Good, I wasn´t very happy when I saw the cover the German edition has (see the end of review), for the first time. But hey, it is the story that counts, right? And this story is one heck of a great show. A feast for the eye and imagination. And I am absolutely thrilled that I could convince myself to read it. It was sooooo worth my time!
Vanish*
Publisher Harper Teen on September 6, 2011
Genre Fantasy
Pages 294
Format Hardcover
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After revealing herself as a drake to hunters to save Will, the boy she loves, Jacinda and her family must return to the safety of the pride. But her fellow drake no longer trust Jacinda, so her sister, Tamra and their prince, Cassian, are among the few who will even talk to her. Jacinda longs for Will to keep his promise and come find her, even though she knows it is not only unlikely, it is dangerous. When, against all odds, he does track her down, Will´s reappearance sets in motion a deadly chain of events that nobody can stop.
Story
Jacinda is back where it all started: the pack in the mountains. Only this time she returns as a despised and untrustworthy Draki – and a nightmarish time of pain, doubt and resistance begin. Jacinda only seems to bite life in the pack, watching helplessly as her mother more and more succumbs to alcohol and helplessly witnessing her sister Tamra being prepared for her new job at Guardian Nidia´s house. Now she is no longer the most valuable Draki in the pack and the main character, but Tamra.
Style
Lively, varied, and very exciting. Sophie Jordan has put the second part of her trilogy into words. A gripping, varied plot full of conflicts – emotional as well as social -, as well as a magnificent landscape, spread out before the reader´s eye. Shimmering, radiant but also dull colors are part of this fantastic story, and it is clear, that only the most unusual is intended for the special Draki. The reader reads through a fast-paced and fascinating storyline full of wonderful scenes, dialogues, and characters – a real feast for the eyes and an incentive for your own imagination. Presented in the calm but expressive style of the author.
Characters
Sophie Jordan has once again written down strong, courageous, and resolute figures that show once again what can bring cohesion – for the better and for the worse.
Jacinda is no longer the meek girl fighting back against Prince Cassian and her mother – now she´s suddenly shaken awake and realizing that not everything the pack leader wants, and orders are good. She is no longer ready to submit and instead fights for what she believes in, what she wants deep inside.
Miram, Cassian´s sister, destroys her own curiosity and craving. It sets in motion a development that is life-threatening for everyone, but especially for themselves. Suddenly it´s not just about the courage to fight back, it´s also about trust and relying on each other in dangerous situations. And this is exactly where it shows that Miram cannot handle pressure and fear at all and in such situations becomes a danger to all. And for Jacinda comes the moment, where she must choose what life she wants.
Conclusion
I must confess I am thrilled! Actually, I had long balked inside to read this second volume. I remembered the memory of the first volume with its tenacious first third, the often-thought-provoking scenes and the calm, almost lethargic writing style of the author too well. But to my great surprise, this one showed me that the author does know how to capture her reader´s attention.
Happy reading
*The German edition was published Firelight Flammende Träne by Loewe on November 12, 2012.
Sophie Jordan
Sophie Jordan grew up on a pecan farm in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she´s also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances and the Firelight series. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she´s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler.
I just love it when a second book brings me back into a series. I'm glad you liked this one :)
ReplyDeleteIt is always a great feeling, when it happens. Thank you for stopping by.
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