Ash Ridley and the Phoenix

by Lisa Foiles

Ash Ridley just bonded to a baby phoenix—the most powerful beast in all of Cascadia—and he’s hungry, hyperactive, high-maintenance, and hiccups fireballs.

Twelve-year-old Ash waves goodbye to her miserable life as a traveling circus stablehand when she and her feisty bird, Flynn, are whisked away to the Academy of Beasts and a school where wealthy children train unicorns, manticores, and scarf-wearing ice dragons. The downside to owning such a highly magical beast? Everyone wants him. When a mysterious sorcerer suggests the Academy may have dark intentions, Ash realizes her tiny bird might be the key to saving Cascadia…or destroying it.

352 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2020

Reviews

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Harry Potter, and an enjoyable read. Really liked the wide range of mythical creatures. Great first novel from Lisa Foiles.

[Mojo Shivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I’ve watched the films, I’ve never actually read the Harry Potter series. But I imagine reading Ash Ridley must be a similar experience. It has a magical school—in this case a school for children to train and bond with magical beasts. It has a evil sorcerer for a main villain—in this case a particularly convincing liar and charismatic brother to the king. It’s all very Macbeth or Scar from Lion King. It also has a tight-knit trio of friends who almost too quickly take a liking to Ash.

Granted that these kinds of books aren’t my usual forte, I enjoyed it. It had some pretty good action scenes, a likable albeit naive main heroine, and one hell of a swerve in the ending chapters. All in all, a fine effort for the author’s first novel.

[John Hoffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance on new author Lisa Foiles and was not disappointed.

This young adult fantasy novel was a lot of fun to read with a pleasant storyline, a young flawed heroine who grows a great deal by the end of the story and plenty of fantastic beasts and adventure. The book has a great opening that introduces you to a world where fantasy beasts are real, if rare (you are led to believe). and magic exists. There are some minor flaws I could nitpick, but will refrain as they do not take away from the overall story.

When I posted a DM to Lisa Foiles on Twitter pointing out that the story had elements that reminded me of The Last Unicorn, amongst other things, she responded "I was actually hoping some people would make that connection. TLU was my first ever introduction to fantasy, and it deeply affected me. The beginning of the book really is a love letter to that piece of work, with my own spin".

I didn't find anything offensive in the book. There is no social or political agenda from what I could tell, the story af Ash and her Phoenix companion was simply a fun romp in a new world that is more than a little similar to our own.

I recommend this book for any age and wouldn't have any qualms about my younger kids reading it.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ash Ridley and the Phoenix is a wonderful fantasy work with a diverse and deep enough world to allow for growth within the series. Ash is a very sympathetic main character who never quite feels like she fits in, something many 12-year-olds like herself feel every day. The friendship and confrontation dynamic with her peers feel very natural and relatable for a coming-of-age tale. Mythical creatures from all over the spectrum are represented throughout. It's also very refreshing to have a fantasy tale of this nature with a young, female lead.

If you have younger readers or you yourself are interested in unique fantasy worlds, do yourself a favor, pick up, and bond with this book.

[Bobby Keniston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: the information here for the book does not match my copy, which is 329 pages, and was published in 2020.

4.5 Stars rounded up

I will be the first to say that my rating might be somewhat generous, but the truth is, I was impressed by Lisa Foiles debut, "Ash Ridley and the Phoenix". Foiles, a child actress known for a few seasons on Nickelodeon's sketch comedy show "All That," and a very memorable episode of "Malcolm in the Middle", delivers a fun, fast-paced and well drawn world in her first book.

One can say it owes a debt to "Harry Potter," but, in all honesty, "Harry Potter" owes debts of its own to many different fantasy and children's novels. I, for one, think Foiles has a unique narrative voice, and does an excellent job in breathing life into these characters.

We meet Ash Ridley, our 12 year-old protagonist, as little more than an indentured servant to a witch who runs a traveling circus show of magical beasts. She has taken on this job to help her beloved father, who is in danger of losing his farm. When an elderly phoenix she named Flynn dies and is reborn in the ashes as a plucky baby bird, she "bonds" with the creature, and is scooped up and taken to the Academy of Beasts and Magic to learn how to properly train Flynn and increase their magical connection.

Though there are a few little things one would notice from any first novel (Ms. Foiles does use the word "pokey" quite a bit as an adjective for example), I was very impressed by how well-written the book is, and how fleshed out the world and the characters are, making you care a great deal about them and keeping the pages turning.

While the book ends with hints at a possible sequel or even series, it has been five years since publication, so, who knows? But if you like fantasy stories for all ages, I bet you will really like this. I also enjoy her podcast, Temperamental.

[Sketchfile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't bad per se but it has the problem the first Harry Potter has where it has to set up and introduce the world so anything interesting is a little short and bland. It's a bit of a dry read, probably not helped along that it follows along so much like a Harry Potter book, I think I actually enjoyed this a little more, and the characters themselves a little less, and it loses the plot sometimes. Has the problem old kid movies used to have where its all nothing particularly going on really, but then just a very short climax. Doesn't work for sex, doesn't really work here. There's some buildup, but it doesn't get to sit or develop into anything complex. Now, that said /if this book is intended to become a series/ I'd rate it as a four star. It's good sort of bland, broad appeal so anyone can take a look and enjoy, and then maybe get hooked by a next book. If it isn't intended that way, I'd say it's just an average book. Not a must read, don't feel bad about missing it, but was a fun read and I don't regret reading it. If you've got time and want a quick younger audience aimed book to get through, you can definitely do worse.

[Arron Anastasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really had potential. First half was really good and then it just kind of tailed off and went downhill after that in my opinion. The lack of concern for her father (except for when the story called for it) was a huge turn off for me. Some parts were really good however but not enough to hold my attention through the whole thing. There wasn’t much resolution to a lot of things that were set up earlier in the story either. Which left me disappointed. I only finished it because I started it not because I wanted to.

[Kevin Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Foiles, the former "All That" star, dips her hand into the literary world with this rich, detailed, and thrilling young adult adventure. If you love "Harry Potter," you'll love this story about a normal girl thrust into a fantastical world full of beasts, magic, friendship, and adventure. It is a worthy first run for the new author that creates an expansive narrative that deserves a follow up.

[Stephen McClellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, there are so many creatives producing content that I feel like it grows increasingly more difficult for authors to write novels that sound authentic and carry their own unique voice. But this book did exactly that! The narrative was engaging, refreshing to read, and conjured up fun and imaginative scenes! This is a hidden gem that needs MUCH more recognition for its talent and creativity. I highly recommend it!

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a lovely book that delved more into the magical beasts than Harry Potter did.

I was gripped for over 3/4's of it, but I did feel the battle/king ending seemed rushed/forced and something felt missing.

The final 2 chapters were nice and rounded off ok, leaving an opening to more books??? (Hopefully!)