Written in the first person narrative, Katie, a twin, takes the reader on a journey back to her past where she meets her former self and delves into the families history. Involving her twin Ally was not something she wanted but became something that had to happen. Is Katie the only one who see’s the shadow? What does it mean? Does her sister Ally share her psychic powers? Is Grandad really mistaking her for his sister Kathy or can he see the past and present clearly?
The Fifth Shadow Phoenix is a paranormal novel with twists and turns that keep you spell bound. Aimed at the young adult audience this book really befits itself to all ages. I was hooked within the first few pages. As the first in The Fifth Shadow series I definitely look forward to more.
Phoenix has it all. Friends, family, personal struggles and a little bit of history thrown in to a world that has you wondering where the next page will lead you. Alison Ashley writes with a flow that is really hard to explain. She draws you in with each expressive word to the extent that you leave your current surroundings and become at one with the words. At times I forgot it was 2013 as I was taken back to the war in 1944 and travelled with Katie through her past. Alison Ashley definitely knows how to set a scene giving you enough information to take you there but leaving just enough to allow your imagination to fill in the gaps. She has all the markings of a successful author in a young adult market that can be hard to break.
The ending of this book left me with that unbelievable sinking feeling and with the tears welling up in my eyes. The fifth shadow Phoenix has one of those endings that leaves you gasping and wanting to scream No! At the last page I was still seeking more, looking for the next book in the series. I wanted to rush to the book store in the hope of finding it sitting on a shelf waiting for me. What I did do was rush to the room of my 15 year old and thrust the book in his face with excitement recommending he read it.
Within Phoenix Alison Ashley has shown she is a writer who is able to look outside of the box into the world of paranormal activity and that of our presence today being part of our presence in the past. In her author bio at www.thefifthshadow.com she writes
‘Hi, I'm Alison Ashley, author of the Fifth Shadow series of books.
I live in rural Australia where the sky reaches to unknown worlds and where the spirits roam as freely as my imagination. Quite often, entities will gather around my desk eagerly awaiting my stories and sharing their own.
They helped me write Phoenix, the first in the Fifth Shadow series, and are also helping with the subsequent titles.’
The Fifth Shadow, Phoenix sure has something spiritual about it but not in the scary, crazy sense. With each page it carries warmth and love. The cover alone oozes mystery and the unknown world, with the off white pages speaking of old. The content speaks of being written with love, passion and a desire to share a story that allows you to be at one with the author via the character.
The Fifth Shadow is definitely a series that young adults will be talking about both in the school yard and online.
Visit Alison Ashley’s blog :http://alisonashley.wordpress.com/
Purchase a copy from: www.palmerhiggsbooks.com.au
ISBN: 978-098715050-9
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