World's End (Phoenix Rising Trilogy, Book 3) - Hardcover

Verrillo, Erica

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 037583950X ISBN 13: 9780375839504

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2009

Synopsis

Have you ever been inspired to be more?

Elissa used to daydream about being a princess. Now the reality of what it brings is clear: stiff, courtly manners, dresses like cages, tortuously high shoes, and betrothal to an aging duke to secure her father’s kingdom! Elissa wants no part of it and makes her escape to be with her devoted friends, who the King has no use for. But the unseen hand of the Ancient One once again guides Elissa toward a fate she does not wish to acknowledge—the culmination of the prophecy of the Phoenix!

This bright and satisfying conclusion to the Phoenix Rising Trilogy includes riveting adventure, the testing of loyalties, and the return of two old enemies . . . not to mention surprising revelations for our heroine, Elissa—and her fans. It’s not to be missed!

About this title

About the Author

Erica Verrillo is a world traveler who has worked and studied in a variety of fields. She lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, with her two children.

Reviews

Grade 6–9—Elissa's story, which began in Elissa's Quest (Delacorte, 2007), ends neatly in this final volume in the trilogy. After being raised as a peasant and having adventures around the world, Elissa finds her role as princess uncomfortable and she is horrified when she discovers that her father is arranging a marriage for her. Her situation becomes too much to bear when her motley group of friends is sent away, so the 15-year-old disguises herself and runs away. She manages to reunite her friends only to be captured by pirates and taken to their lair, known as World's End. All secrets hinted at in the previous books are revealed and each character has a role to play in assisting in the rebirth of the Phoenix. Each one also gets a happy ending and all of the villains their just deserts. Purchase where the earlier books are popular, but otherwise pass on this tepid fantasy.—Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA END

The concluding volume of the Phoenix Rising trilogy begins with Elissa’s discovery that her father, the king of Castlemar, intends to marry her off to an older cousin in order to secure a political alliance. After hatching an escape plan, Elissa finds herself in danger, and once more the prophecy introduced in the series’ previous volumes comes into play. In quick succession, Elissa treks up the world’s highest mountain, is captured by old enemies, and gathers her powers for a tumultuous crisis. Characters from all three books come together for a resolution that will satisfy fans of this entertaining series. Grades 5-8. --Lynn Rutan

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 037583950X
• ISBN 13: 9780375839504
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336