Pages: 336
Acquisition: received an ARC at BEA10
Summary:
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide. (from Goodreads)
My thoughts:
I very much thought I was going to love this one - dragons are up there on my favorite mythical creatures list. Unfortunately, such was not the case.
The first chapter was pure magic for me. Jacinda as a draki - her family and her clan - their secret village in the forest. It was wonderful. I really really wish the rest of the story had taken place here.
After Jacinda is forced to flee her world everything went down hill for me. Now, I know I have some issues with unrealistic romance in young adult books. It's a pet peeve of mine really - love at first sight and love that doesn't make sense and love that comes out of nowhere and takes over the story and drags it down down down. These are things I really have a problem with. With Firelight it was different - it wasn't so much that I disliked the romance between Jacinda and Will it was that it upset me. Why? Because Will is a hunter. Will hunts and kills draki. Hunts and kills. Jacinda? Falls madly in love with him before ever speaking a single word to his face - head over heals true love without knowing anything about him beside the fact that he hunts and kills her kind. It was actually hard for me to read.
Also, Jacinda herself didn't make any sense to me at times. She hates leaving her clan - she talks about nothing else but getting back to them and when she's given the chance? She says she doesn't want to go. I very much felt like her internal thoughts, which we get a constant stream of, and her actions, did not match up at all. I felt like I was reading about 2 different people.
Firelight is the first in a series and even though I didn't like it, I will be reading book 2. I'm hoping there will be more draki and I'm really curious where Jacinda and her family her headed.
Final verdict:
All in all? Love the concept. Love the draki. Love the overall myth and the magical elements. But? Really really didn't like characters or the romance.
A lot of people have loved this book so I highly encourage you to not take my word for it and give it a try yourself.
Overall Rating:
2.5 / 5 Stars
Books in the Series:
Firelight
Vanish (2011)
Linkage Love:
HarperTeen
Author's Website
Goodreads
Tidbits:
*Sophie Jordan writes young adult fiction and historical romance. She also writes paranormal romance under the name Sharie Kohler.
I felt the same way about a lot of the things you point out. I too really enjoyed her time with the pride and the mythological elements, and wanted to see more of that than we did. I was really happy with the ending because hopefully book 2 will show us more of that!
ReplyDeleteAnd Jacinda's indecisiveness bothered me as well - for instance, the whole thing about whether or not to return to the pride. She kept changing her mind and I felt like I couldn't keep up with her or get a good sense of what she truly wanted.
The romance I was okay with for the first bit, but then once they get together it started getting a little too sweet for me.
Anyway, thanks for the review, it's good to know I'm not the only one out there who didn't have an overwhelmingly glowing reaction to this one!
I'm not a huge fan of dragons, but after reading so many raving reviews for it I thought it was worth giving a chance. Now reading your review I don't think this book is for me, especially since the characters are the ones who make it or break for me. Thanks for the honesty.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book. Towards the end it explains why she had that instant connection to Will. When I first picked up this book I was worried because I'm not a scifi fan so dragons aren't really my thing but I found it to be more about Jacinda and how she couldn't adjust to the pack rules or the human world. Thanks for an honest review :)
ReplyDeleteA tale with romance that breaks a well strong heart. Made me cry when the book ended and i got the second book because this is no average novel. It is pure truth.
ReplyDelete