JOSS STIRLING’S STEALING PHOENIX: DARK, DEPRESSING, DAMNED GOOD

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

Joss Stirling’s heroine in her book, “Stealing Phoenix,” isn’t your typical lady in distress.  Think 21^st century Artful Dodger with the ability to freeze time.  She’s a kept thief by an underworld character who goes by the nickname, “The Seer,” probably the most despicable character I have come across in books in quite a while (he’s even scarier than Harry Potter’s Voldemort!).  Instead of using his mind control powers for good, The Seer uses his powers to force savants to steal for his own gain.  How despicable is that?

The Seer gives Phoenix an assignment, and it’s to steal something from a target he picked, a male American student, Yves, who’s currently in London.  Incidentally, Yves also happens to be the brother of Zed Benedict, the hero in Stirling’s first book, “Finding Sky”.

To Phoenix’ surprise, not only Yves thwart her attempt to steal from him, she also finds herself inexplicably drawn to him (then again, who could resist a gorgeous guy with intelligence to boot?).  It turns out that Yves is a savant just like her.  Not only that, he’s actually her soul-finder.  Yves vows to save Phoenix from The Seer, but Phoenix is torn.  She wants a new life, but can she risk putting the life of her soul-finder at risk?

For a young adult/paranormal romance, this is an extremely dark and depressing book.  The Seer is actually a terrifying character, who makes Voldemort appear like a wuss (I’m not kidding).  Even Silence Of The Lamb’s Lectre would appear like a saint next to this dude! 

Just like Sky, the heroine in Stirling’s first book, “Finding Sky,” Phoenix is the victim of an abusive environment.  And yet, as in Stirling’s first book, “Finding Sky,” the darkness and despair that envelops the heroine is replaced by hope when she slowly discovers the goodness in people (in this case, Yves and the rest of the Benedict family). 

If you are into kilig moments, then there’s lots of it in this book for you.  But in my opinion, the book’s strengths lie in its tension-filled action scenes, as well as Phoenix’ emotional journey, from being someone who’s isolated and can’t trust anyone, to someone who is loved and can love and trust in return. 

This book is definitely a page-turner and worth your money. 

RATING:  4 1/2

 

JOSS STIRLING’S FINDING SKY: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A VAMPIRE TO BE A HOTTIE

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

With all these books, movies and TV shows featuring vampires as the ideal man (or woman), here comes Joss Stirling’s “Finding Sky,” a novel for young adults that falls under the genre called “paranormal romance.”

What the heck is paranormal romance, you ask?  I asked that question, too.  Well, based on the definition I found on Wikipedia, it’s basically romance combined with elements that are beyond scientific explanation.  Its themes include that of vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, time travel or psychic abilities like telekinesis and telepathy.

In “Finding Sky,” our heroine is a young British lady named Sky Bright, whose cheery name is nothing like her dark, troubled childhood.  Abandoned as a child, Sky found herself unable to speak for years because of her traumatic past, and only the love of her adoptive parents slowly brought her out of her shell.  Now, Sky is a fairly well-adjusted teen trying to lead a new, normal life outside her comfort zone.  Not England, but the good old US of A.

Sky appears to be adjusting quite well, despite her status as the new girl on campus.  But then, she meets Zed, the dark, brooding Bad Boy (or so it seems) on a motorbike.  At first, it seems like Zed wants nothing to do with her (doesn’t this just remind you of Twilight?).  But then, Zed suddenly appears to change his mind.  He begins chasing after her, declaring that they’re destined to be together because Sky is a savant just like him, and also his soul-finder (I won’t tell you what that means, you’ll have to read it for yourself).  From this point onwards, it’s a difficult journey for Sky, for though she’s irresistibly drawn to Zed, everyone appears to be against their relationship, from her newly-found friends, her adoptive parents … and her new enemies (again, you’ll have to find out what I mean).

It’s good to come across a British writer like Stirling, who makes no attempt to fake being an American (unlike EL James, who attempted to do just that in her Fifty Shades trilogy --- an attempt that, quite frankly, just went down in flames). 

Some parts of the book can be quite dark, scary and violent, which just reflects the problems a number of kids have to face nowadays.  But these nasty bits are balanced by the goodness found in many of the characters, namely Sky’s adoptive parents, Sky’s new friends and Zed’s family.  In these highly cynical and worldly times, it was actually a huge relief to come across a book like “Finding Sky” which features positive role models.  When you’re bombarded by real life news of broken families and abusive parents, and campus bullying, you just can’t help but feel bad for the kids of this generation.  It’s good to read a book that gives a young lady like Sky who has gone through so much in life a positive environment.  It makes you slightly more hopeful about the future.  This book delivers one powerful message, that anyone can overcome the most trying of circumstances as long as one has a loving, supportive network consisting of friends and family.

There are many, MANY romantic (but clean) moments between Sky and Zed to satisfy the young romantic ladies’ penchant for kilig out there (how all of these flies past the parents is probably every girl’s fantasy!), as well as a testosterone-driven action scene towards the end of the book, the kind that seems good enough to see on film.  Think million dollar explosives and effects!  Could there be a film version of “Finding Sky” in the near future?

Overall, “Finding Sky” is a long but entertaining and satisfying read that can be enjoyed by teens and grown-ups alike. 

RATING:  4