HI Lovelies

Today is my stop on the massive The Write Reads blog tour for Fireborn by Aisling Fowler, a brand new middle grade book that packs a punch. Massive thank you to Harper Collins Children and Dave from the The Write Reads for having me on the tour and for gifting me the book.

All thoughts an opinions on this review are my own. I was gifted this book for an unbiased review. You can also check out the amazing other bloggers on the tour.

Fireborn by Aisling Fowler

Lyra. Lucy. Percy. Once in a generation, a hero emerges whose story enthralls readers worldwide.

Fireborn is an epic quest, perfect for fans of the His Dark Materials and The School for Good and Evil series, that will spin readers into a magical world like no other–and introduce them to an unforgettable new heroine named Twelve.

Ember is full of monsters.

Twelve gave up her name and identity to train in the art of hunting them–so she says. The truth is much more deadly: she trains to take revenge on those who took her family from her.

But when Twelve’s new home is attacked, she’ll find herself on an unexpected journey, where her hidden past is inescapably intertwined with her destiny–and the very fate of her world.

OUT 30th SEPTEMBER 2021

My Thoughts

We all know that us adults need a form of escapism and for me that is books and when a book like Fireborn comes along I know I have to read it for that reason alone. That is is a Middle Grade book to me makes it even better as I know I can fall straight into the world and love it.

Aisling Fowler has created a brilliant first in the series Middle Grade Fantasy read. There is really good world building and its not too complex for the younger reader which I find some fantasy books are, even for me.

The book follows Twelve – she is a Huntling at a lodge where she is training to become a fully fledged Hunter/ She is learning how to fight, as well as learning about magical beasts and how to work with others. The problem is Twelve has a slight chip on her shoulder and doesn’t want to engage with the other students. Her past is colouring her future and she doesn’t want to get too attached to anyone. The problem is Seven another Huntling is trying her hardest to be her friend and Twelve is starting to thaw.

The book is set from Twelve’s point of view and there is quite a lot of internal monologues and thoughts from her. Usually I don’t enjoy this as much in a book but for this one I did. There are several secondary characters, Five, Six, Seven (ahaha I laughed when I wrote this) as well as Dog the Guardian and several of the fully fledged adult Hunters. Twelve’s interactions with Five and Six are at times humorous and conflicting.

The book to me was about self discovery, Twelve is on a journey and she is growing and learning about herself and others along the way. From her not wanting to become friends with anyone to going on a mission to save Seven along with Dog, Five and Six. They have to learn to trust one another and work together if they want to survive. It also shows that they are resilient and to work through their issues and become stronger.

The monsters that Twelve and her friends find along the way are creepy and give me nostalgia for Lord of the Rings baddies. I love that the descriptions of the beasts were done so well that I was able to picture them, it freaked me out a little with the Cave Crawlers though and I definitely don’t want to come up against them.

Aisling Fowler’s style of writing is fast paced and gripping. I was in a bit of a reading slump but picked this one up and I flew through it. As I said the world building is good, the writing is excellent and I adored the characters. They all had their secret’s and wanting to improve themselves and prove that they were able. I loved the camaraderie that built between them all and that they worked together as a team.

The book has magic, found family vibes, battle, angst, loss, love and growth. I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced middle grade fantasy read. I am looking forward to book 2 and I am hoping that Five gets his own book and focusing on him!