Book Review: Finding the Phoenix

Imagine what it would be like to wake up one day and find yourself in the morgue . . .

That's exactly what happens to Chantelle, the enigmatic protagonist of Finding the Phoenix, the opening act of the Celestial Talisman series, a thrilling fantasy tale set in modern-day South Africa.

Chantelle, who also goes by the names Heaven and Vin in the book, barely has time to breathe, let alone remember how or why she ended up in the morgue.

The poor girl is about to become involved in an epic battle between the forces of light and darkness, represented by the Circle, the order on the side of the light and the Skaath Diurga, the mysterious and sinister forces of darkness.

The struggle has been going on for ages right under our noses, and our protagonist doesn't even know if she's dead or alive. Much less does Chantelle know that she just might hold the key to the conflict's final outcome.

Time is running short and Chantelle not only has to figure out what's happening to her or put her very jaded past behind; she also has to learn how to harness the amazing abilities that Mother Nature bestowed upon her if she wishes to stay alive and come out on top in the end.

Joining our protagonist in her quest are the members of the secret society of The Circle: the powerful and courageous women known as the Wielders and their valiant male protectors, the Guardians; the perfect answer to the Skaath Diurga's evil Handmaidens and their Thralls.

When a murder mystery involving one of the Circle's most highly respected Wielders arises, the stakes become higher and Chantelle is thrown right into the fire . . . quite literally.

How will our protagonist react when the time is come to test her unproven skills and to fulfill the faith that her newfound brothers and sisters have placed upon her shoulders as the prophecied Child of Heaven? Will she be able to shed a past filled with painful memories to stake her claim, or will she be buried under the weight of her own innermost fears and insecurities, when there's little time to breathe, let alone to think?

Such is the way of things with Finding the Phoenix, a fast-paced novel that will leave you breathless and wanting to read more about the intriguing world and interesting characters that author Caitlin O'Connor has created here.

What I liked about this book:

Characters are deep and well fleshed out; they're all flawed in their own way, just like all of us. In addition to the protagonist, readers will love Alistair, an intriguing, devil-may-care type at a glance, who may not be what he seems to be on the inside.

I loved the mystery surrounding the history of the Circle and the Skaath Diurga. I'm certainly looking forward to learning more about the lore of these two secret societies that have been waging a silent war in our world for what seems to be eons now.

I found the protagonist's transformation brilliant. Alas, I couldn't say much more about this without giving away spoilers. Suffice it to say that Chantelle/Heaven/Vin's battered and bruised mind begins to heal from a very painful past in a way that made sense to me . . . until something gets in the way and sends her—and the reader—reeling.

What I didn't like about this book:

Author Caitlin O'Connor can sure deliver a fast-paced, tight story. She does a wonderful job to keep the reader engaged from chapter to chapter. Unfortunately, the book felt a bit rushed at times, perhaps lacking a change of pace here or there to let readers catch their breath from time to time.

I would have liked to know more about secondary characters too, such as Robert, Nadia, Gary and Elise. I would have also liked to see and learn more about South Africa, as the whole story takes place in this country.

All in all, I believe Caitlin O'Connor has a winner in her hands here. Finding the Phoenix is an excellent opening to the Celestial Talisman, a series that promises great potential, which I am certainly looking forward to reading to its conclusion.

Caitlin O'Connor is a fantasy writer who explores the complexity of human nature by blurring the lines between good and evil. When she isn't thinking up ways to mess with the characters in her novels she writes flash fiction and the occasional poem.

She lives in South Africa, with her young son and a malevolent lovebird.

Some of her work appears in Shadows and Light, an anthology raising profits for Women's Aid.

Finding the Phoenix will be released tomorrow, October the 2nd. You can preorder your copy here.