Book Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Recommended Reading Age: 15 and up
Synopsis:
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 of her kind, she nearly pays with her life, only to be spared by a beautiful stranger sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki--a descendant of dragons whose ability to shift into human form is her best defense.Forced to flee into the mortal world, Jacinda struggles to adapt. The one bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irrestibly 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 a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.Mythical powers and irresistible passion ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide ...
Book Review:
Reading a YA novel on mythological folklore creatures is new for me. Fortunately, my first try with New York Times bestseller author Sophie Jordan's debut in the YA category entitled, 'Firelight', did not disappoint. Here is a story of Jacinda, a beautiful young Draki, who is a descendant of the Dragons and has the ability to take human form. However, in an act of rebellion, she breaks a rule of flight among her people that almost caused her her life. She reluctantly flees with her mom and sister to avoid punishment, but detests living in the human civilization in the dry climate of Nevada, until she falls in love with the one person she should avoid.
Single parenthood, teenage rebellion, sisterly rivalry, and role expectations add an interesting perspective to the characters. It helps you understand the anxieties and emotions that trigger the decisions made by Jacinda, her mother, sister, and friends. Teens who move to a new town and experience angst will also relate to our heroine as she faces a cultural adjustment being a Draki living amongst the humans. Not only will she have to face social standing and bullying, but simple things such as the temperature of the climate, the dry and barren land, and artifical scents floating the air become equally challenging.
This book is a page-turner and an easy read in one sitting. It is mostly written from the protagonist's perspective, which leaves one to question what the other characters are hiding. Little by little Ms. Jordan does reveals these secrets, but the climax definitely keeps you clammoring for the sequel! I look forward to knowing more about the Draki and the 'pride', its lifelong enemy the 'enkros', and very curious to know beginnings of the hunters, from whom Jacinda's love is from.
If you are looking for a different kind of YA fantasy novel, filled with romance and mysticism, then Firelight is a must read! It's sequel, 'Vanish' is due to be released on September 6, 2011. And great news for ebook readers! Barnes and Noble and Amazon has this for $1.99 that includes bonus material!
