Phoenix and Ashes by Mercedes Lackey

“Eyes narrowed in concentration, Eleanor knelt in front of the kitchen fire and stared at the hearthstone directly before her, willing the symbol that she knew was magically embedded there to appear. As she did so, she felt a thin trickle of power flowing from her to it, a sensation that was unsettingly like blood flowing from a wound.”

Phoenix and Ashes by Mercedes Lackey

Phoenix and Ashes is part of Mercedes Lackey’s long running Elemental Masters series. I have slowly been making my way through this series for several years. Many of the books are loose retellings of fairy tales or other commonly known stories.

Phoenix and Ashes is a retelling of Cinderella, and quite honestly, probably one of my favorites to date. It’s funny how often Cinderella retellings become my favorite when if if asked what my favorite fairy tales are, I would be more likely to reply East of the Wind, West of the Moon or Beauty and the Beast. That being said, Ever After is my favorite movie of all time, and I was really excited to check this story out.

When Eleanor’s father died, she became bound to serve her stepmother, an Earth Elemental Master and her two daughters. Eleanor’s stepmother literally bound her to the house, so that she could never leave and was forced to obey all of her commands. All the while, Eleanor had to watch them spend her father’s fortune and live in the house that should be hers. But little does Eleanor know that she is a Fire Elemental Master, and the discovery of that power and ability to use it will be her ticket to freedom.

The story is set during the Great War. Reggie was an esteemed pilot and Air Elemental Master. After a crash and an injury, Reggie’s powers disappear and he returns home to try and move on with his life. When he comes across Eleanor one day when she manages to temporarily escape the bonds of her curse, he recogizes her while no one else in their town does.

As the story evolves, both characters try to come to terms with their powers. Eleanor desperately wants to escape her situation and works hard to fight against the curse her stepmother left on her.

What I love about this book (and this series) is the elemental magic system. It has always been one of my favorites, and Mercedes Lackey does a great job explaining it and expanding on it for each book. I also loved the nods to the original fairy tale. Lackey truly made this story her own while still paying tribute to the original. It is definitely a series I highly recommend to check out, it is one I will keep reading as I am very eager to see how she retells some other stories and characters.