Wildefire

This book friggin ROCKED! I was amazed throughout the whole book by the craziness and creativity that Karsten conceived in Wildefire. Karsten’s imagination is truly unique in a way I have trouble explaining, and it’s completely different than what I’m used to. I loved the entire book, but it was the very last page that set this book over the edge of how I feel about it. I’m still sitting here in shock and thinking, “WHAT THE… ***???” I was trying to describe to a co-worker my thoughts about the ending, and I was stuttering trying to put my thoughts into words! And I mean that literally…I truly WAS stuttering. I CANNOT put into words what the heck I think about the ending.

While I was reading Wildefire, learning and show more experiencing in my mind the craziness that goes on because of these gods, I was thinking, “Wow, these gods and goddesses are not something that we would want walking around on our planet with that kind of power!” The evil characters in this book are truly psychotic (uh hum...Eve!) But even the gods and goddesses that are “good” can still cause serious damage, even when they don’t want to. That is, until they can learn how to control their power.

The main character, Ash, is HARDCORE! In the very beginning of the book, Ash is beating the living crap out of this girl Lizzie because Ash's boyfriend cheated on her with Lizzie. When I say that she was beating the living crap out of Lizzie, I REALLY mean it! She actually knocked teeth out of this chick’s mouth, and the whole time Lizzie was still talking smack! This little scene I just described is just a very small piece in so much craziness that happens in this book…and that’s only one example. Ash is one hardcore Goddess! If I am going to start picking teams for every book, I would have to say, "TEAM ASH" for this one.

This is the first time in a really long time that I really liked a book that a male author wrote. I don’t want to be all sexist, but a very high percentage of the books that I really love are written by female authors. So I am extremely happy that Fikshun recommended Wildefire to me! This is for sure a book that I would recommend to someone else. show less

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 show more 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. show less

Hmm. I had a hard time deciding how many stars to give this.

On the one hand: What a relief to have a strong main female character no one would describe as "feisty." Ever notice that only harmless creatures are described as feisty? Lions are not feisty unless they're cubs. Ditto bears. Men are *never* feisty. Women and girls? Feisty all the time.

STOP it. If a woman's tough, strong, angry, determined, stubborn, or just plain enjoys kicking ass for the mere sake of it, say so.

There are a lot of not-feisty women in Wildefire. At least two of them think that kicking ass is a fine way to pass a dull afternoon. Several others don't enjoy the task in and of itself, but are quite able to do so when it's called for. Their various supernatural show more talents are creatively developed.

Okay, and then there's the blind girl. Look, I'm not even blind and *I'm* sick of blind girls who are beautiful and have mystical psychic powers. Oh, and musical talents. Seriously. Can we please have an irritable, non-blonde, cute but not gorgeous blind girl *with short hair* who can't carry a note in a bucket and has, I don't know, ninja skills or something?

Also: there is now an official moratorium on really really skinny girls who can eat anything and/or all the time and Never. Gain. Weight!

Back to the story. This book was a fun, lively read. There was a little too much smirking and a few too many adverbs, but I can live with that. It did bother me that the writer seems more worried at times about creating interesting writing rather than writing an interesting story. "Ignoring the first yawn of soreness in her legs from the morning's workout" is a great phrase. "The rain died to a whimper" isn't. It stops the reader cold. "Wait -- rain doesn't whimper! Does it? Sure, whimpering's quiet; but a whimper is a whiny little noise. Rain can settle down to a hush, but there's nothing hushed about whimpering." (opens up laptop and crowdsources the question to 512 Facebook friends: "Have you ever heard rain whimpering? Click 'like' if you have. Comment 'huh???' if you haven't.") And boom, you've lost your reader because you wanted your words to be exciting. It's the *story* that should excite. Excellent phrases are just a bonus. The Hunger Games trilogy encompasses some of the least-quotable prose in history, and it's a killer read.

On the other hand, there was a *lot* of action in this story, and some genuinely surprising surprises. I loved the fight scenes and the creepy supernatural elements. (And the not-so-creepy supernatural elements.) So full three stars for that.

But I considered dropping that to a two-star "It was okay" because the book had one of those not-quite-endings that are becoming all too common.

Agents and publishers love a first book with "series potential." That's fine. So do readers.

Please notice, though, that the word is "potential."

Where is the reader who really *wants* to finish hundreds of pages and then be told, "I hope you don't mind waiting several months to a year to have all the questions I brought up here answered. I'm worried you won't love me if I give you a full, satisfying story now, so -- see ya!"

The first Hunger Games book really could have stood on its own. The first two Gallagher Girls' books certainly could have -- maybe even the first three. Vampire High was awesome all on its own, and then, hey, look! A sequel! More fun! Weetzie Bat is great and then you read Witch Baby and that's fantastic, too.

There's a difference between series *potential* and insisting that readers had better be prepared to commit to several volumes or live in disappointment -- and not telling them that in so many words, but letting them figure it out on their own on the last page. From now on, publishers have to put a warning label on first books that don't actually end. A cliffhanger in the second or third volume is okay, because the reader has clearly and voluntarily decided to come along for the whole ride. But first books? Tell me everything or get out of my library. show less

Absolutely amazing and breathtaking.

The writing is fantastically good, and the characters and story are a breath of fresh air: Ashline is kickass, funny as hell with her cutting sarcasm and very strongminded, which pleased me coming from a male author; the way she stoop up to her sister and how she handled all the issues thrown her way was admirable, and I wish more heroines were written like her. The opening scene, where she confronts the girl she caught her boyfriend cheating did it from and I instantly fell in love with her.

The rest of the story maintained its awesomness and I think I never enjoyed as much a different take on mythology.

Up until the 90% mark on my e-reader, I was going with a 4-star rating, there were some plotholes show more that left a bad taste in my mouth and I feared for the disappointement washing over me; but suddenly the events took a 180° spin and I couldn't stop reading or gasping. And what a wicked thing to do Mr. Knight to leave me hanging with that ending, I'm quite sure that I screamed a little and nearly thrashed my kindle with that final revelation. By the end, a "4" seemed insulting and unfair.

That ending built up my expectations for the second book, let's hope it won't disappoint! show less

2.5/5
Now I know why the reviews on this book range from "fantastic" to "nearly did not finish".

This book had a potential. The idea is fresh and original, and there are moments of greatness here.

But the execution of this idea is terrible.

1.The violence is excessive and most of the time unnecessary although truth be said it goes well with what I know of the old pantheons of gods.

2. The writing and descriptions are overly complicated and especially improbable from the mouths of teenagers. Does any sixteen-year old talk like that? Also their actions and pranks are hard to believe into too. They act like adults, with freedom to which adults accustomed, - it just left me confused.

3. When I finished the book I really wanted to swear. There show more are too many things happening, too many plot lines left unfinished. It feels like the story tries to appeal to our habit for sensationalism.

All in all it's a mess, but a mess with a potential for greatness. Now you'd better decide for yourself what you think of it and I'll be curious to hear about it, but moi? I'll think long and hard before tackling the next book in series. show less

Wildefire is a new entry into the young adult paranormal genre, and a welcome entry it is. As a refreshing change from vampires, werewolves, fairies, and other otherworldly creatures, Ms. Knight introduces her readers to gods and goddesses. The added bonus is that they are not from one mythology but cross all mythologies - from Norse to Polynesian to Egyptian and so many more. This in itself is extremely fascinating and deserves more attention than it received.

That is not to say that the rest of the novel outside of the gods and goddesses is poor. Rather, Ms. Knight keeps the reader's interest through Ash and the blurring of the lines between good and bad. Ash is one strong female. She is not perfect; in fact, she has one nasty temper. show more Yet, her struggles to control her temper and separate herself from her sister is endearing, not that endearing is a term one could use to describe Ash. Rather, her flaws make her more sympathetic, in spite of her prickly exterior.

The story itself felt much like a stand-alone novel, even though it is not. In fact, it is not until the end of the novel where the reader realizes that there are still many outstanding questions. The questions left unanswered are intriguing and pique the reader's interest in future stories, while Wildefire's main storyline ends in a fairly satisfactory way, without the huge, jarring cliffhanger that is so typical in series.

Wildefire is not without its flaws. I, for one, wish there was more explanations regarding the various gods and goddesses mentioned, so that the reader had a better understanding of what their stories, and powers, entail. Still, it is a satisfying addition to YA. Gone are the angsty, somewhat week female heroine and the mysterious, brooding gorgeous love interest. Instead, we are given Ash, a heroine who does not need a man to complete her and who has enough spark and verve to be never be considered angst-ridden. Wildefire is sure to delight fans of paranormal YA, both young and old.

Thank you to Lucille Rettino of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for my review copy! show less

I was skeptical of Wildefire at first. I love mythology, but usually stick to what I know - Greek, Roman, Egyptian and occasionally Norse. As it was explained to me, Wildefire was chock full of Polynesian mythology and that almost scared me off. Previous to Wildefire, I don't think I even knew there was Polynesian mythology and learning an entirely new pantheon was a daunting prospect.

I had heard glorious things about Wildefire from early readers, and as is usually the case, I bowed to peer pressure when the opportunity to read it presented itself. I can firmly say that in this case, peer pressure was a good thing. I can't imagine having passed on Wildefire now having experienced it.

Wildefire does feature Polynesian mythology, but show more rather than focusing on it, it incorporates it with other pantheons that I was already comfortable with. This made it much easier to grasp certain aspects while leaving the story open for surprises. And surprise it did. Wildfire is one of those books that easily sucks you in. With familiar themes, it convinces the reader they know what to expect. Just when you have it all figured out, something perfectly out of left field blows your mind.

I love a good boarding school novel and Wildefire has that going for it. But even without the Blackwood Academy setting, Wildefire would have been near perfection. The characters are multi-dimensional and easily get under your skin. The writing is fast paced without being confusing or glossing over details. The premise is original, the romance sweet with a bit of an edge and the plot as a whole is as I previously mentioned, mind blowing.

Wildefire ended up being even more spectacular for me than I could have ever hoped for. As the first book in a planned trilogy, it'll leave you completely satisfied, yet craving the next book intensely. Mythology fans will adore Wildefire. Karsten Knight has proven himself to be an author to keep your eye on with this wonderful debut novel. show less