Monday 29 July 2013

Fire with Fire by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Fire with Fire by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date: August 13th 2013
My rating: 5 stars 


Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance. Not even close. For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before. And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn. It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...

Burn for Burn was a book which I really adored last year; it was a fun contemporary with a different twist. I don’t know what I was expecting going into Fire with Fire, but it wasn’t this. Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian literally came out all guns blazing with this book. It was a story of three different girls coming together, but in particular the stories of Lillia and Kat really struck a chord with me.

I instantly connected with Kat and Lillia’s character in Burn for Burn, so I couldn’t wait to see how things would be different for them in this book. We barely touched upon these characters in the first book, but I really feel as if I got the chance to know them that much more. Despite Kat being tough on the outside and acting like she didn’t give a crap, I admired her strength in this book to actually go for what mattered to her most, her spot at Oberlin. It was always her mum’s dream and one that Kat wanted to fulfil. So getting Kat’s back story, and learning how much of an important role her mother and family played in her life I greatly appreciated. Her story really left a strong impression with me. I was at parts left with swollen eyelids after crying so hard.

The same can be said with Lillia’s story; my heart went out so much for these girls, as they really put their hearts on the line. Lillia really found her back against the wall in this book, she was torn between deciding with whether she should stick with what the girls had been telling her to do or whether she should listen to her heart. Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian did a tremendous job, in displaying the inner turmoil Lillia had to battle with. Her depth of feelings which she developed over the course of the book and having to constantly battle them away was so hard to watch. And then there was Alex, in my review of the first book I admitted that I didn’t know his true feelings and once again this was the case here. Alex was a great guy, who I adored from the first book, but I’m going to have to say that somebody else stole the limelight away from him in this book. I know we’ve been shown and told just how bad this other guy is and he deserved everything coming his way. But honestly my heart so went out for him. Yes he could be a punk at times, but the moments when he shared his sweet and tender side I loved! I need more of this guy right away!

Fire with Fire was a book which I thought would highly fixated upon the girls and getting their revenge. But it was a lot more than that, I loved Lillia’s and Kat’s stories, and to be honest that’s all I wanted, their stories. Whenever Mary popped up I really wanted to skip her chapters. I wasn’t able to connect with her character in the first book and this feeling just became stronger with this book. I understand she was hurt by what happened, but I think her idea of revenge just got totally got out of control in this book. I didn’t want Reeve to get hurt anymore, poor guy had already been put through so much and had his life completely side tracked because of the girls. And then when I got to know him that bit more I was even more against her plan. And as the story progressed she came across really deluded, with her lurking about and not considering that she had such great friends in front of her. However I thought I knew my feelings when it concerned Mary, but the ending just completely threw me. I honestly just don’t know what to think now.

Fire with Fire was an incredible follow up book from Burn for Burn. We’re thrown back together with a wonderful set of characters, some which just shredded away at my heart and others two in particular; Mary and Rennie which just left me enraged. With so much going on constantly, I never wanted this book to end. Also with things going off in so many directions I didn’t expect especially with that ending *shakes fist*. And the great depths we got to experience of my favourite characters made this a top read of this year for sure. I cannot wait to see where this story will go next, I’m sure there will be a lot of heartache and consequences to deal with in Ashes to Ashes. 



21 comments:

Maji Bookshelf said...

OH MY GOD I AM SOOOO EXCITED FOR THIS!!! I HAVE A COPY AND I KISS IT EVERYDAY!! I LOOOOVED Burn For Burn and I'm SOOO glad that this didn't disappoint!! This is the first review I read, and I'm RELIEVED!! Lovely review! Can't wait to find out more about the girls!!!
- Farah @ MajiBookshelf

Siiri said...

Lillia and Kat are the two girls who really got to me in Burn for Burn. At first I was so intrigued by Kat and disliked Lillia, but by the end, Lillia took over and completely snagged the top spot regarding my love for the girls. I'm glad that these two moved you. AND ABOUT THAT OTHER GUY??!!!! OMG I know this is wrong, but I ship him with Lillia like there is no tomorrow. I love Alex, but I wanted him with Kat and I really don't want him to get together with Lillia :( I know that I'm not the only one with these thoughts, but I hate love triangles and I won't keep hoping for the impossible. I'm pretty sure this won't be the case and 'my team' will lose the race at the end of the day. However, I just.. ahhh.. I want it so bad lol. Idk what's wrong with me. As for Mary, I didn't care for her either in BfB and I probably won't in this one either. I can't stand Rennie either. That bitch better be ready for what's coming for her. I've yet to hate a girl in YA lit as much as I hate her. She's.. Yeah :D I don't even want to know what this ending has in store for us, the last one was bad enough lol. I hate cliffhangers, I really do. I'm beyond glad you loved this so much and 5 stars? Girl, you have me dying with excitement!

Melanie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melanie said...

Glad to hear that you enjoyed this one, Jasprit! I am soon to read Burn for Burn, they look like a fun series. :D

Lovely review, chick! <33

Anonymous said...

Wow 5 stars? It mmust have been really good!
I still haven't read book 1 yet, but I think I need to get to it after your review, Jasprit.
The characters and the plot sound fabulous! I need to these awesome-sounding characters, Jasprit!
Lovely review, Jasprit! :)

Tanja - Tanychy said...

Uh I'm not sure what to think any more. I didn't enjoy the first one as much as I wanted, but I generally avoid revenge books. This one sounds really amazing and you enjoyed it so much. Maybe I'll get to it one day. Great review :)

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

For the most part, I enjoyed the first book, though I did have some issues with it. However, you're giving a sequel a five-star review?! That's pretty much unheard of, so now I'm really intrigued. I'll definitely need to get my paws on this one. Lovely review, Jasprit!

Jessica@Booked Up! said...

I'm so glad that you really enjoyed this one! And five whole stars? Wow, I really need a copy of this asap! It's good to hear that there was constantly something happening, so the book didn't start to get tedious.

By the way, I am loving these titles! It's awesome when titles in a trilogy all reference one another in some way. :)

Thanks for sharing this lovely review with us Jasprit! Your reviews are at such an incredibly high standard. :)

Jenny said...

Mary sounds like a character whose chapters I'll definitely want to skip as well Jasprit, I already feel sorry for Reeve and I haven't even met him yet! I'm glad the other two girls make up for Mary though and that you adored their individual stories. Revenge plots usually aren't my thing, but I haven't read anything by Jenny Han or Siobhan Vivian, so I'm thinking I just need to pick up Burn for Burn already!

Jen (Books and Other Happy Ever Afters) said...

I enjoyed Burn for Burn when I read it last year, but I liked all of the girls. It looks like Han and Vivian really delve deeper in the characters' back stories and really pack a punch! I'm sorry Mary made you more angry, hopefully that doesn't happen to me! This seems like a great sequel, I'm so excited to pick it up! Wonderful review, dear. :)

Jenni said...

I SO need to read Burn for Burn, I have had that one forever but haven't read it yet. Too bad Mary's story didn't work out better for you but it sounds like the other ones more than made up for it. You have me dying to start this series!

Keertana said...

I totally avoided Burn for Burn because revenge books just aren't for me, but I'm thrilled by how much you love this, Jasprit. I really think I'll need to give the first book in this series a try after all!(:

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I skipped Burn for Burn because revenge books aren't exactly my fav and it seemed like Sam wasn't a big fan of the first one. Now I must reconsider because I know you mean it when you give out that five stars. How will I ever make time?

Alise said...

I read Burn for Burn right after it came out and at that time there was no talk of a sequel so I really disliked it. I also was confused at how it added hints of supernatural elements. Glad you enjoyed the sequel, though!

Alise @ Readers in Wonderland

Unknown said...

This sounds like such a great series; definitely one I plan to read. Any book that leaves me crying like crazy is a winner.
Fabulous review, Jasprit!

Pooja. S said...

Sounds like an incredible sequel!!! I remember wanting to read Burn for Burn last year and want to read it even more now... since the characters sound incredible and the sequel seems like so much more than a revenge plot!

MåїÐ»-(¯`v´¯)-» said...

I still have to read Burn for Burn, and I honestly don't know why I am holding back. Maybe its that it reminds me too much of Pretty Little Liars, but after your review I really want to pick it up. The characters and the plot sound very intriguing and sound like something I would enjoy! I'm glad you enjoyed this, Jasprit! Fabulous review! :D

~ Maida
Literary Love Affair 

Vegan YA Nerds said...

You have me so intrigued, Jas! I remember feeling like "WHAT!?!" at the end of BfB so to know that you feel the same way after the sequel is interesting! From memory, Mary was my least fave character, too - it's a shame her plot line is a bit annoying. Can't wait to read this!

Unknown said...

I STILL haven't read the first book (I was going to but ended up with no time) so this makes me excited for the series even more. The stories sound great (except for Mary's because I feel like I'll be annoyed with her) and I'm excited that you liked the ending and that the authors seemed to bring everything they had. Love the review!

Unknown said...

Can anyone tell me what happened to Mary at the end of fire with fire!!! I don't understand!!! Pls someone reply cuz this is confuzzling me. Did she die or... Idk!!!! Pls someone enlighten me!!!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...