Book Review: Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan

Summary: 

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

Release Date: September 6, 2011

Age Group: Young Adult

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: NetGalley

Review:

I enjoyed Vanish just as much, if not more, than Firelight.  Sophie Jordan has created a unique series with a lushly described world that I just can't leave.  I had a hard time putting this book down, and read it in only two days (an almost impossible feat with a new baby).  

I love Jacinda's character.  She is the perfect example of a young girl trying to balance her obligations to others and her own desires.  Jacinda has some tough decisions to make in Vanish, and while the decisions she made weren't the ones I wanted for her, they were decisions that made me respect her.  Jacinda has grown up a lot since the first book, even though less than two months have passed, and I really enjoyed reading about her character growth.

One of my favorite things about the Firelight series are the relationships between characters.  There's a thin line between love and hate, something that Jacinda knows well.  Her world is turned upside down yet again by the events in Vanish, but Jacinda picks herself up and keeps going.  I really admire that in a character.  But what endeared her to me the most were her sacrifices for other people.  Jacinda puts others before herself, which to me is the true marker of growth.

Sophie Jordan's imagery is excellent.  I love how she describes the draki: detailed enough that I can picture them, but spare enough that I have my own unique idea of what they look like.  I love being able to imagine things for myself---isn't that one of the best things about reading?

Sophie Jordan has really set herself apart with Firelight and Vanish.  I would recommend this series to anyone!