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Firelight (Firelight #1)
Sophie Jordan
Published: Sept. 7, 2010
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
Often in paranormal romance tales the guy is the one troubled with paranormal attributes. The woman is either human dealing with the fact the guy she’s into is from the ‘other’ world or her paranormal issues are ‘safe’ compared the life-and-death danger that comes with being a part of the preternatural world. That’s not the case with Firelight. Sophie Jordan has written a strong paranormal heroine with real problems (a unique and important role for a YA lead character). Jacinda is the dangerous one. Not just to the guy she’s into, but to her family, to her people.
Jacinda comes from a pride of draki in the mountains. Draki are what dragons would be if evolution took its course — slimmer, more humanoid while in draki form, but with the ability to shift into a human form. But Jacinda isn’t just any draki. She’s a fire-breather. The first one in ages. She’ll be able to protect the pride, and produce more fire-breathers. At least that’s the hope of the pride’s elders. They’ve picked out her mate, an alpha named Cassian. While Jacinda has a bit of a rebellious streak — flying during the day, which is forbidden — she’d mostly accepted this is the way things are. So, when she’s nearly caught by hunters, she knew the pride would be angry, but she didn’t expect her mom to grab her and her twin sister, who isn’t draki, and run for it.
Jacinda’s mom takes her and her sister to a desert town, a place where Jacinda’s non-draki sister can thrive, and where Jacinda’s draki should die. Her mom wants that part of her gone, but Jacinda can’t kill off a part of who she is, and her attempts to connect with her draki are failing until she encounters Will. She can sense when he enters the room, and each time they’re close her draki flares, including heating up her skin.
Being around him she has to fight not to manifest into a draki. Everyone tells her to say away from him, but he ignites her and it’s clear he feels similarly. Only Will is a hunter. His family kills her kind. If he finds out who she is, she’ll be dead, her family will be in danger and they’ll likely track it back to the pride. She shouldn’t risk it, especially when kissing him pulls steam to her lungs. But Will won’t make avoiding him a possibility. He needs her just as much.
Firelight is one of those novels you can’t put down. It was a two-sitting read for me, because I had to know if Will would find out what Jacinda was, if her pride would find her and bring her back to make fire-breather babies, if Jacinda’s mom would ever understand what Jacinda really needed. The story of star-crossed lovers is always excellent, but with the duality of Jacinda fighting to maintain and yet hide who she is while falling in love for the first time is incredibly powerful.
Those seeking a YA paranormal romance with a strong female and a love story that will tug at your heart (and pull you nonstop through 324 pages), pick up Firelight. It’s the first in a new series, and with the ending, we can tell you now, you’ll end up pre-ordering Firelight #2. We’ll keep an eye out for its availability.
We recently had the pleasure of meeting Sophie Jordan. (She’s just as awesome as you’d think.) She was kind enough to sign a copy of Firelight for one lucky Vampire Book Club reader.
While speaking at the book signing, Sophie talked about how she doesn’t have a good story about why she decided to write about dragons. She liked the idea of evolution, but there’s no “Aha! Dragons!” moment.
Let’s help her out. To enter for a signed copy of Firelight, leave a comment with your suggestion of how Sophie could answer the question “Why dragons?”
Extra entries: +1 for being a blog follower (GFC, RSS or email), +1 for following @VampBookClub on Twitter and +2 for sharing a link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook or your blog (please provide the link).
CONTEST RULES & DETAILS
1. You must comment on this post with a real comment answering the question above. (“Thanks for the contest” will not cut it.)
2. You will get +1 additional entry in this contest if you’re a follower — be it via Google Friend Connect (the “Join this Site” button), RSS or email. It’s not required, but we like giving our readers a leg-up. You can also get bonus entries by following @VampBookClub on Twitter (+1 entry) and by sharing a link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook or your blog (+2 entries, please provide the link).
3. This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.
4. You must enter no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 14.
5. Winner will be contacted via email. She or he then has 48 hours to respond and claim his or her prize, or we will select another winner.
6. Entrants must be at least 13 years old, or have their parent’s permission to enter this contest. Please review our privacy policy, if you have any questions as to how Vampire Book Club uses your information. (Short version: we’ll only use it to contact you for this contest.)
7. Though unlikely, Vampire Book Club has the right to change or cancel any giveaway at any time without prior notice.
Because they are mystical, gracious, gorgeous and mighty creatures.
With a star-crossed theme, you would also want an elemental character, like a dragon (fire).
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/fangswandsfairy/status/29360973806
GFC Follow as Steph
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Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
email: steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
twitter: @fangswandsfairy
This was a great interview. Thanx for making it open to Canadians!! Why Dragons?? Because dragons are fierce, loyal, sometimes savage creatures. I am not really into Dragons myself but I can see how some people are. They are magnificent creatures!
Kristen
My Bloody Fairy Tale
Dragons are the best of mythological creatures – flying, fire breathing, magical.
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bkhabel at gmail dot com
Dragons are cool and in season. Vampires are so 2008.
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Dragons because they are strong, mysterious, fierce, and from a time long ago.
Dragons are very unique creatures especially for YA, and they’re pretty cool 😀 It is not very common (in the YA I’ve read) and that just makes it more awesome 😀
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Great review and thanks for this giveaway! Dragons are creatures that, yes, has been written about but not much in YA, which makes this book pretty unique.
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P.S. Just read a few other comments and the one right above mine and is so similar but I promise I didn’t steal it/look at it before writing my ansewer, lol.
Why dragons?
Why not
lol
Dragons are one mythical creature that are becoming very popular to write about.
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Why dragons? Because they’re hot! (pun intended)
+1 blog follower
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+2 for sharing a link (http://twitter.com/#!/hone3yy/status/29408840635)
Dragons sound awesome!! Been wanting to read this book for awhile but haven’t gotten it yet since my funds are getting low and the holidays are coming up. Joy.
Plus I could read a good book that stars a different creature. I love my vamps, weres, shifters, etc, etc, but I have yet to read a dragon book, so I think I really really need this book to expand my variety on creatures that go bump in the night! Or daylight if the case may be!
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I would think it would be obvious! Dragons are all kinds of awesome! I mean, come on, they breathe fire! They can fly! They would totally win in a fight, no matter the opponent. I’m surprised more people aren’t writing about dragons =)
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Why dragon’s? because they’re a being of myth that people find facinating. You’ll never be able to see one for real so people love to read and imagine them. Also who wouldn’t want a hot man who could become a dragon. I know I’d want him…forget wolves 😉 Thanks for the contest.
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Dragons? Because what other book out there has the main character as a dragon? I don’t know of any. It’s amazing. She’s a new trend setter!! I want to be a dragon.
+1 follower Vivien
She decided to write about dragons because the world has been overrun with too much vampire stuff so she decided to give us a fresh idea.
+1 for being a follower
apk1princess@live.com
I think that dragons are mysterious and sexy. They are not as common in fiction as vampires, faeries and angels so they make for an interesting change. But Dragons also have a lot of great qualities that would add to a story. They can fly. They are strong. I like the idea of them being able to change between dragon and human form. It sounds like an interesting read.
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Dragons because there aren’t a lot of books out there about them in YA books. Plus, they are very interesting to read and research about. Not to mention the fact that dragons are beautiful,loyal and sometimes so fierce creatures. SO far, the only dragon books I’ve read would the the Inheritance Cycle. There are enough werewolves and vamps already out! it’s time for the dragons to take over!
twilightforever.edward @ gmail.com
Why dragons? Because they are mythical creatures who you dont read alot about. They fly and breath fire. Tore923@aol.com
Why dragons? i think the answer could just be because dragons dont get as much popularity as anything else like vampires. plus they breathe fire, have, scales, and are beatifeul and ferocious beasts. or maybe because dragons are fierce nd a female dragon would be showing girl power. or maybe she just really love lizards. or maybe because dragons dont have alot of limitations in writing or for rules.
sorry i forgot my email adrress.
mello1hello@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
Why dragons? What other mythical creature breaths fire! and dragons are very rare in ya paranormal novels.
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jecca.0104@gmail.com
Dragons evoke images of power, magic and strength. The mystery surrounding them makes a person want to fly on the back of one of the mighty beasts.
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Thanks,
Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com
Why Dragons? Its a complicated question, but I would have to say that dragons are an interesting mythological creature. They show up in myths and legends from all over the world, which means there are countless aspects than can be explored and that niggling question in the back of the mind “if everyone believes in them how can they not exist?”
+1 GFC follower (sablelexi)
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jlynettes @ hotmail . com
Why dragons? Because dragons make a story more interesting. They’re perhaps the most well-known non-humanoid fantastic creature. Also, some versions of dragons can breath fire, and some can fly; some can even do both.
Why Dragons? Because they are awesome! They are magical, they can fly, and they can defend themselves. What’s not to like?
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Thanks!
seescootread[at]gmail[dot]com
Why dragons?? Because no one else chose them. Such a unique topic, usually only emphasized in sci-fi novels or intermediate books geared towards boys.
yma367@hotmail.com
Extra entries:
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Why Dragons?
Dragon lore is can be anything you imagine it to be, there are no rules with dragons. They are mythical creatures and thus can have any powers and appearance that you want.
Why I like Firelight dragons: They have humanity, many urban fantasy creatures do not have humanity. (although many books about humans do either) I like that the Draki are trying to live their lives just as we do everyday. They go to school, fall in love and have families. They just want to be free to be themselves. Just like we all do.
kjovus(at)gamil(dot)com
I am an email RSS follower, long long time.
kjovus(at)gmail(dot)com
Why Dragons? Dragons are a supernatural being that hasn’t been beaten to death lately with all the paranormal subject matter. They are majestic and beautiful and they breathe fire! How cool is that? They are amaxing beings that deserve to have attention brought to them and be written about. It’s time for their 15 minutes of fame!
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“Why dragons?”
Why not? They’re hot! 🙂
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Why dragons? Because they are legendary mythical creatures who breathe fire and they can fly, which makes them especially deadly.
Why dragons?? Because with all the vamps out there we needed something new and Mythical…and dragons are beautiful 🙂
+1 follow on twitter @nikkioldenburg
First I have to say – Why not? But really because they are super cool magical beings that are really just awesome.
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bacchus76 at myself dot com
Sophie jordan wrote about dragons because everyone is tired of vampires and werewolves. we need some for fire breathing dragons in the YA world, so she decided this will be the perfect introduction for the legendary creatures.
+1 gfc follower
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+2 tweeted http://twitter.com/Personafied/status/655354425778176
Why dragons? Because there needs to be a break with vampires.
Why Dragons? Becuase they are violent, loyal, awesome, creative, detailed, and loyal.
I added this contest to my sidebar at kjovus.blogspot.com
.
kjovus(at)gmail(dot)com
Dragons are not overly done and because there are different lores / different types of dragons that they are pretty much open for interpretation, like the way Miss Jordan included evolution in her world of dragons.
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spettolij AT gmail DOT com
Awesome giveaway, guys! Thanks!
I think dragons represent what’s good in the world. They’re a manifestation of loyalty, bravery, honor…all the things humans strive to be. Unless we’re talking about evil dragons, then of course they represent the dark side of humans.
I can’t wait to read this book!
I’m a blog follower and I follow on Twitter (@jmanni32)
Sophie chose dragons because as a child she had an unhealthy fascination with lizards. Even going so far as to keep one as a pet, though her parents told her she couldn’t. One fateful day, that poor lizard escaped Sophie’s self-made cage and was never seen again. Poor Iggy.
Thus Sophie’s fascination with dragons. *takes a bow*
On a serious note, I really want to read this book.
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= 4 entries
*eek*
That url is http://lovesandlossesofbookreader.blogspot.com.
Sorry.
Dragons are creatures of absolute impossibility. They’re majestic, beautiful, and deadly. The story has never been done before. Add in some forbidden romance with firey passion. Makes you think, why not dragons?
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Why dragons? Because Sophie herself is part dragon. 🙂
+4 Dragons are fierce, strong, and hey they breathe fire, mysterious, they come from a fairy tale like place and one can imagine a “super natural” being with a dragon involved. When I think of Dragons I think mystical, smooth gliding creatures that unbelievably fierce. So dragons would be the perfect shifter and its not overplayed. It pix your interest can’t wait to read it.
Dragons are mysterious, unique, and full of surprises. Plus, how can you not love a huge lizard who breathes fire!!
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Well, the reason I’m drawn to dragons is because they are pure and utter fantasy. They are impossibilities. There can be no such thing as a vertebrate with 6 limbs like dragons have. Dragons would have had to have a completely different evolutionary pathway than all other vertebrates which is of course impossible. And knowing they could never exist is why I enjoy reading and fantasizing about what it would be like if they really did exist. Does this make sense? Sorry for getting all science-y :).
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Why dragons? Why not dragons? They are excedingly rare – both in mythology, and in books. There are so many different kinds of dragons & dragon abilities, that you would never run out of things to write about.
I’m also a follower with my blog reader 🙂
Why dragons? Because everyone wants a pet dragon? Doesn’t everyone want a dragon to fly on, and light your fire when you are cold? So why dragons? Because dragons would make great pets!
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Why dragons? they are so powerful! They are huge, and smart – and they breathe fire – come on – nothing cooler than that.
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Thanks for the contest!
I think it’s because you don’t see alot of dragons in Ya books like you do vampires, fairies, and others. Plus, it’s dragons who wouldn’t want to read about dragons, or someone who can breathe fire.
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