Scan barcode
jovanas_cloud's review against another edition
5.0
Main characters: Taylor Montclair and Sacha Winters(L'hiver)
I really liked the story and the characters but it just felt like deja vu. C.J. wrote her part using the same elements like in Night School. The main characters are special for some kind of reason, the girl got in some kind of secret society where they later find out that someone is a mole and is actually trying to ruin them...
I just hope that this book is going to be as good or even better than Night School.
I really liked the story and the characters but it just felt like deja vu. C.J. wrote her part using the same elements like in Night School. The main characters are special for some kind of reason, the girl got in some kind of secret society where they later find out that someone is a mole and is actually trying to ruin them...
I just hope that this book is going to be as good or even better than Night School.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting start to a new series. There is a magical element with historical and scientific references to it. This book is told from multiple perspectives. I found the main character Sacha to be more interesting than Taylor. Unfortunately, this book falls to the many stereotypical YA tropes that are found nowadays. The story is very easy to follow and I'm looking forward to seeing where it's headed.
I received an e-copy of this through Net-Galley for an honest review
I received an e-copy of this through Net-Galley for an honest review
stankovic1402's review against another edition
5.0
I NEED THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!! Everything in this book was amazing - the characters,the storyline, the writing and this new secret world. I like how Casey combined the real world white this new and mysterious world of alchemy. I just loved this book!!!! ❤❤❤❤
michalice's review against another edition
4.0
When I first heard about The Secret Fire I knew it was something I wanted to read, but going into this book I had no expectations of what to expect. Although I do own some of C.J. Daugherty's books, I have yet to read them, so I had no idea what her writing style was like. When I began reading The Secret Fire I initially flitted between reading this one, and another one. It wasn't until I actually sat down to read that I really got into The Secret Fire.
The Secret Fire is a book that starts out with a bang, and we quickly get to meet our two protagonists, Sacha and Taylor. Sacha is a unique character, cursed to die on his upcoming birthday, he can not die any other time. He pushes himself to the limit, jumping off high buildings to make money, taking stupid risks to push himself to the limit, but each death comes with it's own problems. It hurts to heal, and each death leaves it's own scar for his ordeal. Taylor is slow to learn of her abilities, they begin to manifest with her meeting of Sacha, and as this duo untangle the threads of secrets and history, they attempt to learn how they can save Sacha's life.
The Secret Fire was a book that had so many twists and turns I never knew what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, it gave us enough time to get to know the characters and see what was special about them. We see these alchemical events as they happen, and try to piece it all together as they do. The Secret Fire drew me in with its magic, its mystery, and the mostly unanswered question of what was going on. I loved the idea of bringing alchemy into the story, and having the dangerous Bringers hovering in the background, their dangerous presence felt by all.
The Secret Fire was my first foray into C.J's writing, and after finishing this I can't wait to jump into the books I have on my shelves as soon as time allows.
Final Verdict
The Secret Fire was a really enjoyable read and after the ending that we are left with I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.
The Secret Fire is a book that starts out with a bang, and we quickly get to meet our two protagonists, Sacha and Taylor. Sacha is a unique character, cursed to die on his upcoming birthday, he can not die any other time. He pushes himself to the limit, jumping off high buildings to make money, taking stupid risks to push himself to the limit, but each death comes with it's own problems. It hurts to heal, and each death leaves it's own scar for his ordeal. Taylor is slow to learn of her abilities, they begin to manifest with her meeting of Sacha, and as this duo untangle the threads of secrets and history, they attempt to learn how they can save Sacha's life.
The Secret Fire was a book that had so many twists and turns I never knew what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, it gave us enough time to get to know the characters and see what was special about them. We see these alchemical events as they happen, and try to piece it all together as they do. The Secret Fire drew me in with its magic, its mystery, and the mostly unanswered question of what was going on. I loved the idea of bringing alchemy into the story, and having the dangerous Bringers hovering in the background, their dangerous presence felt by all.
The Secret Fire was my first foray into C.J's writing, and after finishing this I can't wait to jump into the books I have on my shelves as soon as time allows.
Final Verdict
The Secret Fire was a really enjoyable read and after the ending that we are left with I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.
theowlerybooks's review against another edition
3.0
This fantasy was very middle of the road for me. The two main characters meshed together so very well. The love aspect happened a bit to quick for me but it seemed natural so I didn't notice much. The reasoning behind the main problem in the story made absolutely no sense to me this will be a series so maybe more will be explained in the next book but the "curse" that accompanies the two MC's was only half way explained which left a big plot hole. For someone who reads so much YA Fantasy this just didn't stand out all that much it wasn't bad but it definitely was not great!
talya_'s review against another edition
Wow. Before reading, I honestly thought this book might be good.
It wasn't.
The writing was unbearably simple and entirely dull. I'm a firm believer that fantasy books should be well written and have exceptional world building. This book has neither. As if that isn't bad enough, we have the two most cliche main characters ever. Our female MC is your typical goody-goody perfect student who's obsessed with her grades. She also happens to he incredibly pretty, though she doesn't think so, and has crazy curly hair that she dislikes because apparently blondes are only supposed to have straight hair. Really?
The male MC is dull and "dangerous" and his personality seems to flip around like the author couldn't make up her mind. I honestly can't even bear to go on anymore. DNF.
It wasn't.
The writing was unbearably simple and entirely dull. I'm a firm believer that fantasy books should be well written and have exceptional world building. This book has neither. As if that isn't bad enough, we have the two most cliche main characters ever. Our female MC is your typical goody-goody perfect student who's obsessed with her grades. She also happens to he incredibly pretty, though she doesn't think so, and has crazy curly hair that she dislikes because apparently blondes are only supposed to have straight hair. Really?
The male MC is dull and "dangerous" and his personality seems to flip around like the author couldn't make up her mind. I honestly can't even bear to go on anymore. DNF.
pewterwolf's review against another edition
4.0
Nearly 4.5 stars. More addictive than CJ's Night School series.
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
Taylor is a girl from England. Sacha is the boy from Paris. They have nothing in common nor do they know each other. Until Taylor's French teacher and Sacha's English teacher force them together for online tutoring. But there's more to it than that. Both Taylor's and Sacha's fates are entwined by a curse. A curse that must be lifted before Sacha's next birthday - which is in around eight weeks time.
But first, they have to meet...
Ok, I am going to say this now. I really liked the Night School series. But this is better.
I sense that the legion of Night School fans are marching to my house with pitchforks and lit torches. But hear me out.
I like slow burning thrillers. Night School slowly burned with foreshadowing and twists. The Secret Fire, on the other hand, grabs you by the neck and you have to run with it. There is no time to foreshadowing in this book. And because of this pacing (because of the short timeframe of the curse and the fact this is a duology), you find yourself speeding through the pages. I read a few pages on and off for a few days, before I sat down and read this book for a few hours. I found, within three hours, I had read nearly three quarters of the book. This is rare that I speed through a book, so the fact I did is always a good thing.
I like the fact that we have an English author and a French author writing this series together. While the story is in English, there is a feel that both CJ and Carina know what they are doing and what they are talking about.
If I had to pick one fault, it's the fact I wish we go some more background on some characters, which I sense is going to be quite important in the next book. For example, while I'm not the biggest fan of Louisa, but we got (what I felt was) very little info on her and I think she's going to be huge in book 2.
But I had such a fun addictive time reading this. Can't wait for book 2!
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
Taylor is a girl from England. Sacha is the boy from Paris. They have nothing in common nor do they know each other. Until Taylor's French teacher and Sacha's English teacher force them together for online tutoring. But there's more to it than that. Both Taylor's and Sacha's fates are entwined by a curse. A curse that must be lifted before Sacha's next birthday - which is in around eight weeks time.
But first, they have to meet...
Ok, I am going to say this now. I really liked the Night School series. But this is better.
I sense that the legion of Night School fans are marching to my house with pitchforks and lit torches. But hear me out.
I like slow burning thrillers. Night School slowly burned with foreshadowing and twists. The Secret Fire, on the other hand, grabs you by the neck and you have to run with it. There is no time to foreshadowing in this book. And because of this pacing (because of the short timeframe of the curse and the fact this is a duology), you find yourself speeding through the pages. I read a few pages on and off for a few days, before I sat down and read this book for a few hours. I found, within three hours, I had read nearly three quarters of the book. This is rare that I speed through a book, so the fact I did is always a good thing.
I like the fact that we have an English author and a French author writing this series together. While the story is in English, there is a feel that both CJ and Carina know what they are doing and what they are talking about.
If I had to pick one fault, it's the fact I wish we go some more background on some characters, which I sense is going to be quite important in the next book. For example, while I'm not the biggest fan of Louisa, but we got (what I felt was) very little info on her and I think she's going to be huge in book 2.
But I had such a fun addictive time reading this. Can't wait for book 2!
beyondevak's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Hands down, it is a winner. Aces!!!
amethystbookwyrm's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for giving this book to review.
French teenager Sacha cannot die, until he turns 18, which will trigger his death and an apocalyptic event. Taylor is a straight A student who believes she is normal until she discovers that she can short out lights with her brain. They discover that Taylor is the only one who can save Sacha but they live in different countries and deadly forces are trying to stop them. Will they be able to break this curse in time?
The Secret Fire is a paranormal novel which is fast paced and has a hint of romance. I liked that this book was set in a different place than USA, as I feel that quite a lot them are set there, I especially enjoyed the parts that were in the UK as I could relate to it.
Taylor is likeable but too perfect and good at everything, as she is responsible, considerate and hard-working. I preferred Sacha as he is wounded, sarcastic and comes across as rude and distant but this is a defence mechanism which hides how kind and lonely he is.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next book, The Secret City. I would recommend The Secret Fire to fans of the Ceruleans series by Megan Tayte and The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
French teenager Sacha cannot die, until he turns 18, which will trigger his death and an apocalyptic event. Taylor is a straight A student who believes she is normal until she discovers that she can short out lights with her brain. They discover that Taylor is the only one who can save Sacha but they live in different countries and deadly forces are trying to stop them. Will they be able to break this curse in time?
The Secret Fire is a paranormal novel which is fast paced and has a hint of romance. I liked that this book was set in a different place than USA, as I feel that quite a lot them are set there, I especially enjoyed the parts that were in the UK as I could relate to it.
Taylor is likeable but too perfect and good at everything, as she is responsible, considerate and hard-working. I preferred Sacha as he is wounded, sarcastic and comes across as rude and distant but this is a defence mechanism which hides how kind and lonely he is.
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next book, The Secret City. I would recommend The Secret Fire to fans of the Ceruleans series by Megan Tayte and The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm