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Phoenix Rising, Lemuria Down
Cody Redman was supposed to be set for life. As the childhood star of his own viral YouTube channel, fame and fortune should have been a given. Instead, he’s broke, directionless, and living off takeout while partying with his equally aimless friends. Turns out, having your identity shaped by the internet at age 15 doesn’t exactly pave the way for a stable adulthood.
And neither did having parents who took the money and ran.
When his family’s bad decisions come back to haunt him, Cody is forced to hit pause on the one bright spot in his life-a new romance-and disappear to Lemuria Down, a man-made island built for reinvention. There, he can either keep running from the past or finally face the pain of the past that he’s been burying for years.
Told with wit and charm, this satirical coming of age story explores the disorienting legacy of childhood fame, the weight of hidden truths, and the quiet resilience it takes to move on.
And neither did having parents who took the money and ran.
When his family’s bad decisions come back to haunt him, Cody is forced to hit pause on the one bright spot in his life-a new romance-and disappear to Lemuria Down, a man-made island built for reinvention. There, he can either keep running from the past or finally face the pain of the past that he’s been burying for years.
Told with wit and charm, this satirical coming of age story explores the disorienting legacy of childhood fame, the weight of hidden truths, and the quiet resilience it takes to move on.
292 pages, Paperback
Published May 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 25, 2026
The story follows the life of Cody Redman, a childhood YouTube star. Cody's parents left him at the age of 15 without any explanation. Following this traumatic experience, he lived in isolation with his friend, Thad, at the Oasis Apartments in Phoenix, Arizona. He volunteered at Birds of a Feather, where he met Sierra after rescuing a stray bird. However, a point came when his ugly past began to haunt him. Cody and his friends’ lives were threatened in an attempt to force them to divulge useful information about his parents whereabouts. He and his friends, Thad and Lesmour, fled Arizona to Lemuria Down, a man-made island, where he began a new life as an ornithologist. But good things don’t last long. There were secrets to be unveiled, and obstacles and challenges which will disrupt their "perfect life" in Lemuria Down. What is the secret behind his parents sudden disappearance? Will Cody and his friends overcome the obstacles and challenges thrown in their path?
Opinion:
The characters in Phoenix Rising, Lemuria Down were well developed. The protagonist, Cody Redman, was hurt by parents abandoning him. He lived feeling vulnerable, isolated, and sorry for himself. At Birds of a Feather, he met Sierra who infused happiness into his gloomy life. At Lemuria Down, he discovered his love for nature and found pleasure in doing what he loved. He was a man haunted by his past but strong and resolved to push through challenges for love's sake. I liked Sierra Gonzales, Cody's girlfriend. She was bright, lively, and optimistic, bringing a ray of sunshine to Cody's brooding and dull life. She's determined, knowing what she wants and goes for it.
Rod Drought did a commendable job creating this interesting storyline. The story had exciting events like preparing for the trip to Lemuria Down within a short period of time and settling in Lemuria Down. The story was slow-paced at the beginning with intense buildup, then fast-paced toward the ending.
The setting was vividly described. The profound attention to detail, evidenced in the use of vivid descriptions of places, people, and events, is noteworthy. This fuels imagination and aids readers' understanding of the storyline. For example, the ugly sight of the Oasis Apartments, a typical run-down building with mosquito breeding grounds, is in perfect contrast to the exquisite environment of Lemuria Down with its polished houses and workplaces.
Opinion:
The characters in Phoenix Rising, Lemuria Down were well developed. The protagonist, Cody Redman, was hurt by parents abandoning him. He lived feeling vulnerable, isolated, and sorry for himself. At Birds of a Feather, he met Sierra who infused happiness into his gloomy life. At Lemuria Down, he discovered his love for nature and found pleasure in doing what he loved. He was a man haunted by his past but strong and resolved to push through challenges for love's sake. I liked Sierra Gonzales, Cody's girlfriend. She was bright, lively, and optimistic, bringing a ray of sunshine to Cody's brooding and dull life. She's determined, knowing what she wants and goes for it.
Rod Drought did a commendable job creating this interesting storyline. The story had exciting events like preparing for the trip to Lemuria Down within a short period of time and settling in Lemuria Down. The story was slow-paced at the beginning with intense buildup, then fast-paced toward the ending.
The setting was vividly described. The profound attention to detail, evidenced in the use of vivid descriptions of places, people, and events, is noteworthy. This fuels imagination and aids readers' understanding of the storyline. For example, the ugly sight of the Oasis Apartments, a typical run-down building with mosquito breeding grounds, is in perfect contrast to the exquisite environment of Lemuria Down with its polished houses and workplaces.
May 2, 2026
Phoenix Rising, Lemuria Down by Rod Drought
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a quietly impactful novel that explores the complicated aftermath of early fame and the search for identity beyond it. Centered on Cody Redman, a former child internet star whose life has drifted into aimlessness, the story captures the emotional disorientation that comes from growing up too fast in the public eye. Rather than leaning into spectacle, the narrative focuses on the internal consequences of that upbringing, creating a grounded and introspective tone from the very beginning.
👉Cody’s journey is shaped by both external circumstances and deeply rooted emotional wounds. His strained relationship with his past, particularly the absence and betrayal of his parents, adds weight to his current struggles. The novel does an excellent job of portraying how unresolved trauma can quietly influence choices, relationships, and self-perception. Cody is not immediately likable or heroic, but that is precisely what makes him believable. His gradual movement toward accountability and self-understanding feels earned rather than forced.
👉One of the most engaging aspects of the book is its use of relationships to reflect growth. Sierra, with her compassion and steadiness, provides a contrast to Cody’s instability, yet she is never reduced to a simple catalyst for his change. Their connection feels sincere, layered with both hope and limitation. The supporting characters, including Cody’s friends and estranged father, further highlight different paths one might take when faced with failure or regret, enriching the emotional landscape of the story.
👉The concept of Lemuria Down adds an intriguing dimension, functioning as both a literal and symbolic space for reinvention. It represents the temptation to escape versus the necessity of confrontation. The writing style mirrors this duality, blending light, often witty observations with deeper reflections on identity and healing. The pacing allows the reader to sit with Cody’s experiences, giving his transformation time to unfold naturally without rushing toward resolution.
Happy reading 😊
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a quietly impactful novel that explores the complicated aftermath of early fame and the search for identity beyond it. Centered on Cody Redman, a former child internet star whose life has drifted into aimlessness, the story captures the emotional disorientation that comes from growing up too fast in the public eye. Rather than leaning into spectacle, the narrative focuses on the internal consequences of that upbringing, creating a grounded and introspective tone from the very beginning.
👉Cody’s journey is shaped by both external circumstances and deeply rooted emotional wounds. His strained relationship with his past, particularly the absence and betrayal of his parents, adds weight to his current struggles. The novel does an excellent job of portraying how unresolved trauma can quietly influence choices, relationships, and self-perception. Cody is not immediately likable or heroic, but that is precisely what makes him believable. His gradual movement toward accountability and self-understanding feels earned rather than forced.
👉One of the most engaging aspects of the book is its use of relationships to reflect growth. Sierra, with her compassion and steadiness, provides a contrast to Cody’s instability, yet she is never reduced to a simple catalyst for his change. Their connection feels sincere, layered with both hope and limitation. The supporting characters, including Cody’s friends and estranged father, further highlight different paths one might take when faced with failure or regret, enriching the emotional landscape of the story.
👉The concept of Lemuria Down adds an intriguing dimension, functioning as both a literal and symbolic space for reinvention. It represents the temptation to escape versus the necessity of confrontation. The writing style mirrors this duality, blending light, often witty observations with deeper reflections on identity and healing. The pacing allows the reader to sit with Cody’s experiences, giving his transformation time to unfold naturally without rushing toward resolution.
Happy reading 😊
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews