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heabooknerd's review
5.0
I really wasn't sure what I was going to get with IGNITE but it caught my attention from the start and I blazed through it because I fell completely for the characters. I'm a sucker for a post-apocalyptic romance and the feeling of being on the run and fighting for survival just really ramps up the emotions and tension in a story. We jump right into the action and much of it continues throughout most of the book. This is definitely a hard world to live in and tough choices have to be made sometimes. I liked that Nora Phoenix really showed how hard circumstances can change a person and force them to do things they would normally never do to survive. Tan in particular has suffered a great deal in the camps and he's done whatever it takes to not be a victim again even if it means alienating the other campers and hurting himself in the process.
Ultimately, the characters really made the story because I enjoyed reading about them and watching them circle each other with their growing emotions. Austin was clearly a strong leader and he's the kind of guy that takes care of others. He's incredibly close with Tan and one of the only people Tan trusts to not hurt him. The way Austin acted as a safe harbor for Tan was really sweet, especially as we got more hints about Tan's experience in the camps and we began to understand how damaged he's become. In contrast to Austin's strength, Tan was softer and more vulnerable. He knows he can't fight and he's not good at protecting himself but he provides a compassionate heart to those he considers friend. I'm really looking forward to seeing more development from Tan's character.
Mack starts as the odd man out who doesn't know Austin and Tan and was new to the reintegration camp when the invasion happened. Mack is incredibly sheltered but knows all about survival thanks to his off-the-grid upbringing. However, Mack has a lot of incorrect ideas and assumptions about gay men and gay relationships thanks to his religious zealot father. Mack knows he's gay and he doesn't have a problem with that but he has all kinds of misconceptions he's working through. Austin and Tan spend a lot of time correcting Mack's assumptions and helping him to better understand who he is.
Together they make a great group, all contributing different strengths and balancing each other's weaknesses. My only complaint for IGNITE is that it was a bit unclear for a while how old the characters were and this was confusing because their voices "felt" very young. We know Mack is 22 and I believe Austin and Tan are supposed to be around 23/24 but it was never completely clear.
Content Warning: Homophobic language and abuse; threats of rape; Tan was raped while at the camp
Ultimately, the characters really made the story because I enjoyed reading about them and watching them circle each other with their growing emotions. Austin was clearly a strong leader and he's the kind of guy that takes care of others. He's incredibly close with Tan and one of the only people Tan trusts to not hurt him. The way Austin acted as a safe harbor for Tan was really sweet, especially as we got more hints about Tan's experience in the camps and we began to understand how damaged he's become. In contrast to Austin's strength, Tan was softer and more vulnerable. He knows he can't fight and he's not good at protecting himself but he provides a compassionate heart to those he considers friend. I'm really looking forward to seeing more development from Tan's character.
Mack starts as the odd man out who doesn't know Austin and Tan and was new to the reintegration camp when the invasion happened. Mack is incredibly sheltered but knows all about survival thanks to his off-the-grid upbringing. However, Mack has a lot of incorrect ideas and assumptions about gay men and gay relationships thanks to his religious zealot father. Mack knows he's gay and he doesn't have a problem with that but he has all kinds of misconceptions he's working through. Austin and Tan spend a lot of time correcting Mack's assumptions and helping him to better understand who he is.
Together they make a great group, all contributing different strengths and balancing each other's weaknesses. My only complaint for IGNITE is that it was a bit unclear for a while how old the characters were and this was confusing because their voices "felt" very young. We know Mack is 22 and I believe Austin and Tan are supposed to be around 23/24 but it was never completely clear.
Content Warning: Homophobic language and abuse; threats of rape; Tan was raped while at the camp
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow. Dystopian used to be one of my favourite genres and I've missed reading it. Ignite was absolutely wonderful, and Austin, Tan and Mack were the perfect trio. Loved Tan's sweetness, Mack's innocence and Austin's take charge attitude. Looking forward to book 2 and I need more of cutie Pax the alien.
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
Great!
Amazing start to the series. Bad things are implied but not in graphic detail which keeps this from being too dark. The world they find themselves in is horrific for them. I like that they all brought something different to the table.
Amazing start to the series. Bad things are implied but not in graphic detail which keeps this from being too dark. The world they find themselves in is horrific for them. I like that they all brought something different to the table.
tendoheart's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
haunted_by_humans's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It’s been awhile since I’ve read anything dystopian and thought I’d give this series a try. The premise is interesting but unfortunately a lot of the dialogue just felt very stiff and awkward at times.
maya56's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
litandlayne's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Homophobia, and Violence
morgan96's review against another edition
4.0
The romance is only briefly starting in that first book but I really enjoyed how different they are from each other, how they have different strengths and seem to complete each other pretty well whether it's physically or emotionally.