Phoenix Descending by Dorothy Dreyer

Audience

Teenagers!

Genre

YA, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Adventure

Pages

298

Recommended For and Similar Reads

Phoenix Descending is an upbeat, scandalous, all-consuming tale of loyalty and self-respect. If you’ve read Power and Fury by James Erith or The Girl Without Magic by Meghan O’Russell, you’ll love Phoenix Descending because they’re all fantasy books with a disease! Other similar reads are Wranglestone, Two Worlds of Provenance, and Throne of Glass!

Summary by Author

Since the outbreak of the phoenix fever in Drothidia, Tori Kagari has already lost one family member to the fatal disease. Now, with the fever threatening to wipe out her entire family, she must go against everything she believes in order to save them—even if that means making a deal with the enemy.

When Tori agrees to join forces with the unscrupulous Khadulians, she must take on a false identity in order to infiltrate the queendom of Avarell and fulfill her part of the bargain, all while under the watchful eye of the unforgiving Queen’s Guard. But time is running out, and every lie, theft, and abduction she is forced to carry out may not be enough to free her family from death.

Our Statements 

We’ve seen a lot of plague-ish books popping up because of Covid-19, but we’ve yet to see a fantasy book centered around disease! Phoenix Descending was unique and thrilling thanks to this complete change of direction in YA fantasy. We were hooked from the first page and couldn’t set it down until the end!

Our Favourite Quote

“Monstrous warehouses sat on the outskirts of colossal factories, all perched high on dust-covered knolls that overlooked the numerous mines that bordered the city.”

Review, 5/5

Opinion: To put it bluntly, Phoenix Descending was AWESOME. The plot and conflict was captivating from the first sentence (which was outstanding for its imagery and immersion) and the characters were reasonable and consistent. The first thing I look for when reading is connection to the characters, and this was almost instant in Phoenix Descending! I was touched by Tori’s love and loyalty towards her family and enchanted by her deliberation between what is labeled as the ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys.’ The themes were abundant throughout but didn’t bore readers who are looking for adventure over influence. Phoenix Descending contains so many elements - themes, character development, entertaining plot - that readers can view and take it any way they want. In conclusion, read Phoenix Descending because you’re destined to love it no matter what!

Our Favourite Thing: Personally, I was impressed with Dreyer’s world building - it was out of this world!! The realm Phoenix Descending is set in was comfortable and familiar to readers yet lively with the dynamic and unique supernatural elements! Normally, the setting is "just the location," but in Phoenix Descending, the setting is part of what makes the story so rich and resonating. 

Our Least Favourite Thing: The only thing I could wish for is more! Fortunately, there is a sequel to Phoenix Descending called Paragon Rising. Check it out below!

Author Information

I'm a Philippine-born American living in Germany with my husband, my two adult children, and two Siberian Huskies.

I am a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes young adult and new adult books, usually with some element of magic or the supernatural in them. I also like to read those kinds of books. Aside from reading, I like movies, chocolate, take-out, coffee, traveling, and having fun with my friends and family.

I tend to sing sometimes, too, so keep me away from your Karaoke bars.

News!

Are you a German, French, Spanish, or Dutch speaker? You’re in luck! “The Curse of the Phoenix” series will be translated into these languages and more around 2021. What’s a better way to practice a foreign language than to reread your favourite book in the new language?

Giveaway!

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Other Books by Author

Dorothy Dreyer has written a copious number of books! Discover your favourites and visit them on Goodreads.

Curse of the Phoenix series:

Phoenix Descending

Paragon Rising

Reaper’s Rite series:

My Sister’s Reaper

My Tethered Soul

My Frayed Eternity

Empire of the Lotus series:

Crimson Mage

Copper Mage

Golden Mage

Emerald Mage

Standalone Novels:

Entangled Souls

Ball Gowns and Bloodstains

Cauldron of Ash

Links

Website: http://dorothydreyer.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DorothyDreyer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5815423.Dorothy_Dreyer
Amazon: Amazon US Purchase Link
Full Book Review: https://lifesanovelty.blogspot.com/2020/04/phoenix-descending-dorothy-dreyer.html
Publication Date: 28 November, 2017