Okay story. Attempt to intergrate nature to power. The story is of a greedy, selfish man who somehow got into power and a young girl finds herself through a journey in her encounter with this terrible leader. ( )

Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com

After reading ELISSA'S QUEST, I am looking forward to the next installment of the PHOENIX RISING trilogy.

Elissa is thirteen years old and lives with the midwife in the village of High Crossing. Her caretaker doesn't speak to Elissa about her parentage and so Elissa grows up lonely. Her only friends are the animals around the valley, because she has the gift of understanding their language. Her best friend is Gertrude, the donkey.

One day a royal contingent arrives and Elissa learns that she is a princess and she is to go with her father on a quest. On this mission she is abducted, treated like a princess, makes friends, makes enemies, and finally saves the world.

Throughout the quest she learns many lessons of loyalty, family, identity, and power. Elissa is a strong female character. She thinks for herself and is very independent. She takes risks but is still sensitive enough to be vulnerable. This is a classic fantasy tale with a quest and a strong heroine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to all. ( )

Chapter Book: Elissa is a thirteen year old girl who has no mother and a father she knows nothing of. Elissa's has a special trait, the ability to talk to animals, a secret she must keep from everyone. Nana is teaching her to be a healer to be useful in the kingdom. A mysterious man valley comes to the valley and takes her with him changing her life forever.