Firelight [Paperback]

'Firelight' was a breathtaking read! I got hooked into the story from the very first page and I didn't want the book to end. I'm so relieved that Sophie Jordan has planned this series as a trilogy because I need more of Jacinda and Will. I'm a huge fan of the paranormal romance genre and I've read a lot of these books recently but very few have gripped me like 'Firelight' did. The narrative fairly flew along and the story was utterly compulsive. This is a book that I'm going to be recommending a lot!

Jacinda is a draki - a descendant of dragons. Her Pride have the power to shift into human form but Jacinda also has a special ability in that she can breathe fire. When Jacinda breaks the rules of the draki, she is made to flee with her mother and twin sister Tamra. Her mother wants nothing more than for Jacinda to embrace her human form but Jacinda won't deny who she truly is. When Jacinda encounters Will, whose family hunt draki, she feels an unquestionable attraction for him but they stand on opposite sides of a great divide. Can they ever be together or will their families come between them?

I honestly could gush all day about this book. It's an incredible YA debut and a brilliant opening to a trilogy which I'm sure is only going to get better and better (if that's possible!). It has a great love story at it's heart with the romance between Jacinda and Will. The pull they feel towards each other is impossible for them to deny and there's a great deal of longing looks, shared glances and tingling touches shared between them. Will makes Jacinda come alive in a way that no one else can and I'm going to enjoy seeing how they overcome all the obstacles that have been placed in their path.

I loved Jacinda and I sympathised with the situation she found herself in. She has to give up what makes her whole when she leaves the Pride and although she wants her family to be happy, she risks her own happiness by staying with them. I also liked the family angle with her twin sister who never manifested. Although they're twins, they have different lives and vastly different longings and it's interesting seeing how the two try to connect. Tamra just wants a normal high school experience and is desperate for Jacinda to try and fit in too but Jacinda won't conform to other peoples' expectations and tries to stay true to herself.

I found the unravelling of the history of the draki absolutely fascinating. They have a system whereby the alpha makes the rules and leads the Pride and this hierarchy has to be rigidly adhered to. Many of the draki have special abilities and a great deal of attention was paid to building up a picture of them and their lives.

I adored this book! The concept is really original and the plot is brilliantly executed. I never thought I was particularly a fan of stories about dragons but 'Firelight' has definitely won me over. I'm counting down the days now until 'Vanish', the next book in the trilogy, is published.

Firelight is a young adult debut and first in a paranormal series by Sophie Jordan. Full of daring dives, teenage romance and gorgeous Draki. The ultimate young adult fantasy/paranormal book.

Jacinda is the pride's only fire breather. This causes her to be involved in a lot of the pride's future plans whether Jacinda likes it or not. After a near death experience with some hunters, Jacinda's mother and sister leave the pride taking her with them. Jacinda and her draki detest being away from their pride or being unable to manifest without fear.

Will, a hunter, is Jacinda's only saving grace as he keeps her draki alive. She knows what and who he is but still can't help falling for him. Such a typical teenage reaction; falling in love with the one thing that is bad for her. At one stage in the book I am unsure as to who is the greatest danger, Jacinda or the hunters. Jacinda is a fire breathing draki and could kill a lot of people with one puff but on the other hand the hunters are their enemies and have the technology to track and take down the draki with immense swiftness.

I felt so torn whilst reading Firelight. I was fighting alongside Jacinda when she was arguing with her mother against leaving the pride and I really felt for her when the one thing she wanted to do, the one thing that was so natural to her - flying - was taken away from her. But on the other hand, I understood where her mother was coming from by getting her safely away from the pride. The way these two characters, Jacinda and her mother, interact is very relatable as is Jacinda's relationship with her twin sister. Jacinda doesn't realise how un-at-home her family really were when they were living with the pride until they had left. This makes her realises that it's not all about what she wants.

The whole idea and imagination behind the draki was amazing. I was absolutely blown away by the descriptions of the draki's skin, their wings and the way they take flight. They are absolutely gorgeous and I wish they existed, just so I could see them in all their glory. They would be a magnificent sight. Makes me wonder why on earth anyone would want to hunt them down.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Firelight and I can't wait for the sequel. Firelight is a definite must read by the young or old. As long as you have a good imagination, you will be stunned and blown away by this mythical story. I know I was.

Disclaimer: I own this book and bought it courtesy of Amazon.co.uk. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

For all those who delight in twilight esque works and paranormal phenomenons, I would highly recommend adding Sophie Jordan's work to your bookshelves for her writing is outstanding. This well-drawn, deeply engrossing novel is one that had me glued to the pages hypnotized by a mystical tale. Fueled by electric tension and exciting fast-paced drama, you will be swept into a fascinating world filled with danger and sinister secrets! The intoxicating romance between Jacinda and Will is as dazzling as Lauren Kate's fallen series or Twilight Saga, and as compelling and believable as any star-crossed lovers in real life. `Firelight' is a story which will glow brightly throughout, with a colorful cast of captivating characters bringing the dynamic saga vividly to life...

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Jacinda is special. She is hunted by those who dislike Draki (a descendant of Dragons who can shape-shift into human form). Forced to flee into a mortal world, she encounters Will, who is a dangerous threat for he is a hunter. Despite knowing this Jacinda cannot ignore the intense connection they have, and lets her feelings cloud her judgment - for supernatural desire comes with a price.

Inspired and pure genius, I felt almost as if I was reading `Eragon' with a strangely singular supernatural twist. Deeply beguiling and highly readable, this is a fantasy tale to get lost within as the momentum intensifies as you turn each page. I was so impressed with how the author cleverly combined fantasy/ paranormal elements with a fresh contemporary `feel' within such a competitive and popular genre. I was physically glued to my seat, constantly wanting to find out more and anxious to discover what would happen to Jacinda, as she fell hopelessly in love with someone considered to be her enemy.

Simply breathtaking - this is a novel of epic proportions and a definite must-read!