Phoenix

Reviews by my students who have read the book. Title of review: Action packed fantasy Phoenix takes you on an epic space quest through stunning galaxies and beyond! It is filled with aliens, myths and stars which will appeal to boys and girls. A young boy named Lucky is forced to leave his planet Phoenix after a war between humans and the Axxa army; while on the journey, Lucky hopes to find his father who will explain why stars are singing to him and why he has a luminous, burning power inside him that burns his bed sheet. All Lucky has of him is an astrolabe. He and his mother hitch a lift from an Axxa called Frolicks. Despite the war, Lucky’s mother trusts aliens and knows that the Axxa is a citizen, not a fighter. Sadly, the shadow guards capture her in an impressive fight. In the ship, Lucky meets Bixa, a fierce alien warrior with neon needles, Frollicks, Bixa’s older brother, Mystica, a startalker and the Captain who drives the Sunfire ship. Will Lucky cope with the alien’s horns, hooves and fiery eyes? And will he find his father? I would rate it a 5/5 stars because the storyline is great and the illustrations are brilliant. I would recommend this book to ten and over since it is mature. Phoenix is filled with science fiction and enchanting magic. These weren’t my favourite genres at first but I was intrigued to read it- now I’m going to read more fantasy books. Anesa age 11

Great

Daughter loves it

I don’t usually read much YA but I got a few recommendations to try this. It’s a solid, fun read that, with its use of text, reminded me a little of Alfred Bester’s SF. Give it a go!

As a child this was my favourite book, from the amazing immersive writing and the incredible illustrations. As I got older I started to miss it more and more so I finally caved and I’m glad I did. It’s just as astonishing as I remember. When it arrived some of the pages were crumpled slightly but that’s no fault of the publisher mainly those who packaged it.

Review by JTA (aged 9) from my class. Last week I read Phoenix and it's about a boy called Lucky and his journey to Charon to find his dad. This book is a fiction book and is also a sci-fi book. I liked this book because the author used a gripping story line and used lots of descriptive adjectives. Also, it's like you are given the answer to questions in this book but not quite. (Spoiler alert!) My favourite part was when Lucky, the thirteenth astreus, transforms back into a star and destroys the wolf that eats the stars. But I also cried when Lucky burned to a crisp as I knew him a lot in the book. Other people might light this book because of the great story line and the gripping tale. Nobody would say no to a great book. I'd give this book five stars for the friendly characters, the gripping tale, the storyl ine and for how much I loved it.

Absolutely stunning! Phoenix ranks among the classics in sci-fi and fantasy for considering humankind's relationship to stars and space - that literally, we are all made of the same stuff - but is also a meditation on humanity itself, and not only are we made of star-stuff, we are also all linked - Axxa and human are not as different as anyone thought. This is both a rollicking good read, a sensitive and thoughtful look at what it means to be human in a world increasingly riven by war, and a beautiful artefact. Dave McKean's illustrations make a wonderful story into a modern classic.

I would recommend this book over and over again it is amazing I read other books by sf said when I was younger and fell in love with the writing I am now 26 and have read this book and had an amazing adventure If your young at heart and love adventure sadness and emotional roll coasters then read this it really gives meaning of not judging things by looks