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.
After a tragic encounter with a blast from her past Ashline Wilde flees her city home and the only family she has ever known to attend a boarding school in the middle of nowhere. For once feeling like she belongs and not having to look over her shoulder Ash adjusts to life among the deep trees of California; until one night changes everything and she will discover that she is a reincarnated goddess and sh'es not alone. Now Ash has to find her true fire and confront her past in order to prevent the coming Apocalypse.
There has been a noticeable trend this past year involving mythology and the greek gods, and while we all know that not every book can live up to the hype this defiantly isn't one of them! There was a lot of anticipation for this book and pressure for it to be as great a read as it sounded, I for one was not disappointed and felt that it lived up to its reputation. Right from the beginning there is some serious drama and butt kicking so to speak, and the momentum kept going throughout the book, and by the time we get to the end we are left shocked and utterly curious about what will happen next. The story has its own unique spin that I haven't seen in the other Greek based fiction books, it was pure interest and entertainment and I commend Karsten on having a balance between reality and mythology.
A good plot is key to any good story but it means nothing without a great main character, I have no patience for whiny annoying heroines and luckily Karsten Knight created a heroine that is equal parts bad ass, hero, and comedian ( if they aren't funny they aren't fun). Ash resembles a young Rose Hathaway in my opinion, and is an exciting character to follow. Along with Ash we have her new found group of gods/goddesses, each one has a distinct personality and ethnicity, from California surfer boy Rolfe, to unattainable Egyptian beauty Raja, to the strong orphan boy from Haiti Ade, and the privileged Asian Lily. They add different elements to the story whether its strength, humor, or jealousy; which makes them all relatable characters and more human than the powerful beings they are. Each one has some tale of Woe or secrets that hey haven't shared until now when they are all brought together and told that they each play a key role in preventing the end of the world, and in order to do that they have been given different assignments. It is unclear what the assignments are, we only know what Ash has been ordered to do, and it will be interesting to see what the others will have to accomplish, and how each task is connected.
With enough action, mystery, drama, and especially romance (we can't forget that) to keep readers on the edge of their seat Wildfire is a must read. I look forward to the sequel, and the adventures to come from this brand new series.
Rating: ****
Quotes:
Ash snorted. “Is this what you call team loyalty?” She released the girl and pushed her back into the mud. “Now get the hell out of my yard.”
Ash opened her mouth, about to cave into the charming inquiries of the handsome park ranger. And then the scream pierced the air.
“It’s coming, you know,” Lizzie said calmly.
“What’s coming?” Ash asked. A strong wind picked up from the north, sending her hair rippling back.
“This may be impossible for you to believe,” Colt said in a hushed voice, “but as recently as last year, I was a hyper, naïve—albeit extremely good-looking—minor myself.”
“And now you’re a persistent, outdoorsy, unshaven man-boy who cavorts with clones of your former self?”
Ash pulled the cord to the light, plunging the room into darkness, before sliding under the covers and letting sleep overtake her.
The three words that returned sent Ashline scrambling for the wastebasket again. Only this time nothing came out as she dry-heaved.
Goddess of war.
Rolfe said. “The guy is a park ranger, for Christ’s sake.
I’m sure he can build a compass out of a beer can and trailblaze his way through the forest if need be.”
The atmosphere outside crackled as if a car were being sawed in half.
A lightning bolt hammered down on the pavilion
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