Review: Wildefire (Wildefire #1) by Karsten Knight

Title: Wildefire

Author: Karsten Knight

Series: 1st in Wildefire series

Pages: 400

Published: July 26, 2011 by Simon Schuster

ISBN: 9781442421172

Source: Galley Grab

 

Description:  Every flame begins with a spark. Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

I Give This ...

 

I'm not really sure were to start with this book.  I was really hoping to enjoy it.  It even started out well.  But, it sort of fizzled in the middle and I'm not sure it every regained the ground it lost.

I was pulled into the beginning of this book.  Ash was totally kick ass.  I loved the whole parking lot of fight that was basically over a boy.  While it seems juvenile, it was just fun to watch a girl get her butt kicked for not knowing when to stop.  My thoughts on Ash never really changed.  I loved her personality, her sarcasm, her devotion to her friends, and her relationship with her sister.  I liked watching her realize what her powers were and what it might mean.  

I was equally intrigued by Eve.  Her powers are intense are so is her personality.  She does as she pleases and manages to warp.  She swoops in and out of Ash's life causing pain and destruction every time she does.  She's seems to think she's has some sort of pull over Ash and gets angry when Ash finally stands her ground.  

So what fizzled for me?  Mainly it was all about the mythology.  I didn't feel it was explained very well.  Why was this group of teenagers called?  I didn't really understand what Eve had to do with it?  What exactly are the Cloaks?  And what does Blink have to do with the entire thing?  I felt like too much was done in this book and not nearly enough was explained.  Too many elements working against each other.  The story felt choppy at times as well.

I am willing to read the next one though.  There is a glimmer of a storyline and really do like Ash's character.  I want to know what the purpose is.