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martzzmellow's review
3.0
As much as this book gripped me from the first few pages, the plot fell short of being satisfactory for me.
Even with some exploration of the city and power through other characters in the book, I felt that the main character - Lilly - could only think about who she should kiss and fall in love with. Unless that’s explained in the following books, it there will be any, and it being part of a bigger picture it just seems to be a nuisance and her being extremely indecisive.
The plot was relatively paced in a good sense, but everything was essentially placed in Lilly’s hands, intentionally or just to continue on the story. It made exploration of the world a bit lacking but I do understand that it’s a strict city with rules that need to be known. There wasn’t much mystery and things start to add up quickly for the reader without much importance when it comes to it.
I did enjoy the book for what it was but I hoped for more.
Even with some exploration of the city and power through other characters in the book, I felt that the main character - Lilly - could only think about who she should kiss and fall in love with. Unless that’s explained in the following books, it there will be any, and it being part of a bigger picture it just seems to be a nuisance and her being extremely indecisive.
The plot was relatively paced in a good sense, but everything was essentially placed in Lilly’s hands, intentionally or just to continue on the story. It made exploration of the world a bit lacking but I do understand that it’s a strict city with rules that need to be known. There wasn’t much mystery and things start to add up quickly for the reader without much importance when it comes to it.
I did enjoy the book for what it was but I hoped for more.
lucymayp's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
inma21's review against another edition
5.0
Nunca te esperas nada, crees que sabes algo y descubres que no sabías nada. Como dice el general: <<En esta ciudad,la verdad es una ilusión>>
amelia_forest3's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
pearlpiethebest's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was one of the first ones to get me to start enjoy reading again after a long time and it also being set in italy felt great.
The story was amazing.
The story was amazing.
seraemily's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pewterwolf's review
4.0
Well, that was an addictive read!
Imagine if Romeo and Juliet, [b:Twilight|41865|Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)|Stephenie Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1361039443l/41865._SY75_.jpg|3212258] and [b:Die for Me|9742373|Die for Me (Revenants, #1)|Amy Plum|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464205149l/9742373._SY75_.jpg|10280032] had a gothic, queer lovechild with a twisted, trust complex and you've barely scratch the surface of With Fire In Their Blood.
Review to come as part of the Write Reads blog tour happening throughout August 2022!
***Proof gifted by UK publisher/blog tour promoter in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
I think am out of my reading slump! Good grief, I hope so! And with a book to read for a blog tour that I dived into because I loved the cover! It looks weird and gothic and with that title, how could I not say yes to being involved in this blog tour when I was asked by the lovely folks at Write Reads on behalf of Penguin (thank you Write Reads for allowing me to be involved in this tour)!
The hidden, crumbling Italian city of Castello was at war with itself. Two families were involved ed in a brutal clan war, spanning generations, till a mysterious leader survived a church fire, killing all but him, determined unity against a common, hidden enemy.
When Lilly moves to town from the US due to her father's new job, she finds herself drawn to the rebellious Liza, the brooding Nico and sensitive Christian. But with her emotions pulling her in different directions with this strange love square, she finds that Castello is a city that will lead everyone to ruin because no one can be trusted. Not even herself.
Because sins of the past are close to destroying and consuming the present and future. Because Lilly, unknowingly, has broken Castello's most sacred rule: when your blood is tested, you better be damn sure you not anything more than human...Well, this was a surprisingly addictive read. I knew I would like this, but I was surprised how into it I got! So much so, I kept going "How am I going to write a review for this for the tour?"
I kept comparing this in my head to Romeo and Juliet, Stephenie Meyer's [b:Twilight|41865|Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)|Stephenie Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1361039443l/41865._SY75_.jpg|3212258] and Amy Plum's [b:Die for Me|9742373|Die for Me (Revenants, #1)|Amy Plum|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464205149l/9742373._SY75_.jpg|10280032]. Just imagine these stories coming together and having a queer, gothic lovechild and you have the basic idea of With Fire In Their Blood. But with a plot that has more twists and turns than a corkscrew.
I mean it, there were twists that even I went "Whoo!" as they came so out-of-left-field and yet, worked brilliantly with the story and the city where witch hunts, mafia families, religion being used as a weapon and a tool for fear, all the while having the rule "Trust is a weapon" thrown at the readers because, in Castello, trust and kindness are weakness.
I did get a little muddled at the start with all the characters names, especially with Lilly's parents. She kept flipping between "Mom/Dad" and then their real names "Carly/Jack" and I kept wishing Lilly would make up her mind.
But there was something addictive and messy about this book, which was a great thing to get out of a reading slump with. I can't wait for the sequel!
Imagine if Romeo and Juliet, [b:Twilight|41865|Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)|Stephenie Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1361039443l/41865._SY75_.jpg|3212258] and [b:Die for Me|9742373|Die for Me (Revenants, #1)|Amy Plum|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464205149l/9742373._SY75_.jpg|10280032] had a gothic, queer lovechild with a twisted, trust complex and you've barely scratch the surface of With Fire In Their Blood.
Review to come as part of the Write Reads blog tour happening throughout August 2022!
***Proof gifted by UK publisher/blog tour promoter in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
I think am out of my reading slump! Good grief, I hope so! And with a book to read for a blog tour that I dived into because I loved the cover! It looks weird and gothic and with that title, how could I not say yes to being involved in this blog tour when I was asked by the lovely folks at Write Reads on behalf of Penguin (thank you Write Reads for allowing me to be involved in this tour)!
The hidden, crumbling Italian city of Castello was at war with itself. Two families were involved ed in a brutal clan war, spanning generations, till a mysterious leader survived a church fire, killing all but him, determined unity against a common, hidden enemy.
When Lilly moves to town from the US due to her father's new job, she finds herself drawn to the rebellious Liza, the brooding Nico and sensitive Christian. But with her emotions pulling her in different directions with this strange love square, she finds that Castello is a city that will lead everyone to ruin because no one can be trusted. Not even herself.
Because sins of the past are close to destroying and consuming the present and future. Because Lilly, unknowingly, has broken Castello's most sacred rule: when your blood is tested, you better be damn sure you not anything more than human...Well, this was a surprisingly addictive read. I knew I would like this, but I was surprised how into it I got! So much so, I kept going "How am I going to write a review for this for the tour?"
I kept comparing this in my head to Romeo and Juliet, Stephenie Meyer's [b:Twilight|41865|Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1)|Stephenie Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1361039443l/41865._SY75_.jpg|3212258] and Amy Plum's [b:Die for Me|9742373|Die for Me (Revenants, #1)|Amy Plum|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464205149l/9742373._SY75_.jpg|10280032]. Just imagine these stories coming together and having a queer, gothic lovechild and you have the basic idea of With Fire In Their Blood. But with a plot that has more twists and turns than a corkscrew.
I mean it, there were twists that even I went "Whoo!" as they came so out-of-left-field and yet, worked brilliantly with the story and the city where witch hunts, mafia families, religion being used as a weapon and a tool for fear, all the while having the rule "Trust is a weapon" thrown at the readers because, in Castello, trust and kindness are weakness.
I did get a little muddled at the start with all the characters names, especially with Lilly's parents. She kept flipping between "Mom/Dad" and then their real names "Carly/Jack" and I kept wishing Lilly would make up her mind.
But there was something addictive and messy about this book, which was a great thing to get out of a reading slump with. I can't wait for the sequel!
crinklycaterpillar's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
anca_antoci's review
4.0
With Fire in Their Blood starts almost like a fairytale with the arrival of the MC, Lilly Deluca, in Castello—an Italian town shrouded in mystery where her father got a new job. The fairytale vibe is dispelled soon enough as we meet the other characters, Lily's classmates, and learn a bit of the town's history.
Much like in Romeo and Juliet, the town is split in two (in the past, it was quite literally divided by a wall), and each half of the town is ruled by a family, one by Paradisos and the other by the Marconis. The town is governed by the General, and the peace between the two sides is frail at best. According to the truce, crossing the boundary line is illegal, considered treason, and would earn the trespasser a death sentence. Things get a little muddled for a while. An annual dance is the only occasion where the two sides are allowed to mingle. Of course, violence ensues; from what I understand, that happens every year. Why would the General allow an event where people who hate each other can legally assault one another? Although it seemed that the aggression was one-sided. I also didn't understand why those abused would attend the party yearly (unless it was mandatory and I missed it).
As you probably guessed by now, there will be some trespassing, but I won't give any spoilers. Kat Delacorte created a haunting setting for her story and put the characters through the wringer. It took me a while to get into the story because I found it hard to connect with Lilly. But I imagine it would be much easier for a teenager. If you can suspend your disbelief, you will thoroughly enjoy this story.
Read the full review: https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/with-fire-in-their-blood-by-kat-delacorte-book-review
Much like in Romeo and Juliet, the town is split in two (in the past, it was quite literally divided by a wall), and each half of the town is ruled by a family, one by Paradisos and the other by the Marconis. The town is governed by the General, and the peace between the two sides is frail at best. According to the truce, crossing the boundary line is illegal, considered treason, and would earn the trespasser a death sentence. Things get a little muddled for a while. An annual dance is the only occasion where the two sides are allowed to mingle. Of course, violence ensues; from what I understand, that happens every year. Why would the General allow an event where people who hate each other can legally assault one another? Although it seemed that the aggression was one-sided. I also didn't understand why those abused would attend the party yearly (unless it was mandatory and I missed it).
As you probably guessed by now, there will be some trespassing, but I won't give any spoilers. Kat Delacorte created a haunting setting for her story and put the characters through the wringer. It took me a while to get into the story because I found it hard to connect with Lilly. But I imagine it would be much easier for a teenager. If you can suspend your disbelief, you will thoroughly enjoy this story.
Read the full review: https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/with-fire-in-their-blood-by-kat-delacorte-book-review