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.

Eric Van Allen does a fantastic job in writing a supernatural book and this was no exception, I really enjoyed the way the characters and world were presented and developed. It was everything that I wanted in a opening chapter and was glad it was everything that I was looking for and am excited for more in this world. It was everything that I wanted from the start to the Callie Valentine Saga series.

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.

3 stars

This is one of those books I likely would not have picked up on my own, but I am genuinely glad I gave it a chance. The story had a distinct and memorable atmosphere: a creepy funeral home, mysterious characters, and Death herself walking around in heels. The setting was eerie yet unexpectedly gentle, which gave the book a unique tone that I appreciated.

The plot was intriguing with some compelling twists, especially toward the end. I am still thinking about the final chapters and wishing there was a bit more. I have so many lingering questions. What exactly did Mr. Gerard see in their house? Why can’t Thomas and Jess see Lucy? What happens after Vic returns? I honestly would not mind a sequel to explore these threads further.

That being said, the book did not quite land for me emotionally. Callie, while clearly shaped by her trauma, was hard to connect with at first. Her bitterness created some distance, which made it harder to fully engage with her journey. The writing was strong overall, though there were moments when it seemed to reach too hard for depth, when the story itself could have carried the weight more naturally.

Some sections dragged slightly, and a few twists felt predictable, but the themes of healing, found family, and second chances were handled with care. While it was not a standout for me, it was still an enjoyable and thoughtful read. I would be interested in seeing where this story could go next.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy / Supernatural Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen is a compelling debut that intertwines gritty realism with supernatural elements, delivering a poignant tale of resilience, trust, and transformation. Drawing from his extensive experience as a psychologist working with children and teens in the foster care system, Van Allen crafts a narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth.


The story centres on sixteen-year-old Callie Valentine, who, after the death of her military father and abandonment by her mother, becomes the sole caregiver for her younger siblings. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they are taken in by Victor Delamorte, a mysterious mortician who offers them shelter in his funeral home. As Callie navigates this new environment, she encounters enigmatic characters like Lucy, the mortuary's beautician, and uncovers secrets that blur the lines between life and death.

Van Allen's writing shines in its portrayal of Callie's internal struggles and her journey toward healing. The narrative delves into themes of found family, the impact of trauma, and the possibility of rebirth, both literal and metaphorical. While some readers have noted pacing issues in the early chapters, the story builds momentum as it progresses, culminating in a satisfying blend of emotional catharsis and supernatural intrigue.


The novel's strength lies in its character development and the atmospheric setting of the funeral home, which serves as both a place of mourning and a sanctuary for the protagonists. The subtle integration of mythological elements adds depth to the narrative without overshadowing the central themes.

In conclusion, The Phoenix is a heartfelt exploration of loss and the enduring human spirit. It's a recommended read for those who appreciate character-driven stories with a touch of the supernatural, offering a fresh perspective on the journey from despair to hope.

Thank you for the ARC read! I absolutely loved this book. Kids coming from poverty and loss to a new found family wrapped with mystery.

“I swear, if Jesus ever looked that pathetic in real life no one would have followed him. God, what an emo.” - as an atheist and elder emo, this had me rolling in my seat. I do wish there were a bit more 16-year old snarky attitude throughout the book.

Aside from some confusing formatting and wording/phrasing placements, it was a wonderful read with a decent pace. Either way, I couldn’t put it down.
I hope there will be a second book because I am obsessed! I will definitely be buying a physical copy to add to my collection and read again.

So this is a good book, filled with heartbreak and all the confusion that the FMC, Callie, who is also the narrator and 16 feels. Looking after her two younger siblings she doesn’t know who to trust and what is real. Is she an unreliable narrator or just a young girl forced to grow up too fast?

Callie has spent most of her life seeing shadows that are too dark, hearing things that she is sure she is hallucinating and on rare occasions seeing her Dad, who didn’t make it home from his deployment.

Her Mom is either an alcoholic or user or both and seems to forget that she has children to take care of. Callie washes their clothes in the bathtub and scrounges or steals food to feed them. It was because she had stolen hand pies to feed herself and her siblings that she meets the guy she had nicknamed “The Grim Reaper”.

He pays for the pies, convinces the store owner not to press charges and invites them to have a meal. Callie, always on her guard isn’t so sure. Her younger sister however seems to be able to read people and so off they go.

Following a course of events, the three siblings come to live with “the Grim Reaper”, Vic, at the funeral home and become a family.
Not much happens in terms of large events in this story and because it told from Callie’s point of view, she isn’t so much as an unreliable narrator, just more of a teenager, filled with hormones and forced to take on too many responsibilities, for many years. This story follows the personal growth and trust of the characters and I found that while the circumstances were horrible, it was also a snapshot of how some children grow up and that saddened me more.

There are also elements of mysticism and a little bit of witchcraft but not in a typical paranormal way.

This is the first book in “The Callie Valentine” to thank the author, Eric Van Allen, the publisher, Lurking Lucy Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading!

The Phoenix offers a haunting and atmospheric setup, blending grief, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural in a unique way. Callie’s fierce protectiveness over her siblings and her slow-burning curiosity about Victor Delamorte and the eerie mortuary make for an engaging, if occasionally sluggish, narrative. While the story introduces compelling elements, like a cursed device, Death personified, and themes of trust and resurrection, the pacing sometimes falters, and the plot twists feel more confusing than revelatory. There’s emotional depth here, but it’s buried beneath underdeveloped side characters and a few tonal inconsistencies. A creative concept with heart, but it doesn’t fully rise from the ashes.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen. I had to softly DNF this book, as it didn't quite align with my reading preferences. The writing style wasn't what I'm used to, and I struggled to connect with the main female character, Callie. Additionally, for a YA title, I found the frequent use of strong language a bit excessive.
From a design perspective, the formatting was also a challenge for me. The font felt overly large, and the chapter headings were bold and placed high at the top of the page; it came across as rushed and didn't feel visually polished. That being said, the cover design is fitting and definitely caught my attention, hence one of the reasons I chose this book as an ARC read.
This is an honest review based on a free advance copy provided through NetGalley. I appreciate the opportunity to read it and wish the author all the best.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lurking Lucy Press for the ARC!
The Phoenix is a gritty, emotional YA with supernatural flair. Callie, a fiercely angry teen forced to raise her siblings, finds unexpected shelter in a mysterious funeral home. Themes of found family, grief, and rebirth blend with magic and myth, though early pacing and repetitive angst slow it down. By the end, though, I was hooked. A raw, strange, and heartfelt story of survival and second chances.
4/5

I really enjoyed this book. Being a new author for me I was unsure what to expect in terms of writing. I thought that the book was well written from beginning to end.

3.5 ⭐️ The Phoenix was a fun ride with lots of action and cool world-building. Eric Van Allen definitely knows how to keep the story moving — there was always something happening, which made it super easy to fly through. Some of the character development felt a little rushed, and I wished a few moments had a bit more emotional punch. But overall, it was an exciting read with a strong concept. If you’re looking for a quick sci-fi adventure, this one’s worth checking out

“The Phoenix” is the ground-breaking debut novel of Eric Van Allen. It narrates the story of a tough girl named Callie Valentine as she and her siblings edged their way through survival. She experiences a massive heartbreak as they were abandoned by their mother but showed incredible resilience to not give up. They come across a local mortician named Victor Delamorte who took them in and supported them as they change their lives for the better. But as the story goes on, Callie slowly unravels the mystical mysteries of Victor and his funeral home.

The way it was written was so engaging and the characters were very well written. The book is unlike anything I’ve read before and I loved it.

Thank you Net galley for this advanced copy. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

I really liked this book not the usual book I go for but I’m so glad I did because it was a great read I would most definitely recommend it to my friends