The Edge of Tidal Pools

THE EDGE OF TIDAL POOLS is well written, "can't put it down" fiction. Vivid "word pictures" and a jolting nonfiction message alerts parents in general, and parents in ministry to their responsibility to see, hear and meet the emotional as well as physical needs of their children above all else.

What a beautifully written book! Many of the passages soar poetically. I found myself frequently caught up in the beauty of Ms. Phoenix's written word. In addition, I also felt deeply for the major characters in their struggles with faith and interpersonal relationships. I am glad that the author wrote the afterword, however. Such misguided albeit zealous parents as the Landons are, I hope, a very small minority, especially... Read Full Review

Having just this week experienced a suicide in our small Christian community in England, I can validate the rawness and reality of Casey's emotions. Having experienced suicides connected to or emanating from yet another community, I also share Casey's feelings of disbelief and horror in the face of clearly abusive 'spiritual' relationships. This is but one series of snapshots of the wounding (sometimes fatal) that occurs in... Read Full Review

Knowing the author and having worked artistically with her, I expected this to be an excellently crafted novel, and I was not disappointed! The description of the Ile de Batz makes you feel like you've been there (I have, but it made me feel like it was just yesterday). The characters are so alive that I miss them already. But this is no fluffy novel -- it's honest and open and it makes you think. I highly recommend this book!... Read Full Review

I should say that I found the first ten pages numbingly dense and foreign sounding. Given what the protagonist Casey is experiencing, that effect was likely intentional, but the unsuspecting reader may be tempted to just put the book down and give up. And maybe that's a good thing. Maybe it's appropriate to test the resolve of the reader, and to weed out those who aren't willing to pay the cost to uncover the truth. Maybe... Read Full Review