Your Top-Secret Source for All Things Espionage & Enchantment

What a year—and we’ve only just begun!

I’m thrilled to introduce The RISE Review to Phoenix Rising readers—a place to step into the world of RISE, suspend disbelief, and spend a little more time with our favorite spy-in-training, Vivian, and her friends.

This month, we’re excited to bring you Summer’s Son—Sam’s story. A glimpse into the life of the son of Hades and Persephone, where nothing is ever simple…but that’s what makes life mythic!

Available Now! Flash of Fire is the first Phoenix Rising book to release as an audiobook, with the rest of the series dropping throughout the year. Our incredible narrator, Erin Chmela—a gifted puppeteer and voice artist—has truly brought these characters to life. Keep an eye on our social media this month for a chance to join our audiobook giveaway!

I’ve been shepherding this series since my daughter’s 5th-grade language arts class read the very first book. Now, she’s headed off to college! Time flies, but the lessons we learn and the friendships we make along the way stay with us.

Here’s to many more memories together!

Magic Meets Espionage: New Curriculum Sneak Peek!

Attention, agents-in-training! RISE Academy is unveiling its most ambitious curriculum update yet, blending the arcane arts with top-tier spy tactics. That’s right—because nothing says master of disguise like an invisibility spell gone wrong or a high-speed broom chase through the Seattle skyline.

New Courses on the RISE!

🕵️‍♂️ “Cloak and Dagger… and Maybe a Little Glamour?”
Forget bulky disguises—this advanced illusion magic course will teach you how to blend into any environment, fool even the sharpest eyes, and, most importantly, avoid being spotted in the cafeteria while sneaking an extra dessert.

📡 “Enchanted Encryption & Magical Messaging”
Want to send top-secret intel without getting intercepted? Learn how to code messages into enchanted objects, weave spells into written notes, and—most crucially—ensure your enchanted carrier pigeon doesn’t get lost in the Bermuda Triangle again.  (Spy trick! Invest in INVISIBLE INK!)

🔮 “Divination for Detectives”
Who needs surveillance drones when you’ve got a well-aimed scrying spell? This class teaches the fine art of ethical foresight, helping you track suspects, locate missing artifacts, and (maybe) predict next week’s pop quiz.

💥 “Explosive Spells & Tactical Trickery”
Not every mission can be solved with quiet espionage. Learn how to create controlled magical diversions, dispel enchantments, and—under strict supervision—practice defensive spells that leave an impression (preferably not on your classmates).

⚔️ “Battlefield & Ballroom: Social Espionage 101”
Because sometimes, infiltrating a villain’s lair means attending a gala. Master the art of deception, charm, and diplomatic trickery—whether you’re negotiating with mermaid royalty or talking your way out of a goblin standoff over who gets the last muffin at breakfast.

Student Reactions

Vivian Carmine, Phoenix-in-training and unexpected expert in fiery mishaps, says, “If ‘accidentally setting things on fire’ were a class, I’d have graduated already. But I’m excited for the new courses… especially if they help keep my eyebrows intact.”

Leo “I-Swear-I’m-Not-Trouble” Alexandros adds, “About time they introduced a class that actually teaches us to break into places legally. Asking forgiveness is so much easier than getting permission.”

What’s Next?

As the school year unfolds, expect additional surprises—including mysterious guest lecturers, a rumored field mission to Atlantis, and an ongoing investigation into the Great Cafeteria Cookie Heist. (Suspects: Fairies, Trickster Gods, and one particularly sneaky shapeshifter.)

Stay sharp, stay sneaky, and—most importantly—stay out of detention!

🔎 Got an idea for a new class? Submit your suggestions to the Headmistress’s office… just don’t use a cursed scroll this time.