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A review by mallorypen
Firestarter by Tara Sim
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Well, rip my heart out and grind it beneath your heel, Tara Sim!!!
This review is going to be unhinged because I am super in my emotions right now.
When Colton vanished I wanted to cry and rage and take Danny in my arms and never let the world hurt him again. And Danny’s rehabilitation and emptiness and pain … UGGGGHHHHJJHJ. And COLTON COMING BACK TO LIFE BUT NOT REMEMBERING ANYTHING????? I die. I’m sitting here yelling at my husband (who has not read this book) about how the ending was somehow both well crafted, heart wrenching, satisfactory and beautiful ALL WHILE being an actual, literal case of deus ex machina. HOW?!
Overall, this trilogy ended with a book full of action, heart ache, and philosophical questions about goodness and evil and intentions. The stakes grew steadily through the three story arcs, connecting together in a tight way. The ensemble cast was overall well done, with only a handful of characters from the Prometheus feeling a little bit like extras.
My main criticism is the character deaths and how they were used. Mina’s death made sense; it was a horrific act that cemented the Builders as villains with no ounce of humanity against their cause, and heightened the stakes to defeat them. But Lila’s death felt like she got fridged for Danny’s character arc to move forward; same with Edward and Liddy. Xavier’s death felt symbolic and a moment of redemption, even as I felt like he didn’t deserve redemption for causing all the pain and suffering.
I absolutely LOVED the section where Danny and Colton explored other timelines and other futures. So clever.
I also really liked the take on the soul bond (blood bond?).
What a ride! What storytelling! What worldbuilding! And Colton + Danny 4 lyfe.
This review is going to be unhinged because I am super in my emotions right now.
Overall, this trilogy ended with a book full of action, heart ache, and philosophical questions about goodness and evil and intentions. The stakes grew steadily through the three story arcs, connecting together in a tight way. The ensemble cast was overall well done, with only a handful of characters from the Prometheus feeling a little bit like extras.
My main criticism is the character deaths and how they were used.
I absolutely LOVED the section where Danny and Colton explored other timelines and other futures. So clever.
I also really liked the take on the soul bond (blood bond?).
What a ride! What storytelling! What worldbuilding! And Colton + Danny 4 lyfe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Violence, and Torture