Saturday, April 19, 2014

Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Title: Fire & Flood
Author: Victoria Scott
Series: Book One in the Fire & Flood Series
Published By: Scholastic Books (February 25, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Given To Me By A Friend
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Rating: 3 Stars

Book Description:
A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own. 

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?







I have to come right out and say this up front and first before I discuss anything else about this book because it needs to be said and quite frankly, I just know it will come up in other reviews, or at least, I suspect it will. This book has some similarities to the Hunger Games. They are there, they are very much real and yet, this is a totally different book so don't be turned off by others saying it is a copy cat of sorts, because it is and it isn't. 

There, I said it, now on to the good side of this book and the writing. 

This is a fun read, it really is, similarities and all. Tella is no Katniss, she isn't bad ass and strong and hardened, quite the opposite. She is somewhat a girly girl (okay and a little crazy, the way her mind works and wonders had me cracking a smile more than once throughout the story) and has had a very soft and pampered (read rich) life. She is kind and loving and has great compassion for those around her but she isn't a hunter and she certainly wasn't cut out to be in this crazy game the author created. In fact the only thing she has going for her is love. The love she has for her brother and the sheer determination and will to win.

Those are the qualities that make her kick butt. So yeah, she isn't Katniss, not at all. 

And Guy is no Peeta, not even a Gail, well, maybe a little Gail. He is a fighter and he is roughened and all hard edges and badness but he isn't ...well I'm not going to say anymore about what he isn't. He is however, smart and wise and he too, is compassionate and that combined makes him a fabulous Contender. He isn't a bad boy and he isn't a good boy, he just is. And that 'is” is pretty fabulous in the end. Maybe not swoon worthy but worthy enough.


This was a good start to a new series. Lots of questions still left unanswered and there is lots left to learn and discover but I will definitely be along for the ride. I am really hoping the world will be explained just a little more in the next installment but overall, nicely done. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

27 comments:

  1. I was going to say the description was a little "Hunger Gamish" also...but it also reminded me a little of "the amazing race" show. Hehe! Either way it sounds like a good read! Great review!

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  2. I've been really eager to read this book, the characters sound great as does the premise so I'm pleased to see you enjoyed this.

    A great review.

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  3. I heard a lot about this book but I haven't read it yet. Not sure if I'll do it or not.... Despite some little points it sounds nice but difficult when we always make the comparison sometimes between 2 books.

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    1. It was but after I got over it, it really wasn't a bad read at all. :)

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  4. It does sound a lot like The Hunger Games, I may have to give it a try :)

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  5. Some similarity to The Hunger Games is okay as long as it is it's own book and it sounds like it is. The characters definitely sound interesting. Been wanting to read this one for quite awhile!

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    1. It really is so I think you will like this one.

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  6. I'm glad this was a good start to a new series for you. I got it right after it came out, but haven't actually read it (story of my life, LOL). I've heard the comparisons to The Hunger Games, so thanks for the clarification, but I've also heard lots of comparisons to Pokemon. I've not had one thing to do with Pokemon, so I wonder how much that has to do with whether or not someone likes it. I guess I'll see ;) Great review!

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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    1. I don't know a thing about Pokemon either so I have no idea Jessica!

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    2. You know i read it and I didnt even think about The Hunger Games while reading it. I mean i see why people would be comparing but I didnt think it was copy catting in any way. Two completly different books, if people really think its copying they should say The Hunger Games copied Bladerunner *chuckles* so many ideas have already been done before its just nice when an author can take an idea and put a wholly different spin and story to it. Glad you still enjoyed it.

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  7. I am curious about this series but with so many on my plate, I am going to see how you react to book two. Wonderful review, and when a book is as popular as HG I think peeps will always draw comparisons.

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  8. I've seen mostly meh reviews for this and a couple of really positive ones. I would probably read it, but I'm not even feeling this genre right now. I do like Victoria though.

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    1. Yeah you need to be in the right mood to pick this one up.

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  9. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this enough to keep going with the series. I don't mind the similarities to the Hunger Games as long as it carves it own path, and this sounds like it does. Great review!!

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  10. I had really enjoyed reading Fire & Flood, and felt the same way about the similarities- the bare bones of the story are similar, but the characters, situation, and the added unique element to the story I felt made it something completely its own. I loved the romance in it too. *sigh*

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    1. I did like the romance, it was light but still great!

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  11. I have been seeing a pretty mild reaction to this book so far. I'm not at all excited to read my copy now. I hope the series gets better!

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    1. It wasn't fabulous but honestly it wasn't bad at all either. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up the second book. ;)

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  12. I shamefully admit I myself have not yet read this oops >.<

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    1. Naughty! :P

      Well, I am glad you shared it with me. ;)

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  13. I've been curious about this book. You review is very helpful. I didn't realize it had the Hunger Games feel to it.

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    1. Yeah, if you have read The Hunger Games you can see it but it still wasn't too bad and not so similar that it was a turn off.

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