Book Review: Firelight (Firelight #1) by Sophie Jordan

Summary: 

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.

Release Date: September 27, 2010
Age Group: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Won from another blogger

Review:

What a great read!  I really enjoyed Firelight.  I won it from another blog (I apologize, but I can't remember which blog or I would give you credit here) and have had it sitting on my TBR shelf for months.  Now I'm just sorry I waited so long to read it because it was such an enjoyable read. 

Sophie Jordan did an excellent job weaving her fantasy world seamlessly into the 'real' world.  I loved the way she executed her unique premise.  The descriptions and imagery were outstanding.  Have you noticed that weak descriptions and imagery really kill a fantasy novel?  They are one of those make-or-break issues for me when reading paranormal fiction and fantasy.

I loved the relationship development in Firelight.  Jacinda's relationships with her sister, mother, Will, Cassian and her pride are all developed so well.  Sometimes I find character development to be lacking in YA, so I really enjoy it when it's done well.

My one complaint is that Firelight got a little slow in the middle.  It picked up for an exciting ending, though I was not too happy about the extreme cliffhanger.  Luckily, I had requested Vanish (book two in the series) from NetGalley and was able to jump right in so I didn't have to wait to find out what happens next!