Wildefire

a slow beginning but a great ending

What grabbed my attention about Wildefire was that not only was it featuring a main character of cultural background I've never seen before featured in a YA but that it was also featuring a deity other than the typical Greek. And what makes things better is that after a few chapters in Wildefire you find out that there are a whole host of other deities being featured in this book as well as a wonderful melting pot of ethnically diverse characters. And what's better than the characters being diverse is that a majority of them were very likeable and there were no stereotypes to be found. Many were funny and sarcastic while some were just frightening or outright total bad-asses. They all played off each other rather well often times clashing as much as they got along.

Ashline Wilde, our protagonist was certainly a heroine that was both take charge and outspoken. And although I like a female heroine who is confidant and can stand up for herself in the very beginning of the book I wasn't sure if I was going to like her all that much because she was aggressive to the point where it was a bit hard for me to read the scenes. Fortunately though aggression is not what Ashline is completely about and I was able to like her by the end of the story.

Wildefire starts off with Ashline basically beating up a girl her boyfriend had cheated on her with, though it was more of girl mouthing off to her and Ashline retaliating with action but things certainly don't get better when Ashline's sister Eve returns and ends with a warrant for her arrest. After a tragic night we move to a few months later and to a new setting. Ashline has transferred to a new school across the country nestled in the California Redwoods where she can get away from her past and start fresh but this is when things start becoming strange and Ashline realizes there is a lot about herself that she doesn't know.

Wildefire was a great balance of action, teenage drama, and romance. A premise that was wonderfully unique and beautifully written with smooth dialogue and colourful description. It wasn't perfect however and there was one main issue I had with the story. Near the middle we reach a point where all the characters learn of a certain turning point in each other's past and I was displeased that it was told in the second person perspective. Now this could just be my issue, I haven't heard anyone else mention it in their reviews and it didn't ruin the book for me but it did make me put it down for a while before continuing with it. Other than that though I did enjoy Wildefire very much and hope to see the few unanswered questions left in this novel to be answered in its sequel.

More on the 3.5 side but I really enjoyed it.

Being adopted during infancy and growing up in a white-washed suburb, Ashline Wilde's Polynesian looks were something of a dark beam in a sea of white light. The only other person who could have understand equally what she was going through decided to up and leave the burbs for a world-view trip around the globe, leaving her little sister behind confused and alone. When Evelyn “Eve” Wilde makes her reappearance, she know nothing better than to terrorize her younger sibling when Ash refuses to do her bidding. After a horrible incident, Ash finds herself across the country in a prep school known as Blackwood Academy that she's beginning to view as the silver lining in a world of chaos, and as a new beginning. It wasn't long until Ash got some answers–and with them more questions–about her elder sister's extraordinary display of power back in Scarsdale, and the group of gods and goddesses that seem to know about their own powers than Ash knows about her own. If she even has any...

The first thing that I was pleasantly surprised to read when I started Wildefire was the brutal way that the author threw you into the story, no mercy, no sugarcoating. From the onset the reader is captivated by the roughness of the main character and introduced into the the confined space she views herself living in. This soon builds up into a well-crafted situation where reason soon flies out the window and total action takes over. This was one of those books where “actions speak louder than words.” And I absolutely love those. This doesn't mean that there was minimal dialogue or no explanations of thought processes, not at all. I just mean that the actions done by the primitive characters say more about them than any simple summary of their personality would.

Ashline was my ideal character and perspective I would have chosen to read the book through. She sees more about the people around her, perceives in a way that is easily relatable, and casts them in their own light of judgement. I believe this had to do more with the authors writing style than anything else. The only way I could explain it would be that once you start reading, you don't realize time going by or what page your on. It just keeps you entranced long enough for you to keep reading until you feel exhaustion creeping up on you. Something that really put me inside the book was the unique occurrences of the story being told in second-person. That was a little like the icing on the cake for me.

Another facet that I couldn't ignore was the smooth way Ash's life was built up in the course of time throughout the book. So many things changed, secrets unveiled, people in disguise uncovered. All of it was contributing to the whole of the book and creating a fantastic debut and installment of what I hope will be an everlasting series.

Grade: B+

Oh, how do I describe this book without giving anything away? The first thing that pops into my mind is the word epic. That's truly what this book is. As soon as I opened Wildefire and started to read, I remembered why I love books so much. Karsten Knight has written a gem. It will draw you in, and dig its claws into you until the very end. Best part? You'll love every minute of it.

Ashline and her sister Eve are the best example of sisters at odds that I have ever seen. There is so much depth to their characters. The reader is treated to seeing the delicate balance that lies between these two. Ashline's love for her sister is truly apparent, as is Eve's, however they also ooze tension in their interactions. The inner battle between these two feelings is palpable and delicious. Can feelings be delicious? I think so. When you can drink them off the page because they are so strong, yes, I'd say so. Mixed in with all of this are the petty, and violent moods of goddesses. This I appreciated so much! Ah, to be a god.

Lest you think that this whole book revolves around these two (which I would completely be okay with) I'll assure you that you will also be treated to other reincarnated gods as well! From the typical surfer boy character, down to the tall, dark and handsome character, each one of Ashline's entourage has a vivid and unique personality! I fell in love with every single one of them. Each of these characters brings something unique to the table, and Ashline flourishes with their friendship. I'm going to have to admit that she kind of stole the show for me though. Ashline is amazing!

Story wise, Wildefire is executed perfectly. The book is written in third-person, which I usually tend to shy away from. However being in Ashline's head was never once uncomfortable or awkward. Quite the opposite actually! I enjoyed seeing her inner thoughts and memories so much that I honestly didn't notice the third-person aspect for most of the book. It was as though once I was in her head, nothing else mattered. All that my own mind was concentrated on was what Ashline would do next. This girl is damaged to be sure, but her ability to take that and turn it into perseverance and fantastically witty sarcasm made me bond with her.

The ending is a killer cliffhanger. I'll warn you now. Most of the overall story is wrapped up and I honestly didn't see the very end coming at all. When I got to the last page, my jaw dropped open and I seriously momentarily debated on throwing the book against the wall. Not because I didn't love it! Rather I am now completely frustrated that I will now have to wait to see what happens next. Knight has my heart as a reader. It's true!

I'll end here because if I gush anymore you might all drown in my love for this book. Fresh, fun and unique, Wildefire is an epic ride! If you haven't yet added this to your reading list you need to do it now. Seriously. Once again I'll state that this book reminded me why I love reading in the first place. A great storyline, vivid characters, and so many twists that your draw will drop. That's what you'll find in Wildefire. I want more.