Fire with Fire

How come when I don’t like a book I can write a 1000 word essay on all my opinions, but when I absolutely love a book, I have nothing to say? Because I loved this book so much and yet I have no idea on how to review it! I guess maybe I should start with the characters? Dani and Eden are very different from one another so I was really nice to see how the two sisters would react to the same situation. It was also really easy to distinguish the two voices, as we keep bouncing from the POV of one to the other. Nox is also such a fun character, he seems so dignified but he ends up being so snarky and funny at times. The plotline was lovely too, I really like how dragons are placed in this modern world and the whole thing about the slayers. There was a long intro about the lives of Eden and Dani before the action actually started but I wasn’t at all annoyed or bored. I know a book is good when I don’t care about the main action and I am happy to read about the characters just living their lives and doing nothing special, and this was exactly the case. When it started, the action was good and fast and I would not be able to stop reading, and then a calmer moment would come where the characters regroup and talk and the alternation of the two was really well done. The end scene was massive and I really liked how it went down. Maybe the only criticism is that I didn’t really get what happened when Dani (view spoiler)[died, did the soul bond transfer to Eden? Wasn’t it supposed to break forever? (hide spoiler)] I am a bit confused about all this and maybe I should read the last chapter or two, but I still feel that this book is such a solid one and I had such a great time reading it that I immediately put the other novels from this author in my TBR list.

While it had a bit of a slow start, I couldn’t stop reading the last quarter! I’d say 4/4.5 as the final rating. Sisters Eden and Dani have been training nearly their whole lives to join their parents as dragon slayers. After Dani suddenly becomes bound to a dragon, Eden turns to the only people she thinks can help- the sorcerers. But are the two dragon-fighting groups actually allies? It took me a while to get into the story- I’d say the first third would be 3-3.5. However, once all the pieces were in play, I really enjoyed it. Destiny Soria does an excellent job in writing both sisters. While Dani is undoubtedly the protagonist, I really felt for Eden the entire time. Both experience classic teen/ya emotions (trying to have it all, never feeling adequate)- albeit in a new context. Language will keep it off of my 6th grade shelves, but if I taught high school I’d most likely buy it.

Full review on my blog Sometimes Leelynn Reads. Will be posted on June 17, 2021 by 9am EST Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Destiny Soria, Netgalley, and HMH Books for Young Readers for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication. I’m glad that Soria was able to explore this relationship as sisters but also on opposite sides of a centuries long war between dragons and slayers. I won’t go more into that part since it may be a spoiler, but definitely pay attention to the dynamics between Dani and Eden from the beginning to the end. It gets pretty emotional really quickly, and I’m so happy that I got to experience it. Soria does an amazing job exploring different kinds of relationships in this novel, even when things hit the fan and one would think there’s no time to even think about them. Not only do we get to see Dani’s relationship with her best friend Tomás, and how secrets could end up breaking those relationships down, but we also get to see Dani develop a brand new relationship with Nox, who just so happens to be a dragon. On a more serious note, we also see how Eden was manipulated by the high sorcerer to change her very essence because it would “fix what was broken” with her. Broken? Was Eden really broken, or was she dealing with anxiety and panic attacks like other people in the world do? That hurt me the most, seeing that Eden allowed someone who truly didn’t even show true concern over Eden’s wellbeing and mental health influence her to make such drastic decisions.

Love the dynamics between the sisters and the conflict they are in.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* Trigger/Content Warnings: Panic/Anxiety Attacks, Graphic Violence, Torture Scenes, Murder Scenes Representation: Latina Bisexual MC, Latina MC with Anxiety, Latinx side characters First things first, I found this book enjoyable all around. I loved the premise. I appreciated the diversity of the characters - Biracial latina, dragon slaying sisters? Hell yeah! Plus one of them had anxiety and the other identified as bisexual (on the page! YES!). I even loved some of the banter. I especially loved that it was a standalone, because although I enjoy fantasy I hate that it's often delivered in massive series. However, I really struggled to get through it. Honestly, part of this was me (I've had a lot going on recently), so please take these comments with a grain of salt. Reading is a highly individual experience and I can see that others would absolutely adore this story. Maybe it was just the wrong place and wrong time for me to read this particular novel. I had a hard time from about 25% to 75% as the chapters were really long. Some chapters would take in excess of 40 minutes to read (and my reading speed is typically average, from what I can tell). This slowed the pace of the plot for me and I became a little disengaged even though I liked where the plot was going as a whole. This was compounded by the intricate writing style - usually I love this, and I did enjoy the descriptive and detailed points, but when the chapters were already really long I ended up resenting it a bit. There were some character reactions and actions that seemed unlikely, which also threw me off. About halfway through the book there was a massive shift in the plot (to be expected with a turning point), but it felt like a stretch for that character, even with the build up that had been happening. As such, the second half felt like a completely different book. As much as I loved it being a standalone, it may have actually read better as a duology. Overall, this was a mid-way read for me. I didn't love it. I didn't hate it. It was just in the middle. I hope it wins over others more than it did me. 2.5/5 stars.

Friends, I have been disenchanted with YA Fantasy for a while now. I say this only because Fire With Fire charmed me so much, that I am fully backing away from that point of view. To say that Destiny Soria has rekindled my love of dragon stories, is absolutely spot on to how I feel. This book has so much heart, so many beautiful friendships, and the kind of sisterly bond that I just love to read about. The fact that it also happens to have an amazing dragon-centered plot? Icing on the cake. This was such an enjoyable read. Dani and Eden were such vividly written characters. Each burdened with a family legacy that that requires their all, but dealing with that burden is such different ways. I appreciated that Soria didn’t shy away from showing the cracks in the armor of both of these characters. Dani may look tough as nails on the outside, but she’s still a teenage girl who is struggling with normal life problems as well. Eden seems cold and calculated, but deep down she’s just as insecure as the rest of us. The fact that Eden also dealt with anxiety and panic attacks made me love her that much more. I always feel like characters are so much more realistic, and so much easier to connect to, when they aren’t “perfect”. If you now worry that Fire With Fire ignores the side characters though, I can assure you that is not the case! Every character in this book is wonderfully detailed. They each have their own quirks, their own strengths, and their own flaws. It is not always easy for me to feel immersed in dialogue heavy books. They sometimes feel like they are unrealistic. Not this one. I devoured every page of their interactions. There were giggles, there were teary eyes, and there were definitely some sighs. I can promise you that this story is not only paced well, but every bit of it feels perfectly placed as well. Have I done a good enough job of hyping this up yet? I hope so! I refuse to spoil any bit of this read for you. However I was serious earlier when I said that this rekindled my relationship with YA Fantasy. Any book that can handle both a dragon fantasy plot, and build such fantastic characters at the same time? That book has my heart. If Fire With Fire isn’t on your reading list, I highly suggest that you add it. If it is, start reading it ASAP! You won’t be disappointed.

This book just held my attention like nothing else the plot was fast paced & exciting I loved it. I honestly loved & hated one of main characters equally as I could relate to her but not condone her actions. My favourite part of the book was the bond with dragon as I can only wish that I could talk to my cats like that. This is an engaging urban fantasy that I would recommend to everyone

4.25/5 stars My Moodboard My Bookstagram Post Today’s my day to post my review of Fire With Fire by Destiny Soria for @tbrbeyondtours over on Instagram! They are hosting a blog giveaway so visit the link in their Instagram bio to check it out! I received a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own and were not influenced by receiving this copy. Content Warnings: violence, torture, animal cruelty (a dragon), mentions of racism, descriptions of anxiety/panic attacks, character death, unwanted sexual advance on a minor – very brief and involves face/arm touching only (Chapter 17) Goodreads synopsis: Dani and Eden Rivera were both born to kill dragons, but the sisters couldn’t be more different. For Dani, dragon slaying takes a back seat to normal high school life, while Eden prioritizes training above everything else. Yet they both agree on one thing: it’s kill or be killed where dragons are concerned. Until Dani comes face-to-face with one and forges a rare and magical bond with him. As she gets to know Nox, she realizes that everything she thought she knew about dragons is wrong. With Dani lost to the dragons, Eden turns to the mysterious and alluring sorcerers to help save her sister. Now on opposite sides of the conflict, the sisters will do whatever it takes to save the other. But the two are playing with magic that is more dangerous than they know, and there is another, more powerful enemy waiting for them both in the shadows. Ok I really really really love this book! It truly is an action-packed, dynamic story that had me chomping at the bit for more every chapter. The novel is told in the dual perspectives of sisters Dani and Eden Rivera, trained their whole lives to be dragon slayers. While Dani is more carefree and wants a normal life, Eden’s perspective reveals her insecurities as she works so hard to be a slayer yet never measures up to Dani, who doesn’t even want the title Eden so longs for. Because the first chapter is in Dani’s point-of-view, my first impression of Eden was of her overbearingness, and I assumed I wouldn’t like her, but it’s a testament to the nuances of the story that as soon as I begin the next chapter from Eden’s point-of-view, it was easy to see the different way she sees life and the role she wishes to play in it. My favorite piece of this book, though, is Dani’s bond with Nox. It reminded me a lot of Eragon and Saphira - it’s completely different really, but it still made my heart so warm and full like they do. Dani and Nox have a soul-bond, one that forces them to not only rely on each other but to face the truth through each other’s eyes and fight to change the relationship between their two kinds. It is just one of the many endearing qualities of this book that makes it a true standout. Aside from the great characters, WOW the plot!!! I had so much fun with this book! Urban fantasy and dragons are kinda my diamonds in the rough - I love both genres so much but there aren’t many I can find that truly blow me away. But wow, this book did just that; it’s a well-written and well-executed combination of the two on par with the Talon series by Julie Kagawa while still bringing a fresh take on the genre! The balance between real life and double life were fabulous and I ate up the secrets and the action and the tension and the tropes (they’re good tropes, I promise) with gusto the whole way through. This book kept me on my toes with excitement and twists I couldn’t anticipate, and I’m completely stoked I got to experience this epic story first-hand!! This book releases June 8th, so snag yourself a copy! I recommend highly to urban fantasy lovers and/or dragon readers specifically, but really to all YA readers - this is a fresh, action-packed fantasy you won’t want to miss! If you enjoyed this review, you can friend me here on Goodreads and follow me on Instagram/Pinterest @ashton_reads for more bookish content! Thanks for reading!