Red Phoenix: Dark Heavens Book Two

Written by Kylie Chan

Narrated by Cindy Kay

The second book in Australian author Kylie Chan's ingenious urban fantasy saga-a tale of ancient gods and foul demons doing battle in the modern world-Red Phoenix combines Chinese mythology with martial arts, paranormal romance, and magic in a story that takes off like a rocket and never slows down. The action moves from Hong Kong to Europe as heroine Emma Donahoe finds a demonic circle of death closing around her and the people she loves: the breathtaking and powerful god she is bound to and his innocent young daughter whom Emma has sworn to protect. Red Phoenix is gripping globe-trotting adventure, urban fantasy, and Kung Fu all rolled into one spectacular package that fans of Lilith Saintcrow, Liz Williams, Karen Chance, Devon Monk, and Ilona Andrews are going to flip over.Contains mature themes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781977366528

Kylie Chan

Kylie Chan started out as an IT consultant and trainer specialising in business intelligence systems. She worked in Australia and then ran her own consulting business for ten years in Hong Kong. When she returned to Australia in 2002, Kylie made the career change to writing fiction, and produced the bestselling nine-book Dark Heavens series, a fantasy based on Chinese mythology, published by HarperVoyager worldwide. She is now a fulltime writer based in Queensland's Gold Coast, enjoying the beach and writing a new science fiction series.

Reviews for Red Phoenix

[linyarai · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed it. Very fast paced, can't wait to get book 3.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was not quite as good as "The White Tiger," it lacked much of the humour that made the first book such a delight, but the action and excitement was right up there, so it was still a page turner. Looking forward to the last book in the trilogy.

[daffimere · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Was not able to put Red Phoenix. A must read.

[teckelvik · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I actually finally gave up on this, even though I have some mild interest in how it ends. The protagonist ought to be on the master list of Mary Sue-dom. Everyone loves her, she is just naturally talented at everything, the deities are delighted to have her around, etc. Even though the Chinese mythos is well researched and the overall story is fine, I just couldn't deal with it anymore. So, back to the library it goes!

[zjakkelien · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Red phoenix is definitely an improvement over White tiger. It is still rather slow and somewhat repetitive (I was getting particularly sick of Emma mentioning how she doesn't need words in her relationship with Mr. Chen). However, it was not actively boring, things keep happening and the story is finally moving forward beyond 'Emma learns to fight better'. She still does of course, and she's really good at everything and everybody loves her and admires her (it gets a bit cloying), but the fighting is more interesting now that Emma is doing more advanced energy work, things progress between John and Emma, and we see a bit more of this Chinese mythology world. I'm a particular fan of all the stones, they are all really cool, and I also like the dragons (of course). Since I was really tired this week, I couldn't handle anything even slightly taxing, so this was perfect. Despite all the demon attacks, this book is really comfy, and quite frankly, when I'm in the state I was in this week, I'm absolutely fine with too-perfect too-powerful protagonists. I want someone I can count on to save the day without any twinge of worry. Plus, the Chinese mythology is cool, well executed and well integrated into current-day society, and there's a refreshing lack of misogyny in this book.

[literate0ninja · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am liking this series more and more all the time. The first book had a few wobbles, and I thought that it occasionally got tripped up on name-dropping places around Hong Kong, but as the series progresses that is really smoothing out. Definitely glad I kept going with this. Off to read the next one!

[ashooles · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At first, I found this one rather slow and slightly boring. But after the first 20 chapters or so I actually found myself enjoying it more than the first one. It was much better written than White Tiger and it had me hooked by the end. Great read!

[woosang_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A direct continuation of book one, it was just a wonderful read. It focuses more on Emma's developing powers than on John Chen or outside factors. Simone startes school and the Mountain's Students are moved to Hong Kong whilst repairs to the Mountain continue. The Phoenix doesn't really appear in this book despite the bopok's title, except in two chapters, but we get to meet Michael, a young man with hidden talents. Emma and JOhn can be together at last whilst they stay with the White Tiger in his palace. Alice disappears and strange hybrid demons, all fake elementals start to appear. Emma developes a frightening new identity.An open ending for the next book.

[lorelorn_2007 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Red Phoenix continues from where White Tiger left off. Emma learns more about herself and her true nature that has even the Immortals puzzled. She is like nothing they have ever seen.Kylie Chan continues this series in the irreverent style that made the first book so readable. The story hurtles along and takes you with it for a wild ride.