Book Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: HarperCollins (September 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061935093
ISBN-13: 978-0061935091
Series: Firelight #1
Source: Purchased from Books-A-Million
Cover: In general, I'm a fan of red heads so this cover already has that going for it. I love the shimmer of draki skin near the eye because it's like how they described it in the novel. This cover is definitely something I'd snatch off the shelf without knowing anything about it. The reds and golds are gorgeous!
First Sentence: Gazing out at the quiet lake, I know the risk is worth it."

Mini-Review: Firelight breathes new life into a crowded genre and Jacinda and Will's slow-burning relationship ignites the page.

Summary:

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.

Review: 


Firelight starts out fast and doesn't let up even as the last page is turned. Jacinda is a fiesty and fiery heroine who struggles to understand the full weight of her decisions, Will makes breaking the rules too tempting to deny and their relationship singes the pages with it's sizzle. With the promise of action on every single page and a unique writing style, Firelight will has its reader up long after bedtime, turning "just one more" page after another.


Jacinda isn't like most girls you find in YA. As the supernatural creature, she is sure of herself and who she is, even if her family wants her to be something different. While I understood her mother's concern, I found myself angry with her for wanting Jacinda to literally kill a piece of herself and did get frustrated with Jacinda for taking into account so much how everyone else felt about her being her. I would have rathered her not flip-flop so much but it is in her deep caring for others that makes Jacinda such a wonderful character. I liked that she knew who she was and I just wished she'd held that a little more often. Her voice felt natural and I reveled in learning her secrets and those of her pride.


Will made bending the rules an easy decision. With his intense eyes and that first moment he saw Jacinda, there was no denying that he was an amazing character. Hunter falling for prey is also a sexy premise for me anyways, but Will devotion, fascination and respect for Jacinda bring even that plot into an entirely new light. The slow progression between Will and Jacinda is addictive. Their hot and cold relationship and the obvious attraction and love they have for eachother is undeniable: a slow tingle that bursts into flames at every touch. While they do end up together pretty quickly, their reasoning for being together and for being drawn to each other feels real and is easy to understand.


Firelight excels in it's simplicity. Though Ms. Jordan creates an entire new species that lives in a completely different world, there isn't too much information flying around. She doesn't feel the need to over expalin everything from the beginning, sprinkling details throughout to build a solid foundation. While I was really interested in figuring out more about the world Jacinda is forced to leave behind, I was happy to learn it in snatches when it was necessary rather than having it flung in my lap at the beginning. The way draki change from form to form is interesting, it's fun learning about the different types and they way draki thrive all are unique, adding to the allure of the world. Jacinda's voice feels geniune, more like she sprang up formed and just is rather than something that was created. It also helped to keep the plot from becoming too convulted. After Jacinda's family leaves the pride, the story becomes about her and Will falling for each other and the author lets that be.


I'd tweeted earlier that this is the type of novel that makes me want to write better. I feel ike Ms. Jordan's writing style is similar to mine and that makes me want to be better. The writing is so eloquent and passionate while remaining simple and in that simplicity lies its beauty.


Firelight is one of those gems, beautiful in its uniqueness and simplicity. Jacinda and Will will carve themselves into your heart, are the type of characters that won't leave long after the book has been closed. You can bet I'll be devouring Vanish because Firelight is addictive.

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