Mixing in elements of the mystical with the decidedly mundane, this story describes how 16 year old Callie struggles to be the caregiver to her younger siblings. Cynical and suspicious, she does not expect help, perhaps because of her life experiences to date.

Yet help comes from the most unexpected of sources - and so does danger!

An engaging and creatively written story, this gets 3.5 stars.

This book is a haunting, genre-bending story of grief and trust. Blending gothic mystery with magic, it follows Callie’s fight to protect her siblings while uncovering dark secrets

Overall a solid read I’ve told my friends about this book

The Phoenix has an intriguing premise, and that’s what initially pulled me in. Sixteen-year-old Callie Valentine has been through a lot—her father died in combat, her mother abandoned the family, and she's been left to raise her younger siblings on her own. When they’re evicted and facing homelessness, a mysterious mortician named Victor Delamorte offers them a place to stay at his funeral home. Naturally, Callie’s skeptical. Is he just being kind—or does he want something in return?
The set-up is compelling, and there are definitely moments of suspense and curiosity—like the creepy mortuary beautician Lucy, mysterious rules, forbidden rooms, and strange devices. The tension between Callie’s mistrust and her growing connection to Delamorte gives the story some emotional weight. I especially liked her dry wit and inner dialogue; she’s a solid protagonist.
That said, the pacing and plot felt off in several places. Events sometimes came out of nowhere, and certain developments didn’t quite add up. Some twists felt random rather than earned, which pulled me out of the story. And while the concept is interesting, the execution wasn’t always consistent.
Also, the book cover didn’t really match the tone or characters inside—it gave a different impression than the story delivered. From the Goodreads description, it sounds like this might be part of a series? But the ending felt pretty final, so I’m not sure what a next book would even cover.
Overall, it’s a unique story with potential, but some structural issues and inconsistencies kept it from fully clicking for me.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy of this book.

The author kept me interested in the book from the first few pages.

The characters and settings I found very intriguing.

I think all young adults would find the adventures on this books ok a level to make you imagine a different world .

I give it a thumbs up !
#NetGalley

The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen is a haunting, genre-bending story of grief, trust, and resilience. Blending gothic mystery with myth and magic, it follows Callie’s fight to protect her siblings while uncovering dark secrets and unexpected hope. Unforgettable and beautifully strange.

The Phoenix was an engaging and fast-paced read that kept me hooked from start to finish. I really enjoyed the unique blend of action and character development—the protagonist felt relatable, and the stakes were high enough to keep the tension alive throughout. Some parts could have been a bit more fleshed out, but overall, I found it thrilling, immersive, and very satisfying.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

I struggled with this one. I don't love leaving negative reviews, but I was turned off by the description of assault in the early part of the book. The neighbor character that tries to get the MC to move in with him to "scratch his back" is obviously not a good person since the MC is a minor. However, I wanted the MC to make some sort of negative verbalization in line with "no" before kicking him in the crotch, pushing him down the stairs and gouging his eyes. I think the author might argue that because he steps into her path it's justified. But, I still wanted her to say something along the lines of "No. Please let me by" before escalating to extreme violence. I continued reading for maybe ten percent after that in hopes that the book would get better and I would feel better, but when I reached the end of Part I, I decided that I did not want to continue to part II as I did not like the characters and wasn't enjoying myself. Thank you for the ARC, and I'm sorry to DNF at 26%. I hope the author finds their audience.

Well, well, well. Eric Van Allen has gone and done it again – taken a story that could have been a Lifetime movie and somehow made it compelling enough that I didn't once check my phone for TikTok videos while reading it. That's saying something in today's attention-deficit world.

The Phoenix is essentially what happens when someone asks, "What if we took a really depressing premise and then made it... not terrible?" The answer is this book about Callie, Thomas, and Jess – three kids who are living what can only be described as the opposite of a Disney Channel Original Movie experience.

Let me paint you a picture: Dad's taken the ultimate Irish goodbye (permanently), Mom's discovered that wine pairs excellently with literally everything, including breakfast cereal, and these three kids are playing a real-life version of The Sims where someone keeps removing the ladder from the swimming pool. Except the swimming pool is life, and they're all terrible swimmers.

Van Allen has this uncanny ability to make you simultaneously want to adopt these children AND hide your own kids' college funds. Callie, the oldest, has clearly been promoted to "Mom 2.0" without getting the employee handbook or a decent salary (read: any salary). Thomas appears to be channeling his inner MacGyver, except instead of saving the world, he's trying to figure out how to make mac and cheese stretch for three days. And Jess? Well, Jess is just along for this delightfully tragic ride, probably wondering why her Hogwarts letter never arrived.

The beauty of this book isn't in its subtlety – because frankly, Van Allen approaches the theme of childhood neglect with all the delicacy of a wrecking ball decorated with neon signs. But here's the thing: it works. Sometimes you need someone to grab you by the literary lapels and shake you while shouting, "HEY! KIDS ARE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS!"

What saves this from becoming a public service announcement is Van Allen's genuine knack for character development. These aren't just vessels for Very Important Messages – they're actual humans who happen to be small and dealing with circumstances that would make most adults curl up in a corner with a pint of ice cream and a good cry.

The writing style is refreshingly unpretentious. Van Allen doesn't try to win any awards for Most Creative Metaphor or Most Obscure Literary Reference. He just tells the story, and he tells it well. It's like having that friend who can make even the most mundane grocery store trip sound interesting – except instead of discussing the philosophical implications of choosing paper over plastic, he's exploring how three kids navigate a world that's essentially forgotten they exist.

Now, I'm giving this four stars instead of five, and here's why: occasionally Van Allen gets a little too comfortable on his soapbox. Yes, we get it – the system is broken, children are vulnerable, society has failed, etc. But sometimes I wanted him to trust that his readers are smart enough to connect the dots without having them spelled out in 72-point font with highlighting and arrows.

That said, The Phoenix is the kind of book that'll stick with you long after you've returned it to the library (or more likely, after it's been buried under three months of unread magazines on your nightstand). It's a reminder that some of the most important stories aren't about superheroes or star-crossed lovers – they're about regular kids doing extraordinary things just to survive another day.

If you're looking for a light beach read, this isn't it. If you want something that'll make you think, feel, and maybe even do something about the Callies, Thomases, and Jesses in your own community, then congratulations – you've found your next book club selection.

Just maybe keep some tissues handy. And possibly the number for your local children's charity. You know, just in case.


Reading Progress

DNF at 20%

The plot was not personally appealing, although it did interest me in the synopsis. The characters were appealing, but there was nothing that really grasped my attention.

The Phoenix isn't what I expected it to be at all. I'll admit the beginning pages had me a little turned off. Where the story took the reader was definitely unexpected. The character building was within the story. The connections between the characters and shining a light on a horrific situation that sadly so many have to endure had me gripping my phone as I read on my Kindle app. My heart ached for the main character and her siblings.
I felt like the last chapter was a quick wrap up. I had so many feelings as I read this story and that's why I'm giving it a higher rating.
Was it my cup of tea? No. This might just be the book that another person adores.

A contemporary story of a sixteen-year-old (FMC) trying to avoid foster care with her twelve and nine-year-old siblings when their Mom is no longer able. A mysterious do-gooder takes them in. The book is filled with many magical-seeming mysteries that remain unexplained, which was both enjoyable and unsatisfying, yet in a way, I appreciated. The author does a great job of taking a teenage perspective on the FMC, who is traumatized and has no social safety net, making a significant portion of the book heavy. It’s real-world, high-stakes, like being evicted and having no food to eat type of high-stakes. I wouldn’t call this a fun read, but it feels relevant and timely in its portrayal of the many ways kids in low socio-economic situations can suffer. LOVE that the author adds a resource at the end for how to help with foster care without necessarily becoming a foster parent.

What initially drew me to this book was the premise. I loved that it blended contemporary elements with magic, which was a bit outside my usual comfort zone as someone who primarily reads adult romance and fantasy. Although the story is meant to be fast-paced, there were moments where it felt a little slow to me. That said, I enjoyed the author’s writing style, and overall it was an easy, engaging read. The book felt more character-driven than plot-driven, but the main character was very well developed and likely relatable to many readers. I’d definitely recommend this to fans of YA who are interested in trying fantasy without diving into anything too complex.

In this book we follow three siblings. The Eldest Callie, and her brother Thomas and sister Jess. They are living alone in an apartment. Their father dead, and their alcoholic mother is gone. Callie is doing her best to take care of her siblings by stealing food. One day they come home to find an eviction note at the door. Around the same time they meet a mortician called Victor Delamorte who offers to help them and give them a place to stay.

This book is a written reminder of how easily children can fall between the cracks and be forgotten and neglected. Callie feels that she has been left og betrayed by all parents/adults in her life. Understandably she think it is hard to trust people and are constantly afraid of being left, and not being able to take care of her siblings.

I liked the writing style in this book. The book was kind of slow paced, but at the same time had some exiting moments. You have to get a good chunk trough the book before the fantasy aspect really starts, and it is kind of a small part of the book.

TW: child abuse, neglect, swearing.

I really loved this book that was told from Callie's POV. I only struggled a bit with the pacing when I thought at times it was fast paced and then coming in slow paced chapters. But overall the themes are found family (we love a good found family right?), supernatural mentor and second chances theme iykyk.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars – Emotional Depth with Uneven Execution

The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen is a deeply emotional journey that goes far beyond a typical fantasy tale. At its heart, it’s a story about love, grief, and resilience—about rising from the ashes when everything feels lost. I was especially drawn to the dynamic between the siblings and the raw hardship they faced together. Their bond felt real and heartbreaking, and the emotional weight of the story lingered long after the final page.

However, despite the strength of the narrative, the execution didn’t quite land for me. The formatting of the writing made it harder to stay engaged, and at times, it disrupted the pacing of the story. Additionally, the cover felt a bit misleading—what looked like a more traditional fantasy adventure turned out to be something far more introspective and emotional. If the presentation had better aligned with the depth of the content, this could have been a much stronger read. Still, it’s a heartfelt story worth exploring for those who enjoy character-driven fantasy with emotional stakes.

The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen – 3.5/5 stars

The Phoenix is a thoughtful YA fantasy about grief, family, and finding strength after loss. It follows 16-year-old Callie Valentine, who becomes the main caregiver for her younger siblings after losing her dad and being abandoned by her mum. They’re taken in by a mysterious funeral home owner, Victor Delamorte, and from there, strange and emotional events unfold.

What works well:
The setting—a funeral home—is eerie but interesting, with a quiet, mysterious tone
Callie is a strong main character, and her love for her siblings feels real and powerful
The story is well-paced, balancing quiet moments with emotional and supernatural twists

What didn’t work as well:
The beginning is a little slow, spending more time on setup than action
Some side characters could use more development
The magical parts are subtle, which may disappoint readers expecting lots of fantasy

Overall:
The Phoenix is a quiet, emotional story with a touch of the supernatural. It’s less about big fantasy battles and more about healing, family, and learning to keep going. A good pick for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with heart.

I did enjoy this book but it was a bit slow at the beginning.

Callie, Jessie and Thomas are evicted and end up living in a funeral home.

The world building was done well and the story was suspenseful in areas.

It kept me reading with the twists that appear later.

All in all in was a good book and I will read again from this author

Thank you NetGalley, Lurking Lucy Press and Eric Van Allen for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a coming of age, paranormal story with themes of found family, resilience and responsibility.

This was a fast paced story that explored themes of grief, second chances and the supernatural.

The book was well written, and enjoyed the style of prose. I felt that at times there was inconsistencies in the timeline, and things became muddled, for that reason I would give it 3 stars.

TW for the story: child neglect, abandonment, death, gruesome descriptions

The Phoenix is a gripping tale of redemption, resilience, and rebirth. Eric Van Allen weaves a powerful narrative that rises from the ashes of hardship with hope and fierce determination. A compelling read that inspires and captivates from start to finish.