Pale Phoenix [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathryn Reiss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1997

The haunting sequel to Kathryn Reiss's acclaimed novel, "Time Windows". Miranda and her family have taken in a runaway. The pale girl has been wandering for over 400 years, forever to be 13 years old.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-In her new time-travel adventure featuring 15-year-old Miranda Browne (heroine of Time Windows [Harcourt, 1991]), Reiss creates an intriguing situation: a 13-year-old girl, caught outside of time in 1693 when her family home burns, is doomed to go on living for centuries without growing older. When Abby appears as a lonely new student at Miranda's school, the Brownes invite her to stay with them. At first resentful of Abby's presence, Miranda begins to suspect that there is something strange about her. Where does Abby go when she disappears, and why can only Miranda hear her crying? What part does a mysterious stone whistle play in Abby's story? In the end, it takes a frightening journey back in time to resolve Abby's problems. The story contains appealing elements: hints of witchcraft, a glimpse of life in 17th-century New England, and a budding romance, but it just misses its mark. The writing style is uneven, slowing the pace. Characterization is not deep enough to sustain the extended drama of the plot, or the questions Reiss raises about life and death.
Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Miranda Browne, protagonist of Time Windows, appears in another variation on the time-travel theme. This time, she finds herself in the awkward position of both disliking and distrusting Abby, a sullen 13-year-old orphan Miranda's parents take in. She sets out hoping to discredit Abby in her parents' eyes and, instead, finds that Abby, who can disappear at will, is the victim of a terrible tragedy and is counting on Miranda to help her recapture her past life in Puritan Salem. Reiss skillfully interweaves a moving subplot about Miranda's growing love for and romance with her good friend and neighbor, Dan. Characters are interesting, well drawn, and believable, if not always likable. The historical aspects are not as developed as they might have been, the action slows down a little too much at times, and the absence of any reference to Miranda's previous adventure is a bit disorienting. These are minor problems, however, in what is a thoughtful and enjoyable book. Readers will certainly want to see more of Miranda and Dan and their delightful parents. Jeanne Triner --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Point (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590484052
• ISBN-13: 978-0590484053
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,278,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully captivating book!, May 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pale Phoenix (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a GREAT book! I loved it! Reiss did a wonderful job unfolding her story about Abby, a young puritan girl unable to move on to the next world, trapped by her own reluctance. Her only hope is almost 300 years later when Miranda discovers her secret and tries to help, but not until the two learn to get along after Miranda's parents decide to take Abby in. A very inticing story and definitely worth reading! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Book, March 7, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Pale Phoenix (Mass Market Paperback)

This is another fine example of Kathryn Reiss's writing. I think it was a great book. I read atleast 4 times because I loved it so much. I really hope Kathryn Reiss becomes well-known. She has a great imagination and sense of literature. This classic tale about a pheonix rising from the ashes is a great story for young and older people to enjoy. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was a really good book., February 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Pale Phoenix (Mass Market Paperback)

The only way that you will reall you will really understand this book fully is if you read the first book, Time Windows. The basic plot is that a girl , Miranda has a very great life with her parents and neighbors in her small Northeastern town until they take in this orphan named Abby to live with them. Miranda and Abby do not get along a weel and things change for Miranda. She beginds to start uncovering Abby's amazing past and helping her deal with it. If you read this book you will really benefit from it becuase, if you read anymore books by this author, the character Abby appears in many of them breifly.