Review: Hidden (Firelight #3) by Sophie Jordan

Hidden (Firelight #3) by Sophie Jordan

September 11th, 2012 from HarperTeen

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Can you see the tear silently fall from my eye from where you're sitting? No? Well, it's there. Trust me. This is one series where me and my now thirteen-year old fought over. Each time we got an early copy, we fought over who would read first. For the record, I lost every time. There aren't many books where we see eye to eye, let alone an entire series. 

Review - Firelight by Sophie Jordon

...finally getting my full review up!

With her rare ability to breathe fire, Jacinda is special even among the draki—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when Jacinda’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret. 

**spoiler alert** I don't think I've read anything in the last 10 years with a dragon as a main character. Sratch that...draki. I wasn't too sure what to think at first, but like many of us, the cover art reeled me in. What's up with all the crazy beautiful red-head covers in YA? In the end, I read in less than a day. 

Jacinda and her family are descendants of dragons. Afer a little flying stunt in the village that would result in a severe punishment by the elders, Jacinda's mother flees with her two daughter's in the middle of the night. Jacinda's mother feels it is best that Jacinda let her draki die and she live a life like a normal teenager. Insert conflict. Of course, Jacinda doesn't want this, and she feels like her mother isn't telling her the whole story of why they fled the village. Jacinda's twin sister Tamra wants nothing more than to be a regular teenager. (I won't tell you why) 

During Jacinda's little flying adventure with her BFF Az (event that led to her fleeing village), she meets a boy who is with a pack of hunters. Actually, the boy and his group are hunting Jacinda and her friend. The "encounter" is short-lived and rather touching. Of course, the boy turns up later in the story. We expect it and we want it to happen. Jacinda and this boy have a connection that the two of them don't understand. He keeps Jacinda's draki alive in the dry desert, and the boy is drawn to Jacinda for reasons we don't understand (until the end). 

Characters are developed - we feel for each one. Tamra, the sister who wants to be a normal teen. The mother who wants to keep her children safe. Jacinda who wants to be who she really is, a draki. The plot has a beginning, middle and end. (you know sometimes books don't have those) The story flows naturally and with a purpose, but there are a few surprises for us. I only have one itsy-bitsy-tiny complaint. Not even a complaint really. The term "Indian-style" was used when Jacinda needed to sit down. Eeeeek in my book, but easily forgivable! 

5 stars!

Banished (Firelight 2), Jacinda will spend 1/2 of the time back at the pride where she has trouble getting along with Cassian's sister. Cassian's sister is a Visio Crypter - she can blend into her surrounding like a chameleon. In a sense, she is invisible. She's also a big brat!

If anyone would like a bookmark and/or sticker....I have some for you (thx to Sophie). Comment with your email below. 

Happy Reading!

Making time to read and lots of quickie reviews....

I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm certain that there is less than 24 hrs in a day now. Where is the time going? We are creeping on October, and the days are going by in a blur. I don't think I'm the only one that has noticed time is flying.... Regardless, I have time to read. Even if it's for only 10 or 15 minutes, I read every single day. It's an important time of day for me. As you have probably guessed, I'm an avid YA reader. I really always have been. There are a few adult fiction books that I enjoyed (anything by Alice Hoffman), but I usually stick to the YA highway. With time passing, my kids growing up, and a husband on the road, I find that reading is my saving grace. Other side of the coin - I have to choose my reads wisely. I've been suckered in by a book with an amazing cover, but the story was a complete failure. So, here is what I've read lately paired with a down and dirty review. Here we go....

HALO by Alexandra Adornetto
2010, Supernatural Romance

Review: Angel put on Earth to save mankind decides to fall in love with a boy instead. Read to page 50 then skip to page 300. 1 out of 5 stars.

FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan
2010, Paranormal Romance

Review: Jacinda is a draki who is trying to live like a normal teenager, but a boy awakens her inner dragon. Sounds corny, but it isn't. Surprisingly awesome! 5 out of 5 stars.

MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner
2009, Sci-Fi Fantasy
Review: Thomas wakes up in a game where the stakes are high. With no memories, he feels a connection to the deadly place, and knows it's up to him to save himself and solve the maze. Up my alley, but tad dull in teh middle. 4 out of 4 stars

CITY OF ASHES by Cassandra Clare
2009, Paranormal Romance
Review: Clary, Simon, Jace, Alec, and Isabelle continue to battle creatures of the Underworld. Sequel to City of Bones. Twists, turns, and someone gets "turned." 4 out of 5 stars