Curse of the Phoenix

Curse of the Phoenix
Aimee Carter
Simon & Shuster, 2021
340 pages
Grades 4-7
Fantasy

Alternating chapters tell the story of Zac and Lu, two twins grieving the loss of their mother. After Mom dies, Dad struggles to cope and sends them to stay the summer with relatives they have never met in faraway England. The family manor is quite grand, if a bit shabby, and sits on the edge of a forest named The Wildewoods, a place of which Mom told fabulously magical stories. Could there have been truth behind them? Zac and Lu find out rather quickly as they stumble into the woods to discover mythological creatures that were thought to only exist in imagination. At the heart of the operation lies the magnificent Phoenix, the last of its kind, who holds the fate of all of the mythological creatures in its power, as well as the freedom of its human caretakers. Zac's debilitating asthma and allergies seem to be improving and both young people are enjoying their caretaking duties until an unfortunate incident leads to a fatal injury to their newly beloved cousin. Can Penny be saved? The whole future of the Wildewoods depends on whatever happens next and it's up to Zac and Lu to find the courage to save the day.

This is a fun book sure to appeal to fantasy fans. Unicorns are trending still and dragons never flag in popularity, so featuring both on the cover is a smart marketing move. I love, though, that the real star is the Phoenix. Growing up in a town where our mascot is the Phoenix I have always had a soft spot for this small, yet mighty, creature and feel that it's high-time that it gets its day. Harry Potter fans are sure to agree and they will be a natural audience, cheering as the siblings discover their previously unknown magical family legacy. Alternating narrators add a layer of interest to the storytelling. The siblings couldn't be more different, yet they learn to appreciate each other, grow stronger through this experience, and complement each other's abilities. Conflict arises as the twins unravel a mystery about the family "curse" and learn who to trust. The author slips in a subtle anti-hunting message and leaves kids with the desire to protect wildlife, both mythological and real. The story ends with a possible invitation back to the Wildewoods, so I would not be surprised if another adventure was not too far along.