Customer Reviews

Phoenix Rising #1: Elissa's Quest (Phoenix Rising Trilogy)

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4 star:		(1)
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This book is a real "page turner!" Verrillo's unique and creative writing style enhances the reader's experience through a masterfully woven tale connected by threads of intrigue, humor, and colorful descriptions. Although the target audience may be adolescent girls, adults will enjoy this just as much. I can't wait to read the next two books in this trilogy. Kudos to the author! Keep them coming.

Erica Verrillo has created an immensely evocative landscape with splendid characters in the story "Elissa's Quest". How could we not embrace "a girl who knew her own mind even if she did not always choose to speak it". Elissa is humble yet brave, and certainly up to the task given her as she finds that, "he who will not follow the fates will be dragged by them". She has a "gift" which she uses to great advantage with each step she takes on her journey involving intrigue and self discovery. Elissa learns the true history of her family, and of the larger geographical domain where she is born when the time comes for her to enter into the real world of politics, treachery, and the abuse of power. Add to this mix the impending threat of environmental change, talking animals, and courageous characters that inspire hope for the perception of human potential.

In this tale we follow Elissa as she is thrust into a situation of change not unlike the world we know. She experiences her own biological changes, participates in rites of initiation, and most importantly, learns how to use her gifts in a world that encompasses diverse cultures, and spiritualities beyond her doorstep where people are reduced to bargaining chips. She creates alliances with the animals, the Ankaa, Maya of the Water People, and the beautiful Blue People. How she resolves conflict is admirable. She discovers her truth, the importance of the healers, the healing powers of the lake, and something about wisdom.

Verrillo's writing is spiced with humor, the animal's perspectives are right on, and the maxims useful to reflect on. The vividly eloquent passages provide the perfect vehicle for travel through Elissa's world. The first book of the Phoenix Rising Trilogy is a very good story.

Now I am left with some questions:

Will we meet the Northern People?

Who is the Ancient One?

Will Elissa's father come though for her?

Does Ralph have something for Gertrude?

What about those emerald green eyes that attract moths at dusk?

Elissa's Quest is a very entertaining novel with mystery, danger, magic, humor, and strong female characters. In short, the orphaned Elissa learns her true identity, becomes a woman and discovers her inner wisdom. Elissa does not seek adventure, but when it comes to her in the form of travels through forest and desert, kidnapping, escape, unexpected alliances and exotic settings, she rises to each occasion. Elissa's story emphasizes the values of kindness and respect, as well as strength and resourcefulness. Women are depicted as powerful, valuable members of their communities. This book would make a lovely gift for girls around ages 11-14. I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy!

Erica Verrillo's ELISSA'S QUEST tells of a girl who leads a lonely solitary life, knows nothing of her family, and hides her magical gift from the world. He's a healer's apprentice, but dreams of excitement and adventure - until a guest changes her life. This is Book One of the Phoenix Rising trilogy and provides a powerful fantasy indeed.

Eliss'a Quest is a marvel...you'll find yourself instantly and delightfully immersed in a wondrous world that is described so precisely that you will know and feel Ellisa's world as intimately as she does.. Verrillo's almost musical pacing quickens with every well- turned phrase towards an ending that is immenesly satisfying yet leaves you deliciously wanting more... This a book for the ages - young ages, older ages, and for time immemorial as a gift with priceless lessons about our universal strengths as humans. There is no better time for such lessons to be imparted,, particularly for those of us coming of age, in a period in human history where so much is at stake. Read this book for all that, but also read it if you wish to someday be as good a writer as Verrillo.obviously is. I will be a better writer for having read Ellisa's Quest.

Eliss'a Quest is a marvel...you'll find yourself instantly and delightfully immersed in a wondrous world that is described so precisely that you will know and feel Ellisa's world as intimately as she does.. Verrillo's almost musical pacing quickens with every well- turned phrase towards an ending that is immensely satisfying yet leaves you deliciously wanting more... This a book for the ages - young ages, older ages, and for time immemorial as a gift with priceless lessons about our universal strengths as humans. There is no better time for such lessons to be imparted,, particularly for those of us coming of age, in a period in human history where so much is at stake. Read this book for all that, but also read it if you wish to someday be as good a writer as Verrillo obviously is. I will be a better writer for having read Ellisa's Quest.

Elissa has lived in the valley with the healing woman for her whole life. She does not know who her parents were and Nana has never spoken of them. Elissa has learned not to ask questions about her past, so it is shock when her father, a nobleman, turns up one evening to claim her and take her away. At first, Elissa is thrilled to finally learn who she is, but her father proves just as taciturn as Nana. Elissa soon discovers that her father has only claimed her to use her as a bargaining chip in marriage to a despicable Khan. Now, Elissa must use her wits and her magical power of talking to animals to escape the destiny her father has planned for her and set out on a quest to find and claim her true identity. With locations sweeping from a lush, forested mountainside to the cruel desert citadel, this fantasy novel is exciting and full of adventurous escapes. Elissa is a realistic heroine and uses her powers to find creative solutions during her quest. Upper elementary and junior high fantasy readers will welcome this first volume of a projected trilogy.

After reading ELISSA'S QUEST, I am looking forward to the next installment of the PHOENIX RISING trilogy.

Elissa is thirteen years old and lives with the midwife in the village of High Crossing. Her caretaker doesn't speak to Elissa about her parentage and so Elissa grows up lonely. Her only friends are the animals around the valley, because she has the gift of understanding their language. Her best friend is Gertrude, the donkey.

One day a royal contingent arrives and Elissa learns that she is a princess and she is to go with her father on a quest. On this mission she is abducted, treated like a princess, makes friends, makes enemies, and finally saves the world.

Throughout the quest she learns many lessons of loyalty, family, identity, and power. Elissa is a strong female character. She thinks for herself and is very independent. She takes risks but is still sensitive enough to be vulnerable. This is a classic fantasy tale with a quest and a strong heroine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to all.

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison