Title: Fireblood
Author: Trisha Wolfe
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: 26th November 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 3 out of 5
Description:
To
save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a
rising rebellion that threatens to take control. When Zara Dane is chosen to
marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father's capture,
Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin. Being
betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of
the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight,
Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult. When an unlikely rebel
reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart's twisted world,
Zara's path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear
her path by forcing Zara's hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to
join the Rebels, convincing him of his father's evil nature, or they will take
him out. But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels' command and
where the prince's heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to
believe, and what she's truly fighting for before the king destroys all of
Karm, including her heart.
Fireblood was a book that I went
into with a lot of expectations. The premise sounded fantastic and Trisha Wolfe’s
books always have a unique world with strong well-developed characters. Wolfe’s
previous novel, The Kyzatham Chronicles’ was a book that I loved right from the
start. However Fireblood was a little underwhelming despite its fresh unique
dystopian setting. Fireblood is similar to other dystopias where society has
reverted to an older time period and its traditions to preserve itself. In this
case Fireblood is set in a society where the king has made everyone live by the
traditions as set in Camelot by King Arthur.
Zara Dane is chosen to marry
Prince Sebastian Hart. But marrying Sebastian means marrying into the family
that has caused her so much pain. It goes against everything she’s been taught.
Zara needs to find away to escape in order to save herself but she stumbles
upon a rebellion against King Hart. Now Zara has to choose between helping the
rebels sway Sebastian to their side or risk losing it all. The choice isn’t easy as Zara decides
who to trust, what to believe and where her heart lies.
The world building was one of the
major problems I had with this book. The society itself was very interesting with technology
hidden away, jousting tournaments and Knights of the Round Table. It was the
fact that the world building and rules incorporated into the society raised
more questions than they answered.
The reasons behind why Camelot was chosen as an inspiration for this
society was not addressed. Also the reasons behind the virus that caused
society to live this way was not explained a really plausible way. In short I
really didn’t buy into the world. I think that some of this stemmed from the
fact that King Hart has a presence in the characters minds, but we do not get
to know him as we only get glimpses of him through out the book. The rebellion aspect of this story was
the part that stood out. There
were multiple players involved in taking down the king and their loyalties were
tested. There was a bit of deception and uncertainly that made Zara really
question what she wanted to do. There is also plenty of sword action in this
story.
Regardless of the world building
there is one thing Wolfe always does well and that is the romance and character
development. Zara is stubborn, headstrong and determined. She always rises up
to any of the challenges thrown at her. She never gives up, even when her faith
is being tested. She never gives up. Sir Devlan is assigned to guard and watch
Zara. However he is more than what he seems. Devlan was a standard love
interest. He was stoic at first and then later opens up as were learn more about
him. He was supportive and kind when he needed to be but there was nothing
incredibly special about him. The romance between Devlan and Zara was one that
grows over time at a slow pace. Although there are hints at a love triangle, it
is pretty clear where Zara’s feelings lie.
Sebastian was meant to be a bad
boy with a redeemable soul. I understand that he was meant to be portrayed as
being in conflict over his morals but overall he appeared to be cartoonish. Zara’s biggest conflict is what she
wants to do with Sebastian. She kept finding some redeeming quality in him and
wanted to do right by him. However right from the beginning his actions showed
a very different side of him that was hard to ignore. There were massive hints to his true
nature but Zara was too forgiving or ignorant of it. I just wanted to shake
her. In the end his sudden turn in
personality was not shocking.
The ending also was very rushed
with the consequences of the final battle not really being delved into. A lot
happens towards the end of the book and not all of it is addressed. Overall
Fireblood is a good book with strong characters and romance but it does have
shaky world building and predictable villains.
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