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Phoenix Angel (Shardwell #1)

by Amanda Gerry (Goodreads Author), Christy Hall (Goodreads Author)

4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 · rating details · 77 ratings · 42 reviews

“The authors’ depiction of joy and cruelty in high school rings true, and the hints of a darker reality will leave readers with the best kind of cliff-hanger.” – Kirkus Reviews

What is happening to us? I’ve asked this question a thousand times, but there is no answer.

I was a normal teenager, trudging my way through senior year with my best friend. Then a boy named Kyle Spen...more

Paperback, 329 pages

Published January 21st 2012 by Scribes of Shardwell, LLC (first published 2012)

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Mar 09, 2013 Annie Brewer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Annie by: Deonna

Shelves: for-review, indie, arc

Really liked this book!! It's a shame I kept getting interrutped. But I did enjoy this book. Thanks to the authors for sending me a copy for a review.

Review coming soon!

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Jan 22, 2013 Deonna rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved his book. The character development is excellent. Each character has powerful strengths, but those strengths are also their greatest weaknesses. Maggie is strong because of her anger at injustice, but that anger also causes her extreme trouble. The authors' skills make it easy to identify with several of the characters. My friends and I find that we didn't always choose the same characters with whom to connect.

These two authors (who are sisters)are skilled in using descriptive words and...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Jojo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

The book is about three normal teenagers who discovers, over the course of the book that they actually aren't that normal after all. They have gained mysterious powers and discovered an interesting connection between them.

I enjoyed the characters and the humor made me chuckle a few times. I liked Lily's character because, although she's very girly, you can tell that she has strength in her character. The fire in her does seem to die down quite a bit in the second half of the book, however. Let'...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Stacy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

I loved loved loved this book! For me, this book was like eating chocolate after being deprived of it for so long. I have seriously forgotten what it feels like to read an amazing paranormal romance. This book has it all! Characters that are interesting and well developed. A plot that is fast pace and unique. Also a writing style that is beefed up with good diction! I know it is all most too good to believe that a ya paranormal romance can do all of that! I don't want to give too much away but t...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Rebecca ♥ Ash, Jem, Warner ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal, romance, own-physical-copy, fantasy, reviewed, arcs-giveaways

I would like to thank the authors for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! At first I thought it was familiar, but with enough differences to keep me hooked. But in the end I realized that it was actually like nothing I have read before.

It starts out as a normal high school paranormal romance. Strange things start happening to beautiful Maggie. Things she cant explain. Then a hot new guy shows up at school. This is when the guy would usually tell...more I would like to thank the authors for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! At first I thought it was familiar, but with enough differences to keep me hooked. But in the end I realized that it was actually like nothing I have read before.

It starts out as a normal high school paranormal romance. Strange things start happening to beautiful Maggie. Things she cant explain. Then a hot new guy shows up at school. This is when the guy would usually tell her that he can help her understand whats happening to her. But he doesnt, because this isnt your usual YA PNR. Kyle is as confused as Maggie. After they meet he starts to develop super-human strength and speed. They try to make sense of their new world together, along with Maggie's best friend, Lily.

One of the things I loved most about this book was Maggie. She was like no other heroine I have read. Somehow I could still relate and understand her even though she was a complete bitch. She didnt accept crap from anyone. I have never had trauma in my life like Maggie, but I am extremely emotional and sensitive, so I can understand just needing to keep people out. And I was bullied in school so I admire her and wish that I had had the strength to fight back. The only time that I thought she went to far, was with her plans for the dance. But luckily that didnt turn out as disastrous as I feared.

The book had alternating POVs between Maggie, Kyle, and Lily, but the focus was mostly on Maggie and Kyle for the first half, and the tumultuous romance, the push and pull, and Maggie struggling to get over her bitchiness enough to care about someone again. If this were a contemporary romance, that story alone would have been enough to keep me hooked. But that’s far from all there is to Phoenix Angel.

In the second half of the book, there are still POVs from Maggie, Kyle, and Lily, but the focus switches to Lily, and we add Carter. When Carter meets Lily, he develops powers as well, and now the four friends have to help each other, and avoid the mysterious figures that start appearing. I loved the feeling of the group working together, facing the unknown. As things become more dangerous for them with each passing day, we realize how much we dont know about them. Until the end, when worlds collide and they are forced to face their pasts. They arent all who they seemed and friends and lovers could be torn apart as we are left wanting more.

The writing in this is absolutely amazing. It is beautiful and descriptive. When I first started the book I thought it was pretentious. But that was probably because I got used to the juvenile writing in books I have been reading lately. At first I was stumbling over the big words, but after I got used to it I was loving the imagery and flow. Its hard to believe this is Amanda Gerry and Christy Hall's first book. The only other problem I had was with the cover. It was really confusing and I spent most of the book thinking I might have gotten the wrong book. That it had been put in the wrong binding. The cover makes more sense after reading the second book, but it doesnt suit the first book at all.

Phoenix Angel has elements of contemporary and paranormal romance, as well as parallel-world fantasy. If those sound like the kind of genres you read, I really recommend this book!(less)

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Feb 01, 2013 Nitzan Schwarz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Nitzan by: Deonna

For this review and more, pop by my blog - Drugs Called Books

I received a PAPERBACK copy from the authors! Thank you so much!

This was a great start to what’s sure to become a unique fantasy/YA series. I wasn’t expecting Phoenix Angel to be what it was, but in a good way. It really surprised me. There is definitely something fresh and new about this book.

Fate is a curious concept. I cannot recall when I first recognized mine: the knowledge that no matter how far I run, how much I learn, or how mu

...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Janie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Maggie Brooks is you typicl teenager, doing well in school until she, then she goes out with Matt Larson and her life changes. She avoids social gathering and spend more and more time alone. Her best friend Lilly trys to bring back the old Maggie without success. Then a new boy shows up at school and thing began to change. Maggie starts developing strange powere and so does the new boy Kyle Spencer and Lilly. As they explore these new powers another new boy shows up in town, then things really s...more

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Sep 14, 2012 Ivy Zheng rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hey Guys if you're looking for the review on Phoenix Angel by A. Gerry and C. Hall visit my blog on:
www.booktasticlovers.blogspot.com

You will see all the things you will see there including awesome and epic-ness quotes.
And a wondeful summary.

Oh and also**MY NAME IN MY BLOG IS NOT IVY IS SYI SO IF YOU SEE THAT NAME DON'T FREAK OUT AND SAY THAT'S THE SAME PERSON!!!!1**

The review is already in my blog so have fun reading it<3 Comment on it if you like it!!!

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Feb 23, 2013 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: already-and-will-again, done

granted it was confusing but it was great! I finished it at 10:32 pm and i want to read it again and again and again and again! it was fantabulous, spondifferous, super calla fradgilistic expee alidocoius! it was too great for words.
and wow...just..wow. thats all i can say...wow.

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Oct 31, 2012 Marcus Vinicius Medeiros rated it 4 of 5 stars

Our young years are full of discoveries, intense feelings, powerful passions, true friedships, betrayals and complications everywhere. Just imagina how it all escalates when you add superpowers to the mix! From not so typical teenage Maggie, life in school would just start to be much more intersting. After meetinng a new boy who seems obcessed with her, the whole world would just turn upside down. Phoenix Angel is a compelling book, not about fantastic abilities, but about teenagers and relation...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Lexie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a genre that is definitely becoming saturated, ordinary teens developing superpowers and yet I still love to read these books! Maggie and Lily are best friends, partially because Maggie is such a badass and won’t let anyone get close to her and Lily is the complete opposite so she was determined to make Maggie her friend. Lily can find the good in everyone and is, and does so in Maggie as well. She is also involved in every after school activity which I found hilarious since Maggie occas...more This is a genre that is definitely becoming saturated, ordinary teens developing superpowers and yet I still love to read these books! Maggie and Lily are best friends, partially because Maggie is such a badass and won’t let anyone get close to her and Lily is the complete opposite so she was determined to make Maggie her friend. Lily can find the good in everyone and is, and does so in Maggie as well. She is also involved in every after school activity which I found hilarious since Maggie occasionally got roped into these as well. I personally liked Maggie, she has her reasons for keeping people at a distance and she does compromise for Lily so she, not an unlikeable character, she’s just a teenager in high school. And as most of you will remember high school can suck, all you want to do is survive, have fun if you can, and get out.

The story starts with her perspective, and then shifts to the others as the story continues. I’ve read many books like that, and I personally enjoy it as you can get into the mindset of each character. One day when Lily and Maggie are eating lunch at a table a new kid Kyle sits down with them. When Kyle and Maggie make eye contact something crazy happens, and what happens later is even weirder. I won’t tell you what power Kyle and Maggie develop, because it’s more fun to learn on your own. Maggie shares her secret with Lily and of course Kyle figures it out almost immediately, because he developed his own powers when they met. Maggie has fun using her new powers for not exactly “good” reasons, and Lily tries to reason with her. I have to admit, if I were still that young and immature I probably would have done similar things; most likely we all would have! You have to read the book if you want to know what I’m talking about……..
When Lily meets a new boy named Carter, the same weird initial reaction happens to her and Kyle, but not Maggie. But Lily’s powers don’t develop until several weeks later. What’s interesting is that Carter doesn’t seem to develop any powers at all. Is he one of them, can he be trusted, or is someone else hiding their powers? Again, you’ll have to read the book to find out!

Meanwhile, the group has been attacked and Maggie only survived through Lily’s gift. I’m surprised that they didn’t spend more time discussing why these powers developed now and trying to research more. Especially since such strong feelings were involved with both couples falling in love almost immediately, and Kyle actually hating a certain someone without understanding why. Everything has to be related, but the question in how. All the group knows is that one of them is wanted alive, while the others’ live are forfeit.
Granted, with the twist the Hall sisters threw in at the end all of the research in world wouldn’t have helped.

I thought both Hall sisters did a great job with their description of the town, character development and twists throughout the book. I’ve read 2 books similar to these, but in both the characters were uprooted to new worlds and the twist was revealed at the beginning with one book and immediately in the second book. The Hall sisters leave readers with a cliffhanger, and make the readers want more.

I have my theories as to what will happen in future books, but if I shared them I would be giving away the twist at the end. So we will all have to wait until the next book.
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Sep 21, 2012 Katherine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-giveaway-reviewcopy, shared-pov, paranormal

RATING: 3 Out Of 5

An unusual fantasy story ivolving mysterious powers, the importance of friendship and about love.

Phoenix Angel, is told in 3rd person and centres on 3 characters, mainly on Maggie who can hear peoples thoughts, her best friend Lily and Maggie's love interest; Kyle who is inceptionally fast and strong. This novel had quite a lot of action - which is always good and a good development of its main characters. What is odd about this story, is the blurb and prologue are told in firs...more RATING: 3 Out Of 5

An unusual fantasy story ivolving mysterious powers, the importance of friendship and about love.

Phoenix Angel, is told in 3rd person and centres on 3 characters, mainly on Maggie who can hear peoples thoughts, her best friend Lily and Maggie's love interest; Kyle who is inceptionally fast and strong. This novel had quite a lot of action - which is always good and a good development of its main characters. What is odd about this story, is the blurb and prologue are told in first person from Maggie's pov, but the novel itself is actually told from 3rd. Which is interesting. As it always is, the main two characters are completely opposites of each other, Maggie who has brown locks and blue 'sapphire' eyes and Lily who has blonde curls (why are Lily's always blondes? haha)and 'icy green' eyes and stunnigly handsome Kylie.

Whilst I quite enjoyed this story some things did, I guess you can say, bugged me:
Firstly when the main character is described as "naturally, the most striking beautiful girl" and "there were a million and one reasons why she shouldn't have tried on this dress, and all of them involved the magnificence of her appearance" .....er... righto.

Another is when someone knocked on Maggie’s door; she picks up a knife and jumps out the door wielding it? Ahh Maggie where you honestly intending to just knife someone who was just knocking on your door?? :S

Lastly, the last thing ill complain about is when Maggies mother is talking to her about Kyle. Her mother repeatedly asks her if he is cute, she then asserts to Maggie that if a boy is cute and an 'all-star jock' than he is a winner, Good values your giving your daughter mum.

But that’s really the only stuff that bothered me, and seeing as that’s over the entire book overall - I'd say that’s pretty good. The novel contains a pretty good pace, it’s not too slow that you get bored and little bits of dramatic events happen here and there to build up to some action dominated scenes. All in all, this is a pretty good novel Gerry and Hall have written.

(A review copy was provided)(less)

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Jan 04, 2013 Amy The Book Diaries rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-kindle

www.the-book-diaries.blogspot.com

Wow, this is a hard review for me to write. I enjoyed this book immensely but it also frustrated me at the same time. With that being said, great job authors! This YA book has such mystery to it that it was hard to put it down. Not to mention the normal high school drama along with it, great for the younger readers. The romance part to the story is long awaited, and not overbearing. I think the greatest thing that the reader gets from this is the friendship betwe...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Christina (Ensconced in YA) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-request

I was asked by the author to take a look at her book in exchange for an honest review.

Phoenix Angel (Shardwell Series) by the sister duo A. Gerry and C. Hall follows four teenagers as they maneuver through high school, romance, friendship, and... new powers?

I was greatly entertained by this book from start to finish, which is hard to do with someone who has read as much as I have. I enjoyed the perspectives of the teenagers, and the plot never stalled. Many newbies spend too much time on backst...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Beth (Curling Up With A Good Book) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Maggie is a normal teenager, trudging her way through senior year with her best friend, Lily. Then a boy named Kyle Spencer came to Idaho Falls, and since then everything has fallen apart. Something mysterious has passed among the three friends. They are developing terrifying abilities--strange powers that separate them from normal people.

Even worse, someone--or something--has taken a deadly interest in them. They never know when they are going to strike, or how to protect themselves, or even wh...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review and right away I want say I LOVED this book and I am so glad I was picked to read this. I think the cover is beautiful, I believe the figure perfectly captures the heartbreak that seems to be present for all the characters at some point in the book, also the green Phoenix was odd in an awesome way, so just overall Great. I liked the third person point of view it kept me guessing and added a bit more drama and suspense, I found it also ma...more I received this book free in exchange for an honest review and right away I want say I LOVED this book and I am so glad I was picked to read this. I think the cover is beautiful, I believe the figure perfectly captures the heartbreak that seems to be present for all the characters at some point in the book, also the green Phoenix was odd in an awesome way, so just overall Great. I liked the third person point of view it kept me guessing and added a bit more drama and suspense, I found it also made it easier to become invested in the characters. I thought this was a great first book for a series, it took the time to develop very well rounded and complex characters and gracefully leads up to a big reveal and twist, then boom we come to the end I was left wanting more and am so excited ti see what happens left. I love it I believe you should leave them wanting more and I did.
I found most of the characters to be very relate able and easy to root for, even when they were troubled it made them seem more human, they were able to both struggle and triumph in real world and paranormal situations handling them in the best way they knew how. I was happy to be along for the ride, even some of the `bad guys were interesting.
I liked Maggie right off the bat i understood her inability to trust after being hurt and putting up walls to protect herself, only allowing Lily in at first, the one person willing to put up with her, but also Lily is able to understand Maggie like no one else. Lily is the polar opposite she is bubbly and optimistic I believe they were good for each other creating a sort of balance. Kyle was like an all american jock with a little twist, I think him and Maggie are perfect for each other they challenge each other and with Maggie`s gift Kyle's honesty was something she really needed.
I did not expect the twist I mean I knew they had powers and I knew they had to come from somewhere but the revelation of where and why was NOT at all what I had expected and I was stunned.......in a good way.
The ending was great I mean yes I was disappointed it was over and the cliffhanger is crazy but it was also really really awesome, this book was a great starting point for what I believe is going to be a great series and I can not wait to see what is to come, and all I have to say is thank goodness I was also sent book 2 and I will be continuing on very soon. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes good writing and great characters.

Also posted on my blog: http://stephsfunwithbooks.blogspot.ca...(less)

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Oct 12, 2012 Stephani rated it 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely awesome book!!!! I couldnt put it down once i picked it up. This book is easy to read, fun to read, a little scary and I am really obsessed, I do hope that the author keeps me in mind for the 3rd book!!!! I would gladly drop all books i am currently reading just to jump into the 3rd book. Phoenix Angel is enthralling and addicting!!!! Would make for an amazing movie!!! (hint himt) 5 stars from me!!!

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Oct 31, 2012 Janice (the_red1) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-for-review, ya, paranormal

Reading Phoenix Angel was like reading 2 books that had been smooshed together. Or maybe 3.

The first half of the book focuses on Maggie, self-proclaimed most beautiful girl in school and probably the most unlikable female protagonist I've read in a long time. I've been wracking my brain all day, trying to think of something nice to say about her, and I can't come up with a single thing. The girl was a b*tch, and believe me, I don't say that lightly. I had no idea why her best friend Lily put up...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Bayli rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-young-adult, paranormal

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars

Wow.
OKay, so when I first began this novel I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to feel about it. Sometimes I found the way the main character's acted- unreal, like it would never happen. But as I continued reading- i grew to love the characters more and more.

At first Maggie really annoyed me. I didn't NOT like her, I just didn;t really think her attitude was necessary. But that attitude actually made me really enjo...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Livvvy75 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesome-fantasy, first-reads

Yay!!!!!

I am so happy that I won this! Hope it comes soon! I will definitely be reviewing this.

After receiving the book...

I was very impressed with this book. It was something different from most fantasy books that I read, so it made a very nice change. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the Shardwell series.

The Plot:
Lily and Maggie have been best friends for as long as they can remember. However, they are complete opposites. Maggie is rebellious and Lily is kind to everyone. One...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Phoenix Angel was given to me to read for my review and let me just start by saying how amazed I am that two people could teamwork it though an entire book together successfully. Not to mention that they are sisters! I can get along with anyone in just about any situation, but there is no way that I would be able to sit and write a novel with someone without that person mysteriously disappearing. That goes double where a sibling is involved (not that I don’t love my sister dearly). Gerry and Hal...more Phoenix Angel was given to me to read for my review and let me just start by saying how amazed I am that two people could teamwork it though an entire book together successfully. Not to mention that they are sisters! I can get along with anyone in just about any situation, but there is no way that I would be able to sit and write a novel with someone without that person mysteriously disappearing. That goes double where a sibling is involved (not that I don’t love my sister dearly). Gerry and Hall pulled it off beautifully!

Phoenix Angel had my full attention within the first 50 pages. After that I couldn’t put down. When I had about 70 pages to go, I wished that I had the next novel lined up and ready because I knew it was going to kill me to wait for it. And it still might!

Maggie is a beautiful high school girl scorned by a football player. Since the experience she’s become closed off and nasty to her fellow classmates, especially if they’re in a certain popular crowd. Her best friend, however, is the other side of the coin. Loved by all and on every school planning board, Lily, always has a sunny disposition and is always smiling. Lily more or less keeps Maggie (and her mouth) in check. Friends since they were babies, they have a deep, sisterly bond.

There’s a new guy in school with calendar-guy good looks and is easily the best player on the football team. Kyle has instant fame. The guys all worship him and the girls are falling at his feet. However, he has eyes only for quick-tempered Maggie – and she hates him. In fact, the first time their eyes meet, Maggie becomes violently ill. Lily thinks that Maggie should give Kyle a chance and Kyle is ever trying to prove to Maggie that he’s not the typical jock, even saving her from sexual harassment from the other players and rescuing her from an attack at work. She’s constantly fighting off his attempts, but he’s relentless. SPOILER ALERT - It all leads up to the best first kiss I’ve ever read!

Soon after meeting, Maggie, Lily, and Kyle all develop strange new “talents”. They believe these talents to be the reason behind a violent attack by large-poison-fanged –telepathic wolves. The trio resolve to develop their talents to better defend themselves against any future attacks. Something is obviously after Maggie, and that something is willing to kill Lily and Kyle to get her.

Soon another new guy shows up in town and it’s quickly clear that he’s part of whatever is happening with Maggie, Lily, and Kyle. Friend or foe, Carter joins the trio and discovers that he has powers as well. Together they fend off a double attack led by a man in white and a man in black that seem to know them all, but by different names from a different time. The attack leaves hundreds dead and one of them behind while the others escape.

The book ends as the perfect set up for a great series. Maggie, Lily, Kyle, and Carter are part of an ancient battle between good and evil. We don’t know yet who is on what side. And although I have my suspicions, I have a feeling that Gerry and Hall have a twist. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!

- Crystal DV
http://andositis.blogspot.com
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Nov 15, 2012 Jennifer Bielman (Reading and Writing UF and PNR) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, young-adult, fantasy

From http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

At A Glance
This book was a little bit of a rollercoaster for me. I loved certain parts then almost gave up reading on others. It was a good book, just not great.

The Good
Maggie is the beautiful girl with a lot of issues (especially boy issues) but her smart, happy best friend, Lily, kind of balances her out. But when Kyle moves into town, Maggie can't help but hate/love him. And that's when the trouble starts. Maggie is assaulted by numerous creatures...more

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Apr 27, 2013 Rachel Hanville rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Rachel by: Deonna

Shelves: 2013-paranormal-and-fantasy-challen

Maggie and Lily are normal high school students until one day a boy name Kyle starts attending their school. Soon after seeing him, Maggie starts to develop powers as does Kyle. Eventually Lily and Maggie become friends with Kyle. However, not all is good. There might be some people who are after them.

I thought the characters in this book were pretty relatable. Maggie can be mean at times, but I still liked her and I felt bad for her when homecoming came. I also liked that other characters thou...more Maggie and Lily are normal high school students until one day a boy name Kyle starts attending their school. Soon after seeing him, Maggie starts to develop powers as does Kyle. Eventually Lily and Maggie become friends with Kyle. However, not all is good. There might be some people who are after them.

I thought the characters in this book were pretty relatable. Maggie can be mean at times, but I still liked her and I felt bad for her when homecoming came. I also liked that other characters thought she was mean. She was by no means a Mary Sue even if she was described as being very beautiful. I thought Lily was a sweet girl, and she was probably my favorite character in the story.

The novel was very fun to read. I would have been able to read it quickly if I hadn't been so busy recently. I think a lot of students who don't usually read would like this novel a lot, especially since it doesn't just have high school drama but also has fantasy in it.

What I didn't like about this novel was a lot of the time not much was happening. The characters would just do normal high school stuff when I wanted to learn more about their powers and why they were getting them. Sure, sometimes the characters would get attacked, but it wouldn't be mentioned much and they would go on with their lives, especially the first time. It is a bit different the second time it happens.

I also didn't like that the characters fell instantly in love when they had first met each other. I know that this is common in YA books, but I think it's cheesy and unrealistic. It would be much more interesting to me if it took time for the characters to fall in love. I was glad that Maggie didn't want to date Kyle right away.

However, despite this, I did like the novel, and I am going to read the sequel. I have a feeling the sequel is going to be better then this novel. A lot of people might like this novel more than I did. Overall I would give it three stars.

I was given a free copy of this book and the sequel by the authors' friend.(less)

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Dec 11, 2012 Teiamarie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Incredibly unique! This book had me on an emotional roller coaster with both ups and downs so I'll do my best to depict both as honestly as possible!

Phoenix Angel drew me in from the start! I really enjoyed it and developed an attachment to Maggie, Lily, and even Kyle. Conflicting with my attachment to these three main characters was my irritation with Maggie's negativity. Knowing a handful of people who seem to spend their lives focused on all the bad things, this attitude drives me crazy. Nobo...more Incredibly unique! This book had me on an emotional roller coaster with both ups and downs so I'll do my best to depict both as honestly as possible!

Phoenix Angel drew me in from the start! I really enjoyed it and developed an attachment to Maggie, Lily, and even Kyle. Conflicting with my attachment to these three main characters was my irritation with Maggie's negativity. Knowing a handful of people who seem to spend their lives focused on all the bad things, this attitude drives me crazy. Nobody likes to be around a person who is set on being nasty to everyone and sees everything as glass-half-empty. Up until the middle of the book, that's kind of the way I perceived Maggie. There were actually times when I wanted to slap her for her bad attitude and unwillingness to bend. I briefly put the book down because I needed a break from Maggie! Well, it turns out that I just happened to stop as her personality took on a positive change. Back into the book I dove!

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

I plan to reference specific events from this point on and this book takes several unexpected turns so if you're going to read it (and I ultimately recommend you do) this would be a good place to stop reading!

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The first half of Phoenix Angel takes place in a small town modern high school. The focus is on the relationships built between Maggie and Lily until Kyle shows up and joins their group. Kyle is absolutely set on dating Maggie despite her surly demeanor and it seems like nothing can deter him until Maggie publicly shoots him down when he asks her to homecoming. I can understand Maggie's reluctance to trust any guy because of her past experience but Kyle seems so genuine that I really wanted to trust him. Well, after Maggie destroys his male ego, Kyle asks out the one nasty popular girl who shared in creating Maggie's humiliation several years before. I was pissed off on Maggie's behalf and if Kyle loved her so much there's no way he would have done something so low. I hated him at this point. The pain they inflict on each other is what helps push them together in the end but there was just so much angst that I briefly considered shelving the book.

In walks Carter. He seemed kind of shady from the start but he seemed so devoted to Lily that I was torn and didn't know what to think. On the other hand, Kyle downright hated him for no reason that I could see. I was so confused and didn't know how to feel. I kept wondering why he couldn't just put his feelings aside for Lily and let her have her love? During all this, Maggie, Kyle and Lily, in that order, develop special abilities. Carter's don't develop until he and Kyle have an all out brawl. I thought somebody was going to die or at least get seriously injured; a rift would form between the couples for sure! Instead, the boys reach an agreement to protect the girls. Good on them. I thought all problems were solved then they're all ambushed at school..

At this point, I once again entered my fluffy cloud of confusion. The novel immediately transforms into something more fantasy. I was reeling! We go from four modern day high school students to princesses, lords, past lives, mysterious warriors bent on killing some of them and teleportation? Don't get me wrong, I was really starting to love the turn the story was taking but downshifting that fast took some adjusting! The ending had an excellent cliffhanger too and lots more questions! What made it more curious was the intent in the epilogue to take to reader back to the beginning in the next book. My curiosity is definitely piqued and I have every intention of picking up the second book in the Shardwell series! I can't wait to see what happens next! Phoenix Angel had so many unexpected turns I can't help but wonder what's in store for the future! I have big expectations for the next book! I'm only hoping that Maggie is over her bad attitude and that Lily finds the person she was truly meant to be with (because Carter was just tricky! Who saw that coming?!) (less)

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Oct 31, 2012 Megan (Bookworm in Love) rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was definitely interesting. The characters weren't the best, though, and I didn't totally understand the plot (maybe because I found myself skimming a bit). And the language drove me insane. It's about teenagers. Not a research paper.

Other than that, I did like Kyle Spencer, since he was funny and heroic and whatnot. And Maggie bugged the crap out of me. I know I've said before that I want a heroine to like herself, but really, she's the most stunning girl in school? And one bad guy c...more

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May 06, 2013 Yvette rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-books

This book was great! I really enjoyed the characters and most of the development of the story. I love how the author kept you guessing about what was really going on. I love trying to figure it out without being told, and the cliff-hanger made me gleefully pull at my hair! lol! I can't wait to read Guardians of Time to find out how this all started.

****SPOILER-ish*****

I will say that I was a little disappointed how quickily things went with Kyle and Mags from the apology to the overly in love s...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Bieke {Istyria book blog} rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, never-read-again, read-to-review

It was good. Not great, just good.
I got into it pretty fast. Everything happens early in the book and Kyle and Maggie fall in love instantly etc etc... A bit cliché, but okay. The chapters are really short sometimes and it jumps from Maggie's point of view to Kyle's or Lily's.
In part 2 there's suddenly a guy named Carter and it looks like we skipped some time because Kyle and Maggie are suddenly a couple.
I didn't understand much of it, maybe I just have to read the second one to understand.
T...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Daria ♞ rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

A young girl named Maggie finds out that she's not what she always thought she was. This story gives a Harry Potter-esque feel only because of the topics it mainly focuses on, such as bravery, friendship and love. We met a variety of interesting characters early in the book such as Maggie, her best friend Lily and Kyle. There we begin our adventure.

First of all, I'd like to thank being sent the book in return of an honest review.

Right away when reading the book you can tell that the authors are...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, y-a, romance

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the writing styles of the author’s as a whole.

Throughout the first half of the book the main focus is centered on Maggie. She turned me off from the beginning; her attitude was repulsive and extremely off-putting. I found myself not wanting to root for her at all and actually wondering why I was reading so much about her and her attitude. I didn’t realize why anyone would but up with her especially Lily, the most...more

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May 14, 2013 Peter rated it 5 of 5 stars

First off i'd love to thank the Authors and Deonna Johnson for giving my copies of Phoenix and and Guardian of Time(which I am excitedly making my way through now :D).

Two normal best friends make their way through their senior year at a normal high School. Things start getting...not so normal, when Maggie begins to develop strange powers, that she neither wants nor understands. She tries her best to make due, but when a boy comes into her life, it just gets worse.

~~
I love this book and would...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
♥!The Young Adult...: Christy Hall & Amanda Gerry	23	79	Mar 09, 2013 12:27pm
Shut Up & Read: * {Read It & Reap104}-Phoenix Angel by A. Gerry & C. Hall	7	43	Oct 31, 2012 05:18pm
Character development	1	6	Apr 11, 2012 10:40pm

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Young Adult

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Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

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Romance

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Romance > Paranormal Romance

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About Amanda Gerry

A. Gerry developed an interest in fantasy at a young age. In middle school, she fell in love with writing short stories and was thrilled when her sister proposed creating a series of novels together. Her fondness of writing comes from many sources, but the most prominent is her avid devotion to video games. Some of her favorites include Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls series, and anything that lets...more

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Quotes from Phoenix Angel

“Sacrifice and devotion do not inherently save those you love; sometimes their chosen path will lead them past any hope of redemption.” — 7 people liked it

“Those corrupted by the pursuit of power, despite another's attempt at unspoiled love, cannot be rescued from the darkness that devours the soul” — 6 people liked it

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Phoenix Angel (Shardwell #1)

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