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The Phoenix Girls #1
The Conjuring Glass
When thirteen-year-old orphan Penny Sinclair moves to the small town of Dogwood to live with her godmother, she expects her life to become very dull. She doesn't expect to find a strange talking fox roaming the countryside near her new home, a kindred spirit in her new friend Zoe, or the secret grove where they discover the long hidden magic of The Phoenix Girls.
Learning to use magic isn't easy, though; Penny and Zoe get their magic wrong almost as often as they get it right. When something sinister threatens Dogwood, their often accidental magic may be the only thing that can stop it.
“Knight (They Call Us Monsters) makes a solid transition into YA from his previous horror and dark fantasy work; unexpected plot developments, wish fulfillment, and an eerie atmosphere combine to make the adventure a quick but entertaining fantasy-mystery.” Publishers Weekly
"A highly visual, vivid picture high on style, prose and action. A must read for fans in search of rekindling their sense of purity and endless imagination." Horrornews.net
Learning to use magic isn't easy, though; Penny and Zoe get their magic wrong almost as often as they get it right. When something sinister threatens Dogwood, their often accidental magic may be the only thing that can stop it.
“Knight (They Call Us Monsters) makes a solid transition into YA from his previous horror and dark fantasy work; unexpected plot developments, wish fulfillment, and an eerie atmosphere combine to make the adventure a quick but entertaining fantasy-mystery.” Publishers Weekly
"A highly visual, vivid picture high on style, prose and action. A must read for fans in search of rekindling their sense of purity and endless imagination." Horrornews.net
203 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2013
44 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
Brian Knight
99 books68 followersBrian Knight lives in Washington State with his family and the voices in his head. His favorite things include coffee, writing outdoors on warm summer nights, and Hawaiian shirts. Find him online at www.Brian-Knight.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 8, 2013
The Phoenix Girls – The Conjuring Glass by Brian Knight
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is not the type of book I usually read, but I was looking for a good story for my daughter who is twelve. I told her about it and she asked me to buy a copy of the book for her (I have an eBook version).
The story revolves around two young teenage girls, Penny and Zoe, who are new to the small town of Dogwood, Washington and do not live with their parents. Penny’s mother has recently died and never knew her father. She lives with her godmother who is her mother’s best friend, Susan. Zoe lives with her grandmother while her parents are working as over-the road truck drivers.
One day, the girls come across a talking fox who leads them to a large grove where they find a box that contains a book of spells and a wand. They eventually figure out how to perform magic. This skill comes in handy as they encounter a mysterious magician and his magical mirrors. The magic also becomes useful as Penny and Zoe figure out who has been kidnapping children and rescue them.
The book has some illustrations that fit in well with the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is not the type of book I usually read, but I was looking for a good story for my daughter who is twelve. I told her about it and she asked me to buy a copy of the book for her (I have an eBook version).
The story revolves around two young teenage girls, Penny and Zoe, who are new to the small town of Dogwood, Washington and do not live with their parents. Penny’s mother has recently died and never knew her father. She lives with her godmother who is her mother’s best friend, Susan. Zoe lives with her grandmother while her parents are working as over-the road truck drivers.
One day, the girls come across a talking fox who leads them to a large grove where they find a box that contains a book of spells and a wand. They eventually figure out how to perform magic. This skill comes in handy as they encounter a mysterious magician and his magical mirrors. The magic also becomes useful as Penny and Zoe figure out who has been kidnapping children and rescue them.
The book has some illustrations that fit in well with the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 9, 2013
I won this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's giveaway.
I loved it! In fact, the second I finished it I went to Amazon to purchase a physical copy and to purchase book two...but I couldn't find either because book one hasn't been printed and book two probably hasn't been written yet...sigh. However I will be buying it to store away for my future kids.
Penny is a young girl who has just lost her mother, has never known her father, and who has now been forced to go live with a godmother she never even knew she had. Not only that but she must move from the bustling and exciting streets of San Francisco, California to the quiet world of Dogwood, Washington. It won't be easy.
She befriends a girl named Zoe who is just as much as an outcast as she is and together they discover a talking fox and a mysterious and magical alcove near Penny's house. Then children start disappearing and only Penny and Zoe know who the real culprit is and how to stop him.
The book was incredibly captivating and was great for kids on the verge of childhood merging into their teens. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down.
Recommendation: BUY IT! READ IT! SHARE IT! :)
I loved it! In fact, the second I finished it I went to Amazon to purchase a physical copy and to purchase book two...but I couldn't find either because book one hasn't been printed and book two probably hasn't been written yet...sigh. However I will be buying it to store away for my future kids.
Penny is a young girl who has just lost her mother, has never known her father, and who has now been forced to go live with a godmother she never even knew she had. Not only that but she must move from the bustling and exciting streets of San Francisco, California to the quiet world of Dogwood, Washington. It won't be easy.
She befriends a girl named Zoe who is just as much as an outcast as she is and together they discover a talking fox and a mysterious and magical alcove near Penny's house. Then children start disappearing and only Penny and Zoe know who the real culprit is and how to stop him.
The book was incredibly captivating and was great for kids on the verge of childhood merging into their teens. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down.
Recommendation: BUY IT! READ IT! SHARE IT! :)
June 23, 2013
Review: A magical journey of friendship and belonging. That embodies a unique strength of character with an exemplary sense of discovery.
For Penny Sinclair, things don’t seem like they can get any worse. After her mother’s untimely death, she is forced to move into the new town of Dogwood; where being heckled by the local kids and trying to make friends is the new normal. Life seems like it is in a downward spiral, with no hope in site. Penny however has no idea about the drastic changes that are about to happen. All beginning with a chance encounter with a fox name Ronan, who might just possess the change she is looking for. As he leads her down a path of hope, opening the door to world of magic, the magic of the Phoenix Girls.
Armed with a new friend and the mysterious talking fox, Penny and Zoe set off on a quest that leads to a secluded grove that houses a secret all of its own. Nestled inside the grove, remains a wooden chest with a carving of half bird, half flame adorning the top. Leaving with it not only a mystery of whose it was but what it contains. In spite of the lure behind the mystery, opening the box might be more than the girls can handle. By unleashing the magic and the secrets of the phoenix girls, Penny and Zoe might be unyielding a dangerous power all of its own. Casting them into the middle of a sinister plot entwined with a mysterious carnival run by a malevolent magician, and children that suddenly turn up missing. Penny finds herself torn between solving the mystery and finding answers about her past, causing her decisions to be tainted. Thrusting her and Zoe into a dangerous situation where magic might be the only means that can save their lives.
The Conjuring Glass is a charming read laced with easily identifiable characters, talking foxes, a wicked carnival, an evil magician, kidnapping and magic. Pulling you in from the very first chapter with an intrigue that propels you to quickly read through the book, searching for answers. It’s a compelling short book, where you quickly become immersed in the storyline. Being the first of this series, The Conjuring Glass is filled with secrets and mysteries of The Phoenix Girls that is yet to be fully discovered or solved, leaving you anxiously anticipating the next book.
Phoenix Girls- The Conjuring Glass was excellently written and perfect for young adults as well as middle readers. Pure in essence and purpose, Brian Knight gently gives a voice to Penny though her realistic raw emotions emoted through her internal dialogue as well as through the strength of her character. Giving her a sense of belonging and confidence letting Penny discover that being confident in yourself is the strongest magic you can wield.
for more reviews and book giveawys check out my facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/For-The...
For Penny Sinclair, things don’t seem like they can get any worse. After her mother’s untimely death, she is forced to move into the new town of Dogwood; where being heckled by the local kids and trying to make friends is the new normal. Life seems like it is in a downward spiral, with no hope in site. Penny however has no idea about the drastic changes that are about to happen. All beginning with a chance encounter with a fox name Ronan, who might just possess the change she is looking for. As he leads her down a path of hope, opening the door to world of magic, the magic of the Phoenix Girls.
Armed with a new friend and the mysterious talking fox, Penny and Zoe set off on a quest that leads to a secluded grove that houses a secret all of its own. Nestled inside the grove, remains a wooden chest with a carving of half bird, half flame adorning the top. Leaving with it not only a mystery of whose it was but what it contains. In spite of the lure behind the mystery, opening the box might be more than the girls can handle. By unleashing the magic and the secrets of the phoenix girls, Penny and Zoe might be unyielding a dangerous power all of its own. Casting them into the middle of a sinister plot entwined with a mysterious carnival run by a malevolent magician, and children that suddenly turn up missing. Penny finds herself torn between solving the mystery and finding answers about her past, causing her decisions to be tainted. Thrusting her and Zoe into a dangerous situation where magic might be the only means that can save their lives.
The Conjuring Glass is a charming read laced with easily identifiable characters, talking foxes, a wicked carnival, an evil magician, kidnapping and magic. Pulling you in from the very first chapter with an intrigue that propels you to quickly read through the book, searching for answers. It’s a compelling short book, where you quickly become immersed in the storyline. Being the first of this series, The Conjuring Glass is filled with secrets and mysteries of The Phoenix Girls that is yet to be fully discovered or solved, leaving you anxiously anticipating the next book.
Phoenix Girls- The Conjuring Glass was excellently written and perfect for young adults as well as middle readers. Pure in essence and purpose, Brian Knight gently gives a voice to Penny though her realistic raw emotions emoted through her internal dialogue as well as through the strength of her character. Giving her a sense of belonging and confidence letting Penny discover that being confident in yourself is the strongest magic you can wield.
for more reviews and book giveawys check out my facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/For-The...
March 4, 2013
Review Copy
I first read Brian Knight last year. At the time it was a few shorts and a novel on the Misadventures of Butch Quick. An adult series that was fresh and fun and which I hope to see revived at some point.
This time around, Brian Knight has released his first effort in a new YA series . A charming book called The Phoenix Girls Book 1 The Conjuring Glass.
From the very beginning there was a special vibe with this story. And, I found the illustrations to be top notch. A nice touch, especially for an eBook.
In the Prologue we have a flashback to an earlier time with a group of four girls seeming to end their alliance. "Break the circle, kill the magic."
From there, we move to current day where Penny Sinclair is moving to her new home in Dogwood, Washington. to live with her Godmother. This following the death of her Mother and a short time in an orphanage.
The Conjuring Glass is the story of two young girls, each new in town, and their growing friendship, yet it's so much more. The story covers the familiar territory of how difficult it is making friends in a new town, how mean others can be to outsiders, especially the town bully, "Rooster" Price. It's all pretty standard fair, until Penny discovers a fox that speaks to her. And that is just the beginning of an adventure that leads to a world of magic and hints about her parents past.
At times the story seems to drag a bit, but there is a lot of action and plenty of villainy from characters like, Tovar the Red and the Birdman. As well as a number of missing children from Dogwood and neighboring communities.
Although there is a story here, and a pretty good one at that, the work creates many unanswered questions. I guess you have to save some answers for the sequel(s).
I'm sure I would have enjoyed this more, if I was much younger. It seems the target audience is teenage girls, which I'm not and never was, but all in all a good story is told and it's one I can most certainly recommend for that YA audience.
The Phoenix Girls Book 1 The Conjuring Glass is available from JournalStone Publishing, one of my favorite small presses right now. Be sure to Google them, as they have a lot to offer. In addition The Phoenix Girls Book 1 The Conjuring Glass just showed up on Amazon.com this week.
I first read Brian Knight last year. At the time it was a few shorts and a novel on the Misadventures of Butch Quick. An adult series that was fresh and fun and which I hope to see revived at some point.
This time around, Brian Knight has released his first effort in a new YA series . A charming book called The Phoenix Girls Book 1 The Conjuring Glass.
From the very beginning there was a special vibe with this story. And, I found the illustrations to be top notch. A nice touch, especially for an eBook.
In the Prologue we have a flashback to an earlier time with a group of four girls seeming to end their alliance. "Break the circle, kill the magic."
From there, we move to current day where Penny Sinclair is moving to her new home in Dogwood, Washington. to live with her Godmother. This following the death of her Mother and a short time in an orphanage.
The Conjuring Glass is the story of two young girls, each new in town, and their growing friendship, yet it's so much more. The story covers the familiar territory of how difficult it is making friends in a new town, how mean others can be to outsiders, especially the town bully, "Rooster" Price. It's all pretty standard fair, until Penny discovers a fox that speaks to her. And that is just the beginning of an adventure that leads to a world of magic and hints about her parents past.
At times the story seems to drag a bit, but there is a lot of action and plenty of villainy from characters like, Tovar the Red and the Birdman. As well as a number of missing children from Dogwood and neighboring communities.
Although there is a story here, and a pretty good one at that, the work creates many unanswered questions. I guess you have to save some answers for the sequel(s).
I'm sure I would have enjoyed this more, if I was much younger. It seems the target audience is teenage girls, which I'm not and never was, but all in all a good story is told and it's one I can most certainly recommend for that YA audience.
The Phoenix Girls Book 1 The Conjuring Glass is available from JournalStone Publishing, one of my favorite small presses right now. Be sure to Google them, as they have a lot to offer. In addition The Phoenix Girls Book 1 The Conjuring Glass just showed up on Amazon.com this week.
January 3, 2013
Conjuring Glass, is the first book in a new young adult fantasy series The Phoenix Girls by Brian Knight. The website for Genius Publishing states that the book will be available come fall of 2012. Penny Sinclair is a thirteen year old dealing with the loss of her mother. When she is moved from a group home to her godmother's home in the country she thought life would be boring. Thankfully, her godmother Susan and small town life provide Penny with the space and freedom she has never enjoyed before. However; a talking fox, a new friend in Zoe, a special hidden grove, and the discovery of true magic lead Penny into an adventure she never imagined. There is a magical heritage and family secrets that will need to be uncovered. A mysterious magician raises Penny's hopes, while missing children bring about varying degrees of suspicion and panic.
Conjuring Glass is a great start to a series of magic and growing up for the middle grade and young adult set. Penny is facing major adjustments, Zoe has her own issues at home, and the town is unique and harbors clues to Penny's family history. The story of the girls discovering their magic, and finding their place in town is well done and enjoyable. I really loved the attitude of the petite Penny coming to the defense of those being bullied and could identify with her on several levels. My only concern is the glossed over feel of her grief for her mother. It comes up a few times, but if I lost my mother today even as an adult I think it would have more influence over my daily thoughts. It might alienate readers that are going through the grieving process, or have.
I greatly enjoyed reading Conjuring Glass, and thing that young adults and middle grade readers would enjoy the book just as much. It was a solid fantasy read, with enough of a conclusion not to frustrate me but enough of a tease for the next instalment that I want to keep reading.
Conjuring Glass is a great start to a series of magic and growing up for the middle grade and young adult set. Penny is facing major adjustments, Zoe has her own issues at home, and the town is unique and harbors clues to Penny's family history. The story of the girls discovering their magic, and finding their place in town is well done and enjoyable. I really loved the attitude of the petite Penny coming to the defense of those being bullied and could identify with her on several levels. My only concern is the glossed over feel of her grief for her mother. It comes up a few times, but if I lost my mother today even as an adult I think it would have more influence over my daily thoughts. It might alienate readers that are going through the grieving process, or have.
I greatly enjoyed reading Conjuring Glass, and thing that young adults and middle grade readers would enjoy the book just as much. It was a solid fantasy read, with enough of a conclusion not to frustrate me but enough of a tease for the next instalment that I want to keep reading.
February 3, 2013
The opening chapter of The Conjuring Glass gives us a glimpse of what is to come in this great little book for readers transitioning from children’s chapter books to YA novels.
Young Penny Sinclair has left the group home she was living in after the sudden and tragic death of her mother and travels to Dogwood, Washington to live with her godmother Susan. Moving from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco to the quiet of a small town, Penny is expecting to live a quiet, boring life with people who know nothing of who she is. Little does she know that her life is about to take on more excitement that she could ever expect.
She makes friends with another newcomer to Dogwood, Zoe, who has been left to live with her grandmother after her parents leave to drive trucks around the country. They become friends but struggle to share their deepest secrets and fears with each other.
After meeting Ronan and learning some surprising secrets, the girls must help solve the strange disappearance of several children from their town and discover who The Birdman really is.
Knight has made this opening novel in The Phoenix Girls series one that gives just enough clues to who The Phoenix Girls were and the mysteries behind the magic of the grove and the book of spells that will make readers want to continue to learn what happens next to Penny, Zoe and new circle member Katie.
Young Penny Sinclair has left the group home she was living in after the sudden and tragic death of her mother and travels to Dogwood, Washington to live with her godmother Susan. Moving from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco to the quiet of a small town, Penny is expecting to live a quiet, boring life with people who know nothing of who she is. Little does she know that her life is about to take on more excitement that she could ever expect.
She makes friends with another newcomer to Dogwood, Zoe, who has been left to live with her grandmother after her parents leave to drive trucks around the country. They become friends but struggle to share their deepest secrets and fears with each other.
After meeting Ronan and learning some surprising secrets, the girls must help solve the strange disappearance of several children from their town and discover who The Birdman really is.
Knight has made this opening novel in The Phoenix Girls series one that gives just enough clues to who The Phoenix Girls were and the mysteries behind the magic of the grove and the book of spells that will make readers want to continue to learn what happens next to Penny, Zoe and new circle member Katie.
August 26, 2013
I was very excited to finally get this book. My son and I was privileged enough to read this before it went to print. Brian Knight is a great author. I have read several of his other books and was excited to have a young adult book that my children could read and enjoy. My 9yr old daughter just finished reading The Phoenix Girls and said this was the most exciting book she has read. She had it read in less than a week and wrote a book report on it for school. I love the style of Brian's writing. I enjoy reading about places that are familiar. Dogwood, Washington is where The Phoenix Girls takes place. I am pretty sure I know where he got that from. Love it. Am looking forward for the next one in the series.
March 11, 2013
I've been reading Brian's work for many years now, and he has yet to disappoint. The first book in The Phoenix Girls series follows in that trend.
As the parent of three children, my library is populated with not only adult, but young adult fiction as well. Brian Knight's The Conjuring Glass sits well in between the likes of The Hunger Games and Mortal Instruments series, but in my opinion, it's a little edgier. My attention starts to wane a little with fiction geared towards the younger audience, but The Phoenix Girls kept me intrigued.
I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
As the parent of three children, my library is populated with not only adult, but young adult fiction as well. Brian Knight's The Conjuring Glass sits well in between the likes of The Hunger Games and Mortal Instruments series, but in my opinion, it's a little edgier. My attention starts to wane a little with fiction geared towards the younger audience, but The Phoenix Girls kept me intrigued.
I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 18, 2013
In the interest of full disclosure, I do have to mention that this book bears one of my cover illustrations. I give full credit to the text itself for inspiration, which is a testament to the very entertaining and visually compelling novel. Fans of the YA genre who like their fun spiced with a little horror will love this first installment of the trilogy, and, like me, will be waiting eagerly for the following books. I highly recommend an immediate reading!
May 11, 2013
I recieved an advanced copy of this book. At first I had a hard time getting into it, more my state of mind I think, so I put it down for a few days. When I returned to it and started reading it again I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series in the hopes that a few more of the mysteries will be solved.
March 10, 2013
This was a fine read. The characters are well developed, and the story engaging. Inevitable comparisons to other YA fantasy stories fall flat in the face of this well-told tale. It has all the makings of a great series, and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!
May 16, 2013
At some point everyone feels like an outsider. In Penny Sinclair's case she is a 13-year-old girl moving to a new town after the death of her mother. She has spent four months living in a group home and now is headed to the small town of Dogwood to live with her godmother Susan, who was best friends with Penny's mother.
As soon as Penny moves into her home she notices a fox that seems to always be watching her. She has already been having mysterious dreams and doesn't feel comfortable in her new surroundings. When she is outside one day the fox speaks to her, in fear she runs away but she can't escape her destiny.
What Penny doesn't know is that her mother once belonged to a group of witches called The Phoenix Girls and she is about to become one of them. The Phoenix Girls Book 1: The Conjuring Glass by Brian Knight is the first in a series from JournalStone Publishing that young horror fans will enjoy. In a secret grove behind her new home is a cave, wands, magic keys and a book on how to become proper witches.
Penny is not alone, she soon meets another girl who has just arrived in town named Zoe and the two of them start training to become witches. Their spells don't work half the time but they're determined to keep trying. Something wicked is coming to Dogwood in the form of a magician with a big secret. The children of Dogwood start to disappear one by one and Penny and Zoe may be the only ones that can help.
The Conjuring Glass is a story geared towards middle school children and has a couple of themes that all kids can relate to. One is trying to fit in with other kids. Penny and Zoe are both outcasts because they are new in town and both are adjusting to their new surroundings. They have each other though and work well as a team. They learn magic together and get help with bullies from the talking fox. As the story develops, the girls are left to their own devices to rescue the kidnapped kids.
Another theme that is in this book is abandonment and loneliness. When Penny comes to Dogwood she feels that she is alone in the world. She is dealing with the loss of her mother, but also wonders who her father was and what happened to him. Penny is obsessed with finding him and her obsession leads her and the whole town into danger. I really enjoyed how the mystery of Penny's father worked into the story.
While I did think that The Conjuring Glass was slow-moving at points, there was a lot to like about the book. All of the characters reminded me of kids that I once knew. I also think young readers will be able to relate to both Penny and Zoe. The setting and atmosphere were great and I liked the fate of the town's children lying in the hands of two young witches. My favorite part was when Penny stands up to a bully that was much bigger then she was. It showed that Penny was a tough character and I found myself rooting for her. I think most young kids will love the mystery in The Phoenix Girls: Book 1 The Conjuring Glass and they will appreciate the spooky parts also. I would love to see where the story of The Phoenix Girls goes in future installments.
As soon as Penny moves into her home she notices a fox that seems to always be watching her. She has already been having mysterious dreams and doesn't feel comfortable in her new surroundings. When she is outside one day the fox speaks to her, in fear she runs away but she can't escape her destiny.
What Penny doesn't know is that her mother once belonged to a group of witches called The Phoenix Girls and she is about to become one of them. The Phoenix Girls Book 1: The Conjuring Glass by Brian Knight is the first in a series from JournalStone Publishing that young horror fans will enjoy. In a secret grove behind her new home is a cave, wands, magic keys and a book on how to become proper witches.
Penny is not alone, she soon meets another girl who has just arrived in town named Zoe and the two of them start training to become witches. Their spells don't work half the time but they're determined to keep trying. Something wicked is coming to Dogwood in the form of a magician with a big secret. The children of Dogwood start to disappear one by one and Penny and Zoe may be the only ones that can help.
The Conjuring Glass is a story geared towards middle school children and has a couple of themes that all kids can relate to. One is trying to fit in with other kids. Penny and Zoe are both outcasts because they are new in town and both are adjusting to their new surroundings. They have each other though and work well as a team. They learn magic together and get help with bullies from the talking fox. As the story develops, the girls are left to their own devices to rescue the kidnapped kids.
Another theme that is in this book is abandonment and loneliness. When Penny comes to Dogwood she feels that she is alone in the world. She is dealing with the loss of her mother, but also wonders who her father was and what happened to him. Penny is obsessed with finding him and her obsession leads her and the whole town into danger. I really enjoyed how the mystery of Penny's father worked into the story.
While I did think that The Conjuring Glass was slow-moving at points, there was a lot to like about the book. All of the characters reminded me of kids that I once knew. I also think young readers will be able to relate to both Penny and Zoe. The setting and atmosphere were great and I liked the fate of the town's children lying in the hands of two young witches. My favorite part was when Penny stands up to a bully that was much bigger then she was. It showed that Penny was a tough character and I found myself rooting for her. I think most young kids will love the mystery in The Phoenix Girls: Book 1 The Conjuring Glass and they will appreciate the spooky parts also. I would love to see where the story of The Phoenix Girls goes in future installments.
February 18, 2013
I won an ebook copy of this book as a part of Library Thing's early reviewer program.
This was a fun read about two girls who discover they have a talent for magic and have to learn to use it to defeat the evil that has come to their little town. And it has a beautiful cover, which is always a plus for me. Even if I can't keep looking at it since it's an ebook. I still enjoyed this and I will be looking forward to the second one.
I honestly think my favorite character is Ronan, the little talking fox. I have my theories about him, maybe possibly being Penny's father, or at least connected to him in some way, and I'm really curious to see if I'm right or if Knight can come with something even better. I love how he doesn't really teach the girls anything, but rather watches their progress and helps them without actually helping. He lets them learn without giving them the answers. And he's a fox and foxes are adorable, even though he disappears for most of the book and Penny and Zoe never really give it a second thought. They just kind of notice it and then get back to practicing their spells. I guess they really wouldn't have been able to do anything about his disappearance, but I still would have liked to see them try something. They didn't even call out for him. Just didn't see him and assumed he was off elsewhere when he'd been watching over them the past few weeks. Then there's his sudden reappearance. We know why he disappeared, or at least how, but we don't know what really happened or how he came back. I guess it was kind of assumed he was dead, but then he makes his grand re-entry to help save the day. But what happened to him? How is he okay? Why'd he suddenly decide to come back? These are all questions I hope to get answers to in the next book.
Penny's story is still mostly concealed. Her mother didn't tell her much about life before Penny, so we don't know much either. Only that there was a car accident that led Penny to be born prematurely and that her father disappeared after that incident. Generally, though, her story is similar to many of this genre. An orphan going to live with a relative she had no idea existed and thus learns that she has some special ability that she has to hide from said relative for who knows what reason other that "It's not safe!" The difference here is the way it's played out. Susan isn't the evil step mother of fairy tales, and is actually a pretty nice person, for what we know of her. I feel like if Penny and Zoe mentioned something to Susan, then she could help in some way. There's no way Penny's mother could have this big secret and not share it with Susan, the God mother of Penny. There's so much more to this story than what we got, so I'm glad there's a sequel coming. I can't wait to learn more and see how my theories pan out.
This was a fun read about two girls who discover they have a talent for magic and have to learn to use it to defeat the evil that has come to their little town. And it has a beautiful cover, which is always a plus for me. Even if I can't keep looking at it since it's an ebook. I still enjoyed this and I will be looking forward to the second one.
I honestly think my favorite character is Ronan, the little talking fox. I have my theories about him, maybe possibly being Penny's father, or at least connected to him in some way, and I'm really curious to see if I'm right or if Knight can come with something even better. I love how he doesn't really teach the girls anything, but rather watches their progress and helps them without actually helping. He lets them learn without giving them the answers. And he's a fox and foxes are adorable, even though he disappears for most of the book and Penny and Zoe never really give it a second thought. They just kind of notice it and then get back to practicing their spells. I guess they really wouldn't have been able to do anything about his disappearance, but I still would have liked to see them try something. They didn't even call out for him. Just didn't see him and assumed he was off elsewhere when he'd been watching over them the past few weeks. Then there's his sudden reappearance. We know why he disappeared, or at least how, but we don't know what really happened or how he came back. I guess it was kind of assumed he was dead, but then he makes his grand re-entry to help save the day. But what happened to him? How is he okay? Why'd he suddenly decide to come back? These are all questions I hope to get answers to in the next book.
Penny's story is still mostly concealed. Her mother didn't tell her much about life before Penny, so we don't know much either. Only that there was a car accident that led Penny to be born prematurely and that her father disappeared after that incident. Generally, though, her story is similar to many of this genre. An orphan going to live with a relative she had no idea existed and thus learns that she has some special ability that she has to hide from said relative for who knows what reason other that "It's not safe!" The difference here is the way it's played out. Susan isn't the evil step mother of fairy tales, and is actually a pretty nice person, for what we know of her. I feel like if Penny and Zoe mentioned something to Susan, then she could help in some way. There's no way Penny's mother could have this big secret and not share it with Susan, the God mother of Penny. There's so much more to this story than what we got, so I'm glad there's a sequel coming. I can't wait to learn more and see how my theories pan out.
March 31, 2013
“The Phoenix Girls Book 1 – The Conjuring Glass” by Brian Knight is the first in what could well be the next big hit in a young adult fantasy series. His bio says Brian lives with his family and the voices in his head; I hope he never stops listening to those voices in his head, because they are giving him some great advice. I was provided a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest review. But my first honest comment is: I hope I have a chance to review Book 2 when it is ready!
This tale starts with the orphaned Penny being delivered from the orphanage where she has resided since the death of her mother, to the home of her previously unknown godmother, Susan. Against long odds, she soon makes a friend in her new small town, and thus begins a series of magical adventures beyond anything she could have imagined in her short life. As Penny and her friend, Zoe, discover a secret grove on Susan’s property, they are drawn into a world of talking foxes, magic keys, and a book to train them how to become proper witches. Will this be beneficial to them, or will it lead to disaster? How will they use their newly learned powers? More importantly, who or what will their new powers attract?
Children from all the nearby towns have been disappearing during the night, and the Sheriff has not a clue to lead him in the right direction. Then he receives an anonymous tip, and arrests a transient living in a camper, after finding some of the possessions of the missing children in his camper. But Penny and Zoe know they’ve arrested the wrong man, only they cannot explain to the Sheriff HOW they know this, or Penny may find herself being shipped back to the orphanage from which she came. The two girls practice their witchcraft far more studiously than they do their schoolwork, and time will prove the practice was very much needed as they confront evil from another reality and try to rescue the missing children.
This book is very enchanting (no pun intended). The two main characters, Penny and Zoe, interact exactly the way typical young teens would, lending further realism to their already faithfully developed characters. The author has realistically captured the attitudes and mannerisms of small town teens, small town politics, and small town gossips. This first episode of “The Phoenix Girls” is a charming introduction to the series, and should bring in a new generation of fans for the adventures and misadventures of “The Phoenix Girls”. This is the ideal book for girls and boys from the pre-teen years to young adulthood. Highly recommended! I will be anxiously awaiting Book 2.
This tale starts with the orphaned Penny being delivered from the orphanage where she has resided since the death of her mother, to the home of her previously unknown godmother, Susan. Against long odds, she soon makes a friend in her new small town, and thus begins a series of magical adventures beyond anything she could have imagined in her short life. As Penny and her friend, Zoe, discover a secret grove on Susan’s property, they are drawn into a world of talking foxes, magic keys, and a book to train them how to become proper witches. Will this be beneficial to them, or will it lead to disaster? How will they use their newly learned powers? More importantly, who or what will their new powers attract?
Children from all the nearby towns have been disappearing during the night, and the Sheriff has not a clue to lead him in the right direction. Then he receives an anonymous tip, and arrests a transient living in a camper, after finding some of the possessions of the missing children in his camper. But Penny and Zoe know they’ve arrested the wrong man, only they cannot explain to the Sheriff HOW they know this, or Penny may find herself being shipped back to the orphanage from which she came. The two girls practice their witchcraft far more studiously than they do their schoolwork, and time will prove the practice was very much needed as they confront evil from another reality and try to rescue the missing children.
This book is very enchanting (no pun intended). The two main characters, Penny and Zoe, interact exactly the way typical young teens would, lending further realism to their already faithfully developed characters. The author has realistically captured the attitudes and mannerisms of small town teens, small town politics, and small town gossips. This first episode of “The Phoenix Girls” is a charming introduction to the series, and should bring in a new generation of fans for the adventures and misadventures of “The Phoenix Girls”. This is the ideal book for girls and boys from the pre-teen years to young adulthood. Highly recommended! I will be anxiously awaiting Book 2.
February 28, 2013
Originally posted at: A Girl that Likes Books
I received this book as part of the LybraryThing Early Review and here is my review
What's the book about?
Penny has recently become an orphan. If this wasn't enough life changing, she moves from San Francisco to the little town of Dogwood in Washington. There she will meet her mother's long time friend and her godmother Susan.
She will also meet Zoe who will become her best friend and her companion in adventure.
What was different of this book?
I think a lot of people will read the book and at first get the feeling that they've heard this before. Magic, poor orphan, evil magician? But, fear not, the story is not a copy cat version of Harry Potter in anyway. Even compared with the first book of the HP series this, The Conjuring Glass is more oriented to younger children.
What about the main character?
In the book Penny will have to learn a lot by herself and about herself. If you put yourself in the shoes of a 10 year old I think this is a very relatable character. The book also touches a little bit of bullying because Penny is physically "different" (she is very, very short and gets teased about it a lot) and I wish in the second book we will see her standing a bit more for herself.
The 10% moment
It was easy to get to this point of the book. The prose is very easy to follow and there is not a lot of twists and turns about the characters, all of them introduced to a slow, agreeable pace.
Final thoughts
I loved the drawings in the book. Another reason why I think this is more a Middle School oriented book than a Young Adult. I liked the fact that we have strings of the story that lead to the second book, without giving everything away yet remaining quite straight forward. Even though is not a book full of surprises is a nice reading and I think it would please is target audience.
I received this book as part of the LybraryThing Early Review and here is my review
What's the book about?
Penny has recently become an orphan. If this wasn't enough life changing, she moves from San Francisco to the little town of Dogwood in Washington. There she will meet her mother's long time friend and her godmother Susan.
She will also meet Zoe who will become her best friend and her companion in adventure.
What was different of this book?
I think a lot of people will read the book and at first get the feeling that they've heard this before. Magic, poor orphan, evil magician? But, fear not, the story is not a copy cat version of Harry Potter in anyway. Even compared with the first book of the HP series this, The Conjuring Glass is more oriented to younger children.
What about the main character?
In the book Penny will have to learn a lot by herself and about herself. If you put yourself in the shoes of a 10 year old I think this is a very relatable character. The book also touches a little bit of bullying because Penny is physically "different" (she is very, very short and gets teased about it a lot) and I wish in the second book we will see her standing a bit more for herself.
The 10% moment
It was easy to get to this point of the book. The prose is very easy to follow and there is not a lot of twists and turns about the characters, all of them introduced to a slow, agreeable pace.
Final thoughts
I loved the drawings in the book. Another reason why I think this is more a Middle School oriented book than a Young Adult. I liked the fact that we have strings of the story that lead to the second book, without giving everything away yet remaining quite straight forward. Even though is not a book full of surprises is a nice reading and I think it would please is target audience.
February 23, 2013
Sent to live with a godmother she's never known after the death of her mother, young Penny is in for a world of adventure and personal discovery as she has to deal not only with making new friends and overcoming bullies, but also coming to grips with her new found powers as a witch. The Conjuring Glass is the first in a new young adult series that I anticipate will see the two main characters, Penny and Zoe, grow together as young woman and witches.
The characters of Penny and Zoe, the young witches are quickly and well developed as are the many side characters, including their mentor Ronan (a talking fox), nemesis Rooster, godmother Susan, and "popular girl" Katie. Good young adult themes are presented, focusing on Penny's being an orphan thrust into a new town and school as well as the bullying issues often associated with it. The magic in the story is a tool that helps the girls along the way as they deal with these issues and the books penultimate battle against the mysterious Birdman.
I would recommend this book to girls around the ages of 8-13 who would like a magical coming of age fantasy with strong female protagonists. At times the story felt as though it was exclusively on the low or high end of the spectrum, howeve, which cou be indicitive of this being the author's frost attempt at YA writing. There is a great opportunity for this series to continue and grow as the girls do. I was engaged enough in the story and characters to have enough interest in the second installment and look forward to seeing how the characters continue to develop.
The characters of Penny and Zoe, the young witches are quickly and well developed as are the many side characters, including their mentor Ronan (a talking fox), nemesis Rooster, godmother Susan, and "popular girl" Katie. Good young adult themes are presented, focusing on Penny's being an orphan thrust into a new town and school as well as the bullying issues often associated with it. The magic in the story is a tool that helps the girls along the way as they deal with these issues and the books penultimate battle against the mysterious Birdman.
I would recommend this book to girls around the ages of 8-13 who would like a magical coming of age fantasy with strong female protagonists. At times the story felt as though it was exclusively on the low or high end of the spectrum, howeve, which cou be indicitive of this being the author's frost attempt at YA writing. There is a great opportunity for this series to continue and grow as the girls do. I was engaged enough in the story and characters to have enough interest in the second installment and look forward to seeing how the characters continue to develop.
March 8, 2013
Brian Knight’s The Phoenix Girls: The Conjuring Glass, Book I from JournalStone offers up a fantasy tale for young readers who have a penchant for magic with a touch of fright.
Thirteen-year-old orphan Penny Sinclair moves from the big city to her godmother’s house in a small town in the Pacific Northwest where she struggles to fit in both with her new environment and with the kids at her school. Feeling like an outsider, she befriends outcast Zoe and the two embark on a friendship that leads to the discovery of a mystical grove near Penny’s house and a talking fox. As the two friends unravel the secrets of a mysterious locked box, they are thrust into an adventure involving a sinister magician and a strange bird-like creature which may be behind the disappearances of several children.
Author Knight gets inside the head of an adolescent girl and all the struggles of what it’s like to fit into a world that’s new and unfamiliar. As a carnival comes to town at the height of the mysterious child disappearances, Knight’s tale takes a dark turn, thrusting the readers into a surreal world of spells and mysticism which culminates into a journey into a creepy house of mirrors and a final showdown with the dark forces behind it all.
The tale leaves the reader wanting more, and that’s a good thing, because The Phoenix Girls is subtitled Book I, with a promise of much more adventure and magic to come.
Thirteen-year-old orphan Penny Sinclair moves from the big city to her godmother’s house in a small town in the Pacific Northwest where she struggles to fit in both with her new environment and with the kids at her school. Feeling like an outsider, she befriends outcast Zoe and the two embark on a friendship that leads to the discovery of a mystical grove near Penny’s house and a talking fox. As the two friends unravel the secrets of a mysterious locked box, they are thrust into an adventure involving a sinister magician and a strange bird-like creature which may be behind the disappearances of several children.
Author Knight gets inside the head of an adolescent girl and all the struggles of what it’s like to fit into a world that’s new and unfamiliar. As a carnival comes to town at the height of the mysterious child disappearances, Knight’s tale takes a dark turn, thrusting the readers into a surreal world of spells and mysticism which culminates into a journey into a creepy house of mirrors and a final showdown with the dark forces behind it all.
The tale leaves the reader wanting more, and that’s a good thing, because The Phoenix Girls is subtitled Book I, with a promise of much more adventure and magic to come.
February 12, 2013
*slight spoilers*
I thought this was a pretty good story. The story follows a girl named Penny "Little Red" who is an orphan, but at the beginning of the story Penny is taken in by one of her mother's old friends named Susan who is Penny’s Godmother. Penny's never heard of Susan or anything else about her mother's friends or relatives, but she's about to find out. As Penny enters into her mother’s old hometown, she makes a new friend named Zoe, and she starts uncovering secrets about the new town and her mother. One secret is finding a talking fox and magic wands, and she soon learns she can do magic. With finding these things trouble also follows, and the story follows Penny coming into her own and facing this trouble that has shown up.
I thought this was a well written story, easy to read as it flowed right along, and kept the reader turning the page when the action and suspense turned up in the second half of the book. This book reminded me of many other young adult novels I've read that were good, and I got hints or feelings of Harry Potter, Charles de Lint, and Ray Bradbury while reading this, which were all good, but the book was really its own incarnation. I also liked how only some of the questions were answered in this book and others were left open for Penny to discover in the following books in this series. Good Stuff!
I thought this was a pretty good story. The story follows a girl named Penny "Little Red" who is an orphan, but at the beginning of the story Penny is taken in by one of her mother's old friends named Susan who is Penny’s Godmother. Penny's never heard of Susan or anything else about her mother's friends or relatives, but she's about to find out. As Penny enters into her mother’s old hometown, she makes a new friend named Zoe, and she starts uncovering secrets about the new town and her mother. One secret is finding a talking fox and magic wands, and she soon learns she can do magic. With finding these things trouble also follows, and the story follows Penny coming into her own and facing this trouble that has shown up.
I thought this was a well written story, easy to read as it flowed right along, and kept the reader turning the page when the action and suspense turned up in the second half of the book. This book reminded me of many other young adult novels I've read that were good, and I got hints or feelings of Harry Potter, Charles de Lint, and Ray Bradbury while reading this, which were all good, but the book was really its own incarnation. I also liked how only some of the questions were answered in this book and others were left open for Penny to discover in the following books in this series. Good Stuff!
February 17, 2013
Orphan Penny, 13, comes to Washington to live with her godmother, Susan, who has, up until her mother's death, been a stranger to her. Yet, Susan and Penny fall into an easy, agreeable existence in this small town. Penny finds a friend in Zoe, another lonely girl...but when strange occurrences start to unfold, the girls form a bond through magic, solidarity, and friendship. The Phoenix Girls are born. With the help of talking, wise-cracking fox, Ronan, the girls face evil magician and sorcerer, Tovar the Red.
As children are disappearing from this small town, Susan becomes increasingly worried and demands that Penny stay close to home, however, Penny and Zoe have found a hidden cove in the woods where they practice their magic. And, through this magic, they will attempt to outwit and defeat a mastermind of deception.
Many questions are left unanswered at the conclusion of the book, as it hints at the series ongoing storyline. Just who is Penny's father, how and why did her mother really die, and where will The Phoenix Girls fight their next battle? The Conjuring Glass is a great tween book for girls as it gets them ready for next step of YA magical novels.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Brian Knight, and JournalStone for this ARC copy.
As children are disappearing from this small town, Susan becomes increasingly worried and demands that Penny stay close to home, however, Penny and Zoe have found a hidden cove in the woods where they practice their magic. And, through this magic, they will attempt to outwit and defeat a mastermind of deception.
Many questions are left unanswered at the conclusion of the book, as it hints at the series ongoing storyline. Just who is Penny's father, how and why did her mother really die, and where will The Phoenix Girls fight their next battle? The Conjuring Glass is a great tween book for girls as it gets them ready for next step of YA magical novels.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Brian Knight, and JournalStone for this ARC copy.
February 19, 2013
I really enjoyed this book and think it is a great young adult book and is very appropriate for that age. I really didn't know if I would enjoy this book because the description doesn't make it sound that interesting, but once I read past the first few chapters, I found myself more and more interested in the story and the characters. It was a little predictable, but honestly, I figure books out all the time so it may not be as predictable to a young adult reader. The only real reason I didn't give it a higher score is because The Birdman idea is not very original. I've read another series that has villains who are large black birds and that just really bothered me. Of all the creatures the author could have chosen, he chose something that has already been used in another, pretty popular series. Even the descriptions were pretty close (size, color, eyes, etc.). Other than that, the story was very cute and entertaining and I would not have a problem with my daughter reading a book like this. she is young, but we may actually read it together now that she is getting in to chapter books. I highly suggest reading this book if you like fun, entertaining and magical mysteries that is age appropriate for young adult readers.
April 29, 2013
I was given an advanced copy of this book to review. I have read many YA books and this one is a wonderful read for the teen and preteen ages, as well as for adults looking for a fun, easy, magical adventure. Penny and Zoe are two girls who happen to come upon a magic book, magic wands and a new magical friend. As they learn to use their new powers, they find out that there is an evil magical force in town kidnapping the children in the area. The two girls are set on finding out who or what is taking the kids. The kids' dialogue is really well written, completely believable for kids of their ages. From the beginning I was drawn into Penny's story, and the author kept me hooked until the very end, an ending with an exciting confrontation between an evil magic and the girls' newfound magical powers. This is a great start to a new series and I am looking forward to reading more of the adventures of The Phoenix Girls.
February 12, 2013
This book was much better than I originally thought it would be. I am not too much into magic but as a Children's Librarian I make sure to read a wide variety of books so I can make good recommendations. Initially I thought the book to be a simple "girls who find out they can do magic" book, which tend to be a dime a dozen nowadays, however towards the middle it got quite interesting and in fact the ending had a couple of scary parts which I am sure some of my kids would love. I would say kids who like magic, mysteries and/or a little horror (not much so don't worry) would like this book. As for me, now that I have finished the book I am actually looking forward to the next installment! (note: I got and early copy of this book from LibraryThing)
March 7, 2013
I was asked to review this as an "early reviewer" - and what a great read it was too.
Aimed at younger readers, that should not put off the older fantasy fans as it was an entertaining story which is very easy to get into and demands little of the reader.
The book is also illustrated throughout with pictures that really do work well on the Kindle and they add to the charm of a title that is best described as Harry Potter mixed with a little of Enid Blyton's Famous Five.
The book touches on real life issues (as well as it's fantasy theme) and I think this is a great modern title which should be on the reading list of any younger reader.
A great adventure and I'll certainly be seriously considering the next books in the series when I want an accessible easy read.
Aimed at younger readers, that should not put off the older fantasy fans as it was an entertaining story which is very easy to get into and demands little of the reader.
The book is also illustrated throughout with pictures that really do work well on the Kindle and they add to the charm of a title that is best described as Harry Potter mixed with a little of Enid Blyton's Famous Five.
The book touches on real life issues (as well as it's fantasy theme) and I think this is a great modern title which should be on the reading list of any younger reader.
A great adventure and I'll certainly be seriously considering the next books in the series when I want an accessible easy read.
March 8, 2013
When I learned the main character was a girl named Penny, I knew I'd be interested in this book. As I started to get to know her and find out that we shared several similarities (we're preemies, we think bedrooms in the attic are fun..) well, that's magic and I couldn't turn the (virtual) pages fast enough. For me, that's where the direct resemblance to Penny diverged but this is an enjoyable YA read of friendship and magic. I look forward to learning more about the phoenix girls and their next adventures.
I also wish I could send a copy to my younger self because I really would have loved this book when I was the age of the target audience!
I received this ebook as part of LT's Early Reviewer Program.
I also wish I could send a copy to my younger self because I really would have loved this book when I was the age of the target audience!
I received this ebook as part of LT's Early Reviewer Program.
March 18, 2013
I gave this book four stars not because I didn't like it, but because it was below my normal reading level.
This book would be a great book for any young girl between 10-13 years old. Thinking back to that age this is when I would have loved this book. It had mystery, adventure, friendship and sorcery. As the characters too fall in this age range I feel this would be the age to relate best to this book. Who wouldn't want to get a new home and find a talking fox, magic wands and a secret book to show you more spells?
Overall if offered to read the next book in the series I would love to catch up with Penny and her friends and see what comes next for them.
This book would be a great book for any young girl between 10-13 years old. Thinking back to that age this is when I would have loved this book. It had mystery, adventure, friendship and sorcery. As the characters too fall in this age range I feel this would be the age to relate best to this book. Who wouldn't want to get a new home and find a talking fox, magic wands and a secret book to show you more spells?
Overall if offered to read the next book in the series I would love to catch up with Penny and her friends and see what comes next for them.
April 15, 2013
This was a very creative and well told book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were lively, the scenery well described, and the magic and mystery grabbed me from the first page. It also managed to set the foundation for a series of books, which I am now anxious to read! The book would have received five stars but for the fact that every so often the narrative seemed to get a bit twisted and I found myself having to reread paragraphs to understand what was happening - something I would accept in an adult fiction novel but not in young adult fiction. Nevertheless, it was a great tale and I look forward to the next installment!
June 1, 2013
I quite enjoyed This YA book. The tale revolves around a recently orphaned girl and her new life in a small town. Here she finds out more about her mom, her dad and her ability for magic. Meeting another newcomer in the small town who also has the ability for magic and these two girls adventures is the basis for these tales. I'd recommend for those that like Harry Potter, for younger 'YA' children and those that like fantasy-based easy reads.
Received this book via a Librarything.com Early Reviewer giveaway.
Received this book via a Librarything.com Early Reviewer giveaway.
February 16, 2013
I actually really enjoyed this book. I'm not a teenager, or young girl anymore, but I do enjoy YA fiction. The Conjuring Glass is a book that I believe would be enjoyed by pre-teen girls; there's just enough angst and feeling of being an outsider that will appeal to a younger reader. It was well written, and had just the right amount of suspense along with an ending that makes me anxious to read the second book in the series.
March 4, 2013
It's good to see a young adult book with female characters. It's an interesting story and I found it intriguing at some points. Penny, the main character, is a young girl who moves into a small town because her mother died and her mom's friend has taken guardianship over her. Penny has a hard time at school with bullies but eventually finds a friend. Penny doesn't trust many people, but is learning the value of friendship and trust.
It was well written. It is first in a series,
It was well written. It is first in a series,
April 8, 2013
This book by Brian Knight was worth reading. It is the first of a series and the series is going to be a good one if you can judge by the first book. Don't usually read about witches, but this one is very engaging you are left wanting more. Good characters and good plot.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms"
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