June 25, 2007
A deep love of nature is evidenced in Verrillo’s pastoral fantasy debut, the first book in the Phoenix Rising trilogy. Thirteen-year-old orphan Elissa lives in the serene village of High Crossing, where she is an apprentice to the healer Nana. A gentle soul, Elissa can communicate with animals and has forged a deep connection with a donkey named Gertrude. Word comes of soldiers on the way from neighboring Castlemar; among them is a man named Lord Falk, who, it is revealed, is Elissa’s father. Falk takes Elissa with him when he departs; she learns that her father is planning to use her as collateral to secure the use of highly skilled soldiers from the vicious Khan. Khan’s purposes are much darker: as Elissa is the heir to the throne, Khan intends to secretly marry her, though her young age prevents him from doing so. She escapes, ending up with a group of healers who reveal the story behind the castle the Khan now inhabits. Falk’s naiveté in handing his daughter over to the Khan requires some suspension of disbelief, but that’s a minor complaint in an otherwise charming and elegant story. Elissa emerges as a thoroughly lovable heroine, her toughness growing over the course of the story but her peaceful nature and love of life remaining ever constant. Ages 9-12.
August 1, 2007
Gr 6-9-Thirteen-year-old Elissa, who has been raised from birth by the village wise woman and healer, knows nothing of her parents. She lives an unremarkable life as an apprentice, the one exception being that she is able to talk to animals. She finds herself thrust into a political game when her father comes to claim her, and it turns out that he is High Lord and King of Castlemar. Unbeknownst to Elissa, she is the collateral that her father needs in order to secure mercenaries from the Khan, and he intends to leave her behind at the Khan's Citadel. Upon arrival, Elissa finds out that the Khan plans to marry her once her father returns to his kingdom, and she and her servant girl work out a plan of escape. They are aided by the Blue People, a clan whom the Khan has forced into servitude, and when they face his wrath, it is Elissa's magical ability that saves them. Though the story has some elements of fantasy, it is really more about finding strength within one's self. Elissa changes from an innocent child to a young woman aware of her power. The story occasionally drags, and the ending seems somewhat abrupt, leaving open the way for the two planned sequels. Readers will enjoy Elissa as a character, and Maya, the servant-girl sidekick and friend, is intriguing as well."Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI"
Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 1, 2007
Thirteen-year-old Elissa, an orphan of High Crossing, hides herability to speak to animalsand daydreams about finding her unknown father. When he suddenly appears to take her away, the adolescentsrosy dreams of a fond parent vanish; Elissa learns that she is the princess of Castlemar and that her fatherplans to trade her to a desert warlord in a diplomatic exchange.In the Citadel of the Khan, Elissa struggles for control of her destiny and of her kingdom. Despite conventional plot elements, Verillos storytelling moves right along, buoyed by humorous exchanges with talking beasts, grippingescape scenes, and a tense, dramatic conclusion. Elissas coming-of-ageexperiences include the arrival of her first menstrual periodan element not commonlyseen in the fantasy genre.A sympathetic heroine and well-placed hints about her fate will build readers anticipation for the next installment in the Phoenix Rising trilogy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)