Eric Van Allen’s The Phoenix is a novel that thrives on contrasts grief and hope, the mundane and the mystical, survival and transformation. At its core, it’s a story about family and resilience, but what sets it apart is its eerie yet comforting setting: a funeral home that becomes a sanctuary for lost souls, both literally and figuratively.

Callie Valentine is a protagonist readers will either admire or challenge. She’s guarded, sharp-witted, and often stubborn, but her flaws make her feel deeply human. Her younger siblings, Thomas and Jess, add emotional weight to her journey, reminding us that survival isn’t just about oneself but also about those we love. Victor Delamorte, the enigmatic mortician, is a character who lingers in the reader’s mind whether as a savior or something more ambiguous depends on how you interpret his presence.

The supernatural elements are subtle but effective. Lucy, with her chillingly beautiful dress that weaves the legend of the Phoenix, adds an almost gothic fantasy layer to the book. Unlike traditional paranormal stories, The Phoenix doesn’t lean on magic to solve its characters’ problems; instead, it uses mythology to mirror the internal battles they face.

While the novel’s pacing is steady, some moments could have been further developed particularly the emotional peaks. The writing is immersive, but at times, it feels like the story holds back just when it’s about to soar. That said, the themes of rebirth and second chances shine through, making it a novel that lingers after the last page.

For readers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling with a mix of raw emotion and quiet magic, The Phoenix is a compelling journey of loss, survival, and the hope that, like the legendary bird, we can rise again.

I just finished this book, and I have to say that I enjoyed it!

It was different than anything else I'd read lately, and it was a nice change of pace. I also found the main character relatable, even if she was frustrating at times, I understood her and why she acted the way she did.

"Were they somehow angry I'd been born? Honesty, there were times I felt the same way." - This is a quote that really stuck out to me, and part of why I find her relatable. There is a lot of honesty in this book when it comes to feelings of grief, loneliness and the struggles that the three children face.

There wasn't a lot that happened, but the book was still interesting and it was really about the characters and growth for me. I enjoyed all the characters for their own reasons (except for the money hungry assistant, but that's to be expected.). I enjoyed seeing the character growth. Callie learning to trust others and her journey was the main part of the book for me. The way she cared for her siblings, and the way they cared for her was very sweet. I also loved seeing the "found family" come into play. There were no romantic intersts for the main character and I love seeing that for a change. It was really just about her and her bonds with her family (found family included.)

The writing style was easy to read, and conversational in nature. It kept my interest.

There wasn't a lot of descriptions to picture things, but I am someone who has aphantasia and this was actually a nice break for me to not have to read a bunch of descriptions I wasn't able to picture. If you are someone who needs to vividly picture stuff, this might not be for you but if you're like me then I think you might really enjoy it!

Overall rating is 3.5, rounding it up to 4.

This book follows 16 year old Callie during her time at Victor Delamorte’s mortuary. After being evicted from her apartment with her two younger siblings, Victor offers them a place to live in the mortuary but the place is full of secrets. As Callie and her siblings adjust to their new life and new home, Callie grows suspicious of Delamorte and others working in the mortuary.

The concept of this book is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. At no point while reading did I compare it to a book I’ve read in the past because it was so unique! If you enjoy supernatural young adult novels - this is a really fun read. While it isn’t my preferred genre, I can see a lot of people enjoying this.

However, the narration is a little jarring if I’m being honest. Callie is a very conversational narrator. It was a lot of repeated “I” statements one right after the other with little description of the setting characters or events to break it up. If you really enjoy being able to vividly picture things as you read, you might have a hard time with this. It’s not my preferred narration style but if you enjoy that it’s definitely another reason to try the book!

The supernatural elements of this novel don’t fully emerge until toward the climax as Callie seems to go in and out of believing in the supernatural throughout the beginning portion. Even when secrets are revealed and Callie witnesses supernatural events, she doubts herself and is untrusting of those who confided in her. If you are new to young adult supernatural novels, this could be a good place to start to dip your toe in! I found the obstacles Callie faces in her search to recover what was lost to be overcome quite easily. Which made it an easy read, not stressful or anxiety provoking but a fun easy read for young adults.

This was a DNF for me unfortunately. The first few pages were so graphic with bodily functions, I did not want to read further.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This YA book features a family of three children aged 16, 12, and 8, who wind up living with a very elderly gentleman in his funeral home. The narrator is 16 year old Callie Valentine who has been responsible for taking care of her siblings as her mother fell further into drugs. This young woman isn't a magically together, super-smart girl who has been a terrific provider while navigating around her mother; she attempts to steal (poorly) and has no idea what to do when the trio is evicted from their apartment.

Luck and magic come together in the form of Victor Delamorte, an elderly mortician, who offers the children temporary employment and eventual permanent shelter in his home above his mortuary. His gentle care and guidance finally give these children an adult to rely upon and teach them how to care for themselves as a family. The magic is in the form of funeral home beautician, Lucy, and the shadowy ghosts that Callie can see as well as the mystical burial casket hidden in a roomful of treasures. Magic, belief, and love intersect in the resolution of the book when the children care for Victor in his final days and then embark on a quest to fulfill his last wishes.

Victor's last days are a very realistic portrayal of someone dying at home with loved ones caring for them. It's a pretty big surprise for a YA title, yet that's one of the joys of a YA novel - exploring events that are terrible and beautiful and emotional before encountering them in adult life. There's just enough magic and mystery to help Callie make the leap into finally trusting first one adult, and then finally others.

Thank you Lurking Lucy Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.