By: Aleesah Darlison
Ash Rover doesn’t want to be just looking after the cows, which goes someway to explaining how he was asleep on his post. He is rudely awakened by a rock dropping on his head, though it is no ordinary rock, this rock generates warmth. He takes it home but his mother is not impressed she just wants him to do his chores. It turns out his rock isn’t rock, it is a phoenix egg and when the phoenix hatches it declares Ash it’s keeper. Ash has no idea what this means but in a place where magic is banned, this may not be a good thing. Before long Ash is summoned before the lady of the land, sent out on a quest, responsible for saving everyone he knows and dealing with things he has simply never thought about before. The problem with this quest is it has a deadline, will he be able to beat it?
This is a thoroughly fun adventure filled with magical creatures and a hero who isn’t sure he can be a hero. Ash isn’t the smartest or the bravest, in the end he does what he has to simply because it is the right thing to do. A great thing about this is he isn’t alone, his best friends have joined him on the quest and throughout they also have their moments of doubt, the great thing is they help each other push on.
Darlison has taken some familiar creatures and given them a little twist. She has given us characters who are appealing, and a plot that keeps a good pace never slowing down enough to lose the reader. A great choice for younger readers just beginning their journey into the fantastical realms created for reading pleasure.
Published: 01 February 2014
Format: Paperback 272 pages
Categories: Adventure, Fantasy
ISBN 13: 9781922179029
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page
TheKylieVerse 
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