READING: Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Publication date: July 26th 2011
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Paranormal/Gods
Rating: 3,5/5
Eligible for Debut Author Challenge 2011

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

I was really looking forward to reading Wildefire since I heard such good things about it by fellow bloggers whose opinion I trust blindly. However, as much as I adored the writing, I didn't really care for the story even though I believe there was a lot more to it than it was actually shown in the book.

Like I said, I loved Knight's writing. Unbelievably funny, witty and sarcastic. But he also has an amazing ability to make every scene from his book seem movie-like, or better yet very TV series like. I don't know if that comes off as an insult but for me it's a huge compliment. 

Ash is feisty and spunky and I pity those who dare to mess with her, really. She puts everyone in their place, albeit a little too roughly some times at the point of smugness. Her dialogues with Colt all but made up for it, though. As the book progressed, I found myself anxiously waiting for Colt to re-appear and have these steamy conversation with Ash. So characters all in all were pretty much OK.

The story on the other hand, I had trouble getting into. 

I didn't mind what the book was about but I didn't really like the way it was spread out across the book. Nothing really important happens for the most part of it and all the action, which was not much, took place in the end. I don't know what happened there since I believe there was space for so much more information about the characters/Gods and back story. Instead, there were a lot of unnecessary, in my opinion, scenes which didn't move the story forward but rather restrained it. 

The fact that 5 students of a prep school didn't even bat an eye when a stranger told them they are a gazillion years old and oh yes Gods, didn't help any. At least say something, laugh, scream, cry. Something! Nope.

Also, Eve-I'd loved her a lot more if she didn't appear constantly and say the exact same stuff over and over. I was surprised that none of them turned around and said "Lovely. Her again".

The ending I didn't expect, I admit it. It kinda caught me off guard, because nothing was happening and then BAM! What the hell? What just happened?

If there is a sequel, I will give the Wildefire series a second chance for sure. I think with his awesome writing skills and a very good, solid and thought-out story, Knight can do wonders!