FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (September 7, 2010)Language: English
Author: Sophie Jordan
Rating: YY 1/2

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.

REVIEW

I adore all reads in the paranormal genre but certain themes have become overplayed i.e. Vampires, Werewolves, Faeries, and fallen Angels. They all seem to be commonplace these days. So, you can imagine how my interest was piqued to read FIRELIGHT--a story based on dragons with a forbidden romance.

As I began reading FIRELIGHT I became intriqued with the new world that was being presented and found that it's foundation was unique and interesting. Yet, the Draki culture was not given enough substance or detail to fully appreciate or understand it. I know that Jacinda and her family had to leave, but why? As the story progresses you get an inkling to that answer but it somehow feels hollow and non-threatening. The Hunter culture for that matter suffers the same issue. Again, we get a glimpse into their world and understand that they are the "bad" guys but are left with just that. Why are they hunting the Draki? How long have they been hunting them? I want to know. As I would liked to know what an Enkros is especially since it is mentioned at some crucial points in the story, yet by the end of the book, I am still left guessing.

Besides being focused on Dragons FIRELIGHT also hosts a romeo and juliet romance that is further complicated by the unrequited loves that hover at it's fringes. I adore romance in my reads but the one between Jacinda and Will is a bit much for me to take. As the story moves along you understand the undenial pull that is created between them but by that point I had already figured it out.

Although I have issues with FIRELIGHT It was a quick and easy read and I found it entertaining nonetheless, if that makes any sense. I enjoyed the story concept. I mean...it has Dragons, now who would not be interested in that? I only wish that the world building had been better explored and the romance a bit more believable.