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ipetravi's review
4.0
Ooookay.. Overall, I really liked the book. Loved the romance between Sophie and the boy next door. The whole creepy. stalker and who that person is was clear pretty much from the beggining, no bug surprise there. However, I didn't expect it to be so full-on in the end, it was nice of the author to elabore, but not drag it on for half of the book. The plot was not bad, the characters really relatable, likeable and elaborated just enough. Would recommend for someobe who's up to someting easy.
laughlinesandliterature's review
4.0
*This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Games of Fire was a fun, exciting read. I ended up really enjoying this romance/thriller. For some reason I kept thinking this was a fantasy\paranormal book, and it definitely is NOT. There were a few scenes though that definitely made me think of Twilight. Thankfully, it was mostly in the beginning of the book, there was the instant attraction/love, a scene where she almost gets run over, and Spencer’s hot and cold behavior towards her. However, that’s as far as the similarities went in my opinion.
Sophie wasn’t a perfect character, in fact her temper at times made me chuckle, and Spencer definitely didn’t get away with being a jerk. From the very beginning Sophie wasn’t afraid to set him in his place, and I also really loved the fact that she was never going to be a doormat. Sophie respected herself too much to let Spencer use her, and I think that is a great message for younger readers.
There was a thriller/mystery aspect of this book, that I just wasn’t expecting, and holy lord was it intense. I was a bit disappointed that it was so easy to figure out who the bad guy was, but still the intensity was up to 11. The end did seem to wrap up too quickly, and I understand that there wasn’t a lot of plot development in the end, but it just seemed like after all the build up that there should have been a little bit more in the last 5%.
I really enjoyed this book and it was hard to put it down. Despite a few clichés and a predictable bad guy, I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I will definitely be checking out the other works by this author!
http://moonlightgleam.com/2014/10/games-of-fire-by-airicka-phoenix-review.html
Games of Fire was a fun, exciting read. I ended up really enjoying this romance/thriller. For some reason I kept thinking this was a fantasy\paranormal book, and it definitely is NOT. There were a few scenes though that definitely made me think of Twilight. Thankfully, it was mostly in the beginning of the book, there was the instant attraction/love, a scene where she almost gets run over, and Spencer’s hot and cold behavior towards her. However, that’s as far as the similarities went in my opinion.
Sophie wasn’t a perfect character, in fact her temper at times made me chuckle, and Spencer definitely didn’t get away with being a jerk. From the very beginning Sophie wasn’t afraid to set him in his place, and I also really loved the fact that she was never going to be a doormat. Sophie respected herself too much to let Spencer use her, and I think that is a great message for younger readers.
There was a thriller/mystery aspect of this book, that I just wasn’t expecting, and holy lord was it intense. I was a bit disappointed that it was so easy to figure out who the bad guy was, but still the intensity was up to 11. The end did seem to wrap up too quickly, and I understand that there wasn’t a lot of plot development in the end, but it just seemed like after all the build up that there should have been a little bit more in the last 5%.
I really enjoyed this book and it was hard to put it down. Despite a few clichés and a predictable bad guy, I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I will definitely be checking out the other works by this author!
http://moonlightgleam.com/2014/10/games-of-fire-by-airicka-phoenix-review.html
violetsbookjar's review
5.0
How can I even write a proper review when all I am thinking about is...
Spencer.
Spencer..
Spencer...
SPENCER...!
But in all seriousness... this book literally had me on the edge, gripping hard onto whatever I came into contact with around me. Though I did guess who it was in the beginning, I still read on hooked and loving the suspenseful and thrilling ride.
Also I will just add that... Spencer and Sophie's FIRST KISS (in front of Jamie & Aimee), was the hottest, sexiest, page-melting kiss that I have read so far in 2013. Not ashamed to say... Yes... It did turn me on! :p
There was also that kissing scene at the restaurant... that was HOTT too. But their first kiss will always stay with me. It was described so well I kept re-reading just to experience the feelings all over again. :)
Airicka Phoenix knows how to write and she has quickly become one of my fave authors since reading Touching Smoke. She's as awesome and great as Jennifer L. Armentrout. :)
Happy reading! :D
Spencer.
Spencer..
Spencer...
SPENCER...!
But in all seriousness... this book literally had me on the edge, gripping hard onto whatever I came into contact with around me. Though I did guess who it was in the beginning, I still read on hooked and loving the suspenseful and thrilling ride.
Also I will just add that... Spencer and Sophie's FIRST KISS (in front of Jamie & Aimee), was the hottest, sexiest, page-melting kiss that I have read so far in 2013. Not ashamed to say... Yes... It did turn me on! :p
There was also that kissing scene at the restaurant... that was HOTT too. But their first kiss will always stay with me. It was described so well I kept re-reading just to experience the feelings all over again. :)
Airicka Phoenix knows how to write and she has quickly become one of my fave authors since reading Touching Smoke. She's as awesome and great as Jennifer L. Armentrout. :)
Happy reading! :D
shaydelayed's review
4.0
The big reveal was kind of a whomp whomp moment. OKAY, I'm not being fair. The book held my attention, but I had it figured out the whole time. Not trying to toot my own horn. It was pretty obvious. I have to admit, I was surprised by how things unfolded in the last few chapter. I got all nervous and emotional. Now that it's over, I realize I wouldn't mind a spinoff about Lauren & Roy, but I'm thinking the drama would be lacking compared to this.
lojarive's review
4.0
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
OK, so I keep going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars so let's call it an even 3.5*.
This review might end up being all over the place and maybe it is because the book (in my opinion) had a bit of an identity crisis. Was it romance? was it thriller? A mix of both obviously but rather than feeling like they blended sometimes it just felt like two different books. Was it interesting? Yup!! Was I hooked? Hell yup! I mean I finished the FIFTY chapter book in 3 nights. Did I like the characters? Yes I did. Actually, I would say that one of the things I enjoyed most is that unlike many YA books, the author actually had side stories. I feel like nowadays you find way too many books where the focus is solely on the two main characters. That did not happen here. I still wanted to know what was happening with Sophie's friends.
Book could have been shorter I guess, but it was such an easy and interesting read that it didn't feel horribly long. To be honest, towards the end it would have been nice to know a little more about what happens to Sophie and Spencer post trauma. As well as Spencer's whole family situation. I think some more detail could have been added to the last three months (and post) and taken away from the first two.
The romantic sections could border on cheesy and quite intense for teenagers but let's never underestimate hormones. And the thriller portion felt so real it was scary. Actually, I applaud the author for not being scared to go there. I kept reading and thinking, she won't do it, she won't do it! She did it! Good job. Although I was kind of sad of who the enemy(ies) was/were.
This is my first book from this author but definitely not the last. See you then!
OK, so I keep going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars so let's call it an even 3.5*.
This review might end up being all over the place and maybe it is because the book (in my opinion) had a bit of an identity crisis. Was it romance? was it thriller? A mix of both obviously but rather than feeling like they blended sometimes it just felt like two different books. Was it interesting? Yup!! Was I hooked? Hell yup! I mean I finished the FIFTY chapter book in 3 nights. Did I like the characters? Yes I did. Actually, I would say that one of the things I enjoyed most is that unlike many YA books, the author actually had side stories. I feel like nowadays you find way too many books where the focus is solely on the two main characters. That did not happen here. I still wanted to know what was happening with Sophie's friends.
Book could have been shorter I guess, but it was such an easy and interesting read that it didn't feel horribly long. To be honest, towards the end it would have been nice to know a little more about what happens to Sophie and Spencer post trauma. As well as Spencer's whole family situation. I think some more detail could have been added to the last three months (and post) and taken away from the first two.
The romantic sections could border on cheesy and quite intense for teenagers but let's never underestimate hormones. And the thriller portion felt so real it was scary. Actually, I applaud the author for not being scared to go there. I kept reading and thinking, she won't do it, she won't do it! She did it! Good job. Although I was kind of sad of who the enemy(ies) was/were.
This is my first book from this author but definitely not the last. See you then!
la_feli's review
3.0
2015 Reading Challenge #17: A book that was originally written in a different language
Y yo que pensaba que el acosador no sería aquel al que apuntaban todas las pistas.
Es demasiado fácil averiguar quién es. Come on!
Ha sido como ver una película fin-de-semana de Antena3. Predecible, y un romance un poco cliché.
Pero para qué engañarnos, nos encantan estos tipos de romances clichés.
¡Personajes!
Me ha aliviado que los padres tengan - si quiera- un papel en el libro. Son un tanto sobre-protectores, y aunque ésto pueda ser repetitivo es tan normal teniendo en cuenta las amenazas que recibe la protagonista y, no sé, que está siendo espiada, humillada, acosa, y un largo etc.
¿Spencer? ¿Qué decir? Al principio es tan imbécil como cualquier otro. No puedo evitar decir cuánto me ha molestado el insta-love. O, para ser más exacta, inta-deseo. Creo que a todos nos ha quedadoen exceso claro lo guapo e increíblemente irresistible que es. El pobre no puede hacer nada para cambiarlo. No es que a Sophie le moleste.
La protagonista, Sophie es muy normal. Pero normal, chica-adolescente-que-quiere-algo-de-libertad, y no la típica chica normal que nos pintan en los teenfiction que sale todos los días, cuyos padres nunca están presentes y, aunque aseguran ir al instituto, nunca se las ve haciendo tarea o estudiando.
No es la protagonista fuerte y capaz, o que va evolucionanado hasta serlo, que nos gusta ver en todos los libros, aquel personaje que nos gustaría ser. Es una chica, con sentimientos, con cambios de humor, tarea, amigas, que miente y limpia el garaje, y frágil.
Pasa por cosas difíciles y pasa a través de ello, con estragos y obstáculos incluidos. No finge no estar dañada, no le asusta pedir ayuda y llorar, y eso me ha gustado.
Games of fire no es el libro del año, pero definitivamente no me arrepiento de leerlo.
Y yo que pensaba que el acosador no sería aquel al que apuntaban todas las pistas.
Es demasiado fácil averiguar quién es. Come on!
Ha sido como ver una película fin-de-semana de Antena3. Predecible, y un romance un poco cliché.
Pero para qué engañarnos, nos encantan estos tipos de romances clichés.
¡Personajes!
Me ha aliviado que los padres tengan - si quiera- un papel en el libro. Son un tanto sobre-protectores, y aunque ésto pueda ser repetitivo es tan normal teniendo en cuenta las amenazas que recibe la protagonista y, no sé, que está siendo espiada, humillada, acosa, y un largo etc.
¿Spencer? ¿Qué decir? Al principio es tan imbécil como cualquier otro. No puedo evitar decir cuánto me ha molestado el insta-love. O, para ser más exacta, inta-deseo. Creo que a todos nos ha quedado
La protagonista, Sophie es muy normal. Pero normal, chica-adolescente-que-quiere-algo-de-libertad, y no la típica chica normal que nos pintan en los teenfiction que sale todos los días, cuyos padres nunca están presentes y, aunque aseguran ir al instituto, nunca se las ve haciendo tarea o estudiando.
No es la protagonista fuerte y capaz, o que va evolucionanado hasta serlo, que nos gusta ver en todos los libros, aquel personaje que nos gustaría ser. Es una chica, con sentimientos, con cambios de humor, tarea, amigas, que miente y limpia el garaje, y frágil.
Pasa por cosas difíciles y pasa a través de ello, con estragos y obstáculos incluidos. No finge no estar dañada, no le asusta pedir ayuda y llorar, y eso me ha gustado.
Games of fire no es el libro del año, pero definitivamente no me arrepiento de leerlo.
booksandlifewithandrea's review
5.0
I was sent a copy of Games Of Fire for a honest review.
Ok this book will have you going till the very end!! Wondering why life is getting in the way of you finishing this book because you do not want to put it down.
Ahh Spencer who sexy moody thing you *Swoon*
He starts off being what Sophie would say a Jerk. A completely moody sexy jerk. Did I mention he has tattoos *Double Swoon* to go with his bad boy persona.
Then one day he cannot fight his feelings anymore and Sophie begins to break down the walls he has built up after being hurt by another chick who shattered him.
"The fiery trickle of outrage burned up her throat. "How the hell would you know that when you never gave me a chance?"
Something dark and scorching flickered behind his eyes. "Because no other girl has ever made me want to forget all my own rules for them"- Spencer
All the way through this shit is happening to them and you get glimpses of the psychos mind at the end of some of the chapters and crap can I say creepy!! The way they watched them stalked them did psycho things to mess them up. Made you want to read faster to see what would happen next and then the ending going to say it again Holy Shit!! As alot of it happens in YA books the banter back and forth between the characters was awesome. Sometimes it can feel forced but between Sophie and Spencer who felt the tension the good and the bad the way they gave it back to each other you were like' Yeah take that jerk face, and you take that blondie' lol. But the feelings that come across the page you feel them and makes you fall in love with them even more.
The ending OMG was freaking awesome you will have to read the book to find out more but would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves YA.
"His eyes were twin flakes of ember floating into the night from a roaring inferno.
"I won't let anything happen to you. No matter what i have to do, I will keep you safe."
Ok this book will have you going till the very end!! Wondering why life is getting in the way of you finishing this book because you do not want to put it down.
Ahh Spencer who sexy moody thing you *Swoon*
He starts off being what Sophie would say a Jerk. A completely moody sexy jerk. Did I mention he has tattoos *Double Swoon* to go with his bad boy persona.
Then one day he cannot fight his feelings anymore and Sophie begins to break down the walls he has built up after being hurt by another chick who shattered him.
"The fiery trickle of outrage burned up her throat. "How the hell would you know that when you never gave me a chance?"
Something dark and scorching flickered behind his eyes. "Because no other girl has ever made me want to forget all my own rules for them"- Spencer
All the way through this shit is happening to them and you get glimpses of the psychos mind at the end of some of the chapters and crap can I say creepy!! The way they watched them stalked them did psycho things to mess them up. Made you want to read faster to see what would happen next and then the ending going to say it again Holy Shit!! As alot of it happens in YA books the banter back and forth between the characters was awesome. Sometimes it can feel forced but between Sophie and Spencer who felt the tension the good and the bad the way they gave it back to each other you were like' Yeah take that jerk face, and you take that blondie' lol. But the feelings that come across the page you feel them and makes you fall in love with them even more.
The ending OMG was freaking awesome you will have to read the book to find out more but would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves YA.
"His eyes were twin flakes of ember floating into the night from a roaring inferno.
"I won't let anything happen to you. No matter what i have to do, I will keep you safe."
frankenbookie's review
5.0
Airicka Phoenix has done it again! If I could bow down in front of her right now I would. This lady is amazing and the stories she writes blow my mind EVERY time. Games of Fire is no exception. This book had my eyes glued to the first page and I didn't stop until I'd read it in one sitting. I neglected pretty much everything but the basic necessities which consisted of quick toilet breaks.
Sophie's life gets a little complicated when Spencer Rowth moves in next door. He is all kinds of hot with his tattoos and piercings and abs. Then he goes and opens his mouth and Sophie realises he's arrogant and a jerk. I loved that these two had sparks straight away. I mean the kind that could burn a house down. I think Sophie and Spencer are now high on my favourite couples list.
Sophie seems like a nice and quiet girl next door, but she certainly knows how to give as good as she gets. She's my kind of girl; it doesn't bother her to spend the day in her grungy Green Day t-shirt and jeans, plus she only owns two dresses. She's definitely got spunk, and she needs it as Spencer knows how to push her buttons and does. The banter between them is one of the best parts of the book. Spencer has been burned before and has not shown interest in a girl for two years. Then he meets Sophie, and boom! he's got it bad. Spencer is on par with Daemon from Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux novels. He just has that presence on the page. You're not sure if you want to punch him or kiss him, or both.
As the two of them get to know one another they begin to realise someone wants to hurt them. I wasn't sure where this was going in the beginning, because it only played a small part in the plot. As the story progresses we get given little pieces of information and you start to wonder how it's going to play out. After a while I started to work it out in my head and I just wanted to read faster so I could find out what was going to happen. I had my suspicions who the suspect was, but I was never entirely sure if I was right. The last third of the book is when things start to really pick up and you can feel the suspense build, waiting for that crescendo. It doesn't disappoint.
Airicka has crafted a taut, suspenseful thriller hidden inside a smoking hot contemporary romance. I loved this book so hard and was a little lost after I had finished it. I had to sit there for a few minutes and wonder where I went from there. I know when I pick up one of her books, I am going to be treated to an amazing story with characters that leap off the page and a story line that will sink it's claws deep into my brain and won't let me out until I've the whole thing. If you haven't picked up one of Airicka's books, you are missing out on one of the best authors out there!
Sophie's life gets a little complicated when Spencer Rowth moves in next door. He is all kinds of hot with his tattoos and piercings and abs. Then he goes and opens his mouth and Sophie realises he's arrogant and a jerk. I loved that these two had sparks straight away. I mean the kind that could burn a house down. I think Sophie and Spencer are now high on my favourite couples list.
Sophie seems like a nice and quiet girl next door, but she certainly knows how to give as good as she gets. She's my kind of girl; it doesn't bother her to spend the day in her grungy Green Day t-shirt and jeans, plus she only owns two dresses. She's definitely got spunk, and she needs it as Spencer knows how to push her buttons and does. The banter between them is one of the best parts of the book. Spencer has been burned before and has not shown interest in a girl for two years. Then he meets Sophie, and boom! he's got it bad. Spencer is on par with Daemon from Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux novels. He just has that presence on the page. You're not sure if you want to punch him or kiss him, or both.
As the two of them get to know one another they begin to realise someone wants to hurt them. I wasn't sure where this was going in the beginning, because it only played a small part in the plot. As the story progresses we get given little pieces of information and you start to wonder how it's going to play out. After a while I started to work it out in my head and I just wanted to read faster so I could find out what was going to happen. I had my suspicions who the suspect was, but I was never entirely sure if I was right. The last third of the book is when things start to really pick up and you can feel the suspense build, waiting for that crescendo. It doesn't disappoint.
Airicka has crafted a taut, suspenseful thriller hidden inside a smoking hot contemporary romance. I loved this book so hard and was a little lost after I had finished it. I had to sit there for a few minutes and wonder where I went from there. I know when I pick up one of her books, I am going to be treated to an amazing story with characters that leap off the page and a story line that will sink it's claws deep into my brain and won't let me out until I've the whole thing. If you haven't picked up one of Airicka's books, you are missing out on one of the best authors out there!
ljaquier1's review
5.0
I'm sitting here thinking of how I can review this book and give it the justice it deserves. I don't want to give any spoilers, so it's gonna be so hard for me to reign myself in this one, lol.
This book was by far Airicka's best book. From the first few paragraphs, I was catapulted into this book...into this world she was describing. Man, does she have a way with words. I've never traveled to British Columbia, I'm not even sure I've seen it in pics, movies, on TV, etc....and yet I could picture it, as if I was there. And that's not even the best part.
Sophie is a regular girl, well regular if you can go by the fact of she's not the most popular girl, but she's not the lowest on the totem pole...she's pretty and she's got her friends. She does well in school, she's happy...she's got everything going for her. And then she meets Spencer. He's a complete jerk...and that's being a nice way to describe him. He moves in next door and he's breathtakingly gorgeous. He's all she can think of, he consumes her. Yet every time she runs into him, he treats her as if she has the plague...except when he's not, lol. And let me tell you, I loved when he wasn't treating her badly, you think Sophie's heart was racing? I was telling one of my friends that it was horrible that I was lusting after a high school boy. That it was bad he was making my heart race and my breath catch just like Sophie's (thanks for laughing at me, Sue, you'll get your own taste of Spencer soon, lol), but when Airicka describes a "man", you just can't help yourself.
Anyway, then someone starts threatening Sophie and bad things start happening and Spencer is always there. Oh man, I'm gonna give too much away! Just go out and get this book and read it. I'm gonna promise you that you won't be able to put it down until you're done reading it...it's just THAT good!
You can catch this review and more at http://ibreathethereforeiread.blogspot.com/.
This book was by far Airicka's best book. From the first few paragraphs, I was catapulted into this book...into this world she was describing. Man, does she have a way with words. I've never traveled to British Columbia, I'm not even sure I've seen it in pics, movies, on TV, etc....and yet I could picture it, as if I was there. And that's not even the best part.
Sophie is a regular girl, well regular if you can go by the fact of she's not the most popular girl, but she's not the lowest on the totem pole...she's pretty and she's got her friends. She does well in school, she's happy...she's got everything going for her. And then she meets Spencer. He's a complete jerk...and that's being a nice way to describe him. He moves in next door and he's breathtakingly gorgeous. He's all she can think of, he consumes her. Yet every time she runs into him, he treats her as if she has the plague...except when he's not, lol. And let me tell you, I loved when he wasn't treating her badly, you think Sophie's heart was racing? I was telling one of my friends that it was horrible that I was lusting after a high school boy. That it was bad he was making my heart race and my breath catch just like Sophie's (thanks for laughing at me, Sue, you'll get your own taste of Spencer soon, lol), but when Airicka describes a "man", you just can't help yourself.
Anyway, then someone starts threatening Sophie and bad things start happening and Spencer is always there. Oh man, I'm gonna give too much away! Just go out and get this book and read it. I'm gonna promise you that you won't be able to put it down until you're done reading it...it's just THAT good!
You can catch this review and more at http://ibreathethereforeiread.blogspot.com/.
condygurl's review
4.0
I sat here for a long while thinking about what I wanted to say about this book. First of all Airicka Phoenix wrote an interesting story. But by 15% in I knew who the bad guy was. Some of it was very predictable, other bits were a little shocking. That being said the story itself was well written. The character creation was done in such a manner that we are inside the world of teenagers. The characters are definately the strongest part of the story. They are all extremely well fleshed out and you can literally see them in your head.
I loved how she kept the parents involved through the entire story. I basically loved Spencer, (the bad boy who was really good), and I loved how she made the peer group of Sophie. I even enjoyed the bad guy!
It is quite a long book, 475 pages in total, and while it was interesting, I will admit that it didn't keep me gripping the edge of my book and flipping pages quickly. I just read it at a normal pace, it didn't spark any strong feelings at all. Probably because I had figured it out so early into the story.
I'll call the bad guy the stalker... Now the stalker is easy to figure out and even understand. The author wrote his history well and you learn about him gradually through little things in the book and can actually put yourself into his crazy frame of mind. This has a two fold effect: you feel sorry for the stalker and actually want the best for him, and two you want to rip his head off and scream at him for being such an ass.
Now in my personal opinion this book warrants four stars. I would give it five stars, but I knew the outcome way in advance, I felt with some editing it could be made a bit tighter, and I felt that some of the repetitiveness of the arguments with the parents were a bit old. I also wondered why 3 months were squeezed into about 30 pages when the length of the book up to that point was huge for the short amount of time that passed. It seemed those months just sort of fast forwarded. The other thing I didn't like was how it just went BAM alls well that ends well and the book was over.
*Warning* There was some profanity, some make-out sessions, some drug use, some underage drinking, and some sex scenes not descriptive at all, and the quite visual abuse at the hands of the stalker. All in all I give it four stars.
I loved how she kept the parents involved through the entire story. I basically loved Spencer, (the bad boy who was really good), and I loved how she made the peer group of Sophie. I even enjoyed the bad guy!
It is quite a long book, 475 pages in total, and while it was interesting, I will admit that it didn't keep me gripping the edge of my book and flipping pages quickly. I just read it at a normal pace, it didn't spark any strong feelings at all. Probably because I had figured it out so early into the story.
I'll call the bad guy the stalker... Now the stalker is easy to figure out and even understand. The author wrote his history well and you learn about him gradually through little things in the book and can actually put yourself into his crazy frame of mind. This has a two fold effect: you feel sorry for the stalker and actually want the best for him, and two you want to rip his head off and scream at him for being such an ass.
Now in my personal opinion this book warrants four stars. I would give it five stars, but I knew the outcome way in advance, I felt with some editing it could be made a bit tighter, and I felt that some of the repetitiveness of the arguments with the parents were a bit old. I also wondered why 3 months were squeezed into about 30 pages when the length of the book up to that point was huge for the short amount of time that passed. It seemed those months just sort of fast forwarded. The other thing I didn't like was how it just went BAM alls well that ends well and the book was over.
*Warning* There was some profanity, some make-out sessions, some drug use, some underage drinking, and some sex scenes not descriptive at all, and the quite visual abuse at the hands of the stalker. All in all I give it four stars.
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