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anyaa17705's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lynseyisreading's review
4.0
Dragontastic!
This was just pure fun in a bucket, you guys. Absolutely entertaining from front to back. It's a YA Urban Fantasy with romantic elements based around a secret society of dragon shifters who come into their powers during their teens and are then drafted into a sort of "Dragon High" to learn how to control their new gifts.
The main character is Bryn, a soon-to-be sixteen-year-old, who was just fantastic; witty, snarky, and hilarious. Her sudden change from ordinary human to BOOM! YOU'RE A DRAGON! was handled with comedic aplomb. No serious drama llamas in sight here. It was light-hearted, freaky shifting fun!
The romantic interest was sweet as could be, although a little slow on the uptake! I think I'd have preferred if he were closer to Bryn's own age, though. He was nineteen, which seems very different to newly sixteen. And that is very hypocritical of me to say since my husband is 14 years my senior! But it's different with teens. Especially ones as young as 15/16. Anyhoo, that was my only concern. Otherwise he was perfect! :)
All together, a great, fun read! Highly recommended.
4 Stars ★★★★
This was just pure fun in a bucket, you guys. Absolutely entertaining from front to back. It's a YA Urban Fantasy with romantic elements based around a secret society of dragon shifters who come into their powers during their teens and are then drafted into a sort of "Dragon High" to learn how to control their new gifts.
The main character is Bryn, a soon-to-be sixteen-year-old, who was just fantastic; witty, snarky, and hilarious. Her sudden change from ordinary human to BOOM! YOU'RE A DRAGON! was handled with comedic aplomb. No serious drama llamas in sight here. It was light-hearted, freaky shifting fun!
The romantic interest was sweet as could be, although a little slow on the uptake! I think I'd have preferred if he were closer to Bryn's own age, though. He was nineteen, which seems very different to newly sixteen. And that is very hypocritical of me to say since my husband is 14 years my senior! But it's different with teens. Especially ones as young as 15/16. Anyhoo, that was my only concern. Otherwise he was perfect! :)
All together, a great, fun read! Highly recommended.
4 Stars ★★★★
ssung's review
3.0
maybe i should have waited until the sequel came out before starting this one. now i'm stuck. waiting. :<
diaryofthebookdragon's review
3.0
Mention of fire in the title of Going Down in Flames got my dragon detection sense tingling. Reading the summary confirmed my hunch – there will be dragons in this book. In fact heroine Bryn is a dragon-shifter. Urban fantasy with dragons? You know I had to read it!
Going Down in Flames start with an usual young adult novel plot: Bryn is stalked by some creepy (but handsome) guy and then she discovers that she is special and has hidden powers. I must admit, I was a little bit turned down in the beginning because it all sounded familiar. But soon I forgot to complain about the cliches because I got immersed into the interesting world of dragon-shifters.
Being a dragon-shifter has a lot of advantages:
- Eating as much as you want and not gaining weight. “Bryn burned through her stress, literally.”
- Shooting fireballs at everyone who annoys you.
- Flying!
- Going to elite boarding school.
- All of your new friends are dragons.
BUT, there are downsides too:
"Acid surged from her stomach and shot up her throat, burning her esophagus. Pressure built in her chest. She coughed. Her lungs constricted. She cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak. Flames exploded out of her mouth and shot across the room, setting the kitchen curtains on fire."
Blowing fire does not sound like a pleasant experience. More like a bad case of heartburn.
Chris Cannon invented a world of modern dragons that is intriguing and very complex. Dragon-shifters have different powers based on their color, are divided in clans and have strict rules for everything (even dating and marriage). And since our heroine is new to the dragon world, we get to be acquainted with it along with her. I know it’s a cliche, but this is still one of the best ways to do world-building. Something new appears and Bryn and you will exclaim together: “Wow, what’s that?”
Another aspect of Going Down in Flames I liked is Bryn’s friendship with Clint and Ivy. Clint was especially funny and full of puns. It reminded me of my high school buddies, friendly teasing and adventures we had together. Happy times! *sigh*
One big flaw of Going Down in Flames by Chris Cannon that I must point out is that it’s not a standalone novel. I’m guessing it’s a first book in a series, because it ends in a big cliffhanger. I wish there was an info about this on cover or book title page, I would have been a little bit less surprised.
In The End…
If you like young adult urban fantasy novels set in boarding school with dragons then you should check out Going Down in Flames by Chris Cannon. It’s fun and easy to read – perfect for the summer. There might be a couple of usual cliches in the plot and heroine is sometimes too hot-tempered to think rationally, but it’s still quick and entertaining read.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via blog tour in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
Going Down in Flames start with an usual young adult novel plot: Bryn is stalked by some creepy (but handsome) guy and then she discovers that she is special and has hidden powers. I must admit, I was a little bit turned down in the beginning because it all sounded familiar. But soon I forgot to complain about the cliches because I got immersed into the interesting world of dragon-shifters.
Being a dragon-shifter has a lot of advantages:
- Eating as much as you want and not gaining weight. “Bryn burned through her stress, literally.”
- Shooting fireballs at everyone who annoys you.
- Flying!
- Going to elite boarding school.
- All of your new friends are dragons.
BUT, there are downsides too:
"Acid surged from her stomach and shot up her throat, burning her esophagus. Pressure built in her chest. She coughed. Her lungs constricted. She cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak. Flames exploded out of her mouth and shot across the room, setting the kitchen curtains on fire."
Blowing fire does not sound like a pleasant experience. More like a bad case of heartburn.
Chris Cannon invented a world of modern dragons that is intriguing and very complex. Dragon-shifters have different powers based on their color, are divided in clans and have strict rules for everything (even dating and marriage). And since our heroine is new to the dragon world, we get to be acquainted with it along with her. I know it’s a cliche, but this is still one of the best ways to do world-building. Something new appears and Bryn and you will exclaim together: “Wow, what’s that?”
Another aspect of Going Down in Flames I liked is Bryn’s friendship with Clint and Ivy. Clint was especially funny and full of puns. It reminded me of my high school buddies, friendly teasing and adventures we had together. Happy times! *sigh*
One big flaw of Going Down in Flames by Chris Cannon that I must point out is that it’s not a standalone novel. I’m guessing it’s a first book in a series, because it ends in a big cliffhanger. I wish there was an info about this on cover or book title page, I would have been a little bit less surprised.
In The End…
If you like young adult urban fantasy novels set in boarding school with dragons then you should check out Going Down in Flames by Chris Cannon. It’s fun and easy to read – perfect for the summer. There might be a couple of usual cliches in the plot and heroine is sometimes too hot-tempered to think rationally, but it’s still quick and entertaining read.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via blog tour in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
naiapard's review
3.0
Superficial. Please. I mean for an YA ia an average, but it could have been so much more. Pity.
urlphantomhive's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lavendermarch's review
5.0
This book was REALLY good! I loved it! It was a beautiful story of a fierce hybrid dragon shapeshifter and her struggles to try and be accepted into a community that wasn't accepting her due to her hybrid status. I am REALLY excited to read the next book, Bridges Burned, which comes out TOMORROW!(eeeing in the extreme in my head right now, btws).
mlboyd20's review
4.0
Dragons. Oh my, who hasn't ever gotten the thrill at least once in their life when reading about dragons? And a crossbreed girl who shape-shifts into one? That's just icing on dragon cake! It's been a long time since I read a dragon book and this book did not disappoint.
The imagery that the author provides is by far one of the best that I've had the pleasure of reading this year. Being it's about a week and a half until the New Year, I'd say that I've saved the best for last. I found myself enveloped in the story, feeling what was going on, seeing the visuals as if in a hi-def dream and I was able to stay immersed from the beginning to the very end. That alone makes for one heck of a book. The authors descriptions couldn't have been any better and with a story that has so many different elements in it on so many different levels, this kept the story from losing its balance.
Bryn has a heck of a time ahead of her. As someone who was never supposed to be born, because of the mix of two different clans, which is never supposed to happen, she discovers the truth about herself. The changes have its ups and downs on her, but she is quite lonely because her fellow classmates shun her for something she has no control over.
Parts of the story could have been worked differently to provide more of a strength to the story overall. The whole revolution bit is a little lost because Bryn really isn't that involved with any of it. Also Bryn was not the most pleasurable person. As a mom, she grated on many of my nerves and well, she was probably supposed to be that way, but at times it just seemed too much.
Overall, this is a fascinating first book in a series of dragons, shape-shifters and the future of both. Anyone who likes to read about dragons would be a good fit for this book, as would someone who is testing the dragon waters for the first time. I look forward to reading further into this series and also whatever books the author comes out with.
The imagery that the author provides is by far one of the best that I've had the pleasure of reading this year. Being it's about a week and a half until the New Year, I'd say that I've saved the best for last. I found myself enveloped in the story, feeling what was going on, seeing the visuals as if in a hi-def dream and I was able to stay immersed from the beginning to the very end. That alone makes for one heck of a book. The authors descriptions couldn't have been any better and with a story that has so many different elements in it on so many different levels, this kept the story from losing its balance.
Bryn has a heck of a time ahead of her. As someone who was never supposed to be born, because of the mix of two different clans, which is never supposed to happen, she discovers the truth about herself. The changes have its ups and downs on her, but she is quite lonely because her fellow classmates shun her for something she has no control over.
Parts of the story could have been worked differently to provide more of a strength to the story overall. The whole revolution bit is a little lost because Bryn really isn't that involved with any of it. Also Bryn was not the most pleasurable person. As a mom, she grated on many of my nerves and well, she was probably supposed to be that way, but at times it just seemed too much.
Overall, this is a fascinating first book in a series of dragons, shape-shifters and the future of both. Anyone who likes to read about dragons would be a good fit for this book, as would someone who is testing the dragon waters for the first time. I look forward to reading further into this series and also whatever books the author comes out with.
joie881's review
4.0
*THIS* is the YA I love and miss. It is not your typical angst-ridden, dystopian love triangle that saturates the genre today. Plus, a HUGE bonus (in my book) is that there are no werewolves, vampires, or fairies of any kind. There are DRAGONS. In YA. Need I say more?
You have your sassy (but not b**chy) 16-year-old girl who just found out she is the daughter of two different Clans of dragonshifters who fled their dragon society in order to be together. Because intermarriage between Clans is forbidden, Bryn is not supposed to exist and is an outcast. When she discovers that not only can she shift but has numerous dragon powers as well, she is forced to attend dragon boarding school to hone her abilities. Once there, she is not only shunned but fears for her life after two failed murder attempts.
The way the book ends is kind of abrupt, but of course this is the first in yet another series. Overall, this was a delightfully, fun read that is a departure from the monotony that has become the currently over-used YA trope du jour.
You have your sassy (but not b**chy) 16-year-old girl who just found out she is the daughter of two different Clans of dragonshifters who fled their dragon society in order to be together. Because intermarriage between Clans is forbidden, Bryn is not supposed to exist and is an outcast. When she discovers that not only can she shift but has numerous dragon powers as well, she is forced to attend dragon boarding school to hone her abilities. Once there, she is not only shunned but fears for her life after two failed murder attempts.
The way the book ends is kind of abrupt, but of course this is the first in yet another series. Overall, this was a delightfully, fun read that is a departure from the monotony that has become the currently over-used YA trope du jour.
thepaperreels's review
3.0
I'm not sure because I have no time to ransack my shelf but I think this is my first book about dragons. And maybe this is too much Game Of Thrones but every time a Dragon is mentioned, my mind just automatically thinks Khaleesi. Yep, too much GoT. Anyway, Going Down in Flames is a light read. And I'm not complaining. Dragons are there but I found the story more concentrated on their worlds politics and Bryns coping on living with people who doesn't like her that much. And of course, about her and Zavien.
According to the other dragons, Bryn is an abomination. A mistake. And maybe he is if it's all baded on theor worlds rules. The dragons are classified into Clans: which re the Blue, Red, Green, Black and Orange. In their world, only a Blue can marry a Blue, a Black can only a Black and so on. But Bryns dad is a Black and her mom is a Blue. So yeah, she is an abomibation.
I like Bryn flare as a main character. She's sassy and clumsy in a very adorable way. Too witty for her own good too. I think she acts as a 16 years old accurately.
"So, not only am I a dragon, I'm the child of social outcasts. This keeps getting better and better"
Like I said, she's sassy. And I like her so much for that. There were times that she can a little boy crazy but she's being bullied so I'm letting that one slide because that can be her only entertainment.
Every characters in here are actually wonderful. Zavien is the only one I want to know more. He is just soooo mysterious that I'm getting impatiemt. I WANT A ZAVIEN POV! I know I'm not the only one. Being mysterious and broody is cool.. but come on! Let me peek inside his handsome brain.
I am asking this because that's one of my not-so-good ebcounter with the book. I'm a hopeless romantic I guess and I don't buy Zavier's words. I ship him with Bryn but he's too suspicious. See. I don't know what to think anymore. Bryns parents are the coolest. I'm really a fan of her mother's cool demeanor and her Dad's i'm-gonna-kick-your-ass aura. And they truly love and care for their daughter. AND THEY ARE BOTH ALIVE. That doesn't happen in YA that much.
"Do not take crap from anyone.... You are as good as they are." - Bryns Dad.
Someone needs to hold me right npw and tell me there'll be a sequel because it can't end that way! I'm looking forward to what's gonna happen between Bryn and Zavien and... Jaxon? Going Down in Flames is perfect for readers who are looking for spunky heroine that can fire someone with fire or ice with huff. The dragon aspect will draw you in and Bryn will entertain you.