28 July 2011

YA Book Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan







Release Date: 7 September 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Bought (Amazon Bargain Books!)

Buy this! B&N | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads description:
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.
My Thoughts...

You know when you finally pick up and read a book that you bought a long time ago and can't stop wondering WHY it took you so long to read the darn thing? That's exactly how I felt when I was reading this book! Seriously, I think this was probably the best Amazon "Bargain Book" that I've ever picked up on a whim and I finally understand why people were so excited for the sequel.

Jacinda is just a normal teenage girl trying to break free of the constraints of her society and live a little--well, except that she's a draki.  When Jacinda risks the exposure of the entire pride by flying during the day, she must flee the pride with her mom and sister.  Her mom takes them to a desert--somewhere Jacinda's draki cannot thrive and ultimately, cannot survive.  Jacinda tries to make it through school, all the while attempting to find a way to keep her struggling draki alive. Then she meets Will--and he makes her draki thrive. But he's the enemy...

Jacinda was a really great main character to follower.  She struck me as strong and independent--torn between her family and her pride.  Throughout the story, you watch her struggle to hold on to her draki while also considering what she should do for her mom and sister.  That choice creates a lot of inner tension for Jacinda...and then add that she's falling for a hunter.

Will is a really interesting character.  When you first meet him, he's with a hunting party and for some reason he lets Jacinda go.  When she meets him at school later, you have no idea what's going to happen.  I think he feels torn between her and his family.  Only at the very end do you find out the secret that he's been keeping...

This book is definitely one that I would recommend! It was a fast-paced, unique read with well-developed, complex characters.  I can't wait to read the sequel when it comes out this fall!

This is a "HarperTeen July" post! (5 of 5)

4 comments:

Alexa said...

I liked this book but I had a lot of problems with Jacinda. She just went back and forth so many times on whether or not she should be with Will. I know that he is a hunter but come on, either take the plunge or let it go. They were on and off a lot in this novel and I hope for more from the second book. I'm glad that you really enjoyed the story though and thank you for the great review.

kaye (paper reader) said...

I had this one in my hands today but didn't purchase it; I'll have to put a hold on it at the library. The premise sounds interesting and while I'm bad with books where humans transform...how can you go wrong with dragons?

Jessi said...

Lol, the dragon concept was what really drew me in! I liked that it seemed different....not a really a were-animal. 

Hafsah Faizal said...

Looks like you pretty much had the same reaction as me, huh? Lol, I read Vanish too, and though it wasn't as good as Firelight, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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