writingwwolves's review
4.0
I completely fell in love with the cover of this story, but when I found out that it was an story based within a travelling festival, with a dancing main lead who has elemental powers - well, I couldn't resist. Fire Dancer was a fantastic coming-of-age story that has got me very excited for it's sequel; I'm desperate to continue the story & to see what changes the leading lady can make. The book was a relaxing read, Kyla was a classic YA female lead (although there was teen & MG vibes dotted throughout) & the plot moved at a perfect pace. I'll definitely be reading more of Catherine Jones Payne's work.
⚠️ This story contains scenes of arson & characters trapped within a burning building ⚠️
I was sent this book to review by YA Bound Book Tours.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-363
⚠️ This story contains scenes of arson & characters trapped within a burning building ⚠️
I was sent this book to review by YA Bound Book Tours.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-363
faiththompson416's review
4.0
3.5 stars. The characters were great and so were the descriptions, and I absolutely LOVED the prose. I wish the stakes had been a little more clearly defined, but other than that it was great!
tellie's review
5.0
Simply wonderful
I was wary when I started reading but I was sucked right in. It was a nice change of pace from the usual YA Fantasy I read and I cannot wait till book 2 is out!
I was wary when I started reading but I was sucked right in. It was a nice change of pace from the usual YA Fantasy I read and I cannot wait till book 2 is out!
angelarwatts's review
4.0
3.5 stars, rounding to 4.
STORY
Intriguing, a beezy read, and lovely fire and circus vibes, I enjoyed the overall gist of the story. I liked the vibes of the story world and such. But the moving plot bugged me quite a bit: it was very predictable.
Telling from the back cover blurb, I really didn’t see it coming: the patriarchy and the suppressed culture of women who not only cannot be mages, but are born to dance, marry, and breed. Basically, that’s the culture, or so, the female MC sees it that way. I didn’t expect the “women beat the patriarchy” from the blurb but if I’m being honest, it was there.
Don’t get me wrong. A fantasy world where women can’t do magic because they’re girls and they are suppressed in the culture (like, say how some current day cultures are: Amish, Islam, etc)... could be a great premise. But it just didn’t vibe with me in this one. It was a bit too predictable: the young, rebellious woman who must change the way things have always been because, for some reason, no other woman ever dared try to fight for their rights before. It just bugged me. I honestly thought it’d be more enjoyable but it had heaps of this theme and it isn’t a theme I enjoy much.
THEMES
As I mentioned, a large theme was women fighting for their rights and being more than just family oriented. I get that: that’s a great theme! But it was a bit overboard for my personal liking, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a lead element, and that trope isn’t one I easily enjoy. I’m getting rather tired of “girl boss” tropes in YA, but that’s just me, personally, and please, don’t think the whole novel was hating on menfolk. It wasn’t. It was a good novel. I liked it. But I still wasn’t expecting “fight the patriarchy and council”... it just isn’t a storyline I really enjoy.
The theme of love was fantastic! I really enjoyed Kyla’s arc as she decided to choose love over hate and found joy in family. That was HUGE and beautiful. I mean, I struggled with her character a few times, but the ending theme of love and family made the whole book worth it for me. AND for what it is worth, the young adult/teen romance wasn’t a prominent, icky theme, so yay!
CHARACTERS
Kyla was a good main character, but she also drove me a bit crazy: sixteen year old girls are known for being emotional and wishy washy. Usually, she had a good head on her shoulders, was kind, etc. But there were certain scenes that sometimes drove me a bit mad… such as, the bitter/revenge/hatred plot she had against Shayla. I get that it really didn’t end at the end of this book and book two is coming, so hopefully, that issue works out. I had a lot of respect how her arc ended. She chose love overall and controlled her powers. Fabulous!
One thing about Kyla’s powers I disliked was a cliche, so it was probably just me but…
Nolan was a supportive friend and came through at the end, but I didn’t really connect with anyone in general. Not the fault of the writing, just me personally. I will say that while I didn’t connect a great deal, the characters were all very strong, 3D characters! (Kyla’s father came close to being my favorite, haha!)
CONTENT
Mentions of mild swearing. Some hand holding and hugs, no sensual content. Mentions of pregnancy/miscarriages/suicide. Mentions of death, some gruesome. No violence that I can recall, really.
OVERALL
A pretty YA novel. I do recommend it to people who like YA tropes and fantasy, though! I’m looking forward to book two!
STORY
Intriguing, a beezy read, and lovely fire and circus vibes, I enjoyed the overall gist of the story. I liked the vibes of the story world and such. But the moving plot bugged me quite a bit: it was very predictable.
Telling from the back cover blurb, I really didn’t see it coming: the patriarchy and the suppressed culture of women who not only cannot be mages, but are born to dance, marry, and breed. Basically, that’s the culture, or so, the female MC sees it that way. I didn’t expect the “women beat the patriarchy” from the blurb but if I’m being honest, it was there.
Don’t get me wrong. A fantasy world where women can’t do magic because they’re girls and they are suppressed in the culture (like, say how some current day cultures are: Amish, Islam, etc)... could be a great premise. But it just didn’t vibe with me in this one. It was a bit too predictable: the young, rebellious woman who must change the way things have always been because, for some reason, no other woman ever dared try to fight for their rights before. It just bugged me. I honestly thought it’d be more enjoyable but it had heaps of this theme and it isn’t a theme I enjoy much.
THEMES
As I mentioned, a large theme was women fighting for their rights and being more than just family oriented. I get that: that’s a great theme! But it was a bit overboard for my personal liking, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a lead element, and that trope isn’t one I easily enjoy. I’m getting rather tired of “girl boss” tropes in YA, but that’s just me, personally, and please, don’t think the whole novel was hating on menfolk. It wasn’t. It was a good novel. I liked it. But I still wasn’t expecting “fight the patriarchy and council”... it just isn’t a storyline I really enjoy.
The theme of love was fantastic! I really enjoyed Kyla’s arc as she decided to choose love over hate and found joy in family. That was HUGE and beautiful. I mean, I struggled with her character a few times, but the ending theme of love and family made the whole book worth it for me. AND for what it is worth, the young adult/teen romance wasn’t a prominent, icky theme, so yay!
CHARACTERS
Kyla was a good main character, but she also drove me a bit crazy: sixteen year old girls are known for being emotional and wishy washy. Usually, she had a good head on her shoulders, was kind, etc. But there were certain scenes that sometimes drove me a bit mad… such as, the bitter/revenge/hatred plot she had against Shayla. I get that it really didn’t end at the end of this book and book two is coming, so hopefully, that issue works out. I had a lot of respect how her arc ended. She chose love overall and controlled her powers. Fabulous!
One thing about Kyla’s powers I disliked was a cliche, so it was probably just me but…
Spoiler
Why is it that every fantasy novel I’ve read, when the girl is forbidden to use a certain type of magic/power, she is allowed to do so anyway because she’s really good at it and has a way with it none of the men do? It probably is no big deal but it drives me crazy, haha!Nolan was a supportive friend and came through at the end, but I didn’t really connect with anyone in general. Not the fault of the writing, just me personally. I will say that while I didn’t connect a great deal, the characters were all very strong, 3D characters! (Kyla’s father came close to being my favorite, haha!)
CONTENT
Mentions of mild swearing. Some hand holding and hugs, no sensual content. Mentions of pregnancy/miscarriages/suicide. Mentions of death, some gruesome. No violence that I can recall, really.
OVERALL
A pretty YA novel. I do recommend it to people who like YA tropes and fantasy, though! I’m looking forward to book two!
flaffa's review
4.0
4*
This book has such a unique premise and interesting world! I loved the magic system and I'm curious to see more. I also enjoyed the characters' relationships. This story had friendship, family bonding and an almost romance that I hope gets more developement in the next book.
I pthe approach this book has towards the emancipation of its female characters. The message it sends is that women don’t have to give up traditionally feminine/female things if they don’t want to. They can still be mothers and wives without that limiting anything else they may want to be. This highlights the importance of choice and freedom. The ability to be more than what is assigned to you for characteristics you were born with.
This story has a twist, which I did not at all see coming but I loved it and I'm curious to see what comes next.
This book has such a unique premise and interesting world! I loved the magic system and I'm curious to see more. I also enjoyed the characters' relationships. This story had friendship, family bonding and an almost romance that I hope gets more developement in the next book.
I pthe approach this book has towards the emancipation of its female characters. The message it sends is that women don’t have to give up traditionally feminine/female things if they don’t want to. They can still be mothers and wives without that limiting anything else they may want to be. This highlights the importance of choice and freedom. The ability to be more than what is assigned to you for characteristics you were born with.
This story has a twist, which I did not at all see coming but I loved it and I'm curious to see what comes next.
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