Book Review: Firelight

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Released: September 7, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 323
Series: Firelight #1
Rating: 5 stars

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.

One of the main reasons I picked this book up was because of the cover. I just love the scales on the corner of her forehead. Very creative. But aside from the cover, Firelight was a great read. There was plenty of action, teenage drama, and forbidden romance.

The mythology of the Draki was interesting and completely original. Draki are descendants of dragons who have the ability of turn into humans in order to protect themselves and their secrets. Each Draki has a specific power; some are strong in water, some can confuse humans by producing fog, but Jacinda can breathe fire, which is a rare and special power.

Jacinda is rebellious, of course I would be too if I was being forced to marry a man I didn’t love and have children for the sake of the pride. She was also a bit indecisive with her going back and forth of whether to stay with her family, who doesn’t have any Draki powers or return back to her pride. I didn’t care much for Jacinda’s mother, who kept things from her, or her twin sister, who wasn’t very supportive. I did enjoy the forbidden romance between Jacinda and the mysterious Draki hunter, Will.

Firelight was an enchanting fantasy novel with a very original and unique concept.