Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Title: Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: HarperTeen (A division of HarperCollins)
Copyright 2010 by Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan’s Website
Sophie’s Twitter

Synopsis:

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.

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I really was not interested. I am not a dragon fanatic, or maybe I should say, I wasn’t a dragon fanatic. However, during that time there wasn’t another book I really cared to read, so hey – why not? I recently had the privilege to review the second book in this series, Vanish: A Firelight Novel, so I thought I should probably reread Firelight so I could review it also. Definitely not a difficult task.

I enjoyed the book so much the first time - that it was a nice, fuzzy, warm feeling to read it again. Sophie Jordan does an amazing job creating mythical creatures, I am completely fascinated by the Draki.

• Jacinda – All Jacinda lives for is to fly. She’s not much of a conformist, never obeying they rules. This time she risks everyone around her…more than once. She is deeply coveted by her Pride because she is the only Fire-Breather that has been born in several centuries. The Pride hopes to bond her with the Alpha’s son, Cassien.
• Tamra – Jacinda’s twin sister who never manifested; and now that she is 16, she has given up and dreams of a life away from the Pride. She has always pined for Cassien, but he only has eyes for Jacinda.
• Cassien – The Prides Alpha Heir. He is handsome, strong, and wants Jacinda to be his. Will he convince her he truly cares or will she find someone else?
• Will – The sworn enemy of Draki, a Draki hunter. He is the best tracker in his family, and is destined for the family business, except he doesn’t really want any part of that.
• Catherine – Jacinda’s human friend she meets at her first school outside of the pride. She is full of gossip, especially about Will and his family.
• Xander – Will’s evil cousin. Seems like everyone in this book has an evil cousin. He takes his duty seriously, without concern or consciousness.
• Az – Jacinda’s Draki friend who she must leave behind and misses deeply.

Jacinda loves being a Draki, the wind in her face, the feel of flying, every part of it, except the inability to make her own decisions. When she breaks the rule to fly during the day, she is sentenced to severe punishment. Punishment that her mother is desperate to protect her from. Fleeing in the middle of the night - Jacinda, Tamra, and her mom leave the Pride behind in search of a safe place for them to start over.

Jacinda has many difficulties adapting to this new climate. The only thing keeping her spirits up is Will, a boy at school with many secrets to hide. He stirs something inside her that she is afraid to lose, but he may prove to be a dangerous threat to Jacinda.

Cassien volunteers to hunt for Jacinda in order to protect her from the punishment of the Pride. Showing up when she least expects him, he may save her life. Personally, I am team Cassien, especially after reading Vanish…but I really have no idea how this trilogy will play out. Jacinda has spent most of her life believing that Cassien only wanted her for what she is, not who she is. Cassien’s actions speak much louder than words.


Forced to run again, Jacinda is deeply unsettled. Where will they go? What will they do? Will they ever be safe? You will just have to read the books to find out.


My thanks goes out to Sophie Jordan for writing such an enticing book.