FORMAT/INFO: Pearl City was published on July 15th, 2025 by Tor Books. It is 400 pages long and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Emiko's recent trip home did more than unearth family secrets, it shattered the very foundation her magical society is based on. And in the wake of the uncertainty created by the revelations, some clans are ready to strike, eager to use the chaos to solidify their own power base. War has come to Emiko's home, and it will take every ounce of her strength as Sentinel to guard those under her protection - especially when an enemy not seen in centuries appears once again.

Pearl City is a suitably epic finale to this urban fantasy adventure, bringing all of Emiko's newfound power to bear in one final battle in San Francisco. While Emiko was largely cut-off from her Sentinel powers in Blood Jade, she's now squarely back on her home turf and ready to finally embrace the power San Francisco is willing to give its protector. If it weren't a series finale, Emiko might seem a bit overpowered, but given the scope of the adversary she's facing, her new abilities are well-justified.

I will say that for the first third of the book, I was a little concerned that the plot was going to be overstuffed, as once again complication after complication was added to Emiko's pile. Thankfully by the halfway point, the plot becomes entirely focused on the final battle, and the extra clutter falls to the wayside. (I remain baffled about a plot complication that was introduced by the character Adam, as it largely disappeared from the story for most of the book and was only tangentially tied to the main conflict).

But putting those minor early missteps aside, I really enjoyed the second half of Pearl City. It was a showstopper finale that also paid off some of the family and friend relationships that have been building over the course of the series. I loved seeing Emiko's community both locally and abroad come together in this moment of need, all those characters we've met over the series uniting in one final stand-off.

CONCLUSION: The Phoenix Hoard trilogy has been a great fun ride from start to finish. It's given us a heroine who arcs from isolated loner to integral leader of her city, someone who sees the need to shake things up and finally realizes she has the power to do so. If you're looking for a modern-day fantasy adventure with great action, give this series a shot.