qingram's review
4.0
Fast paced, good read. Lots of plot twists, this book keep me interested to the end.
energyrae's review
5.0
FRY was really intense, a seriously stressful read, because the author created such a fantastic storyline. Isabel finds a new friend in Alicia, and her close-knit group of friends adore her, she can do no wrong, in fact, she's just a little too close to Isabel's friends. There are fires forming everywhere, and when Isabel starts to suspect Alicia, she ends up looking crazy. So when Isabel starts making claims against Alicia, they are skeptical. Dounaeva has created a brilliantly suspenseful book that keeps the reader sucked in, anxious to find out if the truth is ever going to come forward. Flipping pages, the reader is desperate to find out if Isabel is ever going to have her name cleared of all the fires that pop up wherever she goes, or if she is going to be found guilty and sentenced to prison.
bickleyhouse's review
4.0
This tale begins with our "heroine" (perhaps more accurately described as an "anti-hero"), Isabel Anderson, nearly running over a girl. This girl is soon identified as Alicia McBride. Oddly, the two immediately become close, almost like best friends. But there are strange things afoot, as odd circumstances, most especially dealing with fire, keep occurring around Alicia. And also around Isabel, which causes her to be a suspect in a number of events.
The story is well-written, I believe, but there are points at which I felt like the main character, Isabel, simply couldn't catch a break. By the climax of the story, even her closest friends seem to have abandoned her in favor of the "new girl in town."
But, as all good stories, the ploys are eventually discovered and a sort of justice is done. That's all I'm going to say about that, as I don't want to include spoilers.
The characters were definitely interesting, and there was (intentionally, I believe) a pervasive sense of awkwardness on behalf of Isabel, as every time she turned around, something happened to make her look like a villain or criminal, or, even worse, a lunatic. I think that's what kept me reading. Wondering what was going to happen next, as well as wanting to see her vindicated.
Judging from the subtitle of the book, McBride Vendetta #1, I'm guessing that there are more stories in this series. I'll have to see if I can come up with them.
The story is well-written, I believe, but there are points at which I felt like the main character, Isabel, simply couldn't catch a break. By the climax of the story, even her closest friends seem to have abandoned her in favor of the "new girl in town."
But, as all good stories, the ploys are eventually discovered and a sort of justice is done. That's all I'm going to say about that, as I don't want to include spoilers.
The characters were definitely interesting, and there was (intentionally, I believe) a pervasive sense of awkwardness on behalf of Isabel, as every time she turned around, something happened to make her look like a villain or criminal, or, even worse, a lunatic. I think that's what kept me reading. Wondering what was going to happen next, as well as wanting to see her vindicated.
Judging from the subtitle of the book, McBride Vendetta #1, I'm guessing that there are more stories in this series. I'll have to see if I can come up with them.
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book because the reviews were good and it was put in a category with books I loved but this story did not make it. First of all, there is too much emphasis on some inconsequential characters and the pyromaniac sisters were too obvious. Basically, this book was a waste of my time and money. I have no inclination to read any sequels.
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