Ash Rover and the Keeper of the Phoenix (Aleesah Darlison, Walker Books)

One day cowherd Ash Rover finds an egg, from which a phoenix called Gwaam is hatched. This weak fledging tells Ash that the boy is now its keeper and protector. In the future it will be powerful but now it needs the support of Ash to survive. At the same time, Ash’s village is frozen by the evil wizard Zardoc, who is intent on harnessing Gwaam’s magic for eternal life (apparently only a phoenix’s heart can be heard beating under the black ice). Ash and his friends have seven days to rescue the village of Icarmore and break Zardoc’s spell. Aleesah Darlison’s latest book is a typical adventure quest for junior readers. She has enlisted numerous mythical creatures to help Ash; there are unicorns, fairies, griffins, dragons and goblins, as well as an enchanted forest and gigantic butterflies, spiders and earthworms. This novel will appeal to young readers who like fantasy stories, particularly those with protagonists who have to overcome a number of obstacles. Those familiar with Darlison’s ‘Unicorn Riders’ series will know that she likes to put her characters through lots of adventures. Ash Rover and the Keeper of the Phoenix offers the same action-packed narrative. 

Thuy On is a Melbourne-based reviewer and the books editor of the Big Issue.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews