit confusing.
As it went on I did get more into the story as I learned of the Phoenix and how the rebirths and the battle that they have been fighting. The characters kept getting more fleshed out along the way to piece their stories together and there were also some other nice side characters that I liked too.
But then I came to another little detail as it went on in that as each have their flashbacks it did seem to get a tad repetitive along the way. By the time I had gotten to the end of this one too I wasn’t at all surprised to have it hang a bit up in the air as this is just the opening of a series so there will be much more to come. I decided when all was said and done to give this opening 3.5 stars as it is interesting but I’m hoping the next in the series will be a bit more focuses on the present now that things are more established with the characters.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the opening we meet Ava who seems to be a teen that has spent her life in foster care but has finally settled with a family. Ava has one strange quality about her in that she has these flashes of what feel like memories but the aren’t her own.
When Ava gets in an argument and takes off she witnesses a horrible accident involving her foster brother. At the accident jumping in to help Ava is Wyatt who Ava has seen around but doesn’t really know well. After coming home from the hospital Ava notices Wyatt seems to have been injured but when she checks nothing is there. Then Ava’s own injuries seem to heal on their own too.
Next readers meet Cade and Nick who are actually Ava’s brothers but have been separated from her. Nick has his memories of being a light Phoenix but Cade who is Ava’s twin is just regaining his but Nick knows that time is short and they must get to Ava before the dark Phoenix, Gwen, finds them all.
Now when starting off reading Phoenix Fire my first thoughts were hm, this could be interesting. But then I’ll admit as the chapters switch around the point of view it did get a tad confusing in the beginning piecing together the characters and situations. What a reader has is one with no knowledge of the Phoenix at all, one who is slowly figuring it out, one who seems to know something but doesn’t admit to it and one who does know but refuses to let all of us in on the details. As I said a bit confusing.
As it went on I did get more into the story as I learned of the Phoenix and how the rebirths and the battle that they have been fighting. The characters kept getting more fleshed out along the way to piece their stories together and there were also some other nice side characters that I liked too.
But then I came to another little detail as it went on in that as each have their flashbacks it did seem to get a tad repetitive along the way. By the time I had gotten to the end of this one too I wasn’t at all surprised to have it hang a bit up in the air as this is just the opening of a series so there will be much more to come. I decided when all was said and done to give this opening 3.5 stars as it is interesting but I’m hoping the next in the series will be a bit more focuses on the present now that things are more established with the characters.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 24, 2018
Phoenix Fire is the start of a new series. It's a suspense mystery romance novel. It's gritty, action-packed and unique. This is the first Phoenix novel I've read and the story was very interesting.
The Phoenix is a fascinating Greek mythological creature. The bird is said to live over and over again, hence this series is called Phoenix cycle. As this book unravels we see how finding your path in life can be tricky even with a do-over.
Ava doesn't know her family. She had been in the foster system and has grown a hard outer shell. The field family are in the process of offering Ava a forever home but she finds it difficult to trust. She doesn't want to be let down. She has a foster brother and a best friend, Yuki. She is settled the best she can be but doesn't rely on anyone. She starts to have flashbacks of former life's. How is it possible to know someone before you meet them? Wyatt helps Ava in her time of need but he's worse than a Katie Perry song. He's always flashing hot and cold.
Cade and Nick are on a mission to find their sister. They need her help. Cade is her twin and is also having flashbacks but his memories come with consequences. These two need to gain Ava's trust and help her uncover the truth. They are Phoenix's and fight monsters. The ultimate monster is on its way and they need to be prepared.
This book is written from multiple points of views. The story slowly unravels and is full of mystery. Some of the memories are a little gruesome and Wyatt is mysterious, I couldn't work him out.
This is a romance novel, however, it's more about family and monsters.
Wyatt's character becomes clear, and his reason for being strange, but I found his cold spells a bit of a turn-off. By the end of the book, he was one of my least favourite characters. Ava has a lot going for her. She's a brave heroine and ready for action. She has some tough decisions.
This book was a good start to a series and hopefully, the writer can make up for Wyatt's lack of spirit in the next book. The story was engaging and there are lots of interesting personalities. 4 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Phoenix is a fascinating Greek mythological creature. The bird is said to live over and over again, hence this series is called Phoenix cycle. As this book unravels we see how finding your path in life can be tricky even with a do-over.
Ava doesn't know her family. She had been in the foster system and has grown a hard outer shell. The field family are in the process of offering Ava a forever home but she finds it difficult to trust. She doesn't want to be let down. She has a foster brother and a best friend, Yuki. She is settled the best she can be but doesn't rely on anyone. She starts to have flashbacks of former life's. How is it possible to know someone before you meet them? Wyatt helps Ava in her time of need but he's worse than a Katie Perry song. He's always flashing hot and cold.
Cade and Nick are on a mission to find their sister. They need her help. Cade is her twin and is also having flashbacks but his memories come with consequences. These two need to gain Ava's trust and help her uncover the truth. They are Phoenix's and fight monsters. The ultimate monster is on its way and they need to be prepared.
This book is written from multiple points of views. The story slowly unravels and is full of mystery. Some of the memories are a little gruesome and Wyatt is mysterious, I couldn't work him out.
This is a romance novel, however, it's more about family and monsters.
Wyatt's character becomes clear, and his reason for being strange, but I found his cold spells a bit of a turn-off. By the end of the book, he was one of my least favourite characters. Ava has a lot going for her. She's a brave heroine and ready for action. She has some tough decisions.
This book was a good start to a series and hopefully, the writer can make up for Wyatt's lack of spirit in the next book. The story was engaging and there are lots of interesting personalities. 4 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2018
I requested this book on NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Actual rating: 3.35
I am not going to lie, I had a hard time reading this book at some point but I am glad that I didn't give it up because in the end it was very enjoyable. I am going to tackle writing style, characters and plot in this review.
Writing style
In the beginning I found the writing rather mediocre and simple, sometimes unnecessarily using complicates words to make it more interesting. The author kept describing every little detail of the houses or the neighborhood which, personally, I didn't find relevant to the book. But as the book went on the writing improved, becoming rather poetic at some point and that kept me captivated. There were parts, like a kissing scene between Yuki and Cade, where the style and the all scene were a little cringe so the writer needs to work on this kind of scenes.
Another thing that i found rather annoying was the fact that in the first half of the book the author kept us in the dark with all the Phoenix business and didn't give us enough details to make sense of things and I thing that she should have laid a more solid background regarding this matter. An example of such things would be: the powers, their family history, the story about Gwen.
Sometimes, while describing an action, it felt a little rush and sloppy, the author losing herself in too many details which made it hard for me to understand what was happening.
Plot
To be honest, I found the concept of the book very unique because I have never read a book about this before. The two types of Phoenix power, the Dark and Light Phoenix are very interesting concepts. I like how the author alternated the action giving the main characters memories of their past lives. But i felt like the book was rather slow-paced until the last 200 pages when all the action took place, even so, those pages were full of very good plot twists which, to be honest, really took me by surprise, that in the end it didn't matter.
A thing that i found unpleasing it was the sometimes it felt like the book was love centered most of the times and it didn't let the action develop in the way that it should have. I didn't know why the author felt like pairing all the three main characters with somebody from the first book when only 2 pairs were relevant to the action.
Characters
Ava: I found Ava a very annoying character and I didn't like her. She kept going on and on with this "not wanting to get close to people" thing to such an extent that it was bothersome. There were times when I thought that she was not mature enough and doesn't know how to set her priorities right. Ava was a little obsessed with Wyatt and she would rather trust him than her brother, which is a stupid thing to do. Despite all this, she is a loyal person and would do anything for the people that she loves and cares about. There were times were she appeared a little bipolar and she clearly cannot control her emotions very well.
Nick: I think Nick was my favorite character of them all. He is the perfect older brother that would do anything to protect his family. He is so caring and he clearly loves Ava and Cade no matter what. In my opinion he was the most balanced characters of them all and he deserves so much better so I am hoping that in the second book things are going to be go well for him.
Cade: Cade was my second favorite character and I loved his dynamic with Nick. He is funny and such a nice guy and there were times when I really felt bad for him. I didn't see why the writer had to put him through so much pain and make him suffer by giving him so many memories moments. There were times when I didn't like him that much because he thought that he wasn't important enough and he was important just because he had to protect Ava.
Wyatt: Wyatt is Ava's love interest and a very sweet guy. He really tries to overcome his dark side despite him being controlled by the villain. It is very obvious that he loves Ava and would do anything for her.
Yuki: Yuki is the supportive friend that is by Ava's side every time she needs her and Cade's love interest. She is a very strong girl and she doesn't let her health condition define her. She can be sassy and sensitive at the same time. I liked the fact that her relationship with Cade was a slowburn one and not instant love.
Gwen: Gwen is the villain of the book and I found her a well structured one.She really gave them a really hard time and she is full of surprises. I would like to know more about her than it was presented in the book.
All of this being said, I really enjoyed the book and I am really looking forward to reading the second one and I definitely recommend you to give it a shot when it comes out.
Actual rating: 3.35
I am not going to lie, I had a hard time reading this book at some point but I am glad that I didn't give it up because in the end it was very enjoyable. I am going to tackle writing style, characters and plot in this review.
Writing style
In the beginning I found the writing rather mediocre and simple, sometimes unnecessarily using complicates words to make it more interesting. The author kept describing every little detail of the houses or the neighborhood which, personally, I didn't find relevant to the book. But as the book went on the writing improved, becoming rather poetic at some point and that kept me captivated. There were parts, like a kissing scene between Yuki and Cade, where the style and the all scene were a little cringe so the writer needs to work on this kind of scenes.
Another thing that i found rather annoying was the fact that in the first half of the book the author kept us in the dark with all the Phoenix business and didn't give us enough details to make sense of things and I thing that she should have laid a more solid background regarding this matter. An example of such things would be: the powers, their family history, the story about Gwen.
Sometimes, while describing an action, it felt a little rush and sloppy, the author losing herself in too many details which made it hard for me to understand what was happening.
Plot
To be honest, I found the concept of the book very unique because I have never read a book about this before. The two types of Phoenix power, the Dark and Light Phoenix are very interesting concepts. I like how the author alternated the action giving the main characters memories of their past lives. But i felt like the book was rather slow-paced until the last 200 pages when all the action took place, even so, those pages were full of very good plot twists which, to be honest, really took me by surprise, that in the end it didn't matter.
A thing that i found unpleasing it was the sometimes it felt like the book was love centered most of the times and it didn't let the action develop in the way that it should have. I didn't know why the author felt like pairing all the three main characters with somebody from the first book when only 2 pairs were relevant to the action.
Characters
Ava: I found Ava a very annoying character and I didn't like her. She kept going on and on with this "not wanting to get close to people" thing to such an extent that it was bothersome. There were times when I thought that she was not mature enough and doesn't know how to set her priorities right. Ava was a little obsessed with Wyatt and she would rather trust him than her brother, which is a stupid thing to do. Despite all this, she is a loyal person and would do anything for the people that she loves and cares about. There were times were she appeared a little bipolar and she clearly cannot control her emotions very well.
Nick: I think Nick was my favorite character of them all. He is the perfect older brother that would do anything to protect his family. He is so caring and he clearly loves Ava and Cade no matter what. In my opinion he was the most balanced characters of them all and he deserves so much better so I am hoping that in the second book things are going to be go well for him.
Cade: Cade was my second favorite character and I loved his dynamic with Nick. He is funny and such a nice guy and there were times when I really felt bad for him. I didn't see why the writer had to put him through so much pain and make him suffer by giving him so many memories moments. There were times when I didn't like him that much because he thought that he wasn't important enough and he was important just because he had to protect Ava.
Wyatt: Wyatt is Ava's love interest and a very sweet guy. He really tries to overcome his dark side despite him being controlled by the villain. It is very obvious that he loves Ava and would do anything for her.
Yuki: Yuki is the supportive friend that is by Ava's side every time she needs her and Cade's love interest. She is a very strong girl and she doesn't let her health condition define her. She can be sassy and sensitive at the same time. I liked the fact that her relationship with Cade was a slowburn one and not instant love.
Gwen: Gwen is the villain of the book and I found her a well structured one.She really gave them a really hard time and she is full of surprises. I would like to know more about her than it was presented in the book.
All of this being said, I really enjoyed the book and I am really looking forward to reading the second one and I definitely recommend you to give it a shot when it comes out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2018
Loved this book! It was a gripping page-turner that transports readers through time as its mystery unfolds, Grimm’s Phoenix Fire is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Beautiful, romantic, and absolutely fascinating, this is storytelling that readers won’t soon forget. Sign me up for book two, I’m hooked!
April 16, 2018
Ava just wants to belong to a family, to be with a group of people who love her. But moving from foster home to foster home has meant Ava has trust issues, and has decided she gets by just fine on her own leading her to sometimes not be in control of her own mouth. Ava is one of the first-person POVs this story is told from, and we know that deep down she is caring, and regrets pushing those people away who she could love. This theme of learning to let people in is one which continues throughout the story and provides a good basis for character development on Ava’s part.
The other POVs which Phoenix Fire is told from are her brothers Cade and Nick. Nick is the eldest of the trio, and also one of the Phoenixes whom retrieves their memories the fastest – this retrieval of memory allows them to unlock their powers.
I particularly enjoyed the premise for this book; it had a similar feel to Cassie Clare’s Shadowhunter books with monster hunters, protecting the human realm, and also contained glimpses of typical “monsters” such as werewolves and vampires. So if you are a fan of those, I definitely recommend you try Phoenix Fire.
I also enjoyed the writing style; in some places the storyline overall seemed a little rushed – we didn’t really see much of the trios day-to-day lives, but it was easy to follow, and provided good background to character stories and situations. This was done through the use of memories; unfortunately something which sometimes confused the story – if a character started their chapter in a memory or almost immediately fell into a memory and you’d go back and forth and between memories of different cycles, but ultimately it was just something the reader has to get used to. Those memory elements provide crucial information to the story and they are necessary, just some indication or heading might’ve made it easier to follow.
The storyline overall is gripping and action packed, and contrasts this with more romantic storylines to balance out the book making it suitable for a number of reader-groups. The book itself is a great into to the series, but ends on a cliff-hanger. One thing I like is when a first-in-series can stand on its own, but luckily this book held my interest brilliantly and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Phoenix Cycle #2 to find out what happened! The fact this book ends on a cliff-hanger doesn’t mean that questions are left unanswered however, the author does a really great job of wrapping it up and tying lose ends before inserting a little teaser into the book to take us onto the next stage in the quest.
In terms of character development; this story is primarily one of trust and cooperation, Ava, Cade, and Nick know that despite sins in their past which evidently they will all remember eventually, in order to once and for all defeat Gwen they need to not only work together, but harness all the help on offer to them, regardless of past occurrences. In that regard I particularly enjoyed Ava’s character development, going from a moody teenager who pushes everyone away, to a much more mature individual who sees a bigger picture. Cade – in my opinion – didn’t have a huge amount of development, but as there are more books to come I expect this will be more of a focus in later instalments. Cade’s development in this book had more of a feel of just learning how to interact in general, similarly with Nick – though I think Nick’s job of trusting those who had betrayed his family previously, or just not being on constant guard to protect his younger siblings, was more of a challenge for him personally.
Overall I’m awarding this book 4*/5. A really enjoyable and easy read, with lots of action and a busy plot. I found myself a little confused and overwhelmed at the time jump element but being crucial to the story I stuck with them and got used to them eventually. I really liked the characters; all of the protagonists being likable in general; even the secondary characters for the main part. I would recommend this to any Shadowhunter fans or readers who generally enjoy an action packed fantasy with romantic storylines.
The other POVs which Phoenix Fire is told from are her brothers Cade and Nick. Nick is the eldest of the trio, and also one of the Phoenixes whom retrieves their memories the fastest – this retrieval of memory allows them to unlock their powers.
I particularly enjoyed the premise for this book; it had a similar feel to Cassie Clare’s Shadowhunter books with monster hunters, protecting the human realm, and also contained glimpses of typical “monsters” such as werewolves and vampires. So if you are a fan of those, I definitely recommend you try Phoenix Fire.
I also enjoyed the writing style; in some places the storyline overall seemed a little rushed – we didn’t really see much of the trios day-to-day lives, but it was easy to follow, and provided good background to character stories and situations. This was done through the use of memories; unfortunately something which sometimes confused the story – if a character started their chapter in a memory or almost immediately fell into a memory and you’d go back and forth and between memories of different cycles, but ultimately it was just something the reader has to get used to. Those memory elements provide crucial information to the story and they are necessary, just some indication or heading might’ve made it easier to follow.
The storyline overall is gripping and action packed, and contrasts this with more romantic storylines to balance out the book making it suitable for a number of reader-groups. The book itself is a great into to the series, but ends on a cliff-hanger. One thing I like is when a first-in-series can stand on its own, but luckily this book held my interest brilliantly and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Phoenix Cycle #2 to find out what happened! The fact this book ends on a cliff-hanger doesn’t mean that questions are left unanswered however, the author does a really great job of wrapping it up and tying lose ends before inserting a little teaser into the book to take us onto the next stage in the quest.
In terms of character development; this story is primarily one of trust and cooperation, Ava, Cade, and Nick know that despite sins in their past which evidently they will all remember eventually, in order to once and for all defeat Gwen they need to not only work together, but harness all the help on offer to them, regardless of past occurrences. In that regard I particularly enjoyed Ava’s character development, going from a moody teenager who pushes everyone away, to a much more mature individual who sees a bigger picture. Cade – in my opinion – didn’t have a huge amount of development, but as there are more books to come I expect this will be more of a focus in later instalments. Cade’s development in this book had more of a feel of just learning how to interact in general, similarly with Nick – though I think Nick’s job of trusting those who had betrayed his family previously, or just not being on constant guard to protect his younger siblings, was more of a challenge for him personally.
Overall I’m awarding this book 4*/5. A really enjoyable and easy read, with lots of action and a busy plot. I found myself a little confused and overwhelmed at the time jump element but being crucial to the story I stuck with them and got used to them eventually. I really liked the characters; all of the protagonists being likable in general; even the secondary characters for the main part. I would recommend this to any Shadowhunter fans or readers who generally enjoy an action packed fantasy with romantic storylines.
March 6, 2018
Rating: 3.5/5
This is the first in a new YA series, told from the points of view of a variety of characters. This actually proved somewhat confusing at times for me, but then I’m by no means still a young adult! The story is centred on Ava, a teen who has been moved from one foster home to another and initially has no knowledge of her past. However, she keeps having flashback to events that she has experienced, memories of things that occurred to her in previous lives. She’s not the only one regaining her memories. So is her twin brother, Cade,who she doesn’t immediately recognise as in this life they’ve grown up separated. There’s another brother, Nick, who is older than the twins and has more memories of events leading to the current situation. Wyatt is another teen character with a significant role to play with these three . . . . .
There are so many secrets to be revealed, dangers to be overcome and so much more. The pace is inconsistent but I did enjoy the continual character development and suspect that future books in the series will be much more engaging as there will be less need for the background information to be shared, sometimes repeatedly from different points of view. It is an intriguing start to a new series filled with mystery and suspense.
I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
This is the first in a new YA series, told from the points of view of a variety of characters. This actually proved somewhat confusing at times for me, but then I’m by no means still a young adult! The story is centred on Ava, a teen who has been moved from one foster home to another and initially has no knowledge of her past. However, she keeps having flashback to events that she has experienced, memories of things that occurred to her in previous lives. She’s not the only one regaining her memories. So is her twin brother, Cade,who she doesn’t immediately recognise as in this life they’ve grown up separated. There’s another brother, Nick, who is older than the twins and has more memories of events leading to the current situation. Wyatt is another teen character with a significant role to play with these three . . . . .
There are so many secrets to be revealed, dangers to be overcome and so much more. The pace is inconsistent but I did enjoy the continual character development and suspect that future books in the series will be much more engaging as there will be less need for the background information to be shared, sometimes repeatedly from different points of view. It is an intriguing start to a new series filled with mystery and suspense.
I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Want to read
February 22, 2018That cover though!
March 13, 2018
A special thank you goes out to Entangled teen publishing for allowing me to read this early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I honestly never thought I would love the supernatural that wasn’t about demons or demonic possession. Sure, I’ve watched Supernatural and I love that show. But that is more about the bond of brotherhood between Sam and Dean.
But then I find S.D Grimm thanks to Entangled Teen. She has made me fall in love with the supernatural with her first (to me) book, Summoner, and then this book shows up. And that has sealed the deal on Grimm’s writing.
This book is all about Phoenixes. No. Not Dumbledore’s bird, Fawkes, but people (if you will) that protect humans from all the nasty things in the dark. They are reborn like Phoenixes normally are and like everything in the supernatural world, there are Light and Dark Phoenixes. I’m not going to get into the lore because I want you all to learn about it when you read this book.
There are 3 (three) POVs-Ava, Cade and Nick. All three of them were amazing in their own way. I want to gush about them but I don’t want to spoil anything. But let’s just say Ava is my favorite for many different reasons!
I think where this book really shines is the world building. We get a lot of information and most of it is spread over the course of the book as the MC’s, Ava and Cade, learn it. It’s a little info dumpy at times (which I do love as long as it’s not too much) in some parts hence the star knocked off. But it’s very strong for a first book of a series. The world of the Phoenix is so cool. I would love to know more about it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I’m sold on anything S.D Grimm’s supernatural books and I hope you all check out this book if you are looking for your next supernatural book!
I honestly never thought I would love the supernatural that wasn’t about demons or demonic possession. Sure, I’ve watched Supernatural and I love that show. But that is more about the bond of brotherhood between Sam and Dean.
But then I find S.D Grimm thanks to Entangled Teen. She has made me fall in love with the supernatural with her first (to me) book, Summoner, and then this book shows up. And that has sealed the deal on Grimm’s writing.
This book is all about Phoenixes. No. Not Dumbledore’s bird, Fawkes, but people (if you will) that protect humans from all the nasty things in the dark. They are reborn like Phoenixes normally are and like everything in the supernatural world, there are Light and Dark Phoenixes. I’m not going to get into the lore because I want you all to learn about it when you read this book.
There are 3 (three) POVs-Ava, Cade and Nick. All three of them were amazing in their own way. I want to gush about them but I don’t want to spoil anything. But let’s just say Ava is my favorite for many different reasons!
I think where this book really shines is the world building. We get a lot of information and most of it is spread over the course of the book as the MC’s, Ava and Cade, learn it. It’s a little info dumpy at times (which I do love as long as it’s not too much) in some parts hence the star knocked off. But it’s very strong for a first book of a series. The world of the Phoenix is so cool. I would love to know more about it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I’m sold on anything S.D Grimm’s supernatural books and I hope you all check out this book if you are looking for your next supernatural book!
April 13, 2018
What would you do if you lived over and over again? As a Phoenix, Ava gets to do just that. Adopted and living with a bit of a chip on her shoulder, Ava is shocked to experience memoirs that tell the story of someone else’s life. Or is it her life?
Cade faces paralyzing headaches when he remembers, though his brother Nick is there to help him.
When circumstances and so much more bring them together, Ava faces a life she never dreamed of and a task that seems impossible. Wyatt is just one such complication, or is he more than that?
I enjoyed the concept of this book in the creativity of using Phoenix’s (something I haven’t personally read about aside from in Harry Potter of course!). I found that keeping the memories as well as the current events straight was a little challenging. There’s a lot going on in this book - something I really appreciated - but it was also rather complex.
One thing I will note is the fact that I didn’t really believe the villain as much as I would have liked to. She was evil but I couldn’t help but feel like I wanted to know more of why she was so terrible. In that respect, she fell flat for me.
If you enjoy urban fantasy and a complex plot filled with twists and turns, you may really enjoy this book! I do believe it’s a trilogy, but this first book doesn’t leave you ok too much of a cliffhanger which I appreciated.
My rating: 3.5*
Cade faces paralyzing headaches when he remembers, though his brother Nick is there to help him.
When circumstances and so much more bring them together, Ava faces a life she never dreamed of and a task that seems impossible. Wyatt is just one such complication, or is he more than that?
I enjoyed the concept of this book in the creativity of using Phoenix’s (something I haven’t personally read about aside from in Harry Potter of course!). I found that keeping the memories as well as the current events straight was a little challenging. There’s a lot going on in this book - something I really appreciated - but it was also rather complex.
One thing I will note is the fact that I didn’t really believe the villain as much as I would have liked to. She was evil but I couldn’t help but feel like I wanted to know more of why she was so terrible. In that respect, she fell flat for me.
If you enjoy urban fantasy and a complex plot filled with twists and turns, you may really enjoy this book! I do believe it’s a trilogy, but this first book doesn’t leave you ok too much of a cliffhanger which I appreciated.
My rating: 3.5*
March 1, 2018
*I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review*
2.5 stars
After spending her life in foster care, Ava has finally found home. But all it takes is a chance encounter with hot nerd Wyatt Wilcox for it to unravel.
Now, things are starting to change. First, the flashes of memories slowly creeping in. Memories of other lives, lives that Wyatt is somehow in. Then, the healing. Any cut? Gone.
But when Cade and Nick show up, claiming to be her brothers, things get even weirder. They tell her she’s a Phoenix, sent to protect the world from monsters—monsters she never knew existed. It’s a little hard to accept. Especially when they tell her she has to end the life of a Phoenix turned rogue, or Cade will die.
With Wyatt’s increasingly suspicious behavior, Ava’s determined to figure out what he’s hiding. Unless she can discover Wyatt’s secret in time and complete her Phoenix training, she’ll lose the life, love, and family she never thought she could have.
Honestly this book was nothing special. I was really excited for a book about Phoenix's and the cover for this one is so beautiful I was beyond excited to receive a copy of it. Then I started reading it. Right off the bat I found Ava to be immature, constantly going on about how she doesn't trust anyone including her foster family who was nothing but nice to her. Various scenes throughout the book had me so frustrated with her which is never something I am looking for in a character. When I read a book I want to be able to relate to the people I'm reading about, at the very least I want to be able to feel for them and cheer them on. In Phoenix Fire, every time Ava was the focus I became so annoyed and infuriated with her. Simple decisions were made so confusing and I found it dragged on unnecessarily. Aside from the unlikable main character I didn't really understand what I was reading about until about 20-30% in. The fact that the perspective in this book changed between three separate characters didn't help the matters. In fact it made it more confusing. I'm not one to bash multiple perspectives, some times I actually enjoy knowing what other characters are thinking, but in a fantasy read that already has me confused by one character I didn't think it worked very well. There was definitely some insta-love in this book as well and as someone who prefers slow burning love stories it really added on to the list of things wrong with this book.
All that being said, I will give this book the benefit of keeping me wanting to read more. There was some investment on my part despite the lack of connection with any of the characters. I did enjoy reading Phoenix Fire and I bounced back and forth between 2-3.5 stars on multiple points throughout. Overall I decided to be a little more critical because in the end my expectations were a lot higher than what I got. I do encourage others to read this though because this is just my opinion and it is likely that I will give the next book in the series a shot. Sometimes sequels end up being better!
2.5 stars
After spending her life in foster care, Ava has finally found home. But all it takes is a chance encounter with hot nerd Wyatt Wilcox for it to unravel.
Now, things are starting to change. First, the flashes of memories slowly creeping in. Memories of other lives, lives that Wyatt is somehow in. Then, the healing. Any cut? Gone.
But when Cade and Nick show up, claiming to be her brothers, things get even weirder. They tell her she’s a Phoenix, sent to protect the world from monsters—monsters she never knew existed. It’s a little hard to accept. Especially when they tell her she has to end the life of a Phoenix turned rogue, or Cade will die.
With Wyatt’s increasingly suspicious behavior, Ava’s determined to figure out what he’s hiding. Unless she can discover Wyatt’s secret in time and complete her Phoenix training, she’ll lose the life, love, and family she never thought she could have.
Honestly this book was nothing special. I was really excited for a book about Phoenix's and the cover for this one is so beautiful I was beyond excited to receive a copy of it. Then I started reading it. Right off the bat I found Ava to be immature, constantly going on about how she doesn't trust anyone including her foster family who was nothing but nice to her. Various scenes throughout the book had me so frustrated with her which is never something I am looking for in a character. When I read a book I want to be able to relate to the people I'm reading about, at the very least I want to be able to feel for them and cheer them on. In Phoenix Fire, every time Ava was the focus I became so annoyed and infuriated with her. Simple decisions were made so confusing and I found it dragged on unnecessarily. Aside from the unlikable main character I didn't really understand what I was reading about until about 20-30% in. The fact that the perspective in this book changed between three separate characters didn't help the matters. In fact it made it more confusing. I'm not one to bash multiple perspectives, some times I actually enjoy knowing what other characters are thinking, but in a fantasy read that already has me confused by one character I didn't think it worked very well. There was definitely some insta-love in this book as well and as someone who prefers slow burning love stories it really added on to the list of things wrong with this book.
All that being said, I will give this book the benefit of keeping me wanting to read more. There was some investment on my part despite the lack of connection with any of the characters. I did enjoy reading Phoenix Fire and I bounced back and forth between 2-3.5 stars on multiple points throughout. Overall I decided to be a little more critical because in the end my expectations were a lot higher than what I got. I do encourage others to read this though because this is just my opinion and it is likely that I will give the next book in the series a shot. Sometimes sequels end up being better!
March 7, 2018
I liked this book! I think this series has a lot of potential to be something amazing but to be honest this first installment could use a little bit of work. While the plot was fast paced and the story ended up being really good, the beginning confused me really bad. This story is told from multiple POVs and I do enjoy that in a book but with this story and not knowing what a Phoenix was in the beginning I was very lost. I think many readers will love this series and it turned out to be a good adventure. I want to continue reading this series to see what the author has in store for us next. While my rating is 3 stars because all of this confusion, I would still recommend others checking it out of they like the sound of the premise.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.
March 3, 2018
*I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review*
2.5 stars
Unfortunately I couldn't connect at all with Phoenix Fire.
At times there was a little too much going on, making the plot convoluted, yet it was an original new idea, and I would not be averse to reading future books in the series, to see how things work out for the characters. Give this one a try if you are looking for a YA read with a difference.
2.5 stars
Unfortunately I couldn't connect at all with Phoenix Fire.
At times there was a little too much going on, making the plot convoluted, yet it was an original new idea, and I would not be averse to reading future books in the series, to see how things work out for the characters. Give this one a try if you are looking for a YA read with a difference.
March 3, 2018
2 Stars.
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read Phoenix Fire. All opinions and thoughts are my own and do not represent the publisher or author.
Unfortunately I could not connect at all with Phoenix Fire. The premise sounded amazing, but sadly the execution fell very short. Often I was having to read a paragraph or two back just to keep track of things, as the writing appeared a bit 'jumpy'. Ava was a little hard to stomach, whiny and distrusting of everyone, despite what they had done for her. The multiple POVs for characters did not work well, I found myself struggling even more to keep up with the changing views. The characters seemed very shallow, without much depth and I really couldn't get that invested in the story.
I can see how this book would be a 5 star read for some, but it just wasn't for me.
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I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read Phoenix Fire. All opinions and thoughts are my own and do not represent the publisher or author.
Unfortunately I could not connect at all with Phoenix Fire. The premise sounded amazing, but sadly the execution fell very short. Often I was having to read a paragraph or two back just to keep track of things, as the writing appeared a bit 'jumpy'. Ava was a little hard to stomach, whiny and distrusting of everyone, despite what they had done for her. The multiple POVs for characters did not work well, I found myself struggling even more to keep up with the changing views. The characters seemed very shallow, without much depth and I really couldn't get that invested in the story.
I can see how this book would be a 5 star read for some, but it just wasn't for me.
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March 5, 2018
Ava knows that she is not normal, and it's not just because she bounces around between foster homes. Nope, her lack of normalcy comes form the fact that she has memories that came from another life and do not belong to her. When a night time jog gets dangerous, Ava finds herself in the arms of her rescuer, Wyatt. the quiet,overlooked boy at school. But Wyatt is hiding his own secrets and he refuses to share, much to Ava's disappointment. To make matters even more complicated, two new boys show up in town and Ava is convinced she knows them. But what is real and what belongs to a memory of someone else?
When I picked up my first S.D. Grimm book Summoner I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but ended up getting lost in the plot, the characters, the romance- pretty much everything about that book spoke to me and I was enchanted. When I saw that she had another book coming out there was no doubt in my mind I was going to read it, regardless of what it was about (I would probably want to read a shopping list by S.D. if it's long enough, just saying)- her writing style has the ability to transport me right into the action and the characters she creates feel like real people I know and connect with. And it just so happened that Phoenix Fire had a really cool sounding plot about a phoenix, something I personally have never encountered in literature (outside of Harry Potter)so I was so excited. It also doesn't hurt that the cover is gorgeous, and I do love my self some pretty cover. This was such a great blend of mystery, supernatural, history, heart, romance, excitement, danger and overall mischief.
I mean this in the best possible way, but there were some serious Supernatural (the television show) similarities popping up in Phoenix Fire. First, we have brothers- an older one who has been in the family business for years and would do anything to protect his younger brother who knew nothing about the hunting of monsters (oh, and by the way they destroy monsters so humans stay safe, have cool weapons and antidotes and drive around to new places when evil is lurking). Second, we have the younger brother (who is also taller) but damaged and more resistant to the path his father started him on. Third, they drive an old school muscle car- in this case a Challenger. See, any of this sound vaguely familiar?? I am such a fan-girl for the show Supernatural that I almost instantly started drawing connections between the book and the show (which may just be a coincidence but I love it). All these small details were enough to peak my curiosity about the book even if my S.D. Grimm love wasn't in the picture.
I was not aware that this was the first in a series, which makes me torn because I wanted everything to wrap up nicely and give the characters a happily ever after, but I also want to have more adventures with them- be it present time or through a memory. The world was so detailed and the plot so twisty that I got lost in the story for hours because I did not want to put it down until I was finished and knew all their secrets. I highly recommend any book by S.D. to read and Phoenix Fire in particular if you are looking for a supernatural action adventure with feels. I personally can't wait to get any kind of S.D. book in my hands next.
Follow the tour for the book my stoping by my blog https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
March 5, 2018
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
What an awesome story. I finished this book so much faster than I expected and it was overall really great. The reason way I can't give this book 4 stars is that I got confused by some of the conversations and the writing style at some points. It felt like sometimes a couple of sentences missed in conversations or that the characters did some kind of telepathy because it really jumped from one topic to the next sometimes and I had to guess what they were talking about. This problem became much less towards the end of the book, I really felt the writing evolve and change for the better towards the end of the book.
The story it self was so unique. I love unique stories and it's so amazing when a story you haven't read before is greatly executed. This is a story narrated by 4 different people who all have flashbacks very often and all remember different parts of their past. This concept is really amazing but can also fail very easily if the writer isn't paying attention or just isn't talented enough. I'm happy that I can say it worked out great. The story never became overly complicated and the biggest part of the story was quite believable (as far as fantasy can be believable of course!). There were a few times when I felt like a certain plot was create to cover up any major plot holes but it wasn't too obvious for me.
I liked the characters, but they weren't the best thing this book had to offer. They weren't too standard and generic, which I obviously liked. They were all very different from one another and it was easy to like them. Wyatt and Ava were my favourite characters they were very passionate about almost everything but still managed to radiate some sense of calm (especially Wyatt), this helped the book to not become a chaotic mess. The only character I didn't really like was the bad girl Gwen. The good thing about her was that she had a background story and had a reason to be bad, she wasn't just an evil mastermind that wanted to take over the world and kill everyone without a good reason (we all know there are many YA books that make this mistake). But, I still think she lacked a bit of depth. The other "good" characters all had more depth than her, but maybe she'll get more depth in the next book in the series! The romance also made it really easy to like the characters, there isn't a lot of romance in this book but enough for me to go a little bit soft when I think back to it. It was just the right amount of romance for this book, if you ask me. Back to the characters! Although it were good characters, they didn't feel like actual people either. It still felt like I was reading a book about imaginary people, not people that could actually live in the real world.
I can't wait to read the second book. I didn't know that it was going to be a series when I started reading this book, and now that I have finished it I'm quite happy that I can read more about this squad in the future.
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What an awesome story. I finished this book so much faster than I expected and it was overall really great. The reason way I can't give this book 4 stars is that I got confused by some of the conversations and the writing style at some points. It felt like sometimes a couple of sentences missed in conversations or that the characters did some kind of telepathy because it really jumped from one topic to the next sometimes and I had to guess what they were talking about. This problem became much less towards the end of the book, I really felt the writing evolve and change for the better towards the end of the book.
The story it self was so unique. I love unique stories and it's so amazing when a story you haven't read before is greatly executed. This is a story narrated by 4 different people who all have flashbacks very often and all remember different parts of their past. This concept is really amazing but can also fail very easily if the writer isn't paying attention or just isn't talented enough. I'm happy that I can say it worked out great. The story never became overly complicated and the biggest part of the story was quite believable (as far as fantasy can be believable of course!). There were a few times when I felt like a certain plot was create to cover up any major plot holes but it wasn't too obvious for me.
I liked the characters, but they weren't the best thing this book had to offer. They weren't too standard and generic, which I obviously liked. They were all very different from one another and it was easy to like them. Wyatt and Ava were my favourite characters they were very passionate about almost everything but still managed to radiate some sense of calm (especially Wyatt), this helped the book to not become a chaotic mess. The only character I didn't really like was the bad girl Gwen. The good thing about her was that she had a background story and had a reason to be bad, she wasn't just an evil mastermind that wanted to take over the world and kill everyone without a good reason (we all know there are many YA books that make this mistake). But, I still think she lacked a bit of depth. The other "good" characters all had more depth than her, but maybe she'll get more depth in the next book in the series! The romance also made it really easy to like the characters, there isn't a lot of romance in this book but enough for me to go a little bit soft when I think back to it. It was just the right amount of romance for this book, if you ask me. Back to the characters! Although it were good characters, they didn't feel like actual people either. It still felt like I was reading a book about imaginary people, not people that could actually live in the real world.
I can't wait to read the second book. I didn't know that it was going to be a series when I started reading this book, and now that I have finished it I'm quite happy that I can read more about this squad in the future.
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March 18, 2018
"If I didn't start pushing them away soon, they'd push me away. I couldn't take that again. Not from another family."
At first, Ava is all prickles and porcupine spines, eager to push her new found family away, refusing to believe that they might possibly be the family she's looking her, to love her, all of her, despite her flaws. After years of rejection, she wants to do it first. Because it just hurts less that way.
And slowly, as the story is told, her walls, her defenses are gradually destroyed and she starts to open herself to them, and the others around her. And like moth to a flame, she can't help feel drawn to Wyatt, the hot new geeky guy at her school, who slowly untangles her, getting beneath her skin and seeing a side of her she normally keeps hidden from most.
So, firstly the bit that I didn't love so much: The story shifts point of view frequently, with Cade, Nick, Ava and others taking turns at narrating and providing views of events through their perspective. The story jumps often from past to present as they gradually remember what happens to the past, and deal with the consequences in the future. Especially in the first quarter in the book, this did feel very jarring, and it was, at times, very difficult to follow what was going on from one chapter to the next. But it does improve, and for anyone who is having trouble in the first few chapters, I recommend sticking with it, as it does get easier. There was a little bit of insta-love, which I'm not really a fan of, I prefer a slower burn when it comes to such things.
And what I did love: the story feels original, and the characters are detailed and intricate. The cover is gorgeous, and premise on which the book is built on, the warring of these dark and light phoenixes through cycles is unique from most of the YA fantasy books in the market. I kind of like that the main character makes mistakes, and is a bit prickly, and slow to trust. Nothing grates on me more than a 'perfect' Mary Sue protagonist.
So overall, Phoenix Fire is definitely worth a read if you want a YA fantasy that's just a little bit different.
* This ebook ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing, LLC through NetGallery for an honest review.
At first, Ava is all prickles and porcupine spines, eager to push her new found family away, refusing to believe that they might possibly be the family she's looking her, to love her, all of her, despite her flaws. After years of rejection, she wants to do it first. Because it just hurts less that way.
And slowly, as the story is told, her walls, her defenses are gradually destroyed and she starts to open herself to them, and the others around her. And like moth to a flame, she can't help feel drawn to Wyatt, the hot new geeky guy at her school, who slowly untangles her, getting beneath her skin and seeing a side of her she normally keeps hidden from most.
So, firstly the bit that I didn't love so much: The story shifts point of view frequently, with Cade, Nick, Ava and others taking turns at narrating and providing views of events through their perspective. The story jumps often from past to present as they gradually remember what happens to the past, and deal with the consequences in the future. Especially in the first quarter in the book, this did feel very jarring, and it was, at times, very difficult to follow what was going on from one chapter to the next. But it does improve, and for anyone who is having trouble in the first few chapters, I recommend sticking with it, as it does get easier. There was a little bit of insta-love, which I'm not really a fan of, I prefer a slower burn when it comes to such things.
And what I did love: the story feels original, and the characters are detailed and intricate. The cover is gorgeous, and premise on which the book is built on, the warring of these dark and light phoenixes through cycles is unique from most of the YA fantasy books in the market. I kind of like that the main character makes mistakes, and is a bit prickly, and slow to trust. Nothing grates on me more than a 'perfect' Mary Sue protagonist.
So overall, Phoenix Fire is definitely worth a read if you want a YA fantasy that's just a little bit different.
* This ebook ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing, LLC through NetGallery for an honest review.
March 13, 2018
Before anything else, let me say that the best thing about Phoenix Fire is that S.D. Grimm has created something solidly original here. In an otherwise saturated teen fantasy market, Phoenix Fire was like a big breath of fresh air. I loved the premise of the book. Adored the idea of multiple lives spent, all pursuing the same goal. Plus, I can't deny that I fell heavily for the idea that love and friendship trascend all time. How wonderful is that?
It was the execution of this premise that felt a little shaky, quite honestly. Grimm chooses to throw the reader directly into the fray, and allow them to uncover what's going on through the eyes of the multiple narrators. Normally I'm completely fine with this method of writing. If I can find even a small foothold in what's happening, I'll hang on tight and power through. The problem here, at least in my opinion, was that it takes quite a few chapters to really figure out who Ava really is, and how she's connected to the other voices that we're introduced to. That made it hard for me to determine why I needed to care about all these characters, and left me feeling lost.
I think this same reason is also why it took me so long to feel like I actually liked Ava as a character. At the beginning she simply felt like a disconnected, petulant teen who didn't really want a family. Not until I slowly uncovered her past, and realized what she'd been through, did I finally understand why she was so separate. My opinion of her did a quick about turn and, I can honestly say, I liked the book a lot more after that. I can stand a character who makes bad decisions, because we're all human. What I can't stand is a character who I don't understand enough to know why they made those decisions.
However, once I did have a better grasp on the narrators and who they were as people, I actually really enjoyed myself. As I mentioned above, this is a wholly original premise to me. There was plenty of action, some great monsters, and the kind of teamwork that makes my heart sing. I also thrilled as Ava began to remember herself and really come into her own. Her character grew so much in the second half of the book, and watching her handle things made me smile. I'm glad I stuck things out, because by the end I was more than ready to continue on for many more pages.
So, I'll give Phoenix Fire a solid three stars without a second thought. This first installment could have used a little bit of work but, quite truthfully, there's so much goodness wrapped up in here that it's hard not to love this story. I know that there is more coming down the line, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
It was the execution of this premise that felt a little shaky, quite honestly. Grimm chooses to throw the reader directly into the fray, and allow them to uncover what's going on through the eyes of the multiple narrators. Normally I'm completely fine with this method of writing. If I can find even a small foothold in what's happening, I'll hang on tight and power through. The problem here, at least in my opinion, was that it takes quite a few chapters to really figure out who Ava really is, and how she's connected to the other voices that we're introduced to. That made it hard for me to determine why I needed to care about all these characters, and left me feeling lost.
I think this same reason is also why it took me so long to feel like I actually liked Ava as a character. At the beginning she simply felt like a disconnected, petulant teen who didn't really want a family. Not until I slowly uncovered her past, and realized what she'd been through, did I finally understand why she was so separate. My opinion of her did a quick about turn and, I can honestly say, I liked the book a lot more after that. I can stand a character who makes bad decisions, because we're all human. What I can't stand is a character who I don't understand enough to know why they made those decisions.
However, once I did have a better grasp on the narrators and who they were as people, I actually really enjoyed myself. As I mentioned above, this is a wholly original premise to me. There was plenty of action, some great monsters, and the kind of teamwork that makes my heart sing. I also thrilled as Ava began to remember herself and really come into her own. Her character grew so much in the second half of the book, and watching her handle things made me smile. I'm glad I stuck things out, because by the end I was more than ready to continue on for many more pages.
So, I'll give Phoenix Fire a solid three stars without a second thought. This first installment could have used a little bit of work but, quite truthfully, there's so much goodness wrapped up in here that it's hard not to love this story. I know that there is more coming down the line, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
March 7, 2018
2.5 stars
Ok, for this book, we've got a few glows and a few grows, if you know what I mean.
So Phoenix Fire by S.D. Grimm starts out with our main female protagonist, Ava, featuring the "hot nerd" Wyatt (which, just a side note, is every bookworm's dream, am I right?). Wyatt saves her when a car crash occurs right in front of her on her nightly jog. They kinda hit it off, and Ava realizes she might have a slight crush, but not before some strange things begin to happen around the house. First, the few wounds Ava acquired when Wyatt saved her heal up in a matter of minutes. Then, her dog goes crazy and she sees two men leaving her yard. Not to mention she's been having flashbacks of memories... that aren't hers. Or are they? All Ava knows is that Wyatt knows what's going on, and she's determined to get information.
And that's all for now with the synopsis, folks, because everything else builds up to the end of the novel.
Now, for the hard stuff.
So you know how when someone asks you, "Good news, or bad news?" you kinda get this ball of dread in your stomach because you have to choose? Well, you're in luck because I'm choosing for you - bad news first.
World-Building:
This world and the idea of Light and Dark Phoenixes is so unique and has so much potential. However, one of my only problems with the first half of the book was the world-building. This may have been Grimm's intention, but the world was constructed using mainly flashbacks through the characters' memories returning. This was a good idea that could have turned out really effective, except that the plot and the world felt almost thrown together while Grimm was writing. Granted, the structure did allow room for a lot of mystery and foreboding, especially in the first half of the book, but as the story went on, the bumps in the road got harder to ignore.
As far as the actual world-building goes after the first half, it's easier to understand what's going on, and you don't have to puzzle through, so that aspect becomes a lot more enjoyable as you go along. I would like to know a little more about how the Phoenixes came to be and history like that in the second novel of the series, but pertaining to the first, that aspect doesn't hinder the reading experience at all.
Romance:
I'm just gonna come out and say it: the romance in the first 3/4 was great! I love Wyatt (remember, the hot nerd!) and how sweet and dorky he is, but not overwhelmingly so, and he is a good match for Ava. I also really love the other relationships that are building. BUT (you knew that was coming) the last 1/2 - 1/4 of the book, the romance seems so forced, not on the characters' parts but just the way it is portrayed over and over again. Wyatt and Ava kiss twice throughout the entire novel, and both times the descriptions of the kiss explode and elaborate way more than the description and internal dialogue of the rest of the book.
Secondly, Wyatt and Ava's relationship went from super cute, sweet, and natural to hectic and, dare I say it, unequal. All Ava talks about is how she's the light to Wyatt's darkness and she will always be there when he needs saving, which is a sweet gesture, but she mentions it so many times it borders on possessive and self-absorbed (which is hard for me to say because I really liked Ava's character in the beginning). I loved how slow they took it in the beginning, given the circumstances, but in my opinion, they should have kept going like that. It was so cute!
Themes:
I really liked the themes Grimm implemented into the plot towards the beginning of the novel, but as the characters develop, the need for such a powerful message is lessened while the focus on the characters' development should grow. One of the main messages in this book is that one shouldn't push anyone away out of fear of rejection. At first, I really loved how Grimm dove into Ava's character and concentrated on how she is so afraid of loving and being loved because she believes it can only end in pain. However, instead of developing her character, Ava continues to have this problem throughout the story, and the theme becomes too overwhelming. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure many of the characters had much of a character arc. But there's always room for Book 2 ;) .
Voice:
Although the idea has originality, the voice sounds a lot like other YA novels out there. There were a few cliche sentences that made me inwardly cringe, and I would have loved to see some varying structure and voice to give the story some more spice.
Yay! Now it's time for the good news!
And guess what? You've already heard a lot of it... I mentioned them in the previous constructive criticisms, so guess what happens now? Scavenger hunt!
Nah, I'm just kidding.
But I did already mention most of them, so I'll just recap the positives.
I really loved Ava's character, especially at first, because she definitely has a good head on her shoulders and knows when something's up. She knows that when she sees her knee magically heal, it's not just a miracle or a hallucination. She knows something bigger than her is happening, so she's willing to do whatever it takes to figure it out.
I liked the themes at first, as well, and they had a lot of potential for better development.
The whole idea of the Phoenixes is so original, very creative! Although I would love to have some more history, the whole concept is very interesting, and I'm excited to see where it goes.
I love love love the relationships that are starting to form, even sibling and family relationships, though some are fine they way they were before.
So, to conclude, there are pros and cons to this book, so it all comes down to what you're looking for in your next read. I will say that I'm excited to see where the stories go and to learn more about the Phoenixes, so the second book will most likely be in my future ;) .
Until then, au revoir, my fellow bookworms!
I received a digital copy on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Entangled Publishing and S.D. Grimm!
For more exclusive content as part of Grimm's blog book tour, visit http://ashtonread.blogspot.com/ .
Ok, for this book, we've got a few glows and a few grows, if you know what I mean.
So Phoenix Fire by S.D. Grimm starts out with our main female protagonist, Ava, featuring the "hot nerd" Wyatt (which, just a side note, is every bookworm's dream, am I right?). Wyatt saves her when a car crash occurs right in front of her on her nightly jog. They kinda hit it off, and Ava realizes she might have a slight crush, but not before some strange things begin to happen around the house. First, the few wounds Ava acquired when Wyatt saved her heal up in a matter of minutes. Then, her dog goes crazy and she sees two men leaving her yard. Not to mention she's been having flashbacks of memories... that aren't hers. Or are they? All Ava knows is that Wyatt knows what's going on, and she's determined to get information.
And that's all for now with the synopsis, folks, because everything else builds up to the end of the novel.
Now, for the hard stuff.
So you know how when someone asks you, "Good news, or bad news?" you kinda get this ball of dread in your stomach because you have to choose? Well, you're in luck because I'm choosing for you - bad news first.
World-Building:
This world and the idea of Light and Dark Phoenixes is so unique and has so much potential. However, one of my only problems with the first half of the book was the world-building. This may have been Grimm's intention, but the world was constructed using mainly flashbacks through the characters' memories returning. This was a good idea that could have turned out really effective, except that the plot and the world felt almost thrown together while Grimm was writing. Granted, the structure did allow room for a lot of mystery and foreboding, especially in the first half of the book, but as the story went on, the bumps in the road got harder to ignore.
As far as the actual world-building goes after the first half, it's easier to understand what's going on, and you don't have to puzzle through, so that aspect becomes a lot more enjoyable as you go along. I would like to know a little more about how the Phoenixes came to be and history like that in the second novel of the series, but pertaining to the first, that aspect doesn't hinder the reading experience at all.
Romance:
I'm just gonna come out and say it: the romance in the first 3/4 was great! I love Wyatt (remember, the hot nerd!) and how sweet and dorky he is, but not overwhelmingly so, and he is a good match for Ava. I also really love the other relationships that are building. BUT (you knew that was coming) the last 1/2 - 1/4 of the book, the romance seems so forced, not on the characters' parts but just the way it is portrayed over and over again. Wyatt and Ava kiss twice throughout the entire novel, and both times the descriptions of the kiss explode and elaborate way more than the description and internal dialogue of the rest of the book.
Secondly, Wyatt and Ava's relationship went from super cute, sweet, and natural to hectic and, dare I say it, unequal. All Ava talks about is how she's the light to Wyatt's darkness and she will always be there when he needs saving, which is a sweet gesture, but she mentions it so many times it borders on possessive and self-absorbed (which is hard for me to say because I really liked Ava's character in the beginning). I loved how slow they took it in the beginning, given the circumstances, but in my opinion, they should have kept going like that. It was so cute!
Themes:
I really liked the themes Grimm implemented into the plot towards the beginning of the novel, but as the characters develop, the need for such a powerful message is lessened while the focus on the characters' development should grow. One of the main messages in this book is that one shouldn't push anyone away out of fear of rejection. At first, I really loved how Grimm dove into Ava's character and concentrated on how she is so afraid of loving and being loved because she believes it can only end in pain. However, instead of developing her character, Ava continues to have this problem throughout the story, and the theme becomes too overwhelming. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure many of the characters had much of a character arc. But there's always room for Book 2 ;) .
Voice:
Although the idea has originality, the voice sounds a lot like other YA novels out there. There were a few cliche sentences that made me inwardly cringe, and I would have loved to see some varying structure and voice to give the story some more spice.
Yay! Now it's time for the good news!
And guess what? You've already heard a lot of it... I mentioned them in the previous constructive criticisms, so guess what happens now? Scavenger hunt!
Nah, I'm just kidding.
But I did already mention most of them, so I'll just recap the positives.
I really loved Ava's character, especially at first, because she definitely has a good head on her shoulders and knows when something's up. She knows that when she sees her knee magically heal, it's not just a miracle or a hallucination. She knows something bigger than her is happening, so she's willing to do whatever it takes to figure it out.
I liked the themes at first, as well, and they had a lot of potential for better development.
The whole idea of the Phoenixes is so original, very creative! Although I would love to have some more history, the whole concept is very interesting, and I'm excited to see where it goes.
I love love love the relationships that are starting to form, even sibling and family relationships, though some are fine they way they were before.
So, to conclude, there are pros and cons to this book, so it all comes down to what you're looking for in your next read. I will say that I'm excited to see where the stories go and to learn more about the Phoenixes, so the second book will most likely be in my future ;) .
Until then, au revoir, my fellow bookworms!
I received a digital copy on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Entangled Publishing and S.D. Grimm!
For more exclusive content as part of Grimm's blog book tour, visit http://ashtonread.blogspot.com/ .
March 3, 2018
2.5 stars
***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***
Unfortunately I couldn't connect at all with Phoenix Fire. I have to say the book actually bored me enough to sleep twice while reading it.
It was very hard to relate to the characters and most of the time the story was very confusing. Specially when it went from past to present with Cade and Ava's memories. Sometimes I couldn't even get when they were supposed to be in the present or if they were supposed to be remembering like they were inside a memory.
The love interests were also quite flat for me. Not enough to pick my attention. The characters seemed completely one dimensional, which made them unrelatable to me.
I loved the cover, though. It's BEAUTIFUL. I just wish the story was half as good as it.
***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***
Unfortunately I couldn't connect at all with Phoenix Fire. I have to say the book actually bored me enough to sleep twice while reading it.
It was very hard to relate to the characters and most of the time the story was very confusing. Specially when it went from past to present with Cade and Ava's memories. Sometimes I couldn't even get when they were supposed to be in the present or if they were supposed to be remembering like they were inside a memory.
The love interests were also quite flat for me. Not enough to pick my attention. The characters seemed completely one dimensional, which made them unrelatable to me.
I loved the cover, though. It's BEAUTIFUL. I just wish the story was half as good as it.
March 17, 2018
this was a well written, intriguing and imaginative story on Light and Dark Phoenix as people, and how werewolves, vampires and other creatures came about and the three Phoenixes in the story and their life.
We have a few plots happening that combine to give us one story. We have the history of Ava, Cade, and Nick and who they are and how they find one another again. We have Cade’s story and what is going on with him. Nick’s story and his love for his siblings Cade and Ava but also his sacrifices and how he is still trying to make his dad proud. Wyatt’s story and his romance with Ava. And the story of Gwen the dark Phoenix. It is this story that ties them all together.
Ava is not one to trust and she closes herself off to love. she is in a foster home that loves her but she is afraid. One night, she does something that changes her world and this is when her memories begin to come back in full force. Wyatt is there and he is par of her past but also the one that helps her to open up her heart and begin to let others in. She learns that in the end love is the most powerful force against dark and allows her to become who she is meant to be.
Cade is Ava’s twin brother. He is slowly losing his ability to come back due to Gwen. Now he is seeing more of what is going on and the optimistic one of all of them. He is funny, kind and scared. But also the one who helps others to see that there is good and to trust one another. His relationship with his brother Nick is sweet.
Nick is the protector and has lost so much. Now he is afraid of losing Cade and not being able to take care of those he loves. He is the strength and backbone of his family and has done so much to protect them and show them love.
Wyatt is smart, sweet and an overall good guy. When Ava hurts him he does shutdown and it’s sad to see but Ava does fix it. He is the one that intrigues me the most of them all because he fights his nature and is the one struggling and trying to make things right.
The story is fascinating and well thought out. We have Gwen who felt betrayed in the past so she does something horrible. Now she is the dark Phoenix who needs to be destroyed and only Ava can do that. Cade and Ava are still trying to remember everything and Cade’s life is fading fast. We see Cade embrace life and trust more readily that Ava. We see romance begin and trust for Ava start only to have her past botch it up and have her doubt everything until the final fight that shows her that it is love that makes her strong. Love helps Wyatt fight Gwen, love keeps Cade alive and love that helps Nick see things as well.
A fast paced, action packed, imaginative tale that is intriguing, engaging and endears you to the good guys while rooting them on and hoping their romances come to fruition and that they can beat evil and stay together as a family. A great beginning to the series with many mysteries to be unraveled and battles to endure but you know that these will be done with all of them together by each others side and that has you root even more for them.
We have a few plots happening that combine to give us one story. We have the history of Ava, Cade, and Nick and who they are and how they find one another again. We have Cade’s story and what is going on with him. Nick’s story and his love for his siblings Cade and Ava but also his sacrifices and how he is still trying to make his dad proud. Wyatt’s story and his romance with Ava. And the story of Gwen the dark Phoenix. It is this story that ties them all together.
Ava is not one to trust and she closes herself off to love. she is in a foster home that loves her but she is afraid. One night, she does something that changes her world and this is when her memories begin to come back in full force. Wyatt is there and he is par of her past but also the one that helps her to open up her heart and begin to let others in. She learns that in the end love is the most powerful force against dark and allows her to become who she is meant to be.
Cade is Ava’s twin brother. He is slowly losing his ability to come back due to Gwen. Now he is seeing more of what is going on and the optimistic one of all of them. He is funny, kind and scared. But also the one who helps others to see that there is good and to trust one another. His relationship with his brother Nick is sweet.
Nick is the protector and has lost so much. Now he is afraid of losing Cade and not being able to take care of those he loves. He is the strength and backbone of his family and has done so much to protect them and show them love.
Wyatt is smart, sweet and an overall good guy. When Ava hurts him he does shutdown and it’s sad to see but Ava does fix it. He is the one that intrigues me the most of them all because he fights his nature and is the one struggling and trying to make things right.
The story is fascinating and well thought out. We have Gwen who felt betrayed in the past so she does something horrible. Now she is the dark Phoenix who needs to be destroyed and only Ava can do that. Cade and Ava are still trying to remember everything and Cade’s life is fading fast. We see Cade embrace life and trust more readily that Ava. We see romance begin and trust for Ava start only to have her past botch it up and have her doubt everything until the final fight that shows her that it is love that makes her strong. Love helps Wyatt fight Gwen, love keeps Cade alive and love that helps Nick see things as well.
A fast paced, action packed, imaginative tale that is intriguing, engaging and endears you to the good guys while rooting them on and hoping their romances come to fruition and that they can beat evil and stay together as a family. A great beginning to the series with many mysteries to be unraveled and battles to endure but you know that these will be done with all of them together by each others side and that has you root even more for them.
November 24, 2021
"Actually, I was certain I wasn’t okay, but there was no way I’d tell comic-book-loving, Bunsen-burner-master Wyatt that."
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.
I really liked the concept for this book, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. Ava, one of the three siblings, really started to get on my nerves. I can understand why she pushed people away in the beginning, but after the first quarter of the book her comments really bugged me. She kept saying she was better off alone, and the only person she could trust was herself. It was like listening to a broken record.
Her foster family was amazing, and they never gave her a reason to push them away. She was acting preemptively and without cause (because she thought it would be best to remain unattached), but she didn't give them a chance. She was guarded and defensive from the beginning, and it was like she couldn't accept that people genuinely cared about her.
I also thought it was weird that two teens died and no one mentions it or asks what happened. You would think Ava's foster parents, the school, or even her brothers would have discussed the deaths, but it was like it never happened.
Wyatt, Nick and Cade—I really wanted to like these three, and I did for the most part, but ugh. NO ONE TELLS ANYONE ANYTHING EVER. For some unknown reason, Wyatt and Nick get their memories back first, like two years before the others. What do they do during those two years? Who explains what is happening to them? Why does it take so long for everyone to get on the same page?
I felt like the story was moving forward without actually going anywhere, but I wanted to see how everything would play out. Phoenix Fire did manage to surprise me a few times, so bonus points there, but I wish the information had been presented a little differently. A few more details here, a little character development there, and less "Drat! I'm being sucked into a memory!" I know they needed the information from their past lives, but there had to be a better way for them to access those memories. Everyone kept fainting and falling down.
I don't know if I will read the next book in the series, but I am curious about the conclusion. 😐
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.
I really liked the concept for this book, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. Ava, one of the three siblings, really started to get on my nerves. I can understand why she pushed people away in the beginning, but after the first quarter of the book her comments really bugged me. She kept saying she was better off alone, and the only person she could trust was herself. It was like listening to a broken record.
Her foster family was amazing, and they never gave her a reason to push them away. She was acting preemptively and without cause (because she thought it would be best to remain unattached), but she didn't give them a chance. She was guarded and defensive from the beginning, and it was like she couldn't accept that people genuinely cared about her.
I also thought it was weird that two teens died and no one mentions it or asks what happened. You would think Ava's foster parents, the school, or even her brothers would have discussed the deaths, but it was like it never happened.
Wyatt, Nick and Cade—I really wanted to like these three, and I did for the most part, but ugh. NO ONE TELLS ANYONE ANYTHING EVER. For some unknown reason, Wyatt and Nick get their memories back first, like two years before the others. What do they do during those two years? Who explains what is happening to them? Why does it take so long for everyone to get on the same page?
I felt like the story was moving forward without actually going anywhere, but I wanted to see how everything would play out. Phoenix Fire did manage to surprise me a few times, so bonus points there, but I wish the information had been presented a little differently. A few more details here, a little character development there, and less "Drat! I'm being sucked into a memory!" I know they needed the information from their past lives, but there had to be a better way for them to access those memories. Everyone kept fainting and falling down.
I don't know if I will read the next book in the series, but I am curious about the conclusion. 😐
February 28, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ava has spent all her life in foster care, trying not to get too attached to people. Getting attached hurts. Loving people hurts. Not to mention the fact that if she opened up to anyone, she would have to talk about her weird flashback-like seizures she gets from time to time. Everyone would think she's crazy. Or is there a hint of truth behind everything that's happening to her?
When Nick and Cade step into her life, she realizes that she has family. When she starts falling for Wyatt, she understands she has lived before, loved before, and come back to live again. It is not all sweet and great, however. There are dark forces encircling her newly found family, and Ava founds out she bears the burden of saving them all. Can she open up and reveal her true self? Is she strong enough for her destiny?
An epic fantasy book transports the reader to a different realm. Unique in its characters, this is a supernatural story completely different from your average fantasy books. There's more than vampires and werewolves. There's a new kind of hero, one that can live again and again to fulfill a purpose noble and true. And, if the title isn't a good enough hint for you: yes, there are phoenixes (and they are absolutely awesome!).
Follow along a story of three siblings that have lived, tried and failed, only to come back and do it again, and do it better. The story will have you guessing all the secrets the family keeps, as you will be constantly getting glimpses of the past, trying to put the pieces together. It will make you gasp, laugh at times, cry. There is love, there is loss, there is strong dilemma in between, and there's a lot of frustration as you empathize with so many characters in this story.
Suspenseful, well written and beautiful, this is a story that teaches us not everything is black and white. Various shades of everything in between come out, and you can only hope that the heroes will find the strength and determination to choose wisely.
Strongly recommended for the fans of fantasy, this is the book you need if vampires have tired you and you need something fresh and well written.
Ava has spent all her life in foster care, trying not to get too attached to people. Getting attached hurts. Loving people hurts. Not to mention the fact that if she opened up to anyone, she would have to talk about her weird flashback-like seizures she gets from time to time. Everyone would think she's crazy. Or is there a hint of truth behind everything that's happening to her?
When Nick and Cade step into her life, she realizes that she has family. When she starts falling for Wyatt, she understands she has lived before, loved before, and come back to live again. It is not all sweet and great, however. There are dark forces encircling her newly found family, and Ava founds out she bears the burden of saving them all. Can she open up and reveal her true self? Is she strong enough for her destiny?
An epic fantasy book transports the reader to a different realm. Unique in its characters, this is a supernatural story completely different from your average fantasy books. There's more than vampires and werewolves. There's a new kind of hero, one that can live again and again to fulfill a purpose noble and true. And, if the title isn't a good enough hint for you: yes, there are phoenixes (and they are absolutely awesome!).
Follow along a story of three siblings that have lived, tried and failed, only to come back and do it again, and do it better. The story will have you guessing all the secrets the family keeps, as you will be constantly getting glimpses of the past, trying to put the pieces together. It will make you gasp, laugh at times, cry. There is love, there is loss, there is strong dilemma in between, and there's a lot of frustration as you empathize with so many characters in this story.
Suspenseful, well written and beautiful, this is a story that teaches us not everything is black and white. Various shades of everything in between come out, and you can only hope that the heroes will find the strength and determination to choose wisely.
Strongly recommended for the fans of fantasy, this is the book you need if vampires have tired you and you need something fresh and well written.
February 28, 2018
"Phoenix Fire" is a great YA paranormal romance about a new kind of creature (which really makes it very original all around). Phoenixes are humans that have special powers to fight creatures of darkness (vampires, werewolves, shadow creatures, etc.). They can heal extremely fast, move with extreme speed, and create a fire- they also regenerate when they die into a young child in some time and place that will eventually receive their memories of past lives in the teenage years (around 16). They can also be Givers or Takers- Givers can make humans into phoenixes while Takers can end a phoenix forever- no more coming back.
Here, we follow a few points-of-view- primarily Ava, a 16-year-old foster child who has been bounced around the system after she was found stepping out of the woods alone at 4 years of age. We also follow Nick and Cade, her brothers and also phoenixes. Ava also finds herself drawn to a mysterious teenage boy, Wyatt, whom she remembers from past lives. Oh yeah, and she finds out that she is going to have to fight a Dark Phoenix that has been stopping her in all her past lives.
The paranormal aspects of the book were spot on, and I really enjoyed learning about these different creatures. The romance was also lovely- you really root for Wyatt and Ava. Although, I will say, there is a secret which is hidden about them for a long time and hinted at for so long that it does become a little frustrating (if you are like me and want all the answers). Speaking of that, all the answers about everything are not given in this first book, and it seems like it is holding out for the next book (especially about Cade and his love interest- who might feature in the next book? I am guessing...).
The beginning was also a little slow as we uncover the truths alongside Ava, but I did not mind overall, because it really picks up well later on. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait for the next in the series! I highly recommend to all YA fantasy readers looking for something truly unique!
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Here, we follow a few points-of-view- primarily Ava, a 16-year-old foster child who has been bounced around the system after she was found stepping out of the woods alone at 4 years of age. We also follow Nick and Cade, her brothers and also phoenixes. Ava also finds herself drawn to a mysterious teenage boy, Wyatt, whom she remembers from past lives. Oh yeah, and she finds out that she is going to have to fight a Dark Phoenix that has been stopping her in all her past lives.
The paranormal aspects of the book were spot on, and I really enjoyed learning about these different creatures. The romance was also lovely- you really root for Wyatt and Ava. Although, I will say, there is a secret which is hidden about them for a long time and hinted at for so long that it does become a little frustrating (if you are like me and want all the answers). Speaking of that, all the answers about everything are not given in this first book, and it seems like it is holding out for the next book (especially about Cade and his love interest- who might feature in the next book? I am guessing...).
The beginning was also a little slow as we uncover the truths alongside Ava, but I did not mind overall, because it really picks up well later on. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait for the next in the series! I highly recommend to all YA fantasy readers looking for something truly unique!
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
March 10, 2018
4.5 Stars
'Phoenix Fire' was an exciting and fresh first novel in a new young adult fantasy series with lots of mythology and romance mixed in for good measure. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading, but I definitely made the right choice in choosing it. The idea of Phoenixes and the surrounding mythology drew me in from the beginning and I completely lost myself in the world the author created until I had finished the entire novel. I actually really liked every aspect of the book, which is pretty rare - at least for me. The main characters were interesting and realistic, and I enjoyed getting to know each of them throughout the story. Since they had long histories and lifetimes along with memories and emotions from them all, I loved seeing everything that happened through their eyes. So many stories and so much heartbreak. I'm really excited to get to know each of them better in the coming novels.
The Phoenix mythology was fascinating and I couldn't get enough. I loved learning everything the author told us about them - their history, the war, their powers and purposes, and everything in between. I could have read so much more about the Phoenix race and I really really hope we get a deeper look in the next installment. The plot was fresh and drew me in from the very beginning. I ended up reading the entire novel in a matter of hours and didn't want it to end. I'm already excited for the next book and I highly recommend this to fans of YA fantasy, supernatural, mythology, and romance.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'Phoenix Fire' was an exciting and fresh first novel in a new young adult fantasy series with lots of mythology and romance mixed in for good measure. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading, but I definitely made the right choice in choosing it. The idea of Phoenixes and the surrounding mythology drew me in from the beginning and I completely lost myself in the world the author created until I had finished the entire novel. I actually really liked every aspect of the book, which is pretty rare - at least for me. The main characters were interesting and realistic, and I enjoyed getting to know each of them throughout the story. Since they had long histories and lifetimes along with memories and emotions from them all, I loved seeing everything that happened through their eyes. So many stories and so much heartbreak. I'm really excited to get to know each of them better in the coming novels.
The Phoenix mythology was fascinating and I couldn't get enough. I loved learning everything the author told us about them - their history, the war, their powers and purposes, and everything in between. I could have read so much more about the Phoenix race and I really really hope we get a deeper look in the next installment. The plot was fresh and drew me in from the very beginning. I ended up reading the entire novel in a matter of hours and didn't want it to end. I'm already excited for the next book and I highly recommend this to fans of YA fantasy, supernatural, mythology, and romance.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I went into Phoenix Fire not really knowing what to expect. Being completely honest, I saw a cool phoenix on the cover, I saw the YA fantasy genre, and I said "let's give it a shot!". I'm glad that I did!
So in the beginning of the book, things were a little cliche. Our main character, Ava, is in a foster house and never feels like she belongs, and doesn't really want to belong. Then she starts to experience memories and maybe come into certain "powers." *Eyeroll* and I'm thinking "crap, is this a middle grade book?" because it really seemed way to juvenile early on. Enter: new guys. New guys with secrets about her past, her powers, and what she has to do with said powers.
When it came down to it, I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the phoenix life cycles, as well as the familial ties and how all of that came into play. Also, the romance in the book came was really sweet but also had its bitterness as well. Wyatt, at times, got a little whiny but I really liked seeing his character and his relationship with Ava and the two brothers unfold. Plus I think it will be really interesting to see what further role Yuki will play in things. I am very intrigued to read the next book in the series!!
So in the beginning of the book, things were a little cliche. Our main character, Ava, is in a foster house and never feels like she belongs, and doesn't really want to belong. Then she starts to experience memories and maybe come into certain "powers." *Eyeroll* and I'm thinking "crap, is this a middle grade book?" because it really seemed way to juvenile early on. Enter: new guys. New guys with secrets about her past, her powers, and what she has to do with said powers.
When it came down to it, I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the phoenix life cycles, as well as the familial ties and how all of that came into play. Also, the romance in the book came was really sweet but also had its bitterness as well. Wyatt, at times, got a little whiny but I really liked seeing his character and his relationship with Ava and the two brothers unfold. Plus I think it will be really interesting to see what further role Yuki will play in things. I am very intrigued to read the next book in the series!!
February 24, 2018
**I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s**
First of all I want to say that I really enjoyed this book. It sometimes reminded me of Jennifer L. Armentrout's writing style and her Lux series which I really enjoyed. The characters were really likable. I loved the sibling relationship between Cade, Nick and Ava and between Danny and Ava. And for me the love story was just secondary.
The beginning was very confusing. You just jump into the story and if you are like me and almost never read the blurb you have no idea what the heck is going on. After 20% or so it got a little less confusing and more interesting.
Everything was still going too fast. The love relationships, the accepting part of what was happening, every character in the book was so accepting of what Nick was saying and so fast which was so confusing and I was so sure I would give it just 3 stars. Because it was all a bit fast and the characters were too accepting but then the story picked up and it got interesting and I was so engrossed that the 4 stars were just a given then.
I can't wait for the next book in the series
First of all I want to say that I really enjoyed this book. It sometimes reminded me of Jennifer L. Armentrout's writing style and her Lux series which I really enjoyed. The characters were really likable. I loved the sibling relationship between Cade, Nick and Ava and between Danny and Ava. And for me the love story was just secondary.
The beginning was very confusing. You just jump into the story and if you are like me and almost never read the blurb you have no idea what the heck is going on. After 20% or so it got a little less confusing and more interesting.
Everything was still going too fast. The love relationships, the accepting part of what was happening, every character in the book was so accepting of what Nick was saying and so fast which was so confusing and I was so sure I would give it just 3 stars. Because it was all a bit fast and the characters were too accepting but then the story picked up and it got interesting and I was so engrossed that the 4 stars were just a given then.
I can't wait for the next book in the series
March 13, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Wicked Reads.
I originally grabbed this one up just because of the name and I'm glad I did.
Despite a slow start, I did eventually get dragged into this one and didn't put it down until I finished. The concept of Phoenixes was quite intriguing and different, so definitely interested me.
Ava, Cade, and Nick are Phoenix siblings eternally fighting through time to save their race. The catch, they come back as children and have to grow into their teens before remembering anything, even eachother. Each life has become more precious as their enemies gain in strength and none know just how long they have or if they can defeat them.
Overall, this was an interesting read. I am looking forward to future books and seeing where the author takes this. It has great potential for sure. I would recommend it to those interested in lighter fantasy like myself.
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
I originally grabbed this one up just because of the name and I'm glad I did.
Despite a slow start, I did eventually get dragged into this one and didn't put it down until I finished. The concept of Phoenixes was quite intriguing and different, so definitely interested me.
Ava, Cade, and Nick are Phoenix siblings eternally fighting through time to save their race. The catch, they come back as children and have to grow into their teens before remembering anything, even eachother. Each life has become more precious as their enemies gain in strength and none know just how long they have or if they can defeat them.
Overall, this was an interesting read. I am looking forward to future books and seeing where the author takes this. It has great potential for sure. I would recommend it to those interested in lighter fantasy like myself.
~Wicked Reads Review Team~
February 19, 2018
While I am excited to see phoenix get more air time in the genre, the premise of this book could have used a bit more fleshing out. The villain was a bit too evil for evil's sake.
However the characters were likeable and this was a quick, fun read for me.
However the characters were likeable and this was a quick, fun read for me.
February 26, 2018
I did not finish this book. The summary of this book made it seem like something I would enjoy but I could not get into it. I tried to read it over several days but I just kept putting it down because it did not hold my interest. Both the writing and the story were a bit boring to me. I am reviewing this book based on an ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
March 4, 2018
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own**
I have a thing with books that switch between characters. It's either a hit or miss and unfortunately, with this one, it was a miss. I was really looking forward to this books actually because it sounded really good. I just wasn't able to keep up with the changing of perspectives.
I also thought that the story seemed a little confusing. It seemed to go way to fast with tons of information just flying at you.
It really is a bummer that this story didn't work out for me.
I have a thing with books that switch between characters. It's either a hit or miss and unfortunately, with this one, it was a miss. I was really looking forward to this books actually because it sounded really good. I just wasn't able to keep up with the changing of perspectives.
I also thought that the story seemed a little confusing. It seemed to go way to fast with tons of information just flying at you.
It really is a bummer that this story didn't work out for me.
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