2 stars--I don't want my review to be long and rambling, so let me just get to the point--I did NOT like this book. I didn't finish it--I read about 1/3 of the story before I got bored OUT OF MY MIND and had to put it down. I've read some of Chris D'Lacey's other works before, including the first five books in the Last Dragon Chronicles, so I really tried to give Fire World a chance--but it wasn't very enjoyable for me.
There was almost NO action in the first third of the book. None of the people actually do anything. It's just the main character, David, living in a huge library (called the Librarium) with his friend Rosa and the Librarium's curator, Mr. Henry (who, BTW, is as dull as drying cement and not at all a noteworthy character). David doesn't have much of a personality either, other than having a crush on Rosa. I really wish there was more action and character development--the story would've been interesting if there was.
Then there's Aunt Gwyneth. I just HATED her personality and the way she acted, as if she's better than everyone else. In the previous books, she was a villain for some time, but a GOOD one. I enjoyed her snappy comments and wily personality. But in this book, she's just an annoying bully who uses power and brute force to get what she wants.
The plot was kind of cliche, too. The characters are living in a different world, where the only inhabitants are humans with special powers and strange creatures called firebirds. As the story progresses, the main characters eventually discover the existence of dragons. Now, where have I seen that before? I'm not saying the story needs to be completely original, but this plotline of people discovering that mythical creatures are real seems overused.
The only reason I'm giving the book 2 stars instead of 1 is because D'Lacey describes everything in great detail and the world building is okay. Also, the cover is absolutely AMAZING. Seriously, it looks like a professional artist designed it.
So if there are more books in the series after this one, I probably won't be reading them, because Fire World didn't live up to my expectations. This is my honest opinion.
Hi guys! Announcing a new avatar contest! Make your avatar look like a person (fictional or real) who has inspired you. If you're entering, please respond to this comment and tell me you're entering! The person who has the most real-looking avatar (like the one that resembles their person the best) wins and will get a shoutout from me! Good luck!Almost 3 years ago
