Monday, August 11, 2014

Firelight by Sophie Jordan a review by Brandi Breathes Books


 Firelight (Firelight #1) by Sophie Jordan 

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.

”add

Publishes in US: September 7th 2010 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: library
Series? Firelight #1

Buy it: IndieBound.org
Amazon.com
BN.com
Kobo
iBooks
Google Play
Audible.com

Other fun stuff:
HarperTeen interview with Sophie Jordan
HarperTeen podcast with Sophie Jordan

Author stalk away:  ~site



    I have wanted to read this for ages now, because I have watched the beautiful covers for years and wanted to read about the girl who shifted into a draki, a dragon. So, I finally found the ebook at my library and had a bit to read it, so jumped at the chance. 

    I connected with Jacinda and liked being immersed into her world. She is energized by the mists and water from the earth, and she is a part of a tribe. But her mom doesn't shift anymore and her twin sister never transformed, so she feels like a bit of a loner even in her own family. She loves them a lot but their priorities and the way they perceive draki, the tribe, and their hidden existence has a huge gap. When Jacinda breaks a huge rule, her mom pulls them into the regular world and Tam, her sister couldn't be happier joining a new school and being away from the draki culture. But Jacinda hates the desert, it makes her uncomfortable, and hard to maintain her shifts there. 

    But at school she meets the boy, the hunter that didn't kill her for some unexplicable reason and she feels amazing around him. She is trying to hide as a human in the regular world but her skin changes and she feels fire in her chest. The draki in this story all fall into different talents and she is the only fire breather, which made her special in her tribe, but also a commodity. 

    I enjoyed the chemistry and the build up between Will and Jacinda. Its a case of forbidden love, because he is a hunter and she is the prey. But there is something different about Will. She learns things about him that shocks her and maybe makes sense with some of his differences from his family and the draw between Jacinda and him. 

    So, Tamra and Jacinda's mom. In some aspects I enjoyed the family dynamics and that even though Jacinda didn't understand that her mom is acting in her best interest. No matter how painful or against it Jacinda is. There were also times that I didn't like Tamra much. She seemed so selfish at times and mean to Jacinda, with unrealistic expectations. But the story is also through Jacinda's eyes, so we're biased. But I can also take a step back and imagine how Tam would feel. For most of her life she has been the outsider, the one who didn't fit in because she didn't manifest, and had to watch Jacinda be fawned over and such a big deal while I am sure she felt like a failure. 

    The twists towards the end as well as things revealed about the pride and their intentions were pretty shocking. I also couldn't quite figure out Cassian and whether he was truly a faker or if there was a bit more beneath the surface. I will be continuing with this series and can't wait to find out what is next with the draki, Jacinda and Will, and how they will make everything wrap up with an HEA.


Bottom Line: Great premise, intense forbidden romance and great start to the series.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
What would you chose to shift into if you had the choice?

33 comments:

  1. I'm glad that you enjoyed this one, it is a pretty good series. Great review.

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  2. kirstymariejonesstudioreadsAugust 11, 2014 at 10:45 AM

    I've seen them around a lot, and though I loved her Uninvited, I'm 50/50 on these since I'm not that much of a dragon fan. Does sound fun though, and pretty original (though any dragon type would be original to me, since I haven't read many) but also sounds very family orientated, so good for that. Glad you enjoyed it!
    Would it be bad that because I'm not a fan of Dragons...that I'd love to transform into one? Just so I could fly anywhere I wanted. ;)

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  3. I want to try Sophie Jordan, I have a few of her books but not this series. Now if I can shift I think I like to be some sort of a predatory bird. I always fancied the idea of flying.

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  4. I really hope the rest of the books in the series work out just as well for you. I know there'd been some problems with books 2 and 3 for some.
    Enjoy!

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  5. I liked this book well enough, but the 2nd installment kinda fell short for me, and I haven't had the urge to pick up this series again since. And, I'd want to shift into a wolf—no surprises there, right? ;)

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  6. This one has been on my shelf for a long time, Brandi. I hope to read it soon. I like the sound of the romance and even the family dynamics...sounds like typical teenaged behavior. *ha*

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  7. Glad that it was enjoyable! I'm always intrigued by a story with a few twists and a great premise.


    Awesome review :)

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  8. This sounds very interesting! Then again, I find anything with dragons interesting. I would totally shift into one if I could.

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  9. I've always enjoyed dragon books, and this one does sound very interesting. That a girl shifts into one. I like that. I'll have to try and pick this one up! Lovely review!

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  10. I love books involving Dragons, so it's no surprise I have this on my shelf, but I have yet to pick this one up. Not sure why - the draki as well as the chemistry between the characters sounds like something I would enjoy. Thanks for the great review Brandi, I need to go and find this book :)

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  11. Great review sweetie. <3 I'm glad you enjoyed this book, despite having some issues about it :D It's been ages since I read it. But I really loved it back then. <3 Now.. I might have some issues with triangle shit in book two :\ Not happy. Sigh. But.. probably won't re-read them for ages, hih (A) ANYWAY. Thank you for sharing. <3

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  12. I am very interested in this one. The whole draki thing makes me very curious. I have it on my to-read list. Wonderful review! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  13. When I read the blurb I thought that this book might be based on Snow White from the sounds of it. I love the cover as well <3 Just beautiful! Sounds like something I should be reading myself... As for the question, I would either shift into a dolphin (underwater life) or an owl (I can fly!)

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  14. I skipped this series because I heard there was a love triangle. I have enjoyed several of Jordan's New Adult/Adult books though.

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  15. Oh that is a lovely cover. And I do love dragons. I've read some of her other series and enjoyed them quite a bit. I'll have to check this one out :)

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  16. Its an older series I'd been eyeing for a while

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  17. It is a different sort of love triangle--she's promised to one of them

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  18. It is a neat premise and I liked what I read of how she carried it out

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  19. It took me forever to get to it as well as you can see

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  20. It is pretty awesome, and that plus the cover has always drawn me to it

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  21. It might be awhile before I have time for follow up

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  22. Thanks, the twists were pretty interesting

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  23. The family dynamics are pretty great, and can't wait to see how it plays out more.

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  24. Aw, so sad to hear the second fell short

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  25. No, not weird, reading about and wanting to experience are different things

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