Phoenix and Ashes

Elemental Masters

By: Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Michelle Ford

Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this dark and atmospheric rendition of the Cinderella fairy tale, an intelligent young Englishwoman is made into a virtual slave by her evil stepmother. Her only hope of rescue comes in the shape of a scarred World War I pilot of noble blood, whose own powers over the elements are about to be needed more than ever.

Enchanted? Listen to more titles in the Elemental Masters Series.

©2005 Mercedes Lackey (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

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If you could sum up Phoenix and Ashes in three words, what would they be?

interesting, thought-provoking, brilliant

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the feel of it, the overall sense of realness WW1 brings to the story.

What does Michelle Ford bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the accents, if you are not a British citizen than the rhythm of the dialog wouldn't be present as vividly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

to avoid any spoilers, I would just say that the entire journey of hard won Freedom was very moving and a very dear concept.

Any additional comments?

This story is a great retelling of Cinderella, with WW1 as a back drop. That said it is very difficult to say you can't see the ending coming... but this is definitely a book that proves, it's not the destination but the journey that matters. You will enjoy a new landscape as you travel down a fresh path into an old tale. It may even open your eyes to the thought that Fairy Tales may come in, at first glance, ordinary packages.

An enjoyable read.

What did you like best about this story?

Enjoyed the ease of listening while driving. The storyline was good and easy to follow with frequent breaks from listening.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable.

Cinderella tale at its finest

Would you listen to Phoenix and Ashes again? Why?

I will definitely listen to this again! I think this book is one of the best that M. Lackey has written, and it's one of the best performed books I've heard to date. I've owned a paper copy for years now. Picked up the audio book in part because I knew I'd like the story, and the other positive reviews from several other listeners.

What did you like best about this story?

What I look for in a good Cinderella story:
1) Heroine. The Cinderella character needs to have both a good reason for not striking out on her own, as well as the cleverness and character to work her way through and out of the situation. I want the Heroine to have a backbone and earn her freedom/reward.
2) Guide. A guide that helps Cinderella stand on her own, without doing all the work for her.
3) Hero. Hero figure that isn't one-dimensional.
4) Outcome. Mutual character growth, standing against customs and traditions to work towards the happy ever after.

This book? Has all of this and more - with the added bonus of excellent writing, good character development, and how Lackey built the story from three different viewpoints: the heroine, the hero, and the villain.
Other things I particularly enjoyed:
- The research and recreating a setting of the world of Britain World War I is compelling, especially as we approach the 100th anniversary of that time in history.
- The growth of the magic system overall of Lackey's Elemental Masters Series.

Which character – as performed by Michelle Ford – was your favorite?

Michelle Ford is one of the best audio book performers I've experienced - she managed multiple voices and emotional inflection for all the variety of characters in this book, and her vocal dynamics throughout really draw the listener into the world of the story.

Any additional comments?

I agree with another reviewer - this really is one of the best audio books available if you enjoy 'Urban Fantasy'!

Lackey at her best

The horror and carnage of world war I is depicted in a way that brings it to a very personal level. The impact on the daily lives of all strata of British life and how they tried to cope with privation and loss is wrenching. Toss this all together with a wicked stepmother,two nasty stepsisters, and a cruelly treated stepchild. Then add magic good and sinister, a handsome young man and you have a whopping good story!

Fire and Air

Wonderful WWI Cinderella story with a twist. Eleanor has Fire magick and her wounded Prince Charming, a wounded RAF Air Mage. How can they help each other free themselves from their situations?

Great book

I've read this book numerous times. The narrator does this book justice I couldn't turn it off even though I knew the outcome.

Fun

I enjoyed this retelling very much. The taro lessons were amazing. The narrator was good. All in all it was enjoyable

liked it alot

Where does Phoenix and Ashes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a different view of a Cinderella story. I enjoyed the twists and turns.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Phoenix and Ashes?

Its great to see that sometimes we have to save ourselves.

Great Cinderella type story

I really love the elemental masters stories and this take on Cinderella is particularly great.

Better than the last one.

I am so pleased to report that this one is so much better then the previous one. It reads like Mercedes Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms series. The characters are developed stronger and come into their own in a more mature way. The dots come together in an intriguing, maybe spell binding path. I liked it and I think you will too.

Wonderful, however,

I enjoyed reading this books years ago and the audio was not a disappointment (for the most part). It was a pleasing companion over these last few days. There is just one comment I feel I should make and that is that some of the use of language makes it clear it was written in American English. That is fine to a point but although the narrator is English she was guided to pronounce ‘lieutenant’ in the American manner, not in the Uk English way (that sounds like ‘leftennant’) which was out of place with any of the accents she employed. Don’t reject this book because of that, but if such niggles annoy you then be prepared.