What People Are Saying

Kirkus Reviews

“Kung fu, bicycle racing and an ancient Chinese supersteroid provide the central elements for a spinoff series opener set in the modern era from the creator of the Five Ancestors heptalogy. Stone stirs in characters and locales that connect new series with old. He also mixes plenty of well-informed racing-bike talk and action (on trail and cyclocross courses alike) with spectacular feats of kung fu, battles against well-armed heavies, comedic and sentimental moments, twists of fortune and other conventions of martial-arts tales. A thrill ride from start to finish for fans of high-speed plank hurdles and scorpion kicks alike. (Fantasy. 11-13)”

School Library Journal

“In this nonstop action ride, Phoenix Collins must depend on his love and talent for kung fu and mountain-bike racing to save his guardian grandfather's life. After thieves ransack their house and steal Grandfather's rare dragon bone powder, it's up to the teen to travel to China to try and procure more. The dragon bone is the only thing keeping the elderly man alive-as it has for hundreds of years. Fans of Stone's popular "Five Ancestors" series (Random) will welcome this volume, the first in his new series. The story is set in the modern day, so instead of battling armies and a corrupt emperor, Phoenix and his friends battle mad scientists and doping in the world of competitive cycling. Exciting descriptions of off-road biking and fight scenes balance out lengthy explanations of types of cycles and different gear. Fans will enjoy seeing favorite characters alive after many centuries, still teaching kung fu and handing off the good fight to a new generation.”

Common Sense Media

“Fans of author Jeff Stone's Five Ancestors series will be delighted with PHOENIX, which brings the issues and cosmic conflicts into the lives of today's kids. Kids who are into bicycle racing, martial arts and/or Chinese mythology will find plenty of fascinating detail and fast-moving adventures; they'll also get life lessons on such subjects as consideration, kindness, and family loyalty. The complex, interesting characters include a teenage girl and an old Chinese lady, who are fully equal to or better than their male friends and adversaries in key areas, including martial arts and bike-riding skills, as well as outsmarting villains. While generally age-appropriate, the story will appeal to adult genre fans as well as kids. As the first book in a new series, Phoenix avoids the frequent pitfalls of spending too much time in world-building or overselling the previous, related series; it works well as its own story, and leaves readers wanting to know what happens next with these characters.”

goodreads -Beth

“I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It's one of my summer book discussion books, and I cannot wait to see what the kids think of it. It's so full of action. From the kung fu to the mountain bike racing, I think boys will especially enjoy this book. The girls will enjoy the female main character a lot too...she's feisty! It's a great story that will have the kids wanting to read the rest of the books!”

goodreads -Janet

“I really enjoyed this new addition to the Five Ancestors series. I read that series several years ago and just learned about the new Out of the Ashes series. If this is the first book you've read by Jeff Stone, I recommend that you go back and read the original series. It's mainly for younger readers, but I loved it at age 61.”