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jg1987's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Entry #28 on my quarantine reading list.
[b:Ignite|42595496|Ignite (Ignite #1)|Nora Phoenix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540951692l/42595496._SY75_.jpg|66290132] is the first book in the similarly titled trilogy by [a:Nora Phoenix|17187577|Nora Phoenix|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1507234412p2/17187577.jpg], and she totally nailed it! From just the description alone I was a bit apprehensive about all of the different themes crammed into one fairly short book. We have aliens, an dystopian society, a budding MMM romance, apocalyptic type survival, and more all going on at the same time. I was worried it was going to be too much and that the story would suffer for it. I was definitely worried about nothing, because this book took on that very ambitious level of subject matter and made it flow naturally. The alternate history world building was simple yet elaborate enough that it was believable as a functioning society. And even though aliens are obviously fictional, they were also done well, with subtlety and finesse, rather than being fantastical or bizarre. This went a long way in keeping the tone of the story consistent. All this before we even get to the romance part of the story! This author is known for her multiple partner relationships and while I have no issues with that in theory, it is easy to get carried away with the different interpersonal dynamics. In this case there is a nice slow burn where the MCs are strictly friends at first and only near the very end do we get a hint of something more between them. I really liked the quick pacing of the book and while it ended much sooner than I would have liked, but it just left me eager to start on the next book. This was a really great start to an interesting and original new series.
Entry #28 on my quarantine reading list.
[b:Ignite|42595496|Ignite (Ignite #1)|Nora Phoenix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540951692l/42595496._SY75_.jpg|66290132] is the first book in the similarly titled trilogy by [a:Nora Phoenix|17187577|Nora Phoenix|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1507234412p2/17187577.jpg], and she totally nailed it! From just the description alone I was a bit apprehensive about all of the different themes crammed into one fairly short book. We have aliens, an dystopian society, a budding MMM romance, apocalyptic type survival, and more all going on at the same time. I was worried it was going to be too much and that the story would suffer for it. I was definitely worried about nothing, because this book took on that very ambitious level of subject matter and made it flow naturally. The alternate history world building was simple yet elaborate enough that it was believable as a functioning society. And even though aliens are obviously fictional, they were also done well, with subtlety and finesse, rather than being fantastical or bizarre. This went a long way in keeping the tone of the story consistent. All this before we even get to the romance part of the story! This author is known for her multiple partner relationships and while I have no issues with that in theory, it is easy to get carried away with the different interpersonal dynamics. In this case there is a nice slow burn where the MCs are strictly friends at first and only near the very end do we get a hint of something more between them. I really liked the quick pacing of the book and while it ended much sooner than I would have liked, but it just left me eager to start on the next book. This was a really great start to an interesting and original new series.
ravenk28's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. If I were in this universe I know I would not survive with my phobia of spiders. *shudder*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Gore, Sexual assault, and Blood
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
kaity_b's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Very entertaining and an interesting take on a dystopian United States!
I will say that the invasion of the aliens and how people are doing everything to survive, feels reminiscent of the first wave of COVID where it was every man for themselves for food, toilet paper and sanitizers haha (can laugh about it now)
I am interested to see how this series will go!
Very entertaining and an interesting take on a dystopian United States!
I will say that the invasion of the aliens and how people are doing everything to survive, feels reminiscent of the first wave of COVID where it was every man for themselves for food, toilet paper and sanitizers haha (can laugh about it now)
I am interested to see how this series will go!
heabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
I really wasn't sure what I was going to get with IGNITE but it caught my attention from the start and I blazed through it because I fell completely for the characters. I'm a sucker for a post-apocalyptic romance and the feeling of being on the run and fighting for survival just really ramps up the emotions and tension in a story. We jump right into the action and much of it continues throughout most of the book. This is definitely a hard world to live in and tough choices have to be made sometimes. I liked that Nora Phoenix really showed how hard circumstances can change a person and force them to do things they would normally never do to survive. Tan in particular has suffered a great deal in the camps and he's done whatever it takes to not be a victim again even if it means alienating the other campers and hurting himself in the process.
Ultimately, the characters really made the story because I enjoyed reading about them and watching them circle each other with their growing emotions. Austin was clearly a strong leader and he's the kind of guy that takes care of others. He's incredibly close with Tan and one of the only people Tan trusts to not hurt him. The way Austin acted as a safe harbor for Tan was really sweet, especially as we got more hints about Tan's experience in the camps and we began to understand how damaged he's become. In contrast to Austin's strength, Tan was softer and more vulnerable. He knows he can't fight and he's not good at protecting himself but he provides a compassionate heart to those he considers friend. I'm really looking forward to seeing more development from Tan's character.
Mack starts as the odd man out who doesn't know Austin and Tan and was new to the reintegration camp when the invasion happened. Mack is incredibly sheltered but knows all about survival thanks to his off-the-grid upbringing. However, Mack has a lot of incorrect ideas and assumptions about gay men and gay relationships thanks to his religious zealot father. Mack knows he's gay and he doesn't have a problem with that but he has all kinds of misconceptions he's working through. Austin and Tan spend a lot of time correcting Mack's assumptions and helping him to better understand who he is.
Together they make a great group, all contributing different strengths and balancing each other's weaknesses. My only complaint for IGNITE is that it was a bit unclear for a while how old the characters were and this was confusing because their voices "felt" very young. We know Mack is 22 and I believe Austin and Tan are supposed to be around 23/24 but it was never completely clear.
Content Warning: Homophobic language and abuse; threats of rape; Tan was raped while at the camp
Ultimately, the characters really made the story because I enjoyed reading about them and watching them circle each other with their growing emotions. Austin was clearly a strong leader and he's the kind of guy that takes care of others. He's incredibly close with Tan and one of the only people Tan trusts to not hurt him. The way Austin acted as a safe harbor for Tan was really sweet, especially as we got more hints about Tan's experience in the camps and we began to understand how damaged he's become. In contrast to Austin's strength, Tan was softer and more vulnerable. He knows he can't fight and he's not good at protecting himself but he provides a compassionate heart to those he considers friend. I'm really looking forward to seeing more development from Tan's character.
Mack starts as the odd man out who doesn't know Austin and Tan and was new to the reintegration camp when the invasion happened. Mack is incredibly sheltered but knows all about survival thanks to his off-the-grid upbringing. However, Mack has a lot of incorrect ideas and assumptions about gay men and gay relationships thanks to his religious zealot father. Mack knows he's gay and he doesn't have a problem with that but he has all kinds of misconceptions he's working through. Austin and Tan spend a lot of time correcting Mack's assumptions and helping him to better understand who he is.
Together they make a great group, all contributing different strengths and balancing each other's weaknesses. My only complaint for IGNITE is that it was a bit unclear for a while how old the characters were and this was confusing because their voices "felt" very young. We know Mack is 22 and I believe Austin and Tan are supposed to be around 23/24 but it was never completely clear.
Content Warning: Homophobic language and abuse; threats of rape; Tan was raped while at the camp
ankysbookbubble's review
5.0
Oh wow. Dystopian used to be one of my favourite genres and I've missed reading it. Ignite was absolutely wonderful, and Austin, Tan and Mack were the perfect trio. Loved Tan's sweetness, Mack's innocence and Austin's take charge attitude. Looking forward to book 2 and I need more of cutie Pax the alien.
teresab78's review
5.0
Great!
Amazing start to the series. Bad things are implied but not in graphic detail which keeps this from being too dark. The world they find themselves in is horrific for them. I like that they all brought something different to the table.
Amazing start to the series. Bad things are implied but not in graphic detail which keeps this from being too dark. The world they find themselves in is horrific for them. I like that they all brought something different to the table.
tendoheart's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
haunted_by_humans's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It’s been awhile since I’ve read anything dystopian and thought I’d give this series a try. The premise is interesting but unfortunately a lot of the dialogue just felt very stiff and awkward at times.
maya56's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0