ASCENSION OF THE PHOENIX

In this first installment of a thriller series, a New York City cop displays her martial arts prowess at a tournament but struggles to control her powerful dark side.

Homicide detective Leila Wells earns her “Super Cop” moniker by catching bad guys. But after tragically losing her partner/lover, David Neal, she needs time away from the force. So she turns to street fighting, a perfect activity to dull her pain using her “Five-Animals Kung Fu” mastery. She teams up with Jamaal Gordon, who hails from Jamaica and practices capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that utilizes dance. The duo earns some cash, but the real challenge is an upcoming tag tournament on a Pacific island. It’s also a way for Leila to get out of New York; she sees constant reminders of David wherever she goes. He helped her subdue her “dark side,” which often emerges when she fights. This sinister side proves invaluable in fisticuffs but can sometimes spin off into anger and violence. On the island, Leila and Jamaal eye the championship despite the detective’s inexplicable nagging suspicions of the multibillionaire running the tournament. Piro deftly showcases diverse characters and fighting styles. For example, one Japanese contestant, evenly matched against Jamaal, combines ninjutsu and taekwondo. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of exhilarating action: Leila “stopped him by lashing out her left hand, jabbing him in the face, then followed up with her right hand, striking him in his waist.” Yet Leila is a well-rounded hero; David becomes a voice in her head, giving advice and coaxing her to let him go. At the same time, her dark side sparks a few vicious scenes, as when she breaks someone’s ribs and mercilessly pummels an opponent. This series opener leaves some things vague (for example, supernatural elements), which the sequel will likely address.

A strong, resilient female fighter headlines this action-packed tale.