jacquelinec's review against another edition
4.0
A great YA debut. The sense of humor is classic Chloe Neill - very similar to her Chicagoland Vampires series. I love how her love of Chicago comes through in her writing. The teens all seem very mature and verbose for their age but, I guess, that's better than the alternative. As typical of the author, the action is plentiful and good and the plot is well-paced. Lots of mysteries here that I'm looking forward to Lily figuring out in future books.
paradoxically's review against another edition
3.0
Start of the book wasn't too promising--Lily goes to a boarding school because her parents go overseas for two years. Of course there's the bitchy popular crowd and the quirky-but-not-popular friend and Firespell seemed to settle nicely into cliche central. What made me sigh was when Scout (the quirky friend) makes up the lamest of excuses for why she sneaked out and stayed out until past 1am. Seriously, random excuse of exercising? And her excuse (or lack there of) for coming back so late was equally bad--at the very least she could have lied and said something about going out with friends, which would be more reasonable than her cryptic "It was important" remark. Yeahhh, that's going to make Lily forget all about it.
The book does pick up and boulder on during the middle and end, which was good because there were times I was thinking of just dropping it. However, the interactions between all of the characters were, hm, rather shallow, and I'm harboring serious dislike for the magic enclave Lily interacts with. All of them rub me the wrong way, and there's a large sense of 'our way or the highway' wafting from them that strikes one rather similar to the other side they are fighting against. While they do good, they're all rather elitist in their own way, and it makes one wonder why Lily would want to join them in the first place.
More questions are asked than answered, but seeing as this is the first book of a series, that's understandable. The ending was actually somewhat exciting, even if I have some serious dislike towards the magic enclave and I'm not all that interested in learning more about them. Overall, first half was pretty terrible, middle was all right, and ending was somewhat good. Neill's use of the word snark (and variations of) is still humongously grating--I don't mind it being used a couple of times in a book, but the way she throws that word around, you'd think it's more commonplace than it actually is.
2-3 stars. I'll give Neill the benefit of a doubt since the book did pick up in the end (and I rather liked her other series), but I'll be pretty leery about going to read the next one.
The book does pick up and boulder on during the middle and end, which was good because there were times I was thinking of just dropping it. However, the interactions between all of the characters were, hm, rather shallow, and I'm harboring serious dislike for the magic enclave Lily interacts with. All of them rub me the wrong way, and there's a large sense of 'our way or the highway' wafting from them that strikes one rather similar to the other side they are fighting against. While they do good, they're all rather elitist in their own way, and it makes one wonder why Lily would want to join them in the first place.
More questions are asked than answered, but seeing as this is the first book of a series, that's understandable. The ending was actually somewhat exciting, even if I have some serious dislike towards the magic enclave and I'm not all that interested in learning more about them. Overall, first half was pretty terrible, middle was all right, and ending was somewhat good. Neill's use of the word snark (and variations of) is still humongously grating--I don't mind it being used a couple of times in a book, but the way she throws that word around, you'd think it's more commonplace than it actually is.
2-3 stars. I'll give Neill the benefit of a doubt since the book did pick up in the end (and I rather liked her other series), but I'll be pretty leery about going to read the next one.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
3.0
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Firespell was intriguing enough to keep me reading, and the ending also made me want to find out what happens next.
Firespell was a bit like other YA fantasy series, where the young protagonist is sent away from home, enters a new school and finds out that there is more to the world around her than she first thought. Lily is a likeable character, she's not drama queen, and she deals with her parents going to Germany for a sabbatical without her, and being sent from New York to Chicago quite well. The dynamics of the students in her new school is similar to that of most other stories taking place in high-school, there are the snobs, the brats, the nerds and the 'weird' kids... Lily seemed to be able to fit in most anywhere, even if Scout was the first to try to befriend her.
The story itself is fairly straight forward, Lily realizes that there is something going on very soon after arriving at St. Sophia, mostly because she sees Scout leave late at night, and only coming back at 3am. Of course, Scout wasn't at liberty to share anything with Lily about what she was doing, so she was being very vague in her answers, while still being as honest as she could be. The friendship between Lily and Scout was one of the strong points of Firespell, because it was strong and loyal, just like I enjoy.
Of course, there were also some mysterious and very good-looking boys from a nearby private school for boys, and Scout knew them well. That was just another mystery Lily wanted to figure out. As the story moved forward, both Lily and the readers find out more about what's going on underneath St. Sophia and the city of Chicago. I loved the aspect of the underground tunnels that were more like labyrinths, and possible for keeping someone - or something - out.
Firespell is intriguing enough to make me want to continue reading The Dark Elite, and of course, Neill's writing is great. Written in first and third person point of view, mostly from Lily's perspective and with dialogues to keep the pace nice and easy, the story unfolded naturally without any hitches.
I didn't want to be a St. Sophia's girl. I wanted to be me, Lily Parker, of the dark hair and eyeliner and fabulous fashion sense.
The board members had told me that St. Sophia's had been a convent in its former life, but it could have just as easily been the setting for a gothic horror movie.
At the tables sat teenagers. Lots and lots of teenagers, all in stuff that made up the St. Sophia's uniform: navy plaid skirt and some kind of top in the same navy; sweater; hooded sweatshirt, sweater-vest. They looked like an all-girl army of plaid.
Firespell was intriguing enough to keep me reading, and the ending also made me want to find out what happens next.
Firespell was a bit like other YA fantasy series, where the young protagonist is sent away from home, enters a new school and finds out that there is more to the world around her than she first thought. Lily is a likeable character, she's not drama queen, and she deals with her parents going to Germany for a sabbatical without her, and being sent from New York to Chicago quite well. The dynamics of the students in her new school is similar to that of most other stories taking place in high-school, there are the snobs, the brats, the nerds and the 'weird' kids... Lily seemed to be able to fit in most anywhere, even if Scout was the first to try to befriend her.
The story itself is fairly straight forward, Lily realizes that there is something going on very soon after arriving at St. Sophia, mostly because she sees Scout leave late at night, and only coming back at 3am. Of course, Scout wasn't at liberty to share anything with Lily about what she was doing, so she was being very vague in her answers, while still being as honest as she could be. The friendship between Lily and Scout was one of the strong points of Firespell, because it was strong and loyal, just like I enjoy.
Of course, there were also some mysterious and very good-looking boys from a nearby private school for boys, and Scout knew them well. That was just another mystery Lily wanted to figure out. As the story moved forward, both Lily and the readers find out more about what's going on underneath St. Sophia and the city of Chicago. I loved the aspect of the underground tunnels that were more like labyrinths, and possible for keeping someone - or something - out.
Firespell is intriguing enough to make me want to continue reading The Dark Elite, and of course, Neill's writing is great. Written in first and third person point of view, mostly from Lily's perspective and with dialogues to keep the pace nice and easy, the story unfolded naturally without any hitches.
I didn't want to be a St. Sophia's girl. I wanted to be me, Lily Parker, of the dark hair and eyeliner and fabulous fashion sense.
The board members had told me that St. Sophia's had been a convent in its former life, but it could have just as easily been the setting for a gothic horror movie.
At the tables sat teenagers. Lots and lots of teenagers, all in stuff that made up the St. Sophia's uniform: navy plaid skirt and some kind of top in the same navy; sweater; hooded sweatshirt, sweater-vest. They looked like an all-girl army of plaid.
angie_stl's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as Ms Neill's Chicagoland Vampire series, but definitely a great YA book. I did think the ending was kind of abrupt, but it wasn't too cliffhanger-ish. I'd definitely recommend this book to any paranormal or urban fiction fan!!
thecozyreaderwbo's review against another edition
4.0
Official review is on my blog
My Grade
Plot: 4
Setting: 4
Writing: 4
Originality: 4
Characters: 5
Passion: 4
Overall: 25/30 = 83% - B
Cover/Title Bonus: 5
First Line
Summary (Amazon.com)
Plot
The summary above does a great job at explaining the premise of this book. I enjoyed the story a good bit.
However, Chloe seems to be a fan of incorporating a mystery into the plot, which was awesome in her adult books but just didn’t keep my interest in this one. I feel this way because the story was a bit slow but I forgave this because it was a first of a new series.
Setting
Chicago. Chloe is a huge fan of Chicago. The school is an awesome setting. Loved it. Can’t wait to read more of this series in this setting.
Writing
Chloe is an awesome writer. It flows so easy. I just wish the plot moved along a little faster.
Originality
Some of the kids in the school possess special powers and those were cool to learn about. The school its self was really neat.
Characters
Lily is the main character and she’s a pretty normal child. She has a set of weird parents. She’s new at the school so she tries to fit in as best as she can.
Lily makes friends with Scout. Scout is an awesome character. She has connections to the all boys school down the street. She introduces Lily to Michael and Jason. Jason and Lily make a connection and begin a blossoming relationship that I can’t wait to read more.
Passion
This is a very teen book. The slight romance between Lily and Jason is such a minor thing that the passion was very minor. However, it’s something I paid attention to and can’t wait to continue reading about it.
Overall
A good first book to a new series. A bit slow. Interesting subject matter. I’m thinking the second book will flow a lot better.
Cover/Title Bonus
A great cover. The title is good once you actually get to the part about the Firespell. I, again, felt that it all flowed a little too slow.
I have to mention the format of the book. It’s in Mass Market Paperback, which I felt sort of weird reading a YA book in that format.
My Grade
Plot: 4
Setting: 4
Writing: 4
Originality: 4
Characters: 5
Passion: 4
Overall: 25/30 = 83% - B
Cover/Title Bonus: 5
First Line
They were gathered around a conference table in a high-rise, eight men and women, no one under the age of sixty-five, all of them wealthy beyond measure.
Summary (Amazon.com)
New Girl.
New School.
Old Evil.
From the author of the Chicagoland Vampires novels.
A new series about a boarding school filled with something worse than homework.
Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich. If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus. Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night. When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.
They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users. It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help. At least, none that she's discovered yet...
Plot
The summary above does a great job at explaining the premise of this book. I enjoyed the story a good bit.
However, Chloe seems to be a fan of incorporating a mystery into the plot, which was awesome in her adult books but just didn’t keep my interest in this one. I feel this way because the story was a bit slow but I forgave this because it was a first of a new series.
Setting
Chicago. Chloe is a huge fan of Chicago. The school is an awesome setting. Loved it. Can’t wait to read more of this series in this setting.
Writing
Chloe is an awesome writer. It flows so easy. I just wish the plot moved along a little faster.
Originality
Some of the kids in the school possess special powers and those were cool to learn about. The school its self was really neat.
Characters
Lily is the main character and she’s a pretty normal child. She has a set of weird parents. She’s new at the school so she tries to fit in as best as she can.
Lily makes friends with Scout. Scout is an awesome character. She has connections to the all boys school down the street. She introduces Lily to Michael and Jason. Jason and Lily make a connection and begin a blossoming relationship that I can’t wait to read more.
Passion
This is a very teen book. The slight romance between Lily and Jason is such a minor thing that the passion was very minor. However, it’s something I paid attention to and can’t wait to continue reading about it.
Overall
A good first book to a new series. A bit slow. Interesting subject matter. I’m thinking the second book will flow a lot better.
Cover/Title Bonus
A great cover. The title is good once you actually get to the part about the Firespell. I, again, felt that it all flowed a little too slow.
I have to mention the format of the book. It’s in Mass Market Paperback, which I felt sort of weird reading a YA book in that format.
alisonb's review against another edition
3.0
I love the Chicagoland series, but this new series seemed to be lacking in the character development and plot. Rather, it seemed the story was a bit rushed and we got the bare bones account. I liked Scout's character the most and just may venture the second book to see how the story pans out.
vikcs's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
9katiejane's review against another edition
4.0
i thought firespell was very creative and really enjoyed reading this book and i love all of your books
theladygonzalez's review against another edition
4.0
I was already a big Chloe Neill fan (author of the Chicagoland Vampire Books) and Firespell just reinforced my love. Although the novel is a short one, Firespell is rich with well developed characters, plot and settings.
Neill once again paints a vivid world with her writing. Her descriptions of everything in Lily's world are fabulous, whether it be the Gossip Girl-esque boarding school Queen Bees or the creepy world of Underground Chicago. Lily's school, St. Sophia's is also wonderfully depicted - it is an old convent located on Erie Street in the heart of downtown. The school definitely has the creepy vibe going, with stone floors, cold decor and a twisting labyrinth of a floor plan. It is exactly the kind of place you would expect monsters to lurk.
The characters are also given the same wonderful, descriptive treatment. I was in love with them all from the start. Lily, our protagonist, snarky, vibrant, teen with fabulous fashion sense. She often rocks vintage looks, in contrast to the "army of plaid" as Lily puts it, that is the student body of St. Sophia's. She is a down to earth girl, who doesn't exactly fit in with majority of the girls at the school, save Scout and Lesley. She is from up-state New York and out of place in her Chuck Taylor's and faded Ramones t-shirts. Scout, who quickly becomes Lily's BFF, immediately became my favorite. She is a rebel, complete with nose ring and quirky habits, and mortal enemies with the the school Queen - Veronica. You also quickly learn that Scout is hiding something, which the book description says, so I don't feel too guilty about saying it. Scout is a spellbinder and a member of an Elite teen group of Superheroes. Basically this chick is awesome. I love the two of them together - they make a great sassy duo. I also love their vintage/old school interests. They are not cookie cutter characters; they have a unique flavor. Scout loves comic books and Queen (her text message tone is the Flash Gorden theme)and makes references to the epic 80's movie (which is based in Chicago), Ferris Bueller. Like I stated before, Lily often rocks vintage clothes, which include bright yellow boots. it is nice to see characters that embrace their differences and show that it's cool to be yourself. Scout makes statements of this sort throughout the book - she is all about being true to herself.
Scout takes Lily under her wing and somewhat by accident, introduces Lily into her world. Here Lily meets and befriends two members of Scout's group, Michael and Jason. Let the swooning begin. It quickly becomes apparent, which boy belongs with which girl - Michael with Scout and Lily with dreamy Jason. I am really interested to see how these perspective relationships develop - hopefully Scout will get over her denial and accept her feelings for Michael. One can hope, right?
Although, I enjoyed this book, I did have one issue with it. The book was a bit slow to take off. The real action doesn't begin until the second half of the book, and while the first half was interesting, it was not particularly eventful. I expected the action to begin sooner, especially with how much of the plot the book's description gives away. However, I don't want you to think this book was boring, it was the exact opposite. Even thought the action was slow to begin, I never found myself bored with the book.
Firespell was a great start to a new series. Neill doe a fabulous job crafting Lily's world and creating a mysterious, exciting plot that will keep readers interested in books to come. There are plenty of questions left unanswered and plenty of places for the plot to take us in future books, and I am excited to read book two, Hexbound - which comes out in January of 2011.
Neill once again paints a vivid world with her writing. Her descriptions of everything in Lily's world are fabulous, whether it be the Gossip Girl-esque boarding school Queen Bees or the creepy world of Underground Chicago. Lily's school, St. Sophia's is also wonderfully depicted - it is an old convent located on Erie Street in the heart of downtown. The school definitely has the creepy vibe going, with stone floors, cold decor and a twisting labyrinth of a floor plan. It is exactly the kind of place you would expect monsters to lurk.
The characters are also given the same wonderful, descriptive treatment. I was in love with them all from the start. Lily, our protagonist, snarky, vibrant, teen with fabulous fashion sense. She often rocks vintage looks, in contrast to the "army of plaid" as Lily puts it, that is the student body of St. Sophia's. She is a down to earth girl, who doesn't exactly fit in with majority of the girls at the school, save Scout and Lesley. She is from up-state New York and out of place in her Chuck Taylor's and faded Ramones t-shirts. Scout, who quickly becomes Lily's BFF, immediately became my favorite. She is a rebel, complete with nose ring and quirky habits, and mortal enemies with the the school Queen - Veronica. You also quickly learn that Scout is hiding something, which the book description says, so I don't feel too guilty about saying it. Scout is a spellbinder and a member of an Elite teen group of Superheroes. Basically this chick is awesome. I love the two of them together - they make a great sassy duo. I also love their vintage/old school interests. They are not cookie cutter characters; they have a unique flavor. Scout loves comic books and Queen (her text message tone is the Flash Gorden theme)and makes references to the epic 80's movie (which is based in Chicago), Ferris Bueller. Like I stated before, Lily often rocks vintage clothes, which include bright yellow boots. it is nice to see characters that embrace their differences and show that it's cool to be yourself. Scout makes statements of this sort throughout the book - she is all about being true to herself.
Scout takes Lily under her wing and somewhat by accident, introduces Lily into her world. Here Lily meets and befriends two members of Scout's group, Michael and Jason. Let the swooning begin. It quickly becomes apparent, which boy belongs with which girl - Michael with Scout and Lily with dreamy Jason. I am really interested to see how these perspective relationships develop - hopefully Scout will get over her denial and accept her feelings for Michael. One can hope, right?
Although, I enjoyed this book, I did have one issue with it. The book was a bit slow to take off. The real action doesn't begin until the second half of the book, and while the first half was interesting, it was not particularly eventful. I expected the action to begin sooner, especially with how much of the plot the book's description gives away. However, I don't want you to think this book was boring, it was the exact opposite. Even thought the action was slow to begin, I never found myself bored with the book.
Firespell was a great start to a new series. Neill doe a fabulous job crafting Lily's world and creating a mysterious, exciting plot that will keep readers interested in books to come. There are plenty of questions left unanswered and plenty of places for the plot to take us in future books, and I am excited to read book two, Hexbound - which comes out in January of 2011.
ac223's review against another edition
1.0
It was absolutely horrible.. The only person I would recommend this book to is a middle school age kid, even jr. high would be too mature for this book. Chloe Neill has some great books, but this isn't one of them. One scene has Lily the main character giving a speech to the adepts (magic users), about finding one of their missing team members, and another scene where the good guys, and bad guys face off. I was like.. are you serious?? It was like watching a really bad foreign film with subtitles, and in a language that doesn't translate well to english. Absurd, since usually mortal enemies don't stand around to discuss their position, and the reason they are for it or against it. Would not recommend you waste your time with this one.