Publication date: September 16 2014 Published by:Simon&Schuster books for Young Readers Genre: YoungAdult, High School, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery Rating:
New Year's Eve ended with a bang and Mary, Kat and Lillia may not be prepared for what is to come.
After Rennie's death, Kat and Lillia try to put the pieces together of what happened to her. They both blame themselves. If Lillia hadn't left with Reeve... If Kat had only stayed with Rennie... Things could have been different. Now they will never be the same.
Only Mary knows the truth about that night. About what she is. She also knows the truth about Lillia and Reeve falling in love, about Reeve being happy when all he deserves is misery, just like the misery he caused her. Now their childish attempts at revenge are a thing of the past and Mary is out for blood. Will she leave anything in her wake or will all that remain be ashes? 2nd read (Mar 2019) I am angry upset at the ending of this book and the whole series. I can't believe I let it slide the first time. I wanted to slap Lilia for being such a spoiled princess (I want you, no I don't, but I still want you, no I don't really. I mean...) I wanted to shake Kat for not following her dream just because. I don't buy that she wanted to stay with her friends. What friends?? Reeve was actually the only one that showed emotional growth. He was horrible to people before and that led to a tragic incident, but even then behind all the bravado and arrogance, he was still tortured by it. The conclusion to his story was really disappointing, as if yes, he finally got punished and got what he deserved.
Like Rennie dying.
I wouldn't object to it, if Fire with Fire was not all about him changing and becoming a better person and him and Lilia falling in love. As for hers and Alex's ending, I can't even. Did not like at all.
Verdict: 👍 I still love the series and it definitely stands the test of time, but the ending just killed me-and not in a good way. I don't care for all my endings to be HEA, but these kids have been through too much to not have one. For me, Fire with Fire was the best of the bunch, with Burn for Burn close second.
1st read (Feb 2016) I can't believe how sad the ending was!!! Definitely not the HEA I was expecting!! Still it was beautiful, loved every minute of it. I feel like I could read about Reeve, Lillia, Kat and Alex forever. This is a must read series for sure and without a doubt one of my favourites ❤️
Publication date: August 13 2013 Published by:Simon&Schuster books for Young Readers Genre: YoungAdult, High School, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery Rating:
Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.
Not even close.
For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before. And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.
It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...
2nd read (Mar 2019) Couldn't wait to start reading this every day. I'd never think that I would still enjoy YA books, but I guess some of them have just struck a chord with me.
Where the book really shines, is Reeve's smooth transition from basically a self absorbed asshole, to a troubled, love struck boy. I remember being so shocked the first time I read it, when I found myself starting to like Reeve against my better judgement. What he did to Mary was unforgivable and inexcusable. He obviously has some issues he needs to sort out which became more apparent in this book when we learn a little bit about his background. He ends up accepting his fate after the accident at homecoming because he knows deep down that he deserves to be punished for what he did, even though for me personally, the whole thing is morally blurry. I am glad that what happened to him gave him clarity and a different perspective, but the way it happened was just wrong any way you try and twist it.
Poor Alex was the only one that did absolutely nothing wrong and I feel like he's owed a huge apology by Lilia and Kat. Especially by Lilia who emotionally manipulated him just a tad (a lot).
The last bit at Rennie's party was a page turner and Mary's realisation heart breaking, with a shocking and unexpected ending.
New Year's Eve ended with a bang and Mary, Kat and Lillia may not be prepared for what is to come.
