Fireborn: Phoenix and the Frost Palace (Fireborn, Book 2)

It is three months since the destruction of the Hunting Lodge. Twelve is now a Hunter, and has taken the name Phoenix in honour of her elemental power. She can summon fire, although she is still learning how to fully control the magic within her, and is more than a little afraid of its effects. She is approached by Nara, a witch who is in desperate need of her help. The frozen palace of Icegaard, home to the witches, is in grave danger from the Shadowseam, an evil force which threatens to destroy it. Should this happen, the whole of the land of Ember could be destroyed. With her powers, Phoenix is their only hope. Together with her friends, Five, Six and Seven, Phoenix travels North to Icegaard, where they must face many new terrifying dark creatures before Phoenix can confront the Shadowseam - and her deadly enemies, Victory, Morgren and The Croke.

Following directly on from the first book in the series, Phoenix and the Frost Palace is a wonderful sequel, beautifully written and very exciting, and enhanced by atmospheric, delicate illustrations by Sophie Medvedeva. We are reunited with Five and Six; the boys provide much of the humour which lightens the story. Seven, the Seer who is really not cut out to be a Hunter, is a lovely character; she does not seek attention, but Phoenix knows that she is "the most thoughtful, the kindest of them all". Five has to overcome his mistrust of magic, and at first, he is extremely uncomfortable at Icegaard, where he finds himself surrounded by it.

The reader is taken to a frozen world of wonder, full of feasting trees and Icemothers - huge ice statues who defend the palace. We meet some truly scary monsters - wheevers, skryll, fathomghasts, glimmers and glintwings.

As in her first novel, the author uses clever devices to help the reader understand more of Phoenix's former life; we are allowed into her visions and are given an insight into her love for her little sister, who was killed by the Croke. The Magical Bestiary Phoenix has tried to memorise gives us wonderful images of the creatures she must face and the powers they have. We also follow the story of Dog, the Guardian of the Hunting Lodge, who has his own quest to follow at the start of the book, but who comes to Phoenix's aid when she most needs him. He is a wonderful creation, and as the tale unfolds, we see that he is changing and becoming more in touch with his emotions - but is this a good thing?

Fireborn: Phoenix and the Frost Palace is a fantastic adventure story, but at its heart it is a tale of friendship and loyalty. Each of the group puts their life on the line for their friends, and even when difficult decisions have to be made, they stand together and work for the greater good. At the end of the novel, Ember stands on the brink of war and Ms Fowler leaves the reader on a tremendous cliffhanger - I even found myself shouting "No!" at one point. I cannot wait for the third book in this series - I hope it isn't too long before we find out what happens next to Phoenix, Five, Six, Seven - and Dog.

512 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+