ivy_skye's review against another edition
5.0
I have read the authors other series (The chicagoland vampires) before and i am now waiting on the next book in that series to be released. I looked around and found she has authored another series :"The Dark Elite". It had a pretty good rating and because i liked the authors style, i threw myself at this book. I did not know what to expect, nor did i know what age group this series was targeted for. Well, it mostly targeted to Young Adults, and i am not a young adult.
That being said, i enjoyed the book immensely, it was very well written without sacrificing reading level or comprehension, The author seemed to be staying true to her style in writing and her love for Chicago. She is also staying clear of foul language, which i immensely appreciate. The characters are flawed but strong and despite the fact that they have "other things" to do, are still normal teenagers.
I am recommending this book to my 17 year old daughter and hope she will enjoy it as well.
I do not give spoilers in my reviews, thats what the synopsis is for.
That being said, i enjoyed the book immensely, it was very well written without sacrificing reading level or comprehension, The author seemed to be staying true to her style in writing and her love for Chicago. She is also staying clear of foul language, which i immensely appreciate. The characters are flawed but strong and despite the fact that they have "other things" to do, are still normal teenagers.
I am recommending this book to my 17 year old daughter and hope she will enjoy it as well.
I do not give spoilers in my reviews, thats what the synopsis is for.
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/
I love Chloe Neill's characters as always, the dialogue and banter between characters is always highly entertaining and helps keep the story fun. The friendships and relationships really is what I enjoyed most about the book. I thought the story was a little slow especially in the beginning, it picks up a lot towards the end when stuff really starts to happen. I found the stuff that happened to be believable with the way they are explained and written. Since I'm from Chicago and always love to read books that take place there I enjoyed the setting in which the book was written. I enjoyed it.
I gave it 3.5/5 Stars
I love Chloe Neill's characters as always, the dialogue and banter between characters is always highly entertaining and helps keep the story fun. The friendships and relationships really is what I enjoyed most about the book. I thought the story was a little slow especially in the beginning, it picks up a lot towards the end when stuff really starts to happen. I found the stuff that happened to be believable with the way they are explained and written. Since I'm from Chicago and always love to read books that take place there I enjoyed the setting in which the book was written. I enjoyed it.
I gave it 3.5/5 Stars
jillybean7681's review against another edition
3.0
It was predictable fluff, but just what I wanted to read at the time.
readingundertheradar's review against another edition
3.0
You can read my full review at my blog: http://www.happybookloversblog.com/2014/10/firespell-review.html
I'm also giving lots of books away all October long!: http://www.happybookloversblog.com/search/label/blogtober%20giveaway
This was the essence of what I wanted to read in October. Quintessential boarding school creepy setting in Chicago with old-time magic and lots of sneaking around and cliques. And it was excellent. The characters were a typical cast — mean girls ruling the school, MC new girl to the school, the quirky, weird girl who befriends MC, and a few others thrown in there like the boys from the companion boarding school who visited on occasion. But even though it was the regular cast of people, I still felt like they had wonderful personalities, and they were all developed over time and not just thrown together and mentioned a few times.
I'm also giving lots of books away all October long!: http://www.happybookloversblog.com/search/label/blogtober%20giveaway
This was the essence of what I wanted to read in October. Quintessential boarding school creepy setting in Chicago with old-time magic and lots of sneaking around and cliques. And it was excellent. The characters were a typical cast — mean girls ruling the school, MC new girl to the school, the quirky, weird girl who befriends MC, and a few others thrown in there like the boys from the companion boarding school who visited on occasion. But even though it was the regular cast of people, I still felt like they had wonderful personalities, and they were all developed over time and not just thrown together and mentioned a few times.
cr6zym0nkeyiz's review against another edition
1.0
So I think I was just expecting too much from this book from the start and I was excited to start it but from the beginning it was slow and it stayed slow. I just couldn't get into this book. I felt bored all the way through. I don't really like the characters. I felt like the characters were boring and I just don't know. I just think from first reading the Chicagoland Vampire Series which I was hooked immediately that my expectations were too high. I felt like this story was too predictable. Also that I just have a thing with boarding schools, I have read other series with that theme and I did not like them too well. But this book just wasn't for me.
frootjoos's review against another edition
4.0
A couple things saved this from being a 3:
1) Scout!
2) ok, Lily. I kind of feel like Scout is the main character, and Lily the sidekick.
3) the Brat Pack... bratty as they are, they're not completely horrible.
What leans it in the direction of 3 stars:
1) Mary-Sue potential. I know, I know! I tried not to say it. But it's looming like an albatross in there. Only sequels will tell.
Full review pending.
1) Scout!
2) ok, Lily. I kind of feel like Scout is the main character, and Lily the sidekick.
3) the Brat Pack... bratty as they are, they're not completely horrible.
What leans it in the direction of 3 stars:
1) Mary-Sue potential. I know, I know! I tried not to say it. But it's looming like an albatross in there. Only sequels will tell.
Full review pending.
book_whispers's review against another edition
4.0
Firespell was definitely an addiction. It reminded me of Kelley Armstrong's YA series. Not that they're a like, just both very addicting.
Firespell takes a slower pace then most UF books, letting you enjoy the world Neill has created. The beginning of the books really helps to establish Lily so the reader can connect with her. Getting a feel for her family life, and how even though they're dumping her for their sabbatical in Germany Lily understands and loves them. But it doesn't mean she can't feel a little spited and sarcastic about it.
Lily ends up being one of the most mature characters I've read. She thinks things through and takes things in very mature strides. She can concede a point, even if she feels she's in the right. Lily's maturity does not take away from her sarcastic charm, and I greatly appreciated that. She's still a teenager after all, so juvenile behavior is still a go.
For some reason I though this book was about seeing when people would kick the bucket. Instead, to my delight and surprise, I'm introduced to the Dark Elite. People who at puberty get special powers, spell casting, powers over elements, and even gifts of the wolfy persuasion. When the Dark Elite get older their powers return back to the universe. Unfortunately power corrupts and some cling to it. The power eats away at the soul of the wielder unless they use the life force of other people. The Dark Elite who choose this life style are nicknamed Reapers. (Which just tickles me!) Those who choose to do the right and give up the powers are called Adepts.
The cast of Firespell is pretty standard. Lily, is a nerdy-sarcastic-trendy lass who could probably be on the top of the food chain at school, but chooses the forces of nerdiness. Her punk/goth new BFF, Scout, is the misfit of the school who talks big, but is really a softy. Veronica is the evil blonde with the cash and rudeness to fit the role of Lily's rival. Neill doesn't waist time getting these characters into their roles, I like to think Neill's just skipping to the good stuff. The Mean Girl group is pretty standard, even leading up to Lily getting locked into a basement closet. (Which was really silly as the character saw it coming ad still fell into their girly trap.) The love interests are pretty basic too. A werewolf lad, and a hint of an Evil, handsome, Reaper who helps her out.
Even with the slow pace we get a lot of action packed in. Lily's new powers, a rallying rescue, defying authority, mysteries about Lily's parents that could change her life forever, and private school fun.
Bottom Line:
While this book is clearly not a genius piece of work, it is addicting and very fun. The sarcastic humor was healing to the soul. Certain cliffhangers about Lily's parents (and the good or not Reaper) leaves readers in desperate need for the next book. I can not wait to see were Neill takes this series! Until then I'll be checking out her Chicgoland Vampire series.
Sexual Content:
An almost kiss scene, Neill keeps it to hand holding. (But I'm cheering for that kiss.)
Firespell takes a slower pace then most UF books, letting you enjoy the world Neill has created. The beginning of the books really helps to establish Lily so the reader can connect with her. Getting a feel for her family life, and how even though they're dumping her for their sabbatical in Germany Lily understands and loves them. But it doesn't mean she can't feel a little spited and sarcastic about it.
Lily ends up being one of the most mature characters I've read. She thinks things through and takes things in very mature strides. She can concede a point, even if she feels she's in the right. Lily's maturity does not take away from her sarcastic charm, and I greatly appreciated that. She's still a teenager after all, so juvenile behavior is still a go.
For some reason I though this book was about seeing when people would kick the bucket. Instead, to my delight and surprise, I'm introduced to the Dark Elite. People who at puberty get special powers, spell casting, powers over elements, and even gifts of the wolfy persuasion. When the Dark Elite get older their powers return back to the universe. Unfortunately power corrupts and some cling to it. The power eats away at the soul of the wielder unless they use the life force of other people. The Dark Elite who choose this life style are nicknamed Reapers. (Which just tickles me!) Those who choose to do the right and give up the powers are called Adepts.
The cast of Firespell is pretty standard. Lily, is a nerdy-sarcastic-trendy lass who could probably be on the top of the food chain at school, but chooses the forces of nerdiness. Her punk/goth new BFF, Scout, is the misfit of the school who talks big, but is really a softy. Veronica is the evil blonde with the cash and rudeness to fit the role of Lily's rival. Neill doesn't waist time getting these characters into their roles, I like to think Neill's just skipping to the good stuff. The Mean Girl group is pretty standard, even leading up to Lily getting locked into a basement closet. (Which was really silly as the character saw it coming ad still fell into their girly trap.) The love interests are pretty basic too. A werewolf lad, and a hint of an Evil, handsome, Reaper who helps her out.
Even with the slow pace we get a lot of action packed in. Lily's new powers, a rallying rescue, defying authority, mysteries about Lily's parents that could change her life forever, and private school fun.
Bottom Line:
While this book is clearly not a genius piece of work, it is addicting and very fun. The sarcastic humor was healing to the soul. Certain cliffhangers about Lily's parents (and the good or not Reaper) leaves readers in desperate need for the next book. I can not wait to see were Neill takes this series! Until then I'll be checking out her Chicgoland Vampire series.
Sexual Content:
An almost kiss scene, Neill keeps it to hand holding. (But I'm cheering for that kiss.)
stephieb78's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book with no knowledge of what it was about, only that Chloe Neill was the author. I am such a fan of her Chicagoland Vampires series I just figured it would be good. I was not wrong! While this is a teen-fiction selection, Chloe Neill's characters are in a word, great. The girls, Scout and Lily, are both intelligent, quick-witted girls with sharp tongues. The banter between the two is great!
The details about the magic are still a little sketchy and a few of the minor characters seem flat, but something tells me we will be learning more about the methods and the people in the next books!
The details about the magic are still a little sketchy and a few of the minor characters seem flat, but something tells me we will be learning more about the methods and the people in the next books!
lalabristow's review against another edition
3.0
Previously Published on my blog: Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life
*NO SPOILERS
Lily Parker lived a calm and peaceful life with her parents in Upstate New York. When their work takes them for a year-long sabbatical in Germany and Lily is dumped in an all-girls boarding school in Chicago, Lily’s life changes more than she thought possible. Her new best friend has a secret and finding it out might be not be as fun as she thought.
Firespell is the first book in Chloe Neill’s Young Adult series. I have to say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, though I do think it will appeal much more to younger audiences. Firespell is a nice fast read that even though drags a bit in the beginning, does definitely pick up later on and can be very entertaining.
My favorite part about the novel was Lily and Scout’s relationship. They take to each other immediately and their dialogues and interactions make the book, without it I do believe Firespell would have been a much lesser novel.
I totally recommend Firespell to any Young readers that have a taste for he paranormal. I really liked the world Chloe created and I think it has a lot of potential, I’ll be looking forward to Hexbound next month!
*NO SPOILERS
Lily Parker lived a calm and peaceful life with her parents in Upstate New York. When their work takes them for a year-long sabbatical in Germany and Lily is dumped in an all-girls boarding school in Chicago, Lily’s life changes more than she thought possible. Her new best friend has a secret and finding it out might be not be as fun as she thought.
Firespell is the first book in Chloe Neill’s Young Adult series. I have to say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, though I do think it will appeal much more to younger audiences. Firespell is a nice fast read that even though drags a bit in the beginning, does definitely pick up later on and can be very entertaining.
My favorite part about the novel was Lily and Scout’s relationship. They take to each other immediately and their dialogues and interactions make the book, without it I do believe Firespell would have been a much lesser novel.
I totally recommend Firespell to any Young readers that have a taste for he paranormal. I really liked the world Chloe created and I think it has a lot of potential, I’ll be looking forward to Hexbound next month!