Emily Dacho
Fantasy demands a well-established world with fully developed characters who face challenges as evil looms. It also requires heroes and heroines tasked with vanquishing the villain. The Wicked Phoenix encompasses all these elements, boasting intriguing characters, a richly built world, and notably impressive writing.
Yes, the book is lengthy—around 500 pages—but the story is enthralling. My first introduction to the antagonist, Phoenix Shadowwalker, and his loyal servant not only set the stage for what's to come but also elicited sympathy for the people of Vacari, who are unaware of the impending threat. Then, the protagonists enter the scene, also unaware of Phoenix's malevolent plans.
King Alex vows to rescue his queen. I eagerly followed along, curious to see how he would accomplish this, particularly since the Druchii (Phoenix's Army) have already captured him. As for Ong Swifthammer and Keisha, I was invested in discovering their fate. Would they overcome the enemy and restore Vacari's former glory? Would their love prevail?
The author's writing kept me engrossed in the story from start to finish. A must-read for fans of fantasy.
