Review: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

My Rating: E, R, B

Published: 2010
Publisher: Harper

Author's Website: sophiejordan.net

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

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 defence 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 drake 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.

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.