Phoenix Rising Bk. 1:
Elissa's Quest
by Erica Verrillo

    ELISSA'S QUEST by Erica Verrillo
    Category:  Fantasy
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  6/26/07
    Publisher:  Random House
    Reviewed by:  Marta Morrison
    Rating:  5 Stars


    After reading ELISSA'S QUEST, I am looking forward to the next installment of the PHOENIX RISING trilogy.  

    Elissa is thirteen years old and lives with the midwife in the village of High Crossing.  Her caretaker doesn't speak to
    Elissa about her parentage and so Elissa grows up lonely.  Her only friends are the animals around the valley,
    because she has the gift of understanding their language.  Her best friend is Gertrude, the donkey.  

    One day a royal contingent arrives and Elissa learns that she is a princess and she is to go with her father on a
    quest.  On this mission she is abducted, treated like a princess, makes friends, makes enemies, and finally saves the
    world.

    Throughout the quest she learns many lessons of loyalty, family, identity, and power. Elissa is a strong female
    character.  She thinks for herself and is very independent.  She takes risks but is still sensitive enough to be
    vulnerable.  This is a classic fantasy tale with a quest and a strong heroine.  

    I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to all.