Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: OUP Oxford (UK) Harperteen (US)
Publication Date: March 2011 (UK) September 2010 (US)
Paperback: 336 Pages
Genre: Paranormal
Young Adult
Source: Review Copy
Guest Review by Jo
RATING: 8/10 – Brilliant, couldn’t put it down
GOODREADS SUMMARY:
REVIEW:
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will’s dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She’ll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.
REVIEW:
The tagline for this book is:
A hidden truth.Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.
Throw in some Dragon mythology and it’s pretty much my perfect book!
“Firelight” has a new type of paranormal creature, the Draki which are evolved from dragons. They can shift between dragon and human form and keep their powers a very guarded secret since their race is often hunted. Jacinda is a rare form of Draki, having the power to breath fire and this makes her MVP (or should that be MVD?) and she is expected to get together with the Draki Prince, Cassian. Jacinda has a wild streak and after narrowly escaping death by hunters, her Mum moves the whole family to the desert.
There is a really good love story in here. Jacinda meets Will, who is one of the Draki hunter. Even though they should be enemies, there is a mutual attraction. What I really enjoyed is Jacinda’s personality did not change by becoming roamtically involved, she was still the strong, sassy girl we knew at the beginning. She is not afraid to stand up to Will and remains true to herself and her Draki side. Will is also a great character and I liked him a lot. I’m very interested to see if there is another side to Will, as the author has hinted about!
The action is great in here, it was very easy to keep on reading and I had to force myself to stop as I knew I had an early morning. It’s very clearly written, and I was with Jacinda all the way. The Draki myhtology was so interesting, I couldn’t get enough of it and Sophie Jordan sprinkles little tidbits all the way through, which I thought was a clever way of keeping us informed without throwing too much information at us in one go.
Sophie Jordan also writes Historical Romances, and I’m definitely going to read her other works whilst waiting for the sequel to “Firelight“.
VERDICT:
I loved that this was a huge jump forward in the YA genre. Not a vampire in sight! Not only has “Firelight” got a gorgeous cover, it’s a believable tale with very well written characters that you come to know and care for. I cannot wait for the sequel, ‘Vanish‘!
You can find out more about this author online here:
This book counts towards the following BCC Reading Challenges:
6 Comments
I JUST read this book – and I mean in less than a day – and I couldn't put it down!! I think your review is SPOT ON!! (I am a terrible at writing reviews so I always enjoy finding that somebody else is able to put it in words!!) It was such a great story and an original concept that is GREAT to see out there! I loved the characters and the relationship between Jace and Will is pretty intense….can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
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"not a vampire in sight." LOL love it.
Nice review.
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great review
The library is getting this book, and i sure will be reading it
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Thanks for commenting, guys!
Jen, I'm so glad you love it as much as me! I love Jace and Will together.
FV, lol!
Blodeuedd, I cannot wait to hear what you think of Firelight!
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I really loved this book as well. The whole world around draki was fascinating!
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This has been on my TBR for awhile. I think this review will put some fire in me to finally buy it!
I can't wait!
The story sounds really unique, and I'm such as sucker for romance!
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