Book Review: Phoenix by SF Said

Title: Phoenix

Author: SF Said
Illustrator: Dave McKean
Series: Standalone
Pages: 496
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Date of Publication: 1st August, 2013
Source: Publisher*
Synopsis from Goodreads:
THE SUPERNOVA IS COMING . . . ONE BOY ALONE CAN SAVE THE GALAXY!

Lucky thinks he's an ordinary Human boy. But one night, he dreams that the stars are singing - and wakes to find an uncontrollable power rising inside him.

Now he's on the run, racing through space, searching for answers. In a galaxy at war, where Humans and Aliens are deadly enemies, the only people who can help him are an Alien starship crew - and an Alien warrior girl, with neon needles in her hair.

Together, they must find a way to save the galaxy. For Lucky is not the only one in danger. His destiny and the fate of the universe are connected in the most explosive way . . .

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed Phoenix and I thought it was great. I didn't know too much about it until it dropped through my letterbox, but I knew that as soon as it did I would have to read it, especially after seeing the brilliant trailer and reading the synopsis, which really intrigued me.

I don’t often read space books, so I was both excited and apprehensive to read it. I was excited because it was something new, something that I’d never really experienced before, and I was looking forward to it. I was apprehensive because there's a reason I don’t read too many space books – because the few I have read have been a bit hit and miss (mostly miss, to be honest!). But, I’m happy to say that Phoenix is definitely a hit for me.

The world created in Phoenix is so wonderfully imaginative, and so brilliantly written. I got lost in the stars within only a few minutes of reading. I loved the concept of the singing stars being the centre of everything, and the universe was just such a pleasure to read about (even the bad bits like the Shadow Guards!). I especially loved any scene where Lucky was inside the astrolabe and flying through the sky.

The characters were fantastic. I especially loved the Axxa, and I really liked how they were so similar physically to humans, yet their lifestyle and culture is so hugely different. I felt sorry for them while they were attacked and hated by humans, and I was really glad that Lucky could overcome his ingrained hatred of them and that they could actually work together in the end and be happy doing so.

At first, I wasn't sure about the ending and didn't like it at all. I know that sounds harsh, but I was expecting (or maybe I was just really hoping for) something different. Now though, having reflected on the book a little and thinking about it, it seems like the best ending the story could have had and I’m happy that it ended that way. It just felt so right. And sorry if that doesn't make too much sense...

Anyhoo, I think you can tell that I liked it, a lot. I'm definitely recommending to all YA fans out there, especially if you'd like something fresh and intriguing. With fabulous world building, great characters and an exciting plot, there's a little something for everyone and it's definitely not one to be missed!

*Huge thanks to Random House for sending me this in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.