Loved this book. The Phoenix tells the story of Callie Valentine as she faces loss and uncertainty after her mom "abandons" her and her two younger siblings. Callie shows resilience in the way she handles everything thrown at her. Callie experiences heartbreak and trauma while learning to trust and care for others. Death and dying are handled realistically enough and you care for the characters in this book. This is a story of rebirth that is rather unique in the telling, I haven't been able to think of another book I've read that would compare. There are parts that I struggled with, including how social services was handled. I understand the viewpoint of Callie in regard to social services, though, and it was interesting seeing it through the eyes of a child.

I will be recommending this book to others, including my grandchildren when they are old enough for the material within.

Phoenix offers a compelling blend of contemporary fiction and subtle supernatural elements. While the point of view didn't fully resonate with me, the story's emotional depth and themes of resilience and found family kept me engaged throughout.

The Phoenix is a story about Callie and how she has to find her way in life after being abandoned by her mom, while also caring for her brother and sister.

The first third was a bit of a struggle for me but then I was hooked!! Oh my gosh… hooked!

Emotional strings start pulling hard from the get-go but I didn’t feel as connected to it as much until Cassie started to be kinder to others. Maybe it had something to do with the overuse of the word Jesus as profanity in the first half of the book. Not a fan of that personally.

I kept having to remind myself in the beginning that Callie isn’t your usual female lead. She is full of teenage angst and overly negative about everything, even situations that should be positive. Given her very rough upbringing with her mom, and her subsequent abandonment, I understand why she is the way that she is, it just makes for a more uncomfortable read.

Lucy’s character has a fun twist and I enjoyed her.

"Well, yes. Practicing kindness is the easiest and best life to live. If, as in your case, one has but a single life to live, find a way to be kind." - This quote was such a gentle reminder that it really hurts no one to be kind and it stuck with me while I was reading.

Reading on as Callie’s hardened exterior slowly melt away was sweet, and then to see her changing into someone that doesn’t view the world so darkly while still keeping her guard up felt very real.

When Callie said “Thank you” to Delamorte near the end of the book, I was in tears. I was a mess.

All in all, a good read with a sweet ending!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Unfortunately I had to DNF. The story didn’t draw me in and the graphic scene with the mother turned me off.

I was drawn to read The Phoenix based on the summary of 16-year-old Callie Valentine needing to take care of her younger siblings, being taken in by a funeral home director, and finding that there is magic afoot. The imagery was well written, and the details of the graphic images (immediately provided in chapter one) were very real. However, this was a slow story for me. I wanted to cheer for our protagonist, but I just couldn't. It's understandable that she has trust issues, but the defiance that she had from moving in with this complete stranger that she was initially scared of doesn't feel believable or maybe forced.

I felt like the story was written more like a case worker or child psychologist rather than a work of fiction. I'm sure the author used some of his expertise to come up with some of the content, but it didn't pull me in. Even after 50% of the story I wasn't drawn into it. execution didn’t quite live up to the concept. There were moments where the pacing dragged and some of the plot twists were a little predictable.

Overall, the world-building was good, and the self-discovery was much appreciated. I don't think I would agree that it's a YA book, but given the age of the main character, I guess that's where it should go. It's a good book about grief, childhood struggle, and accepting that parents aren't perfect, with a little bit of mythology and magic included.

Rating: 2.75

The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen is a thrilling blend of mystery, supernatural intrigue, and heart. If you love creepy funeral homes, ancient magic, and a tough teenage heroine, this one's for you.

Sixteen-year-old Callie Valentine is no stranger to hardship. With her father gone and mother missing, she's raising her younger siblings alone. When they're evicted, mysterious mortician Victor Delamorte offers them a place to stay—but what does he really want?
The funeral home is packed with secrets: forbidden rooms, odd rules, and Lucy, the eerily elegant mortuary beautician. Callie senses something off, and she's right—especially when Lucy reveals she's the Grim Reaper and there's a cursed device capable of resurrection.
Eric Van Allen masterfully blends tension with heart. Callie is sarcastic, tough, and fiercely loyal, while Delamorte's hidden motives add layers to their bond. As his health fades, Callie faces an impossible task that could change everything.

If you want a YA novel with macabre vibes, dark humor, and a heroine who never quits, The Phoenix is a must-read. It's spooky, heartfelt, and impossible to put down—you'll never see funeral homes the same way again.

The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen is unlike anything I’ve read before. I usually gravitate toward romantasy with rich world-building or lighthearted rom-coms, so this was a definite departure from my usual reads.

Right from the first chapter, the book throws you for a loop—graphic descriptions, harsh realities, and a narrator who feels almost too sharp for her age. There are definite trigger warnings for neglect, substance abuse, and mature content, so readers should go in prepared.

The story itself had so much potential, but the execution didn’t fully live up to the concept for me. That said, I still enjoyed following Callie’s journey and was glad to see her rebirth by the end—fitting, given the title.

3.75*
This story was not what I would call light reading. It touched on a few hard subjects. This one was a tear-jerker for me after having lost my brother to cancer. He carved his own casket as part hope he wouldn't yet need it, and as part of his mis en place acceptance of impending death when chemo funds ran out. Not sure if this should be considered a kids/young adult book unless, maybe it's given to someone who has lost a family member to encourage them in an Agnostic way the soul lives on after the body can no-longer support it. To let the child know it wasn't anything they did or didn't do and to not blame themselves for their loved-one's death, leaving, or drug addiction. Loving counsel can save lives, but the person needs to truly want that change for it to stick. Although not outrightly said it IS a fairly good cautionary tale for using birth control. Male and female contraceptives together work best. Take personal responsibility for the possible effects.. If your mental health is not up to the rigors of parenthood or you don't trust the mental health of your partner/ one-night stand, why force your situation on an innocent child? It is also very, very true there needs to be more adults willing to mentor and give safe haven to these often troubled kids instead of seeing them as a for profit scheme. I and my two brothers were lucky to be found by our adoptive parents who may not have been perfect, but close enough for us. Some of my older birth brothers and sisters still suffer from our mother's neglect resulting from... illness. All education is an active participation exercise and some of us have to work harder at it than others through no fault of our own. Learning a useful trade or skill Plus perseverance with a plan are tools both kids and adults can use to break the bondage of ignorance and poverty, whatever culture birthed you. (The Race we All belong to is Homo sapiens, or blood donations would not work so well for those who receive them.)

== This has been this readers honest review of a NetGally pre-release e-pub

At first I compared this to Red Rising and Soft DNF it. I enjoyed the writing style but It was hard to get beyond the comparison. Upon reflection and really wanting to know if I was incorrect. I love a strong female character. I returned and am thrilled to say I was wrong. Yes, there are still trigger warnings of neglect, substance abuse and mature content. There is also hope, found family and strength in adversity. The rawness that is in Red Rising is where the comparison ends. I look forward to reading more from this author and will recommend it to those who enjoy this genre.

Book Review: The Phoenix by Eric Van Allen
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

The Phoenix had a really cool premise. I was immediately drawn in by the idea of rebirth and transformation and the way the story set itself up had a lot of potential. The world building was solid and the way Van Allen described the characters and their struggles made them feel real.

That being said, I felt like the execution didn’t quite live up to the concept. There were moments where the pacing dragged and some of the plot twists were a little predictable. I kept waiting for that wow moment that would fully hook me but it never really came. The writing was decent but at times it felt like it was trying too hard to be deep instead of just letting the story flow naturally.

I still enjoyed it overall, there were some really great action scenes and the themes of resilience and self discovery were handled well. It just felt like it could have been more. If you’re into stories about rebirth, second chances or mythology inspired themes then it’s worth a read. Just don’t go in expecting something mind blowing.

That first chapter is horrendous with descriptions of bodily fluids. Sorry, I'm all for being creative, but this ridiculous. The narrative is that of a male pretending to be a teenage girl. It's depressing.

Sixteen-year-old Callie Valentine has lost a lot—her father died, and her mother abandoned her. She takes care of her younger siblings and trusts no one. When they’re evicted, a mysterious mortician named Victor Delamorte offers them a place to stay. Callie is suspicious but agrees. As she uncovers strange secrets about Delamorte and his assistant Lucy, she learns that Delamorte believes he can be brought back to life. Lucy, revealed as Death, warns Callie about a cursed device that ties Delamorte’s fate. Now, Callie must decide if she can trust him and help her family, or if she’ll be caught in something dangerous.

I absolutely loved this book!! I read it in one sitting, no breaks!! Callie is a very lovable character who will do absolutely anything to provide for her siblings. The way Eric wrote Callie, it makes you feel for her and truly feel like you’re the one experiencing all of this. Vic was just a sweetheart. I absolutely adored him and loved how he took the kids on as his own. This is my first time reading a book by Eric Van Allen, and I can 100% say this won’t be the last time. His writing style is really easy to read and very fast-paced. It’s easy to imagine the things going on as he explains them well. Beware to have your heart broken. I shed a few tears within the last 60 pages. The ending made up for those sad tears, as by the last page I was crying happy tears. This was such an amazing read. I’ve never read anything like this before. I’m itching for more. I can’t wait for the second book.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In The Phoenix, sixteen-year-old Callie Valentine has spent her life distrusting others, especially after being abandoned and left to care for her siblings. When the enigmatic mortician Victor Delamorte offers them shelter in his funeral home, Callie is wary - especially of Lucy, the eerie beautician with a deadly touch. As Callie grows closer to Delamorte, she uncovers unsettling secrets, including a device that can supposedly bring back the dead. When it’s stolen, Callie must decide if she’s willing to risk everything to retrieve it.

This was a surprising read for me I have to say. I am not the biggest YA reader, so I went into this with lowered expectations, but was pleasantly surprised. Callie was a relatable main character and her love for her siblings and their reciprocal love back shone through. I liked how the supernatural elements in this unfolded and that it was a gradual sort of buildup until those were fully revealed at the end.

I did have to get used to the narration utilized in the book, but found that once I had, I didn’t have a problem immersing myself.

This is a fun read for YA fans that want something that’s atmospheric and not full-fledged complicated fantasy.

Eric Van Allen’s The Phoenix is a novel that thrives on contrasts grief and hope, the mundane and the mystical, survival and transformation. At its core, it’s a story about family and resilience, but what sets it apart is its eerie yet comforting setting: a funeral home that becomes a sanctuary for lost souls, both literally and figuratively.

Callie Valentine is a protagonist readers will either admire or challenge. She’s guarded, sharp-witted, and often stubborn, but her flaws make her feel deeply human. Her younger siblings, Thomas and Jess, add emotional weight to her journey, reminding us that survival isn’t just about oneself but also about those we love. Victor Delamorte, the enigmatic mortician, is a character who lingers in the reader’s mind whether as a savior or something more ambiguous depends on how you interpret his presence.

The supernatural elements are subtle but effective. Lucy, with her chillingly beautiful dress that weaves the legend of the Phoenix, adds an almost gothic fantasy layer to the book. Unlike traditional paranormal stories, The Phoenix doesn’t lean on magic to solve its characters’ problems; instead, it uses mythology to mirror the internal battles they face.

While the novel’s pacing is steady, some moments could have been further developed particularly the emotional peaks. The writing is immersive, but at times, it feels like the story holds back just when it’s about to soar. That said, the themes of rebirth and second chances shine through, making it a novel that lingers after the last page.

For readers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling with a mix of raw emotion and quiet magic, The Phoenix is a compelling journey of loss, survival, and the hope that, like the legendary bird, we can rise again.

I just finished this book, and I have to say that I enjoyed it!

It was different than anything else I'd read lately, and it was a nice change of pace. I also found the main character relatable, even if she was frustrating at times, I understood her and why she acted the way she did.

"Were they somehow angry I'd been born? Honesty, there were times I felt the same way." - This is a quote that really stuck out to me, and part of why I find her relatable. There is a lot of honesty in this book when it comes to feelings of grief, loneliness and the struggles that the three children face.

There wasn't a lot that happened, but the book was still interesting and it was really about the characters and growth for me. I enjoyed all the characters for their own reasons (except for the money hungry assistant, but that's to be expected.). I enjoyed seeing the character growth. Callie learning to trust others and her journey was the main part of the book for me. The way she cared for her siblings, and the way they cared for her was very sweet. I also loved seeing the "found family" come into play. There were no romantic intersts for the main character and I love seeing that for a change. It was really just about her and her bonds with her family (found family included.)

The writing style was easy to read, and conversational in nature. It kept my interest.

There wasn't a lot of descriptions to picture things, but I am someone who has aphantasia and this was actually a nice break for me to not have to read a bunch of descriptions I wasn't able to picture. If you are someone who needs to vividly picture stuff, this might not be for you but if you're like me then I think you might really enjoy it!

Overall rating is 3.5, rounding it up to 4.

This book follows 16 year old Callie during her time at Victor Delamorte’s mortuary. After being evicted from her apartment with her two younger siblings, Victor offers them a place to live in the mortuary but the place is full of secrets. As Callie and her siblings adjust to their new life and new home, Callie grows suspicious of Delamorte and others working in the mortuary.

The concept of this book is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. At no point while reading did I compare it to a book I’ve read in the past because it was so unique! If you enjoy supernatural young adult novels - this is a really fun read. While it isn’t my preferred genre, I can see a lot of people enjoying this.

However, the narration is a little jarring if I’m being honest. Callie is a very conversational narrator. It was a lot of repeated “I” statements one right after the other with little description of the setting characters or events to break it up. If you really enjoy being able to vividly picture things as you read, you might have a hard time with this. It’s not my preferred narration style but if you enjoy that it’s definitely another reason to try the book!

The supernatural elements of this novel don’t fully emerge until toward the climax as Callie seems to go in and out of believing in the supernatural throughout the beginning portion. Even when secrets are revealed and Callie witnesses supernatural events, she doubts herself and is untrusting of those who confided in her. If you are new to young adult supernatural novels, this could be a good place to start to dip your toe in! I found the obstacles Callie faces in her search to recover what was lost to be overcome quite easily. Which made it an easy read, not stressful or anxiety provoking but a fun easy read for young adults.

This was a DNF for me unfortunately. The first few pages were so graphic with bodily functions, I did not want to read further.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This YA book features a family of three children aged 16, 12, and 8, who wind up living with a very elderly gentleman in his funeral home. The narrator is 16 year old Callie Valentine who has been responsible for taking care of her siblings as her mother fell further into drugs. This young woman isn't a magically together, super-smart girl who has been a terrific provider while navigating around her mother; she attempts to steal (poorly) and has no idea what to do when the trio is evicted from their apartment.

Luck and magic come together in the form of Victor Delamorte, an elderly mortician, who offers the children temporary employment and eventual permanent shelter in his home above his mortuary. His gentle care and guidance finally give these children an adult to rely upon and teach them how to care for themselves as a family. The magic is in the form of funeral home beautician, Lucy, and the shadowy ghosts that Callie can see as well as the mystical burial casket hidden in a roomful of treasures. Magic, belief, and love intersect in the resolution of the book when the children care for Victor in his final days and then embark on a quest to fulfill his last wishes.

Victor's last days are a very realistic portrayal of someone dying at home with loved ones caring for them. It's a pretty big surprise for a YA title, yet that's one of the joys of a YA novel - exploring events that are terrible and beautiful and emotional before encountering them in adult life. There's just enough magic and mystery to help Callie make the leap into finally trusting first one adult, and then finally others.

Thank you Lurking Lucy Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.