Book Review: Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

Set in London, during the preparations for the Olympics, this book is a perfect read for this holiday. It is the second installment of the Benedict series, and in my opinion a (more than ) worthy successor of Finding Sky.

Yves' story.
This is about getting you out...I'm stealing you.
Phoenix belongs to the Community - a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict - an American student visiting London - is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soulmate. But the Community owns Phoenix's past and it wants her future too.

My thoughts

Phoenix is a young Savant girl, surviving by stealing off unsuspecting tourists. When she is ordered to find a specific victim her whole life changes. Yves Benedict, another Savant, is her prey. She messes up and is not sure whether she can still rely on her remarkable gift. More importantly, she is not sure whether she will last the day. Luckily, she does and we get to enjoy a wonderful story.

I must admit I was first a bit skeptical when I found out this book wasn't about Sky & Zed. During Finding Sky I had grown attached to these two, while I liked Yves I didn't want to let go off them. After months of procrastinating I finally decided to give this one a try and I'm glad.
The story is a whole new one: New main characters, new place, new developments.Yes, the other Benedicts still play a significant role.
Again, Stirling's writing was amazing. The way she described everything made me feel like the book was about me myself, like I was Phoenix. How Phoenix feels, what she sees, what she thinks. Every sentence written in this books is interesting and creating vivid imageries. Stirling is definitely a creative mastermind.

Another thing I loved about this book is the character development. The Benedicts are intriguing, as well as their bond. Every single one of the seven brothers is different, what makes reading about them fascinating.
Yves is my kind of guy: intelligent, caring, romantic and a tad shy. How he's willing to do everything for Phoenix, right after he finds out she's his soulfinder, was touching. Though he immediately falls in love with her their love is hesitant at first. Yet he doesn't give up on Phoenix. As the story progresses their love runs deeper and develops, something I missed in Finding Sky.

Phoenix is an admirable heroine, someone I can relate to myself. The way she desperately wants to find a way out of the Community, the way she has trouble trusting others, the way she lost faith in humanity really. Throughout the book she learns to trust others, she learns to accept events even when she doesn't like them. 

Phoenix and Yves are from completely different worlds, them being together, it felt impossible at first. However, they complement each other perfectly. It's just right. 

Just like "Finding Sky" this story had me hooked right from page one, I can't wait to find out more about the Benedict brothers and their Soulfinders.
Stealing Phoenix was packed with loads of action and dangerous intrigues, and during their adventure Phoenix and Yves crept up on me.

Cover

Although the cover is nothing really "outstanding" nor related to the story, I like it. It's subtle, pretty. 

My rating of this book

Source

Bought at the local bookshop. 

Other links

Find this book on Goodreads

Visit Joss Stirling's website here

~ Sylke