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A review by koistyfishy
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I did enjoy this book and feel that it was a satisfying ending to the “first trilogy”. Definitely worth the hype and I can see now why everyone is a little obsessed with this series and Warner. I do believe that if I was a teenager, this probably would’ve defined me and my personality. But now that I’m a little bit older I can see a few of its flaws that take away from it being a 5 star read for me.
I really like this book was a little more structured. There wasn’t any words scratched out, and I didn’t spend half the book trying to understand the absurd and obscure metaphors that Juliette used to use. She has grown so much in this book and has become quite independent. She knows what and how she wants to be and how she wants to be treated that it’s empowering to anyone reading this story. It is really motivational for any person that feels they are defined by what the world thinks of them, and what others say; that they can stand up for themselves and be who they want to be.
This book also has very strong friendship values and found family vibes. I especially loved the relationship between Juliette and Kenji. Their conversations and interactions throughout the book show just how complex Kenji as a character can be, and how the original perception of that face value “Funny guy” goes much much deeper and let’s the reader see how he also has feelings and has to deal with shit. He really is an amazing supporting character in this cast and I don’t think this book would’ve been as good if he was not in it.
I did not like what the author did with Adam. The decision to villainise him and ultimately make him act like a toddler having a “temper tantrum” because someone else is “playing with his toys” was not fun to read. I don’t mind a love triangle, but I feel the direction his character was taken was a copout. Especially since so much positive character development took place with the other characters. Juliette, Warner, Kenji, the rest of the survivors from Omega Point, and James all had positive development. This shows that good positive development is something that can be done right and done well…so why did Adam’s character go to the direction that it did? It feels like his behaviour was just put in to add plot armour and angst, and some kind of tension to add unnecessary action into the book.
Then there is the utter lack of plot or very weak plot. I know this is a YA novel, but the “plan” to save the world is quite juvenile and it’s formulated by a teenager with no military or strategy experience. There were dozens of potholes that were just easier to ignore and not to consider. In a real situation I don’t think the plan would’ve worked. I’m happy for them that I did.
I do love Warner, he is far more mature than the rest of the cast, and he basically made the book. All the best parts of the book were scenes with him in it. Let’s just say I most definitely “get it” and can say that the Warner train just found itself a new passenger.
In Summary, I am not said I read it. I’m not totally obsessed with the series, but I would recommend it to anyone who hasn’t read it before and likes YA fantasy/Romance. I am a little sad that I didn’t pick this up when the book came out. At that time I was obsessed with The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner or anything dystopian I could get my hands on. This would’ve been right up my 5 Star alley (then). So if any of those series are up your alley, you will like this!
I really like this book was a little more structured. There wasn’t any words scratched out, and I didn’t spend half the book trying to understand the absurd and obscure metaphors that Juliette used to use. She has grown so much in this book and has become quite independent. She knows what and how she wants to be and how she wants to be treated that it’s empowering to anyone reading this story. It is really motivational for any person that feels they are defined by what the world thinks of them, and what others say; that they can stand up for themselves and be who they want to be.
This book also has very strong friendship values and found family vibes. I especially loved the relationship between Juliette and Kenji. Their conversations and interactions throughout the book show just how complex Kenji as a character can be, and how the original perception of that face value “Funny guy” goes much much deeper and let’s the reader see how he also has feelings and has to deal with shit. He really is an amazing supporting character in this cast and I don’t think this book would’ve been as good if he was not in it.
I did not like what the author did with Adam. The decision to villainise him and ultimately make him act like a toddler having a “temper tantrum” because someone else is “playing with his toys” was not fun to read. I don’t mind a love triangle, but I feel the direction his character was taken was a copout. Especially since so much positive character development took place with the other characters. Juliette, Warner, Kenji, the rest of the survivors from Omega Point, and James all had positive development. This shows that good positive development is something that can be done right and done well…so why did Adam’s character go to the direction that it did? It feels like his behaviour was just put in to add plot armour and angst, and some kind of tension to add unnecessary action into the book.
Then there is the utter lack of plot or very weak plot. I know this is a YA novel, but the “plan” to save the world is quite juvenile and it’s formulated by a teenager with no military or strategy experience. There were dozens of potholes that were just easier to ignore and not to consider. In a real situation I don’t think the plan would’ve worked. I’m happy for them that I did.
I do love Warner, he is far more mature than the rest of the cast, and he basically made the book. All the best parts of the book were scenes with him in it. Let’s just say I most definitely “get it” and can say that the Warner train just found itself a new passenger.
In Summary, I am not said I read it. I’m not totally obsessed with the series, but I would recommend it to anyone who hasn’t read it before and likes YA fantasy/Romance. I am a little sad that I didn’t pick this up when the book came out. At that time I was obsessed with The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner or anything dystopian I could get my hands on. This would’ve been right up my 5 Star alley (then). So if any of those series are up your alley, you will like this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and War