I do like a good fantasy read and although it is a while since I was a YA I've often enjoyed this sort of book. The book initially introduces us to two sisters, Veronyka and Val, who are animages. Animages are capable of communicating with animals magically. A major war some 16 years earlier has left them orphaned. The war was also responsible for wiping out the Phoenix Riders. These legendary heroes, animages all, rode phoenixes in battle. They were defeated by the Council. The sisters wish to become phoenix riders. All they need to do is hatch two phoenix eggs.

This is a fantasy read so obviously there are journeys to be made, people to meet and challenges to overcome. Val is a controlling person which causes rather more than tension. The Council are still at war with Phoenix Riders and seek to destroy any their troops find. Animages are at best second class citizens and usually enslaved. Family histories are gradually revealed as are more general myths and legends. There is plenty in this to keep the reader entertained.

The writing is fairly straightforward and should be easily understood by the YA target audience. I guess I found some aspects of this fairly obvious however some things did take me by surprise. Veronyka is a well worked character and there are others too than played a very good part for me. While I guess I, as an adult, would rate this as 4 star I imagine that the target audience might rate this more highly. This is the first book in a two part series and I enjoyed reading it. Whatever else I would certainly read book two very happily.