my thoughts in a few sentences: It’s no secret that I’m in love with the Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey, and if you didn’t know before, now you do. This series makes vampires WAY cooler than they ever were before, and I enjoy Harvey’s original twists on a common paranormal and all the hoopla that comes with her imaginings. After the first book, the series really picks up with the Drake bros turning around and nabbing girlfriends, but in Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey all the younger Drakes are paired up and we’re back to having Solange’s perspective, which inevitably beat down my enjoyment level considerably. What saves this installment? Harvey’s AMAZING writing—simultaneously simple to understand and poetic—and Lucy Hamilton and Nicholas Drake’s perspectives. Tons of crazy happens in Blood Moon by Alyxandra Harvey so that the wait for the sixth book grates the mind.
hooking (and a fave) first line:"'You tried to eat your boyfriend's face?'"
my thoughts in a few sentences: While a vast improvement in plot development, the romance and characters are easily swept aside by the more dramatic issues in Dreamless by Josephine Angelini, which works to a disadvantage and not simultaneously. The organic world-building and Angelini’s rendition of some awesome Greek myths continues, arousing confusion and interest, but, unlike Starcrossed, not overwhelming. I didn’t necessarily enjoy the sequel more than its predecessor, but I did like it better in certain areas, where others dwindled and fell short in comparison. Still, I can’t get enough of the mythological aspects and with war churning in the hearts of both the gods, demigods, and mortals alike, I’m very interested in the outcome of this trilogy.
hooking first line:"On Monday morning, school was canceled."
my thoughts in a few sentences: Although I was disappointed by what I found in Switched, given the tremendous hype shrouding it, potential lingers in the cast of characters, the mythology, and the storytelling. With a likable heroine front-and-center and her handsome stoic tracker, Finn, by her side, I picture the story reaching more engaging heights in the long run. However, I couldn't immerse myself in the tedious moments in her new home, lack of interesting interactions, and the touch of romance that follows the same overdone path, in which the leading man must protect the heroine from her own desires, insinuating what's better for her future. More action, less tedium is the order of the day!
hooking first line:" A couple things made that day stand out more than any other: it was my sixth birthday, and my mother was wielding a knife. "
Rating: Guilty Pleasure | St. Martin's Griffin • Gift • Paranormal Romance/Fantasy • 1/3/12 • $7.99
The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.
Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.
My eyes snapped open as the freakish sixth sense kicked my fight or flight response into overdrive.
Half-Blood is completely different from the story we find in Obsidian. I mean, we're going from aliens to Greek mythology; there is a bit of a gap in subject matter there. But that fact alone has us falling deeper in love with Armentrout's writing, simply because when we pick up any one of her books, we know that we won't be reading the same story with different characters or vice versa. Alex, the main character, has a perspective that's completely her own, and while both Kate and she share a creator, their voices are distinctly separate. Alex comes across as more of a tough bad girl who's fast on her feet and quick with her punches, eager to take on the foes of her world.
I have to admit, however, that out of the two star boys in her books, Daemon is absolutely my favorite. There's this annoying perfection about Aiden - though his hotness helps blind me to that - whereas Daemon is - no way to sugarcoat it - an asshole, exhibiting some type of personality flaws, though lovable. As much as I would like to say that I'm straight up Team Aiden, Seth is also very appealing somehow (maybe cos he is flawed? Or maybe I'm just attracted to a-holes?), and so I'm going to stick with their being too little about both in the book for me to firmly make up my mind.
Besides Alex's voice, what sold me on this book was her cryptic relationship to the gods of Greek mythology, the mystery of these daemons (they remind me of Richelle Mead's Strigoi), and those wicked beings' connection to the mythology as well. I'm excited to see where Armentrout is going to take her story from here.
After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.
A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.
Fangs sank into Nikki Youngblood's leg, setting her skin on fire. A scream gurgled in her throat, but she willed herself past trees smeared by her jarred vision.
Remember when I said I was firmly in the NO ANGEL BOOKS camp, unless said books were written by Cynthia Hand? Yeah, well I've now stretched that once taut line to include Heather Burch, because she sure can write an angel book that's thrilling, intense, and chockfull of deeply lovable characters! Ya'll know that I'm a character girl through and through. So excellent angel lore and its interjection into the story aside, Burch really won me over with each of the characters she painted for me within Halflings's pages. The three guys in the main character's life are each entirely their own person, but they each carry hurts and uncertainties that strike a cord in us nearly instantaneously. They're like lost puppies, pained and unsure, floundering in doubts pertaining to their roles in the universe, which is ironic when we consider that they call themselves Lost Boys. Add to that they are gorgeous beings who pledge themselves as protectors to an unsuspecting, though appealingly strong main character, willing to lay their lives down unquestionably. They battle, they defend, and they are otherworldly. And our hearts are lost to them.
A beautifully written, unquestionably compelling story, we're thrust into the slowly unraveling life of Nikki Youngblood, our headstrong, kick-ass heroine who isn't afraid to admit fear but is also unwilling to back down when the fight presents itself. And this brave, though smartly fearful girl has a right to be suspicious and wary as when the first pages are turned, we find ourselves panicked and sweaty with exhaustion alongside her as she runs for her life from shuddersome foes that will turn her world completely upside down. Suddenly swooping in to save her are three mysterious guys who steadily bombard her life and only add to the crazy that wraps around her life. How can she trust them when they appear at the most random times, tackling strange, watchful men and trailing her wherever she goes, happening to crop up when she most needs them?
I might know what you're thinking. That this has Twilight all over it. And you couldn't be more wrong.
While I personally loved Twilight and have no qualms with it, some seem to have issues with Bella and the love triangle consuming the sequels. Well, let me reassure you that Nikki is no Bella. A long-time karate student, motorcycle-riding, brazen girl who mostly knows her own power is hardly what we'd call a Bella Swan type of main character. And though there is a love triangle, Mace and Nikki and Raven's entanglement can totally take its place next to the greatest of love triangles, the ones we all know and love. We find it extremely difficult to secure a position on either side of this agonizing love triangle, constantly wavering in our resolve. Inexplicably drawn to secure and sweet Mace while equally enraptured by the dark, brooding, badboy Raven, Nikki isn't the only one who has a tough time deciding who's best for her.
Mace, Raven, Vine, Will, Zero. The awesome girly girl best friend. The trio of Halfling girls. My head is spinning. Every character Burch introduces ensnares our attention, beckoning us to dig into their psyches, learning their thoughts, emotions, and personalities. Told in third-person and in multiple points of view, we receive viewpoints of every event through ever-switching eyes. We want to tightly hug these characters, pushing their sorrows and fear and anguish into nonexistence. The dialogue was unequivocally addictive and funny, even when it was inconsistent, and the way Burch moves the story along from plot point to plot point is quick and intriguing, rousing more questions than answers and pressing upon us is a deep-seated concern for everyone involved as a result.
Romance, kick-butt action, perilous circumstances, and a paranormal element that is somehow fresh in the hands of this wonderful author, I thoroughly enjoyed Halflings and seek to learn all hidden truths, to uncover the thread of future events in the ensuing books. I'm more than eager to clutch the sequel to me and embark on Nikki's next adventure!
"I want to know more."
"And I said, you know enough for tonight."
She pulled from his grasp and crossed her arms defiantly. "I'm not leaving."
"It's gonna get lonely out here."
Nikki huffed and decided to try a new approach. She gazed up at him. "Pleeeeease?" She batted her eyes as insurance.
Mace's resolve crumbled and he sank into the swing. "One more question, then we're done." (37%)
Mace had looked at the painting and saw possibilities. To him, the gate was an invitation. Mace was her invititation. He embraced her destiny, saw her as a future warrior, and swore to see her through.
And that made Raven her broken pot. The one who embraced the person she was right now. Odds were, he'd likely stand beside her and die to protect her as well, if she gave him the chance. Which one understands the real me? (62%)
To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.
Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.
With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.
To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.
And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.
"Oy, ice-boy! You sure you know where you're going?" I ignored Robin Goodfellow as we wove through the gray murk of the wyldwood, pushing farther into the soggy swamp known as the Bone Marsh...
I'm sorry to all non-readers of the series or previous books, but I couldn't not be spoilery for this book.
Let me just say that had she not written another book and cut it off after The Iron Queen, Julie Kagawa would've made me a very unhappy young woman. Possibly scarred me for life. And for those fans of the series, you probably already know why. But let me say it anyway. It wouldn't have been right, on any front, from any angle. It wasn't just that there would be no more Meghan and Ash--at least that we would've seen, but what about Meghan and her bestfriendship with Puck? Two of the most important people in her life unable to be with her forever? That's just sick and wrong. The Iron Queen made me cried, but had I not discovered that there was going to be a fourth book I would've BAWLED, MOURNED. Thankfully, my household was spared the drama.
The best part of this whole reading experience for this fourth installment was the unexpected. I had no idea what to look forward to. Sure, I knew Ash's overall goal, I knew that Puck and Grimalkin were bound to join in the, um, fun. But, what kind of perilous tests and troublesome decisions was Ash going to encounter? And would reading the ending of this story in Ash's POV satisfy me? was all I could think. It certainly gave me a jolt, being inside Ash's head instead of Meghan's. After a little while, though, I grew accustomed to him and I realized just how much goes on behind Ash's nearly unshakable barricades. It was absorbing, yes. But, do YOU find it appealing once you discover that your big, bad, brave hero has a vulnerable center? I was content in books one through three to know that it was there, to catch glimpses of Ash's very human reactions to certain things, but seeing him this way, in a whole new light, unguarded, well... it shattered my very likable illusion that Ash is Mr. Tough Guy and nothing gets to him. AND I missed being inside Meghan's head, ESPECIALLY after her growth per The Iron Queen.
Despite my conflicted feelings on the change in POV, having Puck, and, eventually, Grimalkin there softened any lingering discontent. Puck... never changes. While I saw many newly uncovered facets to his character, and the deeper emotions he manages to conceal well and often, it was nice to see that my favorite prankster would hardly have a sudden shift in his all-too attractive, charming, and hilarious personality just because of a deadly, perilous mission that would bring his frenemy and his love together again. He provided ample comic relief, which was great for me when things got too serious or too tense. At the same time, it was nice learning about what really went down between he and Ash, seeing his own pain and shame. And even better, I could always expect humorous sarcasm from my favorite feline to-date. Grimalkin didn't change, either, even in the most dangerous, the scariest situations!
The additional characters introduced were... a definite surprise. One's inclusion was downright shocking, jaw-dropping. And the other, well, who can resist the allure of a very big, very bad... canine. Even more gratifying were the countless fights and tests in the book. Me and my never-satisfied love of battles were sated and content. There were so many kick-ass fight scenes, and the adventure did wonders for preventing boredom. Any abiding sadness or longings for Meghan to show up were easily, however temporarily, dispelled.
The tests, though the least bit amusing or entertaining, were... perfect. I felt like Ash NEEDED to see the things that were shown to him, needed to see what things would be like with a soul. These challenges made sense, were logical yet emotional and very necessary. They hurt, and oh, how they hurt for me, too. Seeing Ash suffer was no picnic. But I think it made Ash a better person, and gave him some closure and acceptance, and perhaps even a way to rid himself of any guilt that still clung to him. Any doubts were faced and resolved. Without these tests, things would've been too easy and had he returned to Meghan without enduring them, things would've eventually fallen apart. However painful, it was realistic. And I appreciated that, and Julie's insight.
It was all worth it in the end. For Ash, and for me. And this much-needed conclusion to the series did all of the following: served it's purpose well, entertained, delighted, and above all, SATISFIED. My unrest and my discontent dissipated with my reading this excellent finale, and I dream of what Julie Kagawa has in store for us fans, including the new Iron Fey series coming up starring Ethan, Meghan's younger brother! If this first series is any indication, I know how much I'm going to love Julie's future works. And I can't wait.
In the most totally inappropriate way you can imagine, PBP books are the books you want to do, they're so bloody brilliant... (My Rating System In-Depth)
"Hey, ice-boy, you okay? You've got your brooding face on again." "I'm fine." "You're so full of crap." Puck lounged in the cradle of a tree, hands behind his head, one foot dangling in the air. "Lighten up already. We finally found the cat--which we should get a freaking medal for, the search for the Golden Fleece wasn't this hard--and you look like you're going to engage Mab in single combat first thing in the morning." "I'm thinking. You should try it sometime." "Ooh, witty." Puck snorted, pulled an apple out of his pocket, and bit into it. "Suit yourself, ice-boy. But you really should try to smile sometimes, or your face will freeze like that forever. Or so I've been told."
"Bad dreams?" The tone of his voice wasn't exactly a question. I shrugged. "A nightmare. Nothing I can't handle." "I would not be so sure of that, were I you." I glanced up sharply, narrowing my eyes. "You know something," I accused, and Grimalkin yawned. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Prince...Ash?" He blinked several times, as if doubting his own eyes. "What...what are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same." I didn't approach the fallen warrior, standing several feet away with my sword at my side. "It's forbidden for your kind to be here. Why aren't you in the Iron Realm protecting the queen?" "The queen." The knight's eyes widened, and he held a hand out. "You... you have to warn the queen--"
Look out for Bloodlines, Richelle Mead's new series set in the world of Vampire Academy, coming August 2011!
The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!
Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.
I don't know why it's taken me so long to finish this series--Oh, wait, I do. It was because of my opinion of Spirit Bound, or book five, that I was very reluctant to engage in the series once again. But, let me tell you, I'm so happy that I let go of that foolishness and finished it because Last Sacrifice is probably THE best installment in the series. Everything I've ever wanted in books--fighting, explosions, extraordinary and memorable characters--and everything I'd hoped would come true once the series was over erupted in this entrancing, action-packed, thrilling finale of one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE series!
Bear in mind that I'm going to, for once, try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible considering that not everyone can read spoiler-ish reviews and the fact that I want other fans to be excited for this book. It's hard to have such a long-stretching series pan out successfully, and I've had my ups and downs as far as each book, but truthfully overall the series hasn't let me down. It's been one amazing thing after another (except book five) and such an EMOTIONAL ride. Last Sacrifice opens up the way I've come to expect from all books of the series--directly after the last and right in the thick of things. I was easily brought back up to speed and effortlessly thrust right into the story. It hadn't felt like I'd been away long from this series. And Rose, while she lost a few points with me in book five, swiftly resumed her post at the top of my Favorite MCs Ever.
Rose makes such a great heroine not necessarily because she's so tough and kick-ass, but because she's insightful and wise. I'd be drawn to those qualities in anyone, fictional or not. Last Sacrifice really exhibits Rose's development and incredible growth, more so than any ones that followed the first. And throughout the book, with her being so conflicted over so many things, pushed into situations that require her to make controversial choices, her struggle with what was right and wrong added a depth to this latest book that was a glimmer in the previous ones in comparison. And Dimitri! Oh, Dimitri, how I've missed him. If Rose is one of my FMCs, then Dimitri is on my Top Ten Amazing Men list. As a love interest and as an individual, Dimitri has blown me away. His romance with Rose--one of the most perfect I've read in the YA genre. In reading Last Sacrifice I fell so much more in love with his character.
Even though Rose, and Dimitri, has always been my main focus in all the books, I still appreciate the Lissa and Christian moments. Lissa's character growth soared to tremendous heights in this last book, to the point that I got to be a little teary-eyed, openly proud of her and how far she's come. Christian has always been a fun and lovable side character, his sarcasm and snark making him both funny and endearing. Seeing more of him, seeing his strength in spite of all the bad that takes place, especially and predominantly focused in the end, I grew to respect and love him way more than I had before. Adrian now has room to grow and I anticipate that he will be as amazing as Rose thinks he will be once he gets the chance. And Sydney! I can't believe how much I came to like her, which is wonderful for me considering I'm reading the spin-off series that stars her.
I know I said in my review for Spirit Bound that I didn't like the plot wrench in the story that Mead threw in there, but after reading book six I take it back. Majorly. I realized it wasn't a plot device placed in the books to drag the story on, but was instead a well-thought out, planned one that drove the story to new and intriguing heights! That twist on the end, wow! I didn't see that one coming! At. All. The direction Last Sacrifice went in was both unexpected and perfect. The ending even more so. This last installment concluded one of the most impeccable YA VAMPIRE series in existence! And I can only hope that you'll take my advice and finish the series. Non-fans, it is my duty to tell you to READ THIS SERIES ASAP!
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"That's only true if you let them make it true," I said desperately, still feeling the press of time. "Find one thing. One thing that's beautiful. Anything. Anything that shows you're not one of them."
His eyes were back on me, studying my face silently. Panic raced through me. It wasn't working. I couldn't do this... I didn't want him to leave in despair. I wanted him to leave here one step closer to being that man I knew he could be. I wanted him to have one less nightmare.
It was beyond my abilities, though. I was no therapist. I was about to tell him we had to get out there , about to make his soldier reflexes kick in, when he suddenly spoke. His voice was barely a whisper. "You're hair."
"What?" For a second, I wondered if it was on fire or something. I touched a stray lock. No, nothing wrong except it was a mess...
"You're hair," repeated Dimitri. His eyes were wide, almost awestruck. "Your hair is beautiful." (255)
"What?" I asked uneasily. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He shook his head, the smile rueful now. "Because sometimes, a person can get so caught up in the details that they miss the whole. It's not just the dress or the hair. It's you. You're beautiful. So beautiful, it hurts me." (404)
I n f i n i t e D a y s by Rebecca Maizel
Release Date: August 3, 2010 (Paperback)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult Sequel: Stolen Nights
Pages: 310
Source: Local Library
Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository Word Blurb:Dark, electrifying, and gripping!
Synopsis- "Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish."
Quick Thinking: Easily one of my favorite books, this riveting 2010 debut is swamped with a thrilling, mind-blowing storyline that spans the entire life of Lenah Beaudonte, a once cruel and vicious five-hundred-year-old vampire 'queen' turned human, fabulous characters, stimulating love and romance, dire and frantic circumstances nearly ending with a kick-ass vampire fight! This book is all about intent, and the rewards of having purely good, unselfish intentions. About the meaning and appreciation of human life, forging powerful and significant friendships, as well as the varying degrees of love. Head off into the unknown with Lenah, as she works to adjust to living and experiencing life from a human's perspective, and as she fends off the imminent danger of her ever loyal vampire coven anxious to reunite with their queen. My Thoughts In-Depth: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.* Gosh, there are so many things to say about this book that I'm so excited to get started on this aspect of my review! This is an amazing story all around! Plot, characters, setting, ending, romance, everything!
I don't think there's really anything I don't like about this book! Lenah was a magnificent heroine, surpassing many of the ones I've been stuck reading over the years. Never before have I completely, utterly fallen in love with the heroine/narrator of the story! Lenah is a well of emotions, of longings too long repressed so that when she finally gets her shot at the human life she's only dreamed of you can't help but love her. Watching her live as a human, was like watching a blind man marveling at suddenly having his vision back. Lenah seemed to absorb every moment, take nothing for granted, savor each and every experience she encountered. Beginning with listening to the opera she once had the pleasure of listening to live flow from 21st century speakers, to standing in the midst of storm, delighting in the way she felt each and every drop, all the way down to holding hands with her newfound bestfriend or receiving a true human-to-human kiss. Imagine experiencing every first you've ever had and magnify that tenfold.
C l a i r e d e L u n e by Christine Johnson
Release Date: May 18, 2010 (Hardcover)
Publisher: SimonPulse
Age Group: Young Adult Sequel: Nocturne
Pages: 336
Source: Local Library
Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository Word Blurb: Light and entertaining!
Synopsis- "Torn between two destinies?
Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.
As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?"
Quick Thinking:Claire de Lune was light and exciting, but not entirely satisfying. I delighted in the heartwarming true teenage romance that blossomed between Claire, the heroine, and her crush Matt, the wonderful twist on werewolves, and the some of the conflict that revolved around the story. The characters were authentic, the plot intriguing but not as engaging as I thought it'd be. Very entertaining and filled with awesome female werewolf action as well as a cute, blossoming romance, Claire de Lune makes for a likable read.
My Thoughts In-Depth:*Note: May not be spoiler-free.* I think the parts I'm most fond of in this book, would be Claire's transition from seemingly human girl to werewolf not just emotionally but physically. It was very realistic, how Claire's body began changing and indicating signs of something unnatural. Yet it wasn't too obvious. But Claire's development as a werewolf was what kept me interested in this novel the most.
Claire as a character was pretty neat. I felt an instant connection with her because of her personality, her angst at all the common teenage drama. It just felt so very real to me. I kept thinking, Now this, this is how a teenager would act in this kind of situation. Whether good or bad. And that made Claire fun and likeable, and it's easy to sympathize with her when her life get's shot to hell as soon as she finds out her lineage and what's in her genes. I mean, first, you're trying to deal with having a huge crush on this really cute guy, you're just starting to break out of your shell that makes you shy around others and making friends, when out of the blue, you really aren't comfortable in your own skin. Because guess what? You have werewolf skin/fur to deal with now. I felt pretty bad for Claire, all the struggles she had to deal with as far as her distant mom and then being shocked with the news that she's going to become a werewolf after three full moons.
That can put a lot of pressure on a kid, you know?
F i r e l i g h t by Sophie Jordan
Release Date: September 7, 2010
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age Group: Young Adult Sequel: Vanish
Pages: 323
Source: Own/Purchased
Go Buy It: Amazon★Barnes&Noble
★BookDepository Word Blurb: Exhilarating and intoxicating!
Synopsis- "A hidden truth. Mortal enemies. Doomed love.
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."
Quick Thinking: Unique and exhilarating was this first look in this draki-filled world of Firelight, where these outwardly human-lookalike descendants of dragons isolate themselves in beautiful, secluded areas to protect themselves from being exposed to the hunters looking to obliterate them for personal gain. Here YA book readers will find themselves enraptured by the mystical beauty and power of these dragon-like creatures, engrossed in Jacinda's story of attempting to acclimate to human society, her struggle to reinstate a part of herself which her family seeks to hide and destroy, and a sizzling romance that sparks in the midst of all the angst and danger within the pages of this novel.
My Thoughts In-Depth: *Note: May not be spoiler-free.* When I think Firelight, intoxicating quickly comes to mind. For me, the best part of reading this book was learning all I could about the draki in Firelight. They were a constant source of fascination that carried throughout the book. Just visualizing them for the first time right in the opening scene when first meeting Jacinda, the way their skin and hair look, their eyes, and the wings that spring up from their backs like another set of limbs. Fascinating, I tell you!
The plot was indeed what got me the most: the backstory of the draki, the reasons for the hunters tracking and killing their species, and what their intended next move was going to be toward these clusters of draki known as 'prides'. I wanted to learn the inner-workings of how the pride functioned, how it's leaders were chosen, how the location for their settlement was agreed upon. The mystery behind Jacinda's father's untimely and suspicious death. Never before had I been so absorbed in a story before!
