Book Review : Firelight

Book: Firelight (Book #1)
Author: Sophie Jordan

Publisher: HarperTeen
Date Published: September 7, 2011
Pages: 323
Source: Library
Date Read: May 2, 2011

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.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

The first thing about this book I really liked was it is not your typical vampire/werewolf paranormal romance. Jacinda is a draki -dragon- that can hide in human form, her kind's best kept secret. Her mom takes her away from the pride (her group of draki) because she doesn't agree with the pride's plan for her daughter. They want to use/abuse Jacinda's gifts as the only fire-breather to breed more like her. While Jacinda's mom and her twin could care less about the pride, being draki is a part of who Jacinda is and she could never give it up.

When she meets Will there is an immediate connection/zing that passes between them. Despite knowing he is a hunter and his family may have killed her father, she can't help but what to be near him. He brings out her inner draki, the thing her mom is desperately trying to kill. This is kind of a Romeo and Juliet paranormal type romance.

I would say the only thing that really bothered me was the immediate love thing. Although I understand the call and the attraction they felt, I just feel like somewhere in the plot a few scenes are missing. And while they have an amazing, intense attraction that I loved to read about, I wanted more.

Overall, I was thoroughly intrigued by the draki lore and what would happen with Will. My favorite parts where when Jacinda would describe her struggle with her mother trying to take a way this huge part of her, instead of understanding that it was something she couldn't give up. I can't wait to see what happens next in Vanish.

Ratings:

Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 4/5

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Memorable Quotes:

"Well what are you waiting for," Mrs. Hennesy asks.

For it to get easier. For life to stop being so hard.