hgranger's review against another edition
2.0
I gave Firelight two stars because somewhere in the middle of a twilight-esque teenage love story, there is some moments of a good novel. It is unfortunate that the exciting premise is buried under pages and pages of "I sense him near me/ I cannot resist him/ he draws me in even though he is so bad for me" blah, blah, blah. Additionally, despite all the heating up-kissing scenes, the sexual tension that Meyer does so well in Twilight is lacking in this book. I am just not convinced of the attraction. And honestly, is it so impossible to give the bad guy a few good traits? I am tired of flat one-sided characters.
cvanders's review against another edition
4.0
I like this book. It makes me want to read the next book in the series. I don't like how it ended because it put me on edge. I wonder how her mom and sister are going to handle it.
artyemis's review against another edition
3.0
Qui, è la strada per tornare in cielo.
Sono colpevole lo ammetto, ho iniziato a leggere questo libro dopo aver visto la copertina (davvero bella, bisogna ammetterlo) e aver letto la parola draghi. Leggendo brevemente la storia sul retro del libro mi ero immaginata una storia fantasy focalizzata sopratutto sui draghi, e la cosa mi garbava parecchio. Inizio a leggere il libro e va tutto bene finchè non arrivo a metà e iniziano a venirmi dei seri dubbi.. fermi tutti, ho visto qualche drago di sfuggita in metà libro come mai? non mi direte mica che quella dei draghi era una scusa per l'ennesimo young adult su base (finta) fantasy?!. Si, purtroppo è così.
Jacinda è una mutaforma, può mutare e prendere l'aspetto di un drago.. peccato che non lo fa mai. Tutta la storia gira attorno alla sua relazione con Will, che di professione caccia proprio i draghi tu guarda, però sembra non voler vedere tutti i segni che lei gli lascia per fargli capire senza ombra di dubbio che lei è proprio un drago. A metà libro ho dovuto fermarmi, con un brivido di orrore lungo la schiena, quando certi dialoghi mi hanno ricordato spaventosamente Twilight e ho pensato: nononono ti prego, non un altro clone di Twilight. E si perchè lui viene da una famiglia misteriosa, ha due fratelli (abbiamo tagliato un pò il personale) di cui tu guarda uno odia Jacinda e l'altro invece sembra subito adorarla. Will oltretutto salta spesso delle lezioni per andare a pesca (spiegazione ufficiale, andare a "caccia" è la spiegazione vera.. ricorda solo a me spaventosamente Twilight?), oltretutto all'inizio non possono stare insieme perché lui si ritiene troppo pericoloso per lei, Jacinda si preoccupa perché quando lui sarà vecchio lei avrà ancora l'aspetto di un'adolescente (i draki invecchiano molto più lentamente degli esseri umani e possono vivere centinaia di anni) e la scena della macchina.. ok, basta così.
Ora sembra che ne voglia parlare malissimo, invece alla fin fine il libro si salva e direi che un tre se lo merita. Anche se davvero, in certi punti è snervante e avrei voluto meno storia d'amore e più draghi.
Sono colpevole lo ammetto, ho iniziato a leggere questo libro dopo aver visto la copertina (davvero bella, bisogna ammetterlo) e aver letto la parola draghi. Leggendo brevemente la storia sul retro del libro mi ero immaginata una storia fantasy focalizzata sopratutto sui draghi, e la cosa mi garbava parecchio. Inizio a leggere il libro e va tutto bene finchè non arrivo a metà e iniziano a venirmi dei seri dubbi.. fermi tutti, ho visto qualche drago di sfuggita in metà libro come mai? non mi direte mica che quella dei draghi era una scusa per l'ennesimo young adult su base (finta) fantasy?!. Si, purtroppo è così.
Jacinda è una mutaforma, può mutare e prendere l'aspetto di un drago.. peccato che non lo fa mai. Tutta la storia gira attorno alla sua relazione con Will, che di professione caccia proprio i draghi tu guarda, però sembra non voler vedere tutti i segni che lei gli lascia per fargli capire senza ombra di dubbio che lei è proprio un drago. A metà libro ho dovuto fermarmi, con un brivido di orrore lungo la schiena, quando certi dialoghi mi hanno ricordato spaventosamente Twilight e ho pensato: nononono ti prego, non un altro clone di Twilight. E si perchè lui viene da una famiglia misteriosa, ha due fratelli (abbiamo tagliato un pò il personale) di cui tu guarda uno odia Jacinda e l'altro invece sembra subito adorarla. Will oltretutto salta spesso delle lezioni per andare a pesca (spiegazione ufficiale, andare a "caccia" è la spiegazione vera.. ricorda solo a me spaventosamente Twilight?), oltretutto all'inizio non possono stare insieme perché lui si ritiene troppo pericoloso per lei, Jacinda si preoccupa perché quando lui sarà vecchio lei avrà ancora l'aspetto di un'adolescente (i draki invecchiano molto più lentamente degli esseri umani e possono vivere centinaia di anni) e la scena della macchina.. ok, basta così.
Ora sembra che ne voglia parlare malissimo, invece alla fin fine il libro si salva e direi che un tre se lo merita. Anche se davvero, in certi punti è snervante e avrei voluto meno storia d'amore e più draghi.
milliegirl21's review against another edition
I was not able to finish this book. The insta love , the writing and the mention of everything affecting the MC "inner dragon" nearly every other sentence annoyed me.
ellenpenleysmith's review against another edition
3.0
I love dragons. They are amazing and seriously cool. They breathe fire. They are pretty. And dangerous.
I'm trying a new review technique and it involves using some techniques the author uses. Fragments. So many useless fragments. That was the only issue I had with Jordan's writing style. Otherwise, I loved its simplicity. I'm not a huge fan of purple prose and so I was able to effortlessly flow into this book.
The only other downside was that this was a modern setting. I didn't really pay much attention to the blurb, knowing that Firelight is a trilogy that's slowly ending and it's about a girl who turns into a dragon. There's not much else too know. However, when I realised what time period it was, I was kind of disappointed. I wanted a "true" fantasy dragon legend and sadly Firelight didn't deliver in that aspect.
Jacinda was a great narrator. I didn't find her too much of anything and I did understand her craving for her pride and the need to let her Draki live. It was like her Draki was always beneath the surface, another part of her. I could understand her hatred for the desert (the quickest environment to kill a Draki) and I had no problem with her.
The triangle was a bit of a problem, but it essentially wasn't there. Jacinda, before leaving, was meant to be with Cassian to create more fire breathers (because she's the last and it's incredibly rare), but Will (a hunter) kept her Draki alive when she was near him. I didn't like this one bit because the moment Will entered the page, Jacinda turned stupid. It was like a switch. I wanted to brake the damn switch.
Despite my complaints, Firelight isn't as bad as I'm making it out to be. I kept flipping the page, there weren't too many boring moments, and it did have an original concept.
The fact that I'll return for the sequel should be knowledge enough.
I'm trying a new review technique and it involves using some techniques the author uses. Fragments. So many useless fragments. That was the only issue I had with Jordan's writing style. Otherwise, I loved its simplicity. I'm not a huge fan of purple prose and so I was able to effortlessly flow into this book.
The only other downside was that this was a modern setting. I didn't really pay much attention to the blurb, knowing that Firelight is a trilogy that's slowly ending and it's about a girl who turns into a dragon. There's not much else too know. However, when I realised what time period it was, I was kind of disappointed. I wanted a "true" fantasy dragon legend and sadly Firelight didn't deliver in that aspect.
Jacinda was a great narrator. I didn't find her too much of anything and I did understand her craving for her pride and the need to let her Draki live. It was like her Draki was always beneath the surface, another part of her. I could understand her hatred for the desert (the quickest environment to kill a Draki) and I had no problem with her.
The triangle was a bit of a problem, but it essentially wasn't there. Jacinda, before leaving, was meant to be with Cassian to create more fire breathers (because she's the last and it's incredibly rare), but Will (a hunter) kept her Draki alive when she was near him. I didn't like this one bit because the moment Will entered the page, Jacinda turned stupid. It was like a switch. I wanted to brake the damn switch.
Despite my complaints, Firelight isn't as bad as I'm making it out to be. I kept flipping the page, there weren't too many boring moments, and it did have an original concept.
The fact that I'll return for the sequel should be knowledge enough.
chelseavbc's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted at VampireBookClub.net
Often in paranormal romance tales the guy is the one troubled with paranormal attributes. The woman is either human dealing with the fact the guy she’s into is from the ‘other’ world or her paranormal issues are ‘safe’ compared the life-and-death danger that comes with being a part of the preternatural world. That’s not the case with Firelight. Sophie Jordan has written a strong paranormal heroine with real problems (a unique and important role for a YA lead character). Jacinda is the dangerous one. Not just to the guy she’s into, but to her family, to her people.
Jacinda comes from a pride of draki in the mountains. Draki are what dragons would be if evolution took its course — slimmer, more humanoid while in draki form, but with the ability to shift into a human form. But Jacinda isn’t just any draki. She’s a fire-breather. The first one in ages. She’ll be able to protect the pride, and produce more fire-breathers. At least that’s the hope of the pride’s elders. They’ve picked out her mate, an alpha named Cassian. While Jacinda has a bit of a rebellious streak — flying during the day, which is forbidden — she’d mostly accepted this is the way things are. So, when she’s nearly caught by hunters, she knew the pride would be angry, but she didn’t expect her mom to grab her and her twin sister, who isn’t draki, and run for it.
Jacinda’s mom takes her and her sister to a desert town, a place where Jacinda’s non-draki sister can thrive, and where Jacinda’s draki should die. Her mom wants that part of her gone, but Jacinda can’t kill off a part of who she is, and her attempts to connect with her draki are failing until she encounters Will. She can sense when he enters the room, and each time they’re close her draki flares, including heating up her skin.
Being around him she has to fight not to manifest into a draki. Everyone tells her to say away from him, but he ignites her and it’s clear he feels similarly. Only Will is a hunter. His family kills her kind. If he finds out who she is, she’ll be dead, her family will be in danger and they’ll likely track it back to the pride. She shouldn’t risk it, especially when kissing him pulls steam to her lungs. But Will won’t make avoiding him a possibility. He needs her just as much.
Firelight is one of those novels you can’t put down. It was a two-sitting read for me, because I had to know if Will would find out what Jacinda was, if her pride would find her and bring her back to make fire-breather babies, if Jacinda’s mom would ever understand what Jacinda really needed. The story of star-crossed lovers is always excellent, but with the duality of Jacinda fighting to maintain and yet hide who she is while falling in love for the first time is incredibly powerful.
Those seeking a YA paranormal romance with a strong female and a love story that will tug at your heart (and pull you nonstop through 324 pages), pick up Firelight. It’s the first in a new series, and with the ending, we can tell you now, you’ll end up pre-ordering Firelight #2. We’ll keep an eye out for its availability.
Often in paranormal romance tales the guy is the one troubled with paranormal attributes. The woman is either human dealing with the fact the guy she’s into is from the ‘other’ world or her paranormal issues are ‘safe’ compared the life-and-death danger that comes with being a part of the preternatural world. That’s not the case with Firelight. Sophie Jordan has written a strong paranormal heroine with real problems (a unique and important role for a YA lead character). Jacinda is the dangerous one. Not just to the guy she’s into, but to her family, to her people.
Jacinda comes from a pride of draki in the mountains. Draki are what dragons would be if evolution took its course — slimmer, more humanoid while in draki form, but with the ability to shift into a human form. But Jacinda isn’t just any draki. She’s a fire-breather. The first one in ages. She’ll be able to protect the pride, and produce more fire-breathers. At least that’s the hope of the pride’s elders. They’ve picked out her mate, an alpha named Cassian. While Jacinda has a bit of a rebellious streak — flying during the day, which is forbidden — she’d mostly accepted this is the way things are. So, when she’s nearly caught by hunters, she knew the pride would be angry, but she didn’t expect her mom to grab her and her twin sister, who isn’t draki, and run for it.
Jacinda’s mom takes her and her sister to a desert town, a place where Jacinda’s non-draki sister can thrive, and where Jacinda’s draki should die. Her mom wants that part of her gone, but Jacinda can’t kill off a part of who she is, and her attempts to connect with her draki are failing until she encounters Will. She can sense when he enters the room, and each time they’re close her draki flares, including heating up her skin.
Being around him she has to fight not to manifest into a draki. Everyone tells her to say away from him, but he ignites her and it’s clear he feels similarly. Only Will is a hunter. His family kills her kind. If he finds out who she is, she’ll be dead, her family will be in danger and they’ll likely track it back to the pride. She shouldn’t risk it, especially when kissing him pulls steam to her lungs. But Will won’t make avoiding him a possibility. He needs her just as much.
Firelight is one of those novels you can’t put down. It was a two-sitting read for me, because I had to know if Will would find out what Jacinda was, if her pride would find her and bring her back to make fire-breather babies, if Jacinda’s mom would ever understand what Jacinda really needed. The story of star-crossed lovers is always excellent, but with the duality of Jacinda fighting to maintain and yet hide who she is while falling in love for the first time is incredibly powerful.
Those seeking a YA paranormal romance with a strong female and a love story that will tug at your heart (and pull you nonstop through 324 pages), pick up Firelight. It’s the first in a new series, and with the ending, we can tell you now, you’ll end up pre-ordering Firelight #2. We’ll keep an eye out for its availability.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
4.0
This book is like a breathe of fresh air in the shape-changer type YA novel universe. I like the unique concept of people who can shift into dragons, or well dragons who can shift into humans. I also liked the decidedly sizzling scenes in this book, they were a lot steamier than most YA romance books I have read, yes, pun intended.
I like the development of the characters throughout the book but I believe that Jacinda, her mother, and her sister all need to figure something out, because all them are asking each other to give up something fundamental to their happiness in one situation or another. So somehow at least one of the family at one time will be depressed. So intro Will...he is doing something that he doesn't believe in for his father's happiness and I have NO CLUE how Jacinda can be with him after going to his house...no freaking way...but if he is the only connection keeping her afloat, well then there is another story all together. *sigh* this story is just so freaking jacked up and depressing all around, yet you CAN NOT stop reading, hence Romeo and Juliet.
The writing throughout the story is very good; it keeps you focused on the story, unable to break away. The writing also has some poetic aspects here and there, which I love to find in a book. The plot is also very good, it has some wonderful surprises and keeps you interested until the very last page. That being said...this book is cliffhanger central, I HATE HATE HATE cliffhangers like this one, especially when we have to wait soooo long for the next installment. Even with the cliffhanger though, definitely worth the read.r
I like the development of the characters throughout the book but I believe that Jacinda, her mother, and her sister all need to figure something out, because all them are asking each other to give up something fundamental to their happiness in one situation or another. So somehow at least one of the family at one time will be depressed. So intro Will...he is doing something that he doesn't believe in for his father's happiness and I have NO CLUE how Jacinda can be with him after going to his house...no freaking way...but if he is the only connection keeping her afloat, well then there is another story all together. *sigh* this story is just so freaking jacked up and depressing all around, yet you CAN NOT stop reading, hence Romeo and Juliet.
The writing throughout the story is very good; it keeps you focused on the story, unable to break away. The writing also has some poetic aspects here and there, which I love to find in a book. The plot is also very good, it has some wonderful surprises and keeps you interested until the very last page. That being said...this book is cliffhanger central, I HATE HATE HATE cliffhangers like this one, especially when we have to wait soooo long for the next installment. Even with the cliffhanger though, definitely worth the read.r
onewinternight's review against another edition
1.0
Stu. Pid. Recycled ideas, plot, and characters. Nuff said
lexieb's review against another edition
2.0
Readable, but poorly-written and painfully stereotypical.
bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
Jacinda has been singled out by other draki from the day she manifested as a fire-breather, the first in generations. They are feared and hunted by hunters, and their only protection is their ability to become human. Jacinda is forced to flee with her mother and sister after almost being caught by a hunter who let her go. When she discovers he's a student at her new school she's torn between her growing desire for him, and her knowledge of what his family is capable of.
I wasn't expecting too much of this book as I generally do not enjoy modern day fantasy told in 1st person, but I really ended up enjoying it. I found the dragon theme refreshing, and the writing was way better than many other teen novels with the same teen angst story lines. Although the story gets bogged down in the middle with her constant indecision, the rest of the story and the cliffhanger ending promise that I'll be reading the sequel.
I wasn't expecting too much of this book as I generally do not enjoy modern day fantasy told in 1st person, but I really ended up enjoying it. I found the dragon theme refreshing, and the writing was way better than many other teen novels with the same teen angst story lines. Although the story gets bogged down in the middle with her constant indecision, the rest of the story and the cliffhanger ending promise that I'll be reading the sequel.