Rating: 2 1/2 stars

The first novel of the Phoenix Chronicles …

As a psychic, Elizabeth Phoenix has learned to obey her instincts so when she gets an unmistakable signal to leave work in the middle of her shift at Murphy’s bar, she does so. She finds her foster mother, Ruthie, bleeding to death and just in time to hear utter her dying words: “the final battle begins now”. Upon hearing those words, Elizabeth is struck by visions of monsters.

Awakening from a multi-day coma, Elizabeth has much to adjust to. She is greeted by the news that the primary suspect in Ruthie’s murder is Elizabeth’s teen love, Jimmy Sanducci. Ruthie’s spirit visits her in her dreams and informs her that the monsters are real. Ruthie was a Seer, and not only that, but that she was the leader of the Seers. The power of a Seer could only be passed on at the moment of a Seer’s death.

And that now, Ruthie’s power was hers.

There were some interesting twists, such as casting an empath as someone who is able to take on another’s powers (think Rogue from X-Men) rather than someone able to feel another’s emotions. However, there were far too many things that were left undefined for me to properly enjoy the novel.

While minor players, like “chindi,” were explained to my satisfaction, the major players of the novel were not, such as when Jimmy is identified as a dhampir. This is a major plot point, yet that term is not defined well enough, and that lack causes confusion throughout the novel.

Although this novel wasn't to my taste, for those that had their tastebuds tantalized and want more, the next book in the Phoenix Chronicles is Doomsday Can Wait. Unfortunately, y'all will have to wait until May of 2009. For those of you who don't want to wait, you can visit http://us.macmillan.com/anygivendoomsday and sign up to receive the free prequel story, In the Beginning.

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ISBN 10: 0-312-94919-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-312-94919-8
Publication date November 2008, through St. Martin’s