Have you ever read a book where you know what the individual words mean, but the sentences make no sense? That’s what happened to me with the first few chapters of Helen Scott Taylor’s The Phoenix Charm. I was instantly plunged into action in a complicated world filled with so many different characters I didn’t know – or care about. Eventually I figured out who all of the characters were, and began to care about what happened to them. However, if not reading this book for review, I would have stopped after about the first 10 pages.

While the book is set in contemporary Cornwall, it’s a Cornwall filled with fairies, fairy vampires, leprechauns, and countless other creatures. Cordelia, a pisky or fairy wise woman has been left in charge of the piskies while the king and queen (the hero and heroine from the first book) are away. Michael, the brother of the pisky king, is in charge of his infant nephews.

Initially, Cordelia doesn’t have much of a relationship with Michael; that all changes when minions of the Welch King of the Underworld arrive and make threats against the piskies. After they kidnap one of Michael’s nephews, Cordelia, her teenage ward, her cat, and a vampiric fairy, head off in search of the underworld to rescue the child.

Along the way, there are some imaginative moments, and a few where I laughed aloud. The scene in which they meet the King of the Underworld who’s dressed like Fred Astaire while watching The Dukes of Hazard on a big screen TV, stands out. However, much of the book has an ominous feel. Several villains are truly horrifying, and I worried for the safety of a number of the characters.

Both Michael and Cordelia learn more about their true natures over the course of the book, and must deal with some difficult decisions. Michael believed that his only talent was being able to charm others, but learns he has inherited some incredible powers from his father. Cordelia has always known that she was half water nymph, but has kept that part of her nature a secret. As they grow closer, their special abilities prove particularly challenging.

There are some interesting secondary characters. In particular, is the vampiric fairy, who begins the book lusting after Michael and hating Cordelia. He also proves to be more complicated than he seems, and undergoes a transformation. I didn’t like him at first, but eventually became intrigued by him and wonder if he will get a book of his own.

This is the second entry in a series and it might work better if you’ve read the first book. I found the beginning just too complicated to understand or enjoy. However, I know these characters will stay with me for some time to come, and I may go back and pick up the first book in the series.

Assigning a grade was a difficult task for me. After the first chapter or so, I thought I would assign it a grade of D or F. As I read further, I was sucked into the world the author created, and came to care for the characters. With a different beginning, my grade would be much higher. However, I just don’t feel that it worked well enough as a standalone to recommend.