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milica's review against another edition
4.0
most of the book was a 3 star read for me BUT i really loved the ending and reading a book set in a place ive been to, and reading about my own culture, and food, and history, all wrapped up in a fantasy book, was insane. so im giving it an extra star. but lana, bestie, its just not realistic that there isnt a single milica in this book.
dragonflymorning's review
4.0
Fantastically fun in a memorable setting! The view into Montenegro and its beautiful history and vistas is unlike anything I've ever read. Magic and romance and something wild and unknown all made this an exciting and enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!
melissawi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
konvineo's review
4.0
Pretty, pretty, pretty, everything in this book is pretty and sparkly.
This book was extremely difficult to rate. I've been floating between 3 and 4... there was even a period where I was all the way down to a 2 while reading. I like [b:Wicked Like a Wildfire|32051720|Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter, #1)|Lana Popović|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476383220s/32051720.jpg|45163785] but, woo boy, are there things that just make me feel conflicted. I'll try to go through some of the things that makes this book difficult to pin down, and why I totally get why people might not like it.
First off, if you are a person that does not have a decent amount of patience, or just simply like your books fast paced, and action packed, this book without a doubt is not for you. You have to wait almost 100 pages before the inciting incident appears. After that you have maybe 200 pages where it feels like nothing happens. The last 100 pages pays of, because things finally happens.
This book is so slow, it's like moving through molasses at times. There are so many beautiful descriptions, but the plot just slugs along.
On the subject of beautiful things, every things is beautiful and pretty. The people, the setting, the magic and the scents. Heck, even all the food is pretty. But it gets to a point where it's like: "What's the point?"
At some point, I just started thinking that everything was vain and shallow. The book moves into a territory where I just can't suspend my belief any farther. Nothing is flawless, nothing is perfect. Yet this book wants me to believe that everything looks beautiful and perfect, in the physical sense at least. There's nothing that's flawed in the universe that is this book? Nothing ugly? Disgusting? I'm so sorry but I can't put my mind in that place.
I have other misgivings about the book, but it's difficult for me to pin it all down, and actually write about, so I'm going to move onto why I like the book. Or what I like about the book, because [b:Wicked Like a Wildfire|32051720|Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter, #1)|Lana Popović|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476383220s/32051720.jpg|45163785] falls into the category of books where I'm not totally sure why I actually like it. Not when I'm able to critique as harshly as is the case.
As I've said above, there are so many beautiful descriptions! It was an absolute joy to read them, pause, and just let the mental image unfurl in my mind. The writing isn't so overly dramatic and flowery that I became completely apathetic to whatever was happening to the characters. Like I experienced while reading [b:Shatter Me|10429045|Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)|Tahereh Mafi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1310649047s/10429045.jpg|15333458]. I understand what's happening, what the characters are feeling (again, unlike [b:Shatter Me|10429045|Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)|Tahereh Mafi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1310649047s/10429045.jpg|15333458], where I understood jack shit more than half the time).
I'll also like to acknowledge the stunning cover, because aesthetics.
Witches, witches, witches! I love that they are based in Slavic folklore. And Popović writes them in such a lovely way. Powerful women. Not just comically wicked hags. Because of these factors, we also get to read about powerful relationships between women. Sisterly love, the strong love a mother can have for her daughters, the strong desire to protect the women of your family, and we even get a couple of lesbian characters. I'm here for this. It's everything I want out of a book about witches.
So yeah, 4 stars. I'll most likely read the second book.
This book was extremely difficult to rate. I've been floating between 3 and 4... there was even a period where I was all the way down to a 2 while reading. I like [b:Wicked Like a Wildfire|32051720|Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter, #1)|Lana Popović|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476383220s/32051720.jpg|45163785] but, woo boy, are there things that just make me feel conflicted. I'll try to go through some of the things that makes this book difficult to pin down, and why I totally get why people might not like it.
First off, if you are a person that does not have a decent amount of patience, or just simply like your books fast paced, and action packed, this book without a doubt is not for you. You have to wait almost 100 pages before the inciting incident appears. After that you have maybe 200 pages where it feels like nothing happens. The last 100 pages pays of, because things finally happens.
This book is so slow, it's like moving through molasses at times. There are so many beautiful descriptions, but the plot just slugs along.
On the subject of beautiful things, every things is beautiful and pretty. The people, the setting, the magic and the scents. Heck, even all the food is pretty. But it gets to a point where it's like: "What's the point?"
At some point, I just started thinking that everything was vain and shallow. The book moves into a territory where I just can't suspend my belief any farther. Nothing is flawless, nothing is perfect. Yet this book wants me to believe that everything looks beautiful and perfect, in the physical sense at least. There's nothing that's flawed in the universe that is this book? Nothing ugly? Disgusting? I'm so sorry but I can't put my mind in that place.
I have other misgivings about the book, but it's difficult for me to pin it all down, and actually write about, so I'm going to move onto why I like the book. Or what I like about the book, because [b:Wicked Like a Wildfire|32051720|Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter, #1)|Lana Popović|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476383220s/32051720.jpg|45163785] falls into the category of books where I'm not totally sure why I actually like it. Not when I'm able to critique as harshly as is the case.
As I've said above, there are so many beautiful descriptions! It was an absolute joy to read them, pause, and just let the mental image unfurl in my mind. The writing isn't so overly dramatic and flowery that I became completely apathetic to whatever was happening to the characters. Like I experienced while reading [b:Shatter Me|10429045|Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)|Tahereh Mafi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1310649047s/10429045.jpg|15333458]. I understand what's happening, what the characters are feeling (again, unlike [b:Shatter Me|10429045|Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)|Tahereh Mafi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1310649047s/10429045.jpg|15333458], where I understood jack shit more than half the time).
I'll also like to acknowledge the stunning cover, because aesthetics.
Witches, witches, witches! I love that they are based in Slavic folklore. And Popović writes them in such a lovely way. Powerful women. Not just comically wicked hags. Because of these factors, we also get to read about powerful relationships between women. Sisterly love, the strong love a mother can have for her daughters, the strong desire to protect the women of your family, and we even get a couple of lesbian characters. I'm here for this. It's everything I want out of a book about witches.
So yeah, 4 stars. I'll most likely read the second book.
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Edelweiss for review purposes.
Wicked Like A Wildfire is an enchanting novel about twin sisters fighting against the bargain that binds their fates to a force larger than life. The women in Iris and Malina's family have always had a gift – a magical gleam that allows them to manipulate beauty. Malina has the gift of seeing flowers as fractals and turning her kaleidoscopic visions into glasswork art. Her twin sister Iris has the gift of interpreting feelings and mood into beautiful music. But they've had to keep their secret hidden from the world, at their mother's request. They're not even allowed to fall in love. But when their mother is attacked, Malina and Iris uncover the truth of their quiet, secluded life, and the curse that haunts their ancestors.
Wicked Like A Wildfire was an impressive debut. It boasts lush writing and a lovely setting in Montenegro, not to mention the splendid storytelling and well-rounded characters. I particularly enjoyed Iris and Malina's relationship and development throughout the novel. As a twin myself, this was definitely one of my favourite aspects. I was, unfortunately, in the middle of a reading slump when I read this so I initially rated it lower, but upon reflection, I think this book is just lovely. And I was left in awe by the end because it definitely leaves you wanting for the sequel.
The pace lags at times, and at 400+ pages it feels like quite a hefty book, especially with such the vivid imagery and lush writing, so this book might not appeal to everyone. But it is a lovely debut, with a strong sibling relationship and a beautiful setting. If you're a fan of fantasy and magic, I would highly recommend Wicked Like A Wildfire.
Wicked Like A Wildfire is an enchanting novel about twin sisters fighting against the bargain that binds their fates to a force larger than life. The women in Iris and Malina's family have always had a gift – a magical gleam that allows them to manipulate beauty. Malina has the gift of seeing flowers as fractals and turning her kaleidoscopic visions into glasswork art. Her twin sister Iris has the gift of interpreting feelings and mood into beautiful music. But they've had to keep their secret hidden from the world, at their mother's request. They're not even allowed to fall in love. But when their mother is attacked, Malina and Iris uncover the truth of their quiet, secluded life, and the curse that haunts their ancestors.
Wicked Like A Wildfire was an impressive debut. It boasts lush writing and a lovely setting in Montenegro, not to mention the splendid storytelling and well-rounded characters. I particularly enjoyed Iris and Malina's relationship and development throughout the novel. As a twin myself, this was definitely one of my favourite aspects. I was, unfortunately, in the middle of a reading slump when I read this so I initially rated it lower, but upon reflection, I think this book is just lovely. And I was left in awe by the end because it definitely leaves you wanting for the sequel.
The pace lags at times, and at 400+ pages it feels like quite a hefty book, especially with such the vivid imagery and lush writing, so this book might not appeal to everyone. But it is a lovely debut, with a strong sibling relationship and a beautiful setting. If you're a fan of fantasy and magic, I would highly recommend Wicked Like A Wildfire.
hannahlaubach's review
2.0
This book is SLOW. For 300/400 pages barely anything happens: their mother gets attacked and exotic mystery boy shows up and seduces our narrator Iris. They have a picnic date on the beach and he pushes her to use her magic which drains her energy immensely. Then things get sexual and nonconsensual. She tells him to stop, but he's still kissing her and then she passes out. It's insinuated that he "did something to her" but unclear if it's in reference to her magic use or something more along the lines of sexual harassment/rape. Then, it's never really mentioned again or effects her in any large way. The whole situation made me feel icky and confused, since none of the characters seemed to feel the same way.
There was an attempt at romance, but I didn't really feel it. It didn't matter to me if they got together or not. Overall, that was my general feeling. I didn't care what happened to these characters.
The magic was cool and I wish it would have focused more on that since they don't really start to use it until the last quarter of the books and less on the buildup. Though the buildup did contain good development of mother-daughter and sister relationships.
There was an attempt at romance, but I didn't really feel it. It didn't matter to me if they got together or not. Overall, that was my general feeling. I didn't care what happened to these characters.
The magic was cool and I wish it would have focused more on that since they don't really start to use it until the last quarter of the books and less on the buildup. Though the buildup did contain good development of mother-daughter and sister relationships.
adreann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Clean
kelsie_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cmorelli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75