Blade.

Butcher.

Thief.

Worldbreaker.

Emiko Soong has been called many things. But Worldbreaker is the worst.

She unmasked the General and returned to San Francisco where her power is greatest. But the city, once her sanctuary from Jiaren intrigues, turns into her living nightmare. Clan wars erupt and Emiko’s life becomes a treacherous quicksand of friend and foe. Unsure of who to trust, Emiko finds herself more alone than ever.

When an ancient power rips through the Realm to land in her city, the General will stop at nothing to take it for his own. Emiko must face her past, present, and future, as she races to stop the General.

Is Emiko’s fate written to be the destroyer of worlds, or can she chart a new course to save her family?

Pearl City: The Phoenix Hoard by Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle is a phenomenal conclusion to the trilogy. From the very beginning, the story sweeps the reader back into the magical world of Emiko Soong as she begins to step into her power as a Sentinel. I love how engaging the novel is as she learns more about her new power and learns that she can use it without hurting the ones she cares about. The novel is explosive with non-stop action that keep the story exciting with a twist in the antagonist just as Emiko thinks she has a handle on the powerful enemies she is facing. This is a series that just keeps getting more intense and better, letting Emiko grow and develop strengths as a character that she didn’t even suspect she had. 

If you love urban fantasy with diverse and powerful characters, this novel is for you. It takes the idea of “Big Trouble in Little China” and makes it believable with authentic Asian characters and explosive action. Even more, it is emotional and beautiful, especially the ending of the novel. While this appears to be the final book in the Phoenix Hoard, I have to admit that I hope for more from Emiko Soong and this world. It is way too enthralling and while this is a phenomenal conclusion, I feel like there is just too much story left for these characters. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 dragon talons 

MacMillan Publishing

Julia Vee website

Ken Bebelle website