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wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
Taylor Montclair is a background person from the quiet village of Woodbury, England; Sacha Winters is from Paris, the two of them couldn't be more different but their lives are about to intersect and things will never be the same. Sacha's time is running out and an ancient curse is about to unfold, his life will end on his 18th birthday and until then he's taking risks, it seems that he can't be killed. She also discovers secrets about her past and her future.
I enjoyed this one, solid characters and well thought out world.
I enjoyed this one, solid characters and well thought out world.
lena_x777x's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
magicsarah's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
mhuang's review against another edition
Might try this later on again since I own a copy.
magencorrie's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
My Review:
I’ve been meaning to read The Secret Fire for quite a while now, but actually forgotten that I had an ARC of it. I’m so glad I remembered I had this one because it was a really good read.
The setting is what made me truly love this book (other than the very interesting and unique plot elements). Daugherty, who is from England, and Rozenfeld, who is from France, really integrated their own unique culture within the book. I loved that. I loved feeling and experiencing another country. The scenery felt vivid and very much real. Though the formatting is a bit different.
The book opened suspenseful and intriguingly. Pulling me in and capturing my full attention. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down. First I met Sacha, a young man from France with a very unique ability. He can’t die. Literally. He can survive being shot in the head, a jump from a five story building, and being stabbed. It is, however, a very dark ability. And I felt Sacha expressed that quite well. His life is governed by something beyond his control. The way he acted and the way he viewed things really put into perspective just how sad his situation is. I couldn’t help but feel for him. The mystery of why he can’t die really pulled me in. I wanted to uncover that secret and be there as he unraveled even more secrets.
Taylor is the complete opposite of Sacha, a girl from England whose life has been extremely normal. She’s the sun to Sacha’s moon. Light to his dark. But her life slowly and then sudden intertwines with his. They then both uncover secrets that connect them in way that goes beyond anything they could imagine.
Taylor is sweet and shy were as Sacha is more reckless and prickly. I enjoyed their different personalities, but loved how they connected. Getting their own perspectives also helped in understanding their characters. I loved seeing from their own eyes. Their relationship does evolve at a quick pace, but I truly felt their connection and then their growing emotions for each other. Their first meeting was so sweet, I couldn’t help but smile at the way they were.
The book has an underling, gripping and dark atmosphere filled with ancient curses, magic, and forces that are beyond this world. I couldn’t get enough of that. I loved how Sacha and Taylor were connected and the mysteries that surrounded them. I felt things did develop well, though the middle did feel like it dragged a bit. Other than that, the pacing through the rest of the book flowed nicely. The setting was very rich and the details of both England and France well written. Though there wasn’t a lot of character growth, the growth that was seen in Sacha and Taylor was developed well and I can’t wait to see their continued growth.
The Secret Fire was a uniquely dark, interesting, and wonderful read. The ending left me satisfied but also wanting more. I can’t wait for the next book.
My Review:
I’ve been meaning to read The Secret Fire for quite a while now, but actually forgotten that I had an ARC of it. I’m so glad I remembered I had this one because it was a really good read.
The setting is what made me truly love this book (other than the very interesting and unique plot elements). Daugherty, who is from England, and Rozenfeld, who is from France, really integrated their own unique culture within the book. I loved that. I loved feeling and experiencing another country. The scenery felt vivid and very much real. Though the formatting is a bit different.
The book opened suspenseful and intriguingly. Pulling me in and capturing my full attention. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down. First I met Sacha, a young man from France with a very unique ability. He can’t die. Literally. He can survive being shot in the head, a jump from a five story building, and being stabbed. It is, however, a very dark ability. And I felt Sacha expressed that quite well. His life is governed by something beyond his control. The way he acted and the way he viewed things really put into perspective just how sad his situation is. I couldn’t help but feel for him. The mystery of why he can’t die really pulled me in. I wanted to uncover that secret and be there as he unraveled even more secrets.
Taylor is the complete opposite of Sacha, a girl from England whose life has been extremely normal. She’s the sun to Sacha’s moon. Light to his dark. But her life slowly and then sudden intertwines with his. They then both uncover secrets that connect them in way that goes beyond anything they could imagine.
Taylor is sweet and shy were as Sacha is more reckless and prickly. I enjoyed their different personalities, but loved how they connected. Getting their own perspectives also helped in understanding their characters. I loved seeing from their own eyes. Their relationship does evolve at a quick pace, but I truly felt their connection and then their growing emotions for each other. Their first meeting was so sweet, I couldn’t help but smile at the way they were.
The book has an underling, gripping and dark atmosphere filled with ancient curses, magic, and forces that are beyond this world. I couldn’t get enough of that. I loved how Sacha and Taylor were connected and the mysteries that surrounded them. I felt things did develop well, though the middle did feel like it dragged a bit. Other than that, the pacing through the rest of the book flowed nicely. The setting was very rich and the details of both England and France well written. Though there wasn’t a lot of character growth, the growth that was seen in Sacha and Taylor was developed well and I can’t wait to see their continued growth.
The Secret Fire was a uniquely dark, interesting, and wonderful read. The ending left me satisfied but also wanting more. I can’t wait for the next book.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
The Secret Fire by C.J. Daugherty and Carina Rozenfeld is the first book in the new The Alchemist Chronicles. Sacha Winters is seventeen years old living in Paris, France (lucky kid). He has started doing dangerous stunts, skipping school, and, basically, doing what he wants. But then that might have to do with the curse. He is the first son on his father and he will die on his eighteenth birthday. Until then he cannot die (his body heals). Sacha’s father died trying to find a way to stop his son from dying. Sacha’s mother seems resigned to the fact.
Taylor Montclair is seventeen and living in Woodbury, England. She wants to go to Oxford to be an archaeologist. She devotes a majority of her time to studying. Her French teacher, Mr. Finlay asks her to tutor Sacha on English. Taylor really does not have time in her schedule, but her teacher insists. They connect and discover that Sacha really does not need to be tutored in English (he is being pressured by his English teacher when he does go to school), but they both decide to continue to meet online. Taylor has been getting horrible migraines recently and they are getting worse. Then one night her friend, Georgie insists that Taylor go on a double date. They go to an American style 50’s diner. The music is loud and is making Taylor’s head really hurt, when she cannot take it any longer she says stop. The sound system in the diner blows up. How did that happen? After a few strange events, something really big happens. That’s when Taylor finds out that she is special.
Taylor talks with Sacha and they figure there has to be a reason they were thrown together. Can Taylor help Sacha? But someone does not want Sacha finding the answers he needs. Actually, someone is after Taylor as well. What is going on? These two need answers (and only a few weeks until Sacha’s eighteenth birthday) and they have to stay alive to get the results (and ahead of their enemy). Will they succeed?
I found The Secret Fire riveting. I sat down and read the book straight through to the end. C.J. Daugherty is a great writer. She pulls in the reader and keeps them engrossed until the very last page. I liked this unique story with interesting characters. I especially liked that the book is set in England and France (instead of America). The Secret Fire is fast paced and well written. I give The Secret Fire 5 out of 5 stars. There was just one (maybe two) little things I did not like. One is that the book ends with a cliffhanger. The second issue is we have to wait for the next book (so frustrating). The Secret Fire is a young adult novel, but I am an adult who really enjoyed reading it (as you can tell).
I received a complimentary copy of The Secret Fire from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-secret-fire.html
Taylor Montclair is seventeen and living in Woodbury, England. She wants to go to Oxford to be an archaeologist. She devotes a majority of her time to studying. Her French teacher, Mr. Finlay asks her to tutor Sacha on English. Taylor really does not have time in her schedule, but her teacher insists. They connect and discover that Sacha really does not need to be tutored in English (he is being pressured by his English teacher when he does go to school), but they both decide to continue to meet online. Taylor has been getting horrible migraines recently and they are getting worse. Then one night her friend, Georgie insists that Taylor go on a double date. They go to an American style 50’s diner. The music is loud and is making Taylor’s head really hurt, when she cannot take it any longer she says stop. The sound system in the diner blows up. How did that happen? After a few strange events, something really big happens. That’s when Taylor finds out that she is special.
Taylor talks with Sacha and they figure there has to be a reason they were thrown together. Can Taylor help Sacha? But someone does not want Sacha finding the answers he needs. Actually, someone is after Taylor as well. What is going on? These two need answers (and only a few weeks until Sacha’s eighteenth birthday) and they have to stay alive to get the results (and ahead of their enemy). Will they succeed?
I found The Secret Fire riveting. I sat down and read the book straight through to the end. C.J. Daugherty is a great writer. She pulls in the reader and keeps them engrossed until the very last page. I liked this unique story with interesting characters. I especially liked that the book is set in England and France (instead of America). The Secret Fire is fast paced and well written. I give The Secret Fire 5 out of 5 stars. There was just one (maybe two) little things I did not like. One is that the book ends with a cliffhanger. The second issue is we have to wait for the next book (so frustrating). The Secret Fire is a young adult novel, but I am an adult who really enjoyed reading it (as you can tell).
I received a complimentary copy of The Secret Fire from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-secret-fire.html
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting start to a new series. There is a magical element with historical and scientific references to it. This book is told from multiple perspectives. I found the main character Sacha to be more interesting than Taylor. Unfortunately, this book falls to the many stereotypical YA tropes that are found nowadays. The story is very easy to follow and I'm looking forward to seeing where it's headed.
I received an e-copy of this through Net-Galley for an honest review
I received an e-copy of this through Net-Galley for an honest review
stankovic1402's review against another edition
5.0
I NEED THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!! Everything in this book was amazing - the characters,the storyline, the writing and this new secret world. I like how Casey combined the real world white this new and mysterious world of alchemy. I just loved this book!!!! ❤❤❤❤