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Sophie Jordan's Firelight tells the story of Jacinda, one of a strange race of draki - dragons that can take human forms. Jacinda is especially unique in that she is a fire breather, possessing a talent that many in her tribe thought to be extinct. Of course, standing out is not always a good thing and when her gift places her in danger, her mother decides to take Jacinda and her sister and leave the tribe of draki for a life as normal humans.
After moving to the desert, Jacinda finds the draki side of her dying and fights to keep her heritage alive. One boy at her school seems to ignite her dragon side, but Jacinda recognizes him as a hunter that she once escaped from. He rejected the chance to kill her when he first saw her as a draki, but none of the hunters know that the draki can appear human and Jacinda's relationship with him puts her entire species at risk.
I really enjoyed how Sophie Jordan handled the dragon mythology in this book. Instead of sticking to traditional dragon lore, Jordan created her race of draki as unique and original creatures. I liked how there were unique talents among them and was intrigued that some members of the tribe were not able to transform at all. The details of the urban fantasy world drew me into the story and led me to care more about Jacinda and her friends.
For me, the biggest downside of Firelight is that it has a very unsatisfying conclusion. I didn't know before reading it that this was the start of a series, but even with books that have sequels planned, I prefer when the first book is still a succinct standalone story. There was very little resolution in this one and the novel definitely left me eager for Jordan's next book. All in all, Firelight is an interesting fantasy work that sets up a unique story. Hopefully fans will not have to wait too long for a sequel to extend Jacinda's adventure.
As a special bonus for Fall Into Fantasy, Casey is sponsoring a Firelight Swag Giveaway! If you would like to win a Firelight bookmark, sticker, and postcard autographed by author Sophie Jordan leave a comment on this post between now and November 30th! Contest is open internationally and the winner will have three days to respond by email to claim the prize before a new winner is chosen. To enter leave a comment below including an email address (ex: herbookself AT gmail DOT com) and answer the following question inspired by this novel: If you could transform into any mythical creature, what would you become (and optionally, why)?
November 21, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Okay, I can't resist that question. I would want to transform into a griffin to have mastery of air and land.
misfitsalon [at] gmail [dot] com
I'm saving Firelight to read as a reward once I've finished a lengthy, time consuming project. I've heard only good things about it!
November 21, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Great review! I agree, the lore is fascinating! It's frustrating when a book is clearly intended to be a series though...it always makes me think of Pirates of the Caribbean -- the first one was standalone and fantastic. Then the second one comes along and it was only like half a movie! It was so clearly set up for the third one, it made me mad.
November 22, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Great review. I just loved this book. If I could be anything it would be a Phoenix. They're so pretty and in their own way immortal. I wish I could fly, plus rising from the ashes is just amazing.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
November 24, 2010 at 5:36 AM
Thanks for this giveaway! :D Aside from dragons, I'm always been fascinated with winged horses or Pegasus. I wouldn't want turning into one. I always wanted to be able to fly and still run fast on earth. Awesome.
-Len-
maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com
November 24, 2010 at 8:31 AM
I picked up the book today and i'm absolutely loving it!
Wendy
camui(dot)lucy(at)gmail(dot)com
November 25, 2010 at 8:28 AM
I really want to win this book for our highschool. IThe books i win or buy and read are then donated to the Middletown High school Library. We are a low income town and we desperatly need current books. So heres hoping we win. Thanks for the chance
chaarmedone1512@aol.com
November 28, 2010 at 2:07 PM
Awesome giveaway!
I'd like to transform into a swan...No laughing but my favorite story was the Swan Lake so here you go!
celebridal(at)hotmail(dot)com
November 29, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Great giveaway! If I could become any mythical creature, it would probably have to be a mermaid or some sort of sea creature. I don't really know why, I just think it would be cool... :)
smileycicely(at)hotmail(dot)com
November 29, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Great giveaway! I would be a phoenix if I could be anything.
NewBorrowedUsed(at)gmail(dot)com
November 30, 2010 at 11:03 AM
awesome giveaway i love dragons!
jessicapages@gmail.com
November 30, 2010 at 11:34 AM
This is a great giveaway...I'm not sure what mythical creature I would be. I know vampires are very cliche right now but that's probably what I would be. Keep in mind that I mean old school burst into flames vampires like in Bram Stoker not twilight vampires. :-)
CALIFORNIABLUE17 AT aol DOT com
CALIFORNIABLUE17@aol.com
November 30, 2010 at 5:50 PM
If I could transform into any mythical creature, I would want to transform into a faerie, although I don't think much transforming would take place. If that doesn't count, I'd have to say a mermaid - although I haven't read a book about mermaids yet. Either one would be awesome because I think it would be cool, lol :)
(on the phone with my buddies) I decided to ask them, and my nephew said he would transform into a nephilim or a wolf, my sister-in-law said faerie or mermaid, and my niece said mermaid because she just recently read Lament by Maggie Stiefvater and now she likes mermaids, LOL!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway :)
November 30, 2010 at 5:51 PM
definitely a Dragon... particularly a green one..
neilrazipong@gmail.com
December 1, 2010 at 10:10 AM
This contest is now closed! Thank you all for entering a winner has been drawn and notified. If the selected winner does not reply in three days a new winner will be chosen.
Stay tuned to Her Book Self for a fabulous holiday giveaway coming the first week in December!