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Healing Wars #2
Blue Fire
Part fugitive, part hero, fifteen-year-old Nya is barely staying ahead of the Duke of Baseer's trackers. Wanted for a crime she didn't mean to commit, she risks capture to protect every Taker she can find, determined to prevent the Duke from using them in his fiendish experiments. But resolve isn't enough to protect any of them, and Nya soon realizes that the only way to keep them all out of the Duke's clutches is to flee Geveg. Unfortunately, the Duke's best tracker has other ideas.
Nya finds herself trapped in the last place she ever wanted to be, forced to trust the last people she ever thought she could. More is at stake than just the people of Geveg, and the closer she gets to uncovering the Duke's plan, the more she discovers how critical she is to his victory. To save Geveg, she just might have to save Baseer - if she doesn't destroy it first.
Nya finds herself trapped in the last place she ever wanted to be, forced to trust the last people she ever thought she could. More is at stake than just the people of Geveg, and the closer she gets to uncovering the Duke's plan, the more she discovers how critical she is to his victory. To save Geveg, she just might have to save Baseer - if she doesn't destroy it first.
373 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
22 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
About the author
Janice Hardy
26 books358 followersJanice Hardy is the award-winning author of the teen fantasy trilogy The Healing Wars, including The Shifter, Blue Fire, and Darkfall from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins.
She also writes the Grace Harper series for adults under the name, J.T. Hardy.
When she's not writing fiction, she runs the popular writing site Fiction University, and has written multiple books on writing, including Understanding Show, Don't Tell (And Really Getting It), Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure, and the Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft series.
She also writes the Grace Harper series for adults under the name, J.T. Hardy.
When she's not writing fiction, she runs the popular writing site Fiction University, and has written multiple books on writing, including Understanding Show, Don't Tell (And Really Getting It), Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure, and the Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
February 1, 2019
3.5 Stars
Review:
I gotta be honest, I read this book in 2015, I wrote this review in maybe 2017 based on my notes about how I felt toward the book right after reading it, and I'm now finally posting it in 2019. So I don't know how I'd feel about the book now, but this review is how I felt about the book when I read it.
As I mentioned in my review of Book 1, I don't usually read young YA or middle grade (not sure exactly what this would be classified as), and at the time I wasn't into high fantasy, so I was really surprised by how much I was enjoying the series! After Book 1 though, I couldn't help but continue, and Book 2 was just as enjoyable. It was well written with a strong voice, likeable characters, and good pacing. It even had some fun all-ages humor.
This was also the book when I really started to love or get more intrigued by some of the characters. I already talked all about them in my first review, so I won't do that again. Instead I'll just say the way Jeatar was working so hard in this one, always trying to help everyone, running himself ragged, getting so weary that he wanted to just give up---it definitely made him realistic and interesting.
I did sometimes found myself getting lost and confused during escape missions and parts of high action though. I knew the general idea of what was happening (e.g. they were fighting soldiers), but I couldn't figure out the layout of the building or where exactly they were or what exactly they were doing. I still got the main gist though, so it never actually made me lose track of the story.
So overall, this was another solid book in a fun high fantasy series for young readers with lovable characters and a good story!
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Janice Hardy's The Healing Wars series. Anyone who likes MG/YA high fantasy and lovable characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
I gotta be honest, I read this book in 2015, I wrote this review in maybe 2017 based on my notes about how I felt toward the book right after reading it, and I'm now finally posting it in 2019. So I don't know how I'd feel about the book now, but this review is how I felt about the book when I read it.
As I mentioned in my review of Book 1, I don't usually read young YA or middle grade (not sure exactly what this would be classified as), and at the time I wasn't into high fantasy, so I was really surprised by how much I was enjoying the series! After Book 1 though, I couldn't help but continue, and Book 2 was just as enjoyable. It was well written with a strong voice, likeable characters, and good pacing. It even had some fun all-ages humor.
This was also the book when I really started to love or get more intrigued by some of the characters. I already talked all about them in my first review, so I won't do that again. Instead I'll just say the way Jeatar was working so hard in this one, always trying to help everyone, running himself ragged, getting so weary that he wanted to just give up---it definitely made him realistic and interesting.
I did sometimes found myself getting lost and confused during escape missions and parts of high action though. I knew the general idea of what was happening (e.g. they were fighting soldiers), but I couldn't figure out the layout of the building or where exactly they were or what exactly they were doing. I still got the main gist though, so it never actually made me lose track of the story.
So overall, this was another solid book in a fun high fantasy series for young readers with lovable characters and a good story!
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Janice Hardy's The Healing Wars series. Anyone who likes MG/YA high fantasy and lovable characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
July 5, 2016
2.5 Stars... again.
I'm not quite sure much happens in this book that didn't already happen in the first book. Evil people are doing evil things, there's a war raging, there are riots, the world is in shambles, and it's up to Nya to save the day... again. It bugs me a bit still that the people in this book are so black-and-white and one-dimensional. If you're bad, you're bad; if you're good, you're good.
And Nya seems to be the only one with a gray-area-of-morality compass that keeps getting questioned by herself and even her friends. And then we rehash the same dilemmas that I had thought Nya had already established a somewhat of a conclusion to already. Mainly, her use of her Shifting powers to heal and hurt others keeps being pinned by herself and her best friend as morally incorrect and disgusting.
And while I stand on the point that torture and violence and killing is an evil, when you are an high fantasy with worlds at war with one another, maybe violence ends up being a necessary evil. Because then, why is it okay for others to use weapons (swords, daggers, etc.) to hurt or kill others, but it's wrong of Nya to use her own resources to keep someone from killing her? A sword can kill just as easily as her shifting pain into someone else, however, with a sword, dead is dead. Apparently with shifted pain you still get a chance so long as you can find a Healer and a slab of pynvium to relieve that pain.
So you want Nya to heal people and do good, but you don't want to see her shifting that pain into someone else even if it will kill her if she keeps it for too long? The idea of shifting pain back and forth from one person to another's not so bad an idea though, since this action apparently leaves no lasting side-effects (how convenient).
Despite the fact that she hates seeing her own "healing" powers as a weapon of potential mass destruction, the fact is, she just needs to accept what she can do and use appropriately... as she has been doing continually. Which then makes me wonder what all the whining about her guilty conscience is about if she's just going to ignore it anyway, then wallow in self-pity. This world is on the brink of war and destruction and it seems everyone else will not stop to reconsidering chopping your head off, but you're going to hesitate to "shift" pain into someone else because it could kill them if they can't heal themselves first?
This is probably why children shouldn't be the world's one hope in bringing peace in the midst of bloody war. I'm not saying that children can't save the world given the right resources and determination; it just seems like a heck of a whole lot to put on a child's shoulders just because she seems to be different. Or, even if Nya is the singular hope of saving the world, she should at least have some handy friends and experienced war veterans or soldiers to help her out.
I'm not certain how I feel about how competent her friends and the adult rebels are in this book. And Nya, herself, is a full stewing pot of rash decisions and no planning ahead and eventually ends up causing more trouble than not. Then again, there was enough monotony in the narration that maybe I missed some significant and genius rebellion plot somewhere that didn't involve biding your time until you could publicly humiliate the great evil villain, The Duke, and make him concede his throne... because... then what?
Of course, despite the repetitiveness of this second book from the first book, and despite the flatness and one-dimensional-ness of all the characters, I guess I managed to enjoy reading the book just fine. I just wished there was more to it than such a simple, The Duke is evil because he's evil and needs to be defeated. Nya's friends and sister keep getting kidnapped and it's up to her to save all of them. Something always ends up blowing up and nearly killing everyone. The magical "technology" in this book keeps evolving with no indication of how anything works, and I'm still teetering about the magic system and the healing process that still makes little sense.
While a lot of backstory begins to unravel concerning Nya's family, still very little is known about her (or even her friends). And even less is known about the world and the three countries that are portrayed in this world. We barely glimpse the surface of the cultures in a vague attempt to illustrate a setting. More enchanters are introduced, but their significance dwindles just as quickly as they appeared--and so I have no idea what enchanters do and why they merit being labeled as such if all they'd been doing is melting pynvium and molding them into weapons.
Or did I miss something, somewhere?
Anyway, I'll be finishing this series if only to find out how the entire war turns out and what other troubles Nya manages to get herself into and how she'll finally save the world without getting kidnapped again.
I'm not quite sure much happens in this book that didn't already happen in the first book. Evil people are doing evil things, there's a war raging, there are riots, the world is in shambles, and it's up to Nya to save the day... again. It bugs me a bit still that the people in this book are so black-and-white and one-dimensional. If you're bad, you're bad; if you're good, you're good.
And Nya seems to be the only one with a gray-area-of-morality compass that keeps getting questioned by herself and even her friends. And then we rehash the same dilemmas that I had thought Nya had already established a somewhat of a conclusion to already. Mainly, her use of her Shifting powers to heal and hurt others keeps being pinned by herself and her best friend as morally incorrect and disgusting.
And while I stand on the point that torture and violence and killing is an evil, when you are an high fantasy with worlds at war with one another, maybe violence ends up being a necessary evil. Because then, why is it okay for others to use weapons (swords, daggers, etc.) to hurt or kill others, but it's wrong of Nya to use her own resources to keep someone from killing her? A sword can kill just as easily as her shifting pain into someone else, however, with a sword, dead is dead. Apparently with shifted pain you still get a chance so long as you can find a Healer and a slab of pynvium to relieve that pain.
So you want Nya to heal people and do good, but you don't want to see her shifting that pain into someone else even if it will kill her if she keeps it for too long? The idea of shifting pain back and forth from one person to another's not so bad an idea though, since this action apparently leaves no lasting side-effects (how convenient).
Despite the fact that she hates seeing her own "healing" powers as a weapon of potential mass destruction, the fact is, she just needs to accept what she can do and use appropriately... as she has been doing continually. Which then makes me wonder what all the whining about her guilty conscience is about if she's just going to ignore it anyway, then wallow in self-pity. This world is on the brink of war and destruction and it seems everyone else will not stop to reconsidering chopping your head off, but you're going to hesitate to "shift" pain into someone else because it could kill them if they can't heal themselves first?
This is probably why children shouldn't be the world's one hope in bringing peace in the midst of bloody war. I'm not saying that children can't save the world given the right resources and determination; it just seems like a heck of a whole lot to put on a child's shoulders just because she seems to be different. Or, even if Nya is the singular hope of saving the world, she should at least have some handy friends and experienced war veterans or soldiers to help her out.
I'm not certain how I feel about how competent her friends and the adult rebels are in this book. And Nya, herself, is a full stewing pot of rash decisions and no planning ahead and eventually ends up causing more trouble than not. Then again, there was enough monotony in the narration that maybe I missed some significant and genius rebellion plot somewhere that didn't involve biding your time until you could publicly humiliate the great evil villain, The Duke, and make him concede his throne... because... then what?
Of course, despite the repetitiveness of this second book from the first book, and despite the flatness and one-dimensional-ness of all the characters, I guess I managed to enjoy reading the book just fine. I just wished there was more to it than such a simple, The Duke is evil because he's evil and needs to be defeated. Nya's friends and sister keep getting kidnapped and it's up to her to save all of them. Something always ends up blowing up and nearly killing everyone. The magical "technology" in this book keeps evolving with no indication of how anything works, and I'm still teetering about the magic system and the healing process that still makes little sense.
While a lot of backstory begins to unravel concerning Nya's family, still very little is known about her (or even her friends). And even less is known about the world and the three countries that are portrayed in this world. We barely glimpse the surface of the cultures in a vague attempt to illustrate a setting. More enchanters are introduced, but their significance dwindles just as quickly as they appeared--and so I have no idea what enchanters do and why they merit being labeled as such if all they'd been doing is melting pynvium and molding them into weapons.
Or did I miss something, somewhere?
Anyway, I'll be finishing this series if only to find out how the entire war turns out and what other troubles Nya manages to get herself into and how she'll finally save the world without getting kidnapped again.
May 19, 2011
It was great!
After my enthusiasm for The Shifter was unshared by my family, I got worried that I wouldn't be impressed with the sequel; now that the magic system was less novel, maybe I would realize that the rest of the book wasn't as fun as I thought. I shouldn't have worried.
Though the magic is still a strong selling point, there were many other things that I like in Blue Fire. Topping the list is humor. The whole story is told with a wry and endearingly understated wit. It is easy to share Nya's optimism when one is smiling at her clever jibes. I also love Nya for her capabilities and her fallibility. Nya is quick on the uptake, figuring out everything that the reader does. She is resourceful and bold, taking things on the fly with only-in-fiction audacity. At the same time, she has emotions that not only merit description but also interfere with her judgment even when she doesn't realized it. Hardy does an excellent job of giving her first person narrator coherent, consistent responses that are believable but clearly irrational.
I really like the way this book examines a number of ubiquitous genre assumptions. For example, one rescue attempt involves grappling hooks and shinnying up ropes. These ropes and spikes, however, are subject to real-world physics and employed by less-than-miraculously-adept adventurers. They become utilitarian objects, rather than a lazy trope to get our heroes on or off the roof. In another example, fight-scene banter is so painfully melodramatic that the characters can't help but wince--they know it sounds dumb, but it's the best they can come up with under pressure.
I also enjoy the very quick pacing of the story. Things happen quickly, with little time for ruminations in between. Talking, and even thinking, are not free actions--Nya and her friends are frequently interrupted or surprised when their time and attention are focused on explanation or decision making. The quick pace in part means that Nya can struggle with moral dilemmas but not agonize over them. The book does not explore the moral issues that it raises, and many are bypassed entirely, but (at least for me) it brushes up against enough questions to send my thoughts in the right directions.
I am a bit disappointed that Hardy does not explore the magic system as much as I had expected her to, but she does make good use of it. And instead of expanding on the "quirkers" and their abilities, Hardy chooses to fill out other aspects of her world. There is a well-developed culture, history, and structure behind what the reader sees, even though little of it manifests directly in the book.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
After my enthusiasm for The Shifter was unshared by my family, I got worried that I wouldn't be impressed with the sequel; now that the magic system was less novel, maybe I would realize that the rest of the book wasn't as fun as I thought. I shouldn't have worried.
Though the magic is still a strong selling point, there were many other things that I like in Blue Fire. Topping the list is humor. The whole story is told with a wry and endearingly understated wit. It is easy to share Nya's optimism when one is smiling at her clever jibes. I also love Nya for her capabilities and her fallibility. Nya is quick on the uptake, figuring out everything that the reader does. She is resourceful and bold, taking things on the fly with only-in-fiction audacity. At the same time, she has emotions that not only merit description but also interfere with her judgment even when she doesn't realized it. Hardy does an excellent job of giving her first person narrator coherent, consistent responses that are believable but clearly irrational.
I really like the way this book examines a number of ubiquitous genre assumptions. For example, one rescue attempt involves grappling hooks and shinnying up ropes. These ropes and spikes, however, are subject to real-world physics and employed by less-than-miraculously-adept adventurers. They become utilitarian objects, rather than a lazy trope to get our heroes on or off the roof. In another example, fight-scene banter is so painfully melodramatic that the characters can't help but wince--they know it sounds dumb, but it's the best they can come up with under pressure.
I also enjoy the very quick pacing of the story. Things happen quickly, with little time for ruminations in between. Talking, and even thinking, are not free actions--Nya and her friends are frequently interrupted or surprised when their time and attention are focused on explanation or decision making. The quick pace in part means that Nya can struggle with moral dilemmas but not agonize over them. The book does not explore the moral issues that it raises, and many are bypassed entirely, but (at least for me) it brushes up against enough questions to send my thoughts in the right directions.
I am a bit disappointed that Hardy does not explore the magic system as much as I had expected her to, but she does make good use of it. And instead of expanding on the "quirkers" and their abilities, Hardy chooses to fill out other aspects of her world. There is a well-developed culture, history, and structure behind what the reader sees, even though little of it manifests directly in the book.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
January 7, 2021
I enjoyed the growth in the relationships between the characters but parts of this story seemed a little lost like they weren't sure where the story was going. I did enjoy it. If you like a strong female lead with dedication to get sister and a wish to avoid notice, you'll likely enjoy this one.
June 24, 2014
Blue Fire is the second installment in the Healing Wars books. While I really enjoyed the first book, The Shifter, I will admit Blue Fire left a little to be desired.
Nya's powers have continued to develop since book one, and she is struggling as she tries to use her new abilities in the right way. But things don't really go as planned with the Duke and his people continually hunting her and other Takers.
What I had trouble with in this book was the distance I felt with the minor characters in this story. I hoped we would get to know the supporting cast a bit better, but the world really felt like it revolved around Nya. I didn't feel like anyone really developed between book one and book two, and it made it hard to really engage at times in the story. Run away, get captured, fight back, save people. Somehow some of these elements felt a little robotic, rather than exciting like the first book. Maybe I was just expecting something a little different. I just didn't feel as captivated as I did reading The Shifter
Regardless, I enjoy Janice Hardy's writing, and I felt like there was enough new material to make a exciting conclusion in the final book. I don't feel like the book was bad, I just know it didn't quite meet the expectations I had. I still like Nya and her friends, and eagerly wait the conclusion.
Nya's powers have continued to develop since book one, and she is struggling as she tries to use her new abilities in the right way. But things don't really go as planned with the Duke and his people continually hunting her and other Takers.
What I had trouble with in this book was the distance I felt with the minor characters in this story. I hoped we would get to know the supporting cast a bit better, but the world really felt like it revolved around Nya. I didn't feel like anyone really developed between book one and book two, and it made it hard to really engage at times in the story. Run away, get captured, fight back, save people. Somehow some of these elements felt a little robotic, rather than exciting like the first book. Maybe I was just expecting something a little different. I just didn't feel as captivated as I did reading The Shifter
Regardless, I enjoy Janice Hardy's writing, and I felt like there was enough new material to make a exciting conclusion in the final book. I don't feel like the book was bad, I just know it didn't quite meet the expectations I had. I still like Nya and her friends, and eagerly wait the conclusion.
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Joan Stradling for TeensReadToo.com
Nya is on the run from the Duke of Baseer's trackers for a crime she didn't intend to commit.
The Duke is using Healers to make an unstoppable army, and Nya is determined to stop him. But with trackers after her, it isn't easy to hide, and Nya finds herself trapped in a place she never wanted to be and having to trust people she isn't sure she should.
Nya's adventures in BLUE FIRE were even more thrilling than they were in THE SHIFTER. THE HEALING WARS novels are off to a great start. Hardy's characterization is well-balanced with tension and excitement in the plot, which makes it hard to put down.
I look forward to the third book in the series and discovering how far Nya will go to save those she loves.
Nya is on the run from the Duke of Baseer's trackers for a crime she didn't intend to commit.
The Duke is using Healers to make an unstoppable army, and Nya is determined to stop him. But with trackers after her, it isn't easy to hide, and Nya finds herself trapped in a place she never wanted to be and having to trust people she isn't sure she should.
Nya's adventures in BLUE FIRE were even more thrilling than they were in THE SHIFTER. THE HEALING WARS novels are off to a great start. Hardy's characterization is well-balanced with tension and excitement in the plot, which makes it hard to put down.
I look forward to the third book in the series and discovering how far Nya will go to save those she loves.
May 10, 2012
Lost interest and dropped it. I might read it later.
But for now... No chance. No way.
This is where our ways part for the time being.
Au Revoir.
But for now... No chance. No way.
This is where our ways part for the time being.
Au Revoir.
June 26, 2019
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
June 10, 2020
(the quotes / names might be messed up bc i listened to this as an audiobook)
Responsibility was overrated. Sure, it sounded good. Take control of your own life, make your own choices. But that also meant you had to pay for your own mistakes. And if your life and choices hadn't gone the way you planned, well, then your mistakes might reach deeper than your pockets could afford. I hoped mine were deep enough for the mess I'd caused.
Once again, Janice Hardy drew me in from the beginning. Blue Fire starts out a little while after the first book, The Shifter, ended, and now Nya is stuck in hiding (because she's now a fugitive for murder) while her friends help find and rescue Takers, as anyone with any ability at all is now being taken for the Duke. Their plan is to 1. find and rescue as many of them as possible, 2. find out what the Duke's plan was and 3. stop it. The story pretty much follows that order, with added friends and allies, as well as smaller trials and tribulations that they must first overcome in order to achieve the final goal. I thought the story was well-written, drawing me in and holding me, so I couldn't stop reading (well, actually listening. But it's true - I listened to this over 7 1/2-hour audiobook pretty much nonstop, while doing other things of course, and finished it the same day).
I barely heard him with so many other voices yelling in my head. Tali - help the girl and run. Aylin - stay out of it and hide! Danello - roll and flank them from behind. I dived and rolled, knocking the attacker girl's legs out from under her.
Some things I liked about this book:
- Nya continues to learn more about herself and her family throughout the story. Great job on character development!
- I liked Nya's conscience, which addresses some important topics, including her wondering if just being an enemy made killing them okay, and when to feel bad about it. I liked how she still felt bad every time she shifted, knowing it would kill, even if she was shifting into her enemy. She also saved the life of the traitor from the last book, which really shows her kindness towards others.
- I liked the little bit of romance, although it kind of seems on hold, like nothing's really happening.
- How much her friends care about her. Throughout the book Nya's friends help her even if it's hard or if she wouldn't want them to. Nya always got angry at them or was surprised, like she didn't expect them to help. This point of view was very accurate considering how she used to not have any friends and was forced to fend for herself. I wanted to both laugh and cry when at the end she wanted to rescue her sister but her friends literally kidnapped her to prevent her from going back and ultimately saved her life.
- Lots of kidnapping! For some reason I really enjoy kidnapping. The fact that Nya was a wanted fugitive really played a big part in the story, as everyone wanted to get the reward for turning her in, which forced her to be careful around strangers
- Nya's grannyma's advice continues! from don't blame your feet if you turn away the horse to what's done is done and you can't change it none, Nya continues remembering snippets of wisdom, although not as much as in the first book.
Aaaand... some things I didn't like as much (Which made this book like a 4.9 star rating but I rounded up because it's still awesome and you should read it):
- It got kind of annoying at the beginning how people kept asking Nya if she was okay and she didn't tell them what was going on, although I understand how, like I said, she didn't have friends before and had to fend for herself, but it was still annoying
- the fact that the romance felt kind of stunted and on hold
As you can see, there are much more pros than cons, so if you have read all of the spoilers and still want to or are thinking about reading the book, you should.
Sweat trickled down my spine. The dark pressed on me, and even though I knew the darkness would protect me better than anything else, I still wanted the light.
Responsibility was overrated. Sure, it sounded good. Take control of your own life, make your own choices. But that also meant you had to pay for your own mistakes. And if your life and choices hadn't gone the way you planned, well, then your mistakes might reach deeper than your pockets could afford. I hoped mine were deep enough for the mess I'd caused.
Once again, Janice Hardy drew me in from the beginning. Blue Fire starts out a little while after the first book, The Shifter, ended, and now Nya is stuck in hiding (because she's now a fugitive for murder) while her friends help find and rescue Takers, as anyone with any ability at all is now being taken for the Duke. Their plan is to 1. find and rescue as many of them as possible, 2. find out what the Duke's plan was and 3. stop it. The story pretty much follows that order, with added friends and allies, as well as smaller trials and tribulations that they must first overcome in order to achieve the final goal. I thought the story was well-written, drawing me in and holding me, so I couldn't stop reading (well, actually listening. But it's true - I listened to this over 7 1/2-hour audiobook pretty much nonstop, while doing other things of course, and finished it the same day).
I barely heard him with so many other voices yelling in my head. Tali - help the girl and run. Aylin - stay out of it and hide! Danello - roll and flank them from behind. I dived and rolled, knocking the attacker girl's legs out from under her.
Some things I liked about this book:
- Nya continues to learn more about herself and her family throughout the story. Great job on character development!
- I liked Nya's conscience, which addresses some important topics, including her wondering if just being an enemy made killing them okay, and when to feel bad about it. I liked how she still felt bad every time she shifted, knowing it would kill, even if she was shifting into her enemy. She also saved the life of the traitor from the last book, which really shows her kindness towards others.
- I liked the little bit of romance, although it kind of seems on hold, like nothing's really happening.
- How much her friends care about her. Throughout the book Nya's friends help her even if it's hard or if she wouldn't want them to. Nya always got angry at them or was surprised, like she didn't expect them to help. This point of view was very accurate considering how she used to not have any friends and was forced to fend for herself. I wanted to both laugh and cry when at the end she wanted to rescue her sister but her friends literally kidnapped her to prevent her from going back and ultimately saved her life.
- Lots of kidnapping! For some reason I really enjoy kidnapping. The fact that Nya was a wanted fugitive really played a big part in the story, as everyone wanted to get the reward for turning her in, which forced her to be careful around strangers
- Nya's grannyma's advice continues! from don't blame your feet if you turn away the horse to what's done is done and you can't change it none, Nya continues remembering snippets of wisdom, although not as much as in the first book.
Aaaand... some things I didn't like as much (Which made this book like a 4.9 star rating but I rounded up because it's still awesome and you should read it):
- It got kind of annoying at the beginning how people kept asking Nya if she was okay and she didn't tell them what was going on, although I understand how, like I said, she didn't have friends before and had to fend for herself, but it was still annoying
- the fact that the romance felt kind of stunted and on hold
As you can see, there are much more pros than cons, so if you have read all of the spoilers and still want to or are thinking about reading the book, you should.
Sweat trickled down my spine. The dark pressed on me, and even though I knew the darkness would protect me better than anything else, I still wanted the light.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, I'd read the previous one a few years ago, and its one of those books that can be a bit hard to jump straight into if its been a while since the last one, and that's what put me off reading it when i first got hold of it, and i did try but found i couldn't get back into it, which is why its so weird that i literally just picked it back up one day and started reading then couldn't seem to stop.
I think the trick was to stop stressing myself out who the characters were and just read.
Boy was this a journey, i felt quite strongly when reading this like i do with some books, I was stressed at the stressful scenes, Angry at others, but in a good 'i'm way too into this book' Kind of way rather then AT the book, which was great.
I actually ended up reading it really fast, in a matter of about a day and a half, but ended up stranded without a book because i thought it would last me longer, But maybe that's my fault for not being prepared with something else to read rather then the book being short because it didn't actually feel short which books can sometimes, in fact the book i read before this one did end up feel pulled short as the plot just sort of ended in the thick of things, But this one didn't do that which i appreciated.
Luckily i have the next book in the series to read so when i'm ready i can literally just pick it up!
I think the trick was to stop stressing myself out who the characters were and just read.
Boy was this a journey, i felt quite strongly when reading this like i do with some books, I was stressed at the stressful scenes, Angry at others, but in a good 'i'm way too into this book' Kind of way rather then AT the book, which was great.
I actually ended up reading it really fast, in a matter of about a day and a half, but ended up stranded without a book because i thought it would last me longer, But maybe that's my fault for not being prepared with something else to read rather then the book being short because it didn't actually feel short which books can sometimes, in fact the book i read before this one did end up feel pulled short as the plot just sort of ended in the thick of things, But this one didn't do that which i appreciated.
Luckily i have the next book in the series to read so when i'm ready i can literally just pick it up!
March 29, 2022
So I'm reading this (finally getting to the second book) and I was like...when was this published?
My friends, this was a competitor during the height of the Hunger Games hype. However, the only two things they have in common are a gusty main female protagonist telling her story in first-person, and a rebellion.
The thing that sells me on these books?
The well-thought-out dynamics of the healing powers. The exploration of the full extent of how they could be utilized or taken advantage of. Sure, could the book use a few more details here and there - probably. But the action is snappy. People go DO things, things HAPPEN. There's always something going on. Long, arduous waits are SUMMARIZED. (Thank freaking goodness.)
Anyway, I like Nya a lot. She's INSANE and it's a wonder she's survived this long but her powers kind of explain it. I'm looking forward to reading more about the politics, the rebellion, the search, and the powers in the third one. It's too bad more people don't know about this series. It's so unique!
(And I love that)
My friends, this was a competitor during the height of the Hunger Games hype. However, the only two things they have in common are a gusty main female protagonist telling her story in first-person, and a rebellion.
The thing that sells me on these books?
The well-thought-out dynamics of the healing powers. The exploration of the full extent of how they could be utilized or taken advantage of. Sure, could the book use a few more details here and there - probably. But the action is snappy. People go DO things, things HAPPEN. There's always something going on. Long, arduous waits are SUMMARIZED. (Thank freaking goodness.)
Anyway, I like Nya a lot. She's INSANE and it's a wonder she's survived this long but her powers kind of explain it. I'm looking forward to reading more about the politics, the rebellion, the search, and the powers in the third one. It's too bad more people don't know about this series. It's so unique!
(And I love that)
October 30, 2019
I feel similar as I did with the first book. It feels really shallow in plot and character development. There's a lot of action but it all happens by rushing in and hoping the best. It works for the characters because of deus ex machina.
I think this book is more aimed at the younger end of ya so maybe its just not meant for me as an adult. I did read this amongst some really good books so potentially the comparison effected my enjoyment. I'll probably read the last book because I'm a completionist and its enjoyable if not great.
Why is this book called Blue Fire?
I think this book is more aimed at the younger end of ya so maybe its just not meant for me as an adult. I did read this amongst some really good books so potentially the comparison effected my enjoyment. I'll probably read the last book because I'm a completionist and its enjoyable if not great.
Why is this book called Blue Fire?
May 30, 2017
Just love it.
January 7, 2019
4.5 stars
April 6, 2020
Needs a finishing touch-- oh wait!
June 1, 2021
A fantastic sequel. Love the whole series. One of my all-time favorites.
August 9, 2021
This book made me so anxious I couldn't wait to finish it and I cannot wait to see how everything turns out!!!
October 23, 2022
Very action packed, like the 1st one on the series. It kept me entertained and I finished it in a day.
February 8, 2023
This was not great. Very much a bridge between the first book and the last one, so not much really happened, and what did happen, did so toward the end of the book
August 7, 2024
You can tell this was a difficult book for her to write and at times it was hard to finish, but I love Nya so her bumbling through Baseer was interesting to read still. Can’t wait for the finale!!
October 20, 2024
Fun clean fantasy read. I have enjoyed following the escapades. Can’t wait to dive into book 3!
February 28, 2017
3.5/3.75
I wish that this site could allow you to rate from 1-10, because then I would've given it a 7 or 7.5.
I think that this book was a good follow-up to the first one. The way that the surroundings and the characters are described is very subjective, meaning that everything is really from the main character's perspective, allowing you to get to know her on a deeper level.
There was a lot of things that was happening all the time, and I think it's good that the author actually acknowledged this considering that Nya actually though that several days had past when it was actually only hours. However, the luck in this book is unreal. Nobody important have died and Nya keeps getting caught all the time but she always manages to escape by herself. I don't know if the author is well aware of this or not, considering that Jaetar actually called her ''the Saint of optimism'', can't really decide if the Saint-thing is a joke or not..
This shows that Nya is a really driven person that does everything in her power to help others, but I think that she is too reckless and that maybe something else could happen in the story accept for the war. I don't mean anything big, it's just that I sensed hints of a romance with Daniello but they where very few. I suppose that there is something going on there on the backstage of the story since he is always there for here no matter what and he would never have made the same decision as Aylin in the end, I just want a little more of it. I figure that I will see more of this at the end of this series.
I wish that this site could allow you to rate from 1-10, because then I would've given it a 7 or 7.5.
I think that this book was a good follow-up to the first one. The way that the surroundings and the characters are described is very subjective, meaning that everything is really from the main character's perspective, allowing you to get to know her on a deeper level.
There was a lot of things that was happening all the time, and I think it's good that the author actually acknowledged this considering that Nya actually though that several days had past when it was actually only hours. However, the luck in this book is unreal. Nobody important have died and Nya keeps getting caught all the time but she always manages to escape by herself. I don't know if the author is well aware of this or not, considering that Jaetar actually called her ''the Saint of optimism'', can't really decide if the Saint-thing is a joke or not..
This shows that Nya is a really driven person that does everything in her power to help others, but I think that she is too reckless and that maybe something else could happen in the story accept for the war. I don't mean anything big, it's just that I sensed hints of a romance with Daniello but they where very few. I suppose that there is something going on there on the backstage of the story since he is always there for here no matter what and he would never have made the same decision as Aylin in the end, I just want a little more of it. I figure that I will see more of this at the end of this series.
June 5, 2012
uhuu keren.
Setelah kejadian di Healers League, Nya jadi pahlawan. Penduduk Geveg berterima kasih karena stok pynvium yang menipis terungkap. Sayangnya, ga semua bersikap begitu. Sang Duke menyebarkan pengumuman bahwa Nya adalah buronan dan harus segera ditangkap, yang berhasil menangkap Nya akan dapat 5000 opa. Tapi semua orang tahu bukan karena tuduhan itulah Sang Duke kepingin dapatin Nya. Semua karena kemampuan yang Nya punya.
Selain bisa shifting rasa sakit, Nya juga punya immune terhadap sorotan pynvium. Dan kedua kekuatan itu yang memicu sang Duke untuk menangkap Nya dan menjadikannya prajurit pribadi.
Sayang, karena hadiah 5000 opa itu, nyawa Nya berada dalam bahaya, terutama oleh rakyat Geveg sendiri. Beberapa yang tamak, berhasil membawa Nya hingga ke tanah Baseer untuk dikirim ke sang Duke. Penangkapan Nya juga mengorbankan Tali, Danello, Aylin, dan beberapa Taker lainnya.
Setelah sampai di tanah Baseer, Nya mendapati beberapa hal mengejutkan. Di antaranya tentang beberapa pembelot, seorang Baseeri yang entah bagaimana mirip dengan ayahnya, dan hal tak disangka-sangka yang melibatkan para Taker. Sang Duke tak cuma membuat sebuah senjata pynvium yang bisa memindahkan rasa sakit, seperti bakat Nya, laki-laki itu berhasil membuat beberapa prajurit Taker dengan senjata pynvium berisi rasa sakit yang dahsyat. Prajurit itu disebut Undying. Selagi menolong Tali dan teman-teman yang lain, Nya berhasil melakukan sesuatu yang akhirnya membuat sang Duke marah, dan hampir-hampir membuat keributan di antara penduduk Baseer.
Pemberontakan harus terjadi, sang Duke harus digulingkan. Bagaimana caranya? Ternyata masih ada pewaris yang terisa. Siapakah pewaris tersebut? :D
Ceritanya bagus, plotnya cepet. Dan setiap karakter punya perkembangan sendiri. Terlebih Nya dan Jeatar. :D
Selama baca buku ini, aku sadar bahwa perang di mana pun kejadiannya akan memicu pemikiran siapa yang menjajah dialah yang salah. Dan kesalahan itu bukan lagi dituduhkan ke individu melainkan satu golongan. Terlihat dari bagaimana orang-orang Geveg membenci dan mencemooh rakyat Baseer, padahal rakyat Baseer sendiri juga ikut menderita dan bersedia membantu mereka.
4.5 untuk Nya. Aylin. Danello.
Setelah kejadian di Healers League, Nya jadi pahlawan. Penduduk Geveg berterima kasih karena stok pynvium yang menipis terungkap. Sayangnya, ga semua bersikap begitu. Sang Duke menyebarkan pengumuman bahwa Nya adalah buronan dan harus segera ditangkap, yang berhasil menangkap Nya akan dapat 5000 opa. Tapi semua orang tahu bukan karena tuduhan itulah Sang Duke kepingin dapatin Nya. Semua karena kemampuan yang Nya punya.
Selain bisa shifting rasa sakit, Nya juga punya immune terhadap sorotan pynvium. Dan kedua kekuatan itu yang memicu sang Duke untuk menangkap Nya dan menjadikannya prajurit pribadi.
Sayang, karena hadiah 5000 opa itu, nyawa Nya berada dalam bahaya, terutama oleh rakyat Geveg sendiri. Beberapa yang tamak, berhasil membawa Nya hingga ke tanah Baseer untuk dikirim ke sang Duke. Penangkapan Nya juga mengorbankan Tali, Danello, Aylin, dan beberapa Taker lainnya.
Setelah sampai di tanah Baseer, Nya mendapati beberapa hal mengejutkan. Di antaranya tentang beberapa pembelot, seorang Baseeri yang entah bagaimana mirip dengan ayahnya, dan hal tak disangka-sangka yang melibatkan para Taker. Sang Duke tak cuma membuat sebuah senjata pynvium yang bisa memindahkan rasa sakit, seperti bakat Nya, laki-laki itu berhasil membuat beberapa prajurit Taker dengan senjata pynvium berisi rasa sakit yang dahsyat. Prajurit itu disebut Undying. Selagi menolong Tali dan teman-teman yang lain, Nya berhasil melakukan sesuatu yang akhirnya membuat sang Duke marah, dan hampir-hampir membuat keributan di antara penduduk Baseer.
Pemberontakan harus terjadi, sang Duke harus digulingkan. Bagaimana caranya? Ternyata masih ada pewaris yang terisa. Siapakah pewaris tersebut? :D
Ceritanya bagus, plotnya cepet. Dan setiap karakter punya perkembangan sendiri. Terlebih Nya dan Jeatar. :D
Selama baca buku ini, aku sadar bahwa perang di mana pun kejadiannya akan memicu pemikiran siapa yang menjajah dialah yang salah. Dan kesalahan itu bukan lagi dituduhkan ke individu melainkan satu golongan. Terlihat dari bagaimana orang-orang Geveg membenci dan mencemooh rakyat Baseer, padahal rakyat Baseer sendiri juga ikut menderita dan bersedia membantu mereka.
4.5 untuk Nya. Aylin. Danello.
December 7, 2011
Originally posted on The Authoress: Book Review and More.
I liked this second installment, even if the writing gave me a little bit of trouble.
Janice Hardy seen through the eyes of her awesome blog, The Other Side of the Story, is a master at her craft. The reason I picked up her series was because I was so impressed with her writing advice. However, when I read Blue Fire, I found myself distracted by her writing. Perhaps my expectations were lifted a little higher in light of her blogging prowess, but the moments I expected the writing to delve into and prolong were short, practically butchered. The times where I expected rushing action came off rather flat.
On the writing style front, I was a tad bit disappointed.
The story, though, completely rocked. I like Nya--she's a great character. She has many personal faults but is a hero for all intents and purposes. I love stories like that: Harry Potter-like stories where the main character doesn't set out to be a hero but is aimed that way because what they're wired to believe in and fight for is, in the eyes of the public, what makes them a hero.
Nya is also one of those character who just cannot catch a break. This kind of story, where the characters are always the underdogs, really gets me to the edge of my seat. I fear for Nya's safety and sanity every step of the way. With every situation, I always ask myself, "What can go wrong? What are the chances that it will go wrong?"
That's a great way to pull a reader in, which is why I am, again, so impressed with Janice Hardy's work.
The story is gritty and intense. I loved the new relationships that were formed in this one, as well as the ones that were deepened. My heart almost broke towards the end.
The incredible width and breadth of the world makes me think of Tamora Pierce. Great detail and fantastic atmosphere. Two thumbs up for worldbuilding.
A great installment, though lacking in the writing arena. I've got Darkfall all fired up and ready to go.
I liked this second installment, even if the writing gave me a little bit of trouble.
Janice Hardy seen through the eyes of her awesome blog, The Other Side of the Story, is a master at her craft. The reason I picked up her series was because I was so impressed with her writing advice. However, when I read Blue Fire, I found myself distracted by her writing. Perhaps my expectations were lifted a little higher in light of her blogging prowess, but the moments I expected the writing to delve into and prolong were short, practically butchered. The times where I expected rushing action came off rather flat.
On the writing style front, I was a tad bit disappointed.
The story, though, completely rocked. I like Nya--she's a great character. She has many personal faults but is a hero for all intents and purposes. I love stories like that: Harry Potter-like stories where the main character doesn't set out to be a hero but is aimed that way because what they're wired to believe in and fight for is, in the eyes of the public, what makes them a hero.
Nya is also one of those character who just cannot catch a break. This kind of story, where the characters are always the underdogs, really gets me to the edge of my seat. I fear for Nya's safety and sanity every step of the way. With every situation, I always ask myself, "What can go wrong? What are the chances that it will go wrong?"
That's a great way to pull a reader in, which is why I am, again, so impressed with Janice Hardy's work.
The story is gritty and intense. I loved the new relationships that were formed in this one, as well as the ones that were deepened. My heart almost broke towards the end.
The incredible width and breadth of the world makes me think of Tamora Pierce. Great detail and fantastic atmosphere. Two thumbs up for worldbuilding.
A great installment, though lacking in the writing arena. I've got Darkfall all fired up and ready to go.
March 15, 2015
OMG! I was sooooo afraid when I got my hands on book 2. I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the expectations and fall under the 2nd book dilemma. But it was a big surprise! It was perfection. The details. The new characters. The love. Jeatar, Nya, Danello, Onderaan, Ceun, and many more.
Spoilers!!
First I LOVE Nya's personality! And my 2nd favorite character, this might surprise some, is Vyand!!! GOD! I love them both.
True Vyand put Nya through hell and pretty much ruined her life, but she made up for all of it at the end when she gave her the ride! And throughout her running after Nya she didn't, not even once, look down on Nya, on the contrary she held some respect for her and thought they'd be friends if the circumstances were different.
Okay now Jeatar! Lord! He is going to be the new Duke!!! Who could make a better ruler than the thoughtful, helpful, smart, witty, and funny Jeatar. The man is not only a master mind but also a nice guy. All those people he helped?? I mean really? He risked so much for everyone.
Now Danello! He's like the sane guy in this whole story. The one with real family he can't leave. The one who actually sits things out and tries to think them through, even though he rarely has the time for that after meeting Nya. But u love his carefulness. Simply because we don't see it much.
Then Ceun. This lil lock picking, wall climbing, hole fitting thief!! I adore him! He's like a small male version of Nya! He's so funny and true to his colors.
So characters aside! God! I cried at the end when Nya realized that she can't save Tali, for now. And laughed so hard whenever Nya and Vyand talked. My favorite scene has to be the one where Vyabd handed Nya to the Duke! I mean she knew. She was SURE Nya was gonna get out and sure enough? She did!
But all the excited down I'd have to say the most touching most thought provoking scene that I read a couple of times was Nya's determined fight with her mind being controlled. She took full control of her power, full control of her mind she thought for herself and didn't lose. And that it why this story is one of the few best.
Spoilers!!
First I LOVE Nya's personality! And my 2nd favorite character, this might surprise some, is Vyand!!! GOD! I love them both.
True Vyand put Nya through hell and pretty much ruined her life, but she made up for all of it at the end when she gave her the ride! And throughout her running after Nya she didn't, not even once, look down on Nya, on the contrary she held some respect for her and thought they'd be friends if the circumstances were different.
Okay now Jeatar! Lord! He is going to be the new Duke!!! Who could make a better ruler than the thoughtful, helpful, smart, witty, and funny Jeatar. The man is not only a master mind but also a nice guy. All those people he helped?? I mean really? He risked so much for everyone.
Now Danello! He's like the sane guy in this whole story. The one with real family he can't leave. The one who actually sits things out and tries to think them through, even though he rarely has the time for that after meeting Nya. But u love his carefulness. Simply because we don't see it much.
Then Ceun. This lil lock picking, wall climbing, hole fitting thief!! I adore him! He's like a small male version of Nya! He's so funny and true to his colors.
So characters aside! God! I cried at the end when Nya realized that she can't save Tali, for now. And laughed so hard whenever Nya and Vyand talked. My favorite scene has to be the one where Vyabd handed Nya to the Duke! I mean she knew. She was SURE Nya was gonna get out and sure enough? She did!
But all the excited down I'd have to say the most touching most thought provoking scene that I read a couple of times was Nya's determined fight with her mind being controlled. She took full control of her power, full control of her mind she thought for herself and didn't lose. And that it why this story is one of the few best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2011
Blue Fire was another incredible book by Janice Hardy. Everything from the world building to characters to writing was amazing. What I really loved about this book was you have absolutely no idea what will happen next, so you only open the book and hold on tight for the ride.
Blue Fire begins shortly after the ending of Pain merchants, Nya and the gang continue their quest to rescue the takers who’ve fallen victim to the duke’s cruel experiments. But as the guards lock down Nya and her friends she realizes she can no longer stay in Geveg. But her escape plan goes horribly wrong.
Once again Nya finds herself in all kinds of risky and perilous situations. I found that Nya’s voice really shines through in Blue fire; it’s the first time when we can see a faint light at the end of the tunnel and her raw determination really pushes the story forward, I mean this girl gives Katniss Everdeen a run for her money.
The secondary characters were great too, and they somehow managed to keep up with Nya. Well most of the times. What I love about the secondary characters is they all have their uses, and their flaws. For example Aylin is charismatic and street smart but she’s not the best fighter. Danello on the other hand is a strong fighter, but he’s not as light footed as Aylin. Old faces from Pain merchants return for the sequel, good and bad guys. Unfortunately Soek wasn’t in this one much, which I was looking forward to as he showed a lot of promise in the first one but hopefully he’ll be back for the third one.
Blue Fire was unputdownable; fans of the hunger games who are still recovering from their post Mockingjay depression will love this. Perfectly paced with action, magic, thrill, humour and a tad bit of romance Blue fire should definitely be on your wish list. The Pain Merchants is the first one; it’s called the Shifter in US.
Needed more Grandma quotes!
Blue Fire begins shortly after the ending of Pain merchants, Nya and the gang continue their quest to rescue the takers who’ve fallen victim to the duke’s cruel experiments. But as the guards lock down Nya and her friends she realizes she can no longer stay in Geveg. But her escape plan goes horribly wrong.
Once again Nya finds herself in all kinds of risky and perilous situations. I found that Nya’s voice really shines through in Blue fire; it’s the first time when we can see a faint light at the end of the tunnel and her raw determination really pushes the story forward, I mean this girl gives Katniss Everdeen a run for her money.
The secondary characters were great too, and they somehow managed to keep up with Nya. Well most of the times. What I love about the secondary characters is they all have their uses, and their flaws. For example Aylin is charismatic and street smart but she’s not the best fighter. Danello on the other hand is a strong fighter, but he’s not as light footed as Aylin. Old faces from Pain merchants return for the sequel, good and bad guys. Unfortunately Soek wasn’t in this one much, which I was looking forward to as he showed a lot of promise in the first one but hopefully he’ll be back for the third one.
Blue Fire was unputdownable; fans of the hunger games who are still recovering from their post Mockingjay depression will love this. Perfectly paced with action, magic, thrill, humour and a tad bit of romance Blue fire should definitely be on your wish list. The Pain Merchants is the first one; it’s called the Shifter in US.
Needed more Grandma quotes!
February 22, 2011
An enjoyable addition to a unique fantasy series where the magicians are healers, who make use of a rare metal, pynvium, to store the pain they draw off those who are in pain. In book 2, Nya and her friends are trying to rescue the healers who are at risk from the evil Duke, who wants to use them for a dark purpose (which we do discover in this book). Nya herself is at the gravest risk, since she has an unusual ability that makes her of particular interest to the Duke -- she can pass pain from one person to another, and the transferred pain ultimately causes the death of the recipient.
Nya is a likeable heroine who struggles with the brutal side of her gift. She's idealized, but not to the point of unbelievability (though she can be a bit dense at times). She's loyal to a fault, and it's this loyalty that's the main undercurrent of Book 2, where she must make some hard choices about the good of one over the good of many. Hardy's tempo is strong, and her worldbuilding imaginative, and some of the descriptions - like those in the pynvium forge, and shimmying across an aquaduct - were particularly striking.
While Nya's friendships are believable, I didn't see any sparks between her and her supposed love interest, Danello. What could have been a very dynamic relationship between Nya and Onderaan was also a little flat (this relationship in particular -- not to get spoilery -- could use a little more oomph, since it's a major plot point). I also found the repetition of phrases in the climactic scene a little overdone -- a phrase was used for emphasis, but I would have liked more description of the character using it (the Duke) rather than just the phrase over and over again.
Overall, I found the story enjoyable, and would recommend it to teens and tweens who love epic fantasy with a strong female heroine, but could do without too much mushy stuff.
Nya is a likeable heroine who struggles with the brutal side of her gift. She's idealized, but not to the point of unbelievability (though she can be a bit dense at times). She's loyal to a fault, and it's this loyalty that's the main undercurrent of Book 2, where she must make some hard choices about the good of one over the good of many. Hardy's tempo is strong, and her worldbuilding imaginative, and some of the descriptions - like those in the pynvium forge, and shimmying across an aquaduct - were particularly striking.
While Nya's friendships are believable, I didn't see any sparks between her and her supposed love interest, Danello. What could have been a very dynamic relationship between Nya and Onderaan was also a little flat (this relationship in particular -- not to get spoilery -- could use a little more oomph, since it's a major plot point). I also found the repetition of phrases in the climactic scene a little overdone -- a phrase was used for emphasis, but I would have liked more description of the character using it (the Duke) rather than just the phrase over and over again.
Overall, I found the story enjoyable, and would recommend it to teens and tweens who love epic fantasy with a strong female heroine, but could do without too much mushy stuff.
September 4, 2011
Fifteen-year-old Nya is able to draw pain out of people. Unlike most with this ability, she is unable to put it into the pain absorbing metal, pynvium. What she can do is shift that pain into other people, making her a wanted fugitive from the Duke. Nya knows the Duke is responsible for horrible experiments on her people in Geveg and she wants to stop him. But she and her friends are in hiding after exposing the horrible secret of the Healing League, working in the shadows to find and rescue the remaining Takers from being recaptured and experimented on.
Nya’s face is becoming more well-known, and it eventually leads to her capture. When she’s brought to Baseer, the home of the Duke and her hated enemy, Nya manages to escape and make contact with an underground movement fighting the Duke. Nya has a hard time believing Baseeri would rebel against their own Duke, but it seems the tyrannical ruler is up to even more than the heinous acts in Geveg.
Soldiers with pynvium armor terrorize the city, unable to be killed. Even worse, Nya’s sister Tali has been captured as well, and Nya doesn’t know where to find her. Nya will soon realize that in order to save her own people, she might have to join forces with those she’s vowed to hate.
I really enjoyed the first book, The Shifter. Nya continues to struggle with many of the same issues–does right and wrong exist in the middle of war? How far will people go in desperation, and is there any way to hold on to one’s values in the midst of such overwhelming odds?
Nya’s struggle is heart-wrenching and real. Yet as with any great heroine, she possesses a strength that even the severest trial can’t destroy. I loved this book as well, and while some crucial points were not resolved, it once again ended with a sense of finality, and with a revelation that leaves me eager to see what happens in the third.
Nya’s face is becoming more well-known, and it eventually leads to her capture. When she’s brought to Baseer, the home of the Duke and her hated enemy, Nya manages to escape and make contact with an underground movement fighting the Duke. Nya has a hard time believing Baseeri would rebel against their own Duke, but it seems the tyrannical ruler is up to even more than the heinous acts in Geveg.
Soldiers with pynvium armor terrorize the city, unable to be killed. Even worse, Nya’s sister Tali has been captured as well, and Nya doesn’t know where to find her. Nya will soon realize that in order to save her own people, she might have to join forces with those she’s vowed to hate.
I really enjoyed the first book, The Shifter. Nya continues to struggle with many of the same issues–does right and wrong exist in the middle of war? How far will people go in desperation, and is there any way to hold on to one’s values in the midst of such overwhelming odds?
Nya’s struggle is heart-wrenching and real. Yet as with any great heroine, she possesses a strength that even the severest trial can’t destroy. I loved this book as well, and while some crucial points were not resolved, it once again ended with a sense of finality, and with a revelation that leaves me eager to see what happens in the third.
August 13, 2011
*This review was written by my 12 year old brother*
The second book in the Healing Wars Trilogy was just as I expected it would be, filled with non-stop action. All-in-all it was a good read and I couldn't put in down. I finished it in almost an hour! Usually it's the male authors who make their books gory and filled with violence, but Jane Hardy is the biggest exception I have ever seen. There is fighting on almost every page, and mix that up with the characters Ms. Hardy has created and you've got Blue Fire. The book was great and I would surely rate it five stars due to the fact that book was perfect for kids my age and older. The characters that Ms. Hardy has created also plays a large part in why it was such a great read because Nya's (the main character in The Healing Wars Trilogy) attitude and personality is the top reason I liked it so much.
And now to the part of a review I always hate doing, the bad things about the book.
In a way it was a kind of a disappointment, because Jane Hardy didn't really give me the ending I wanted. She really had the book going fast in Shifter, but stuff slowed down just a bit in Blue Fire. But that was pretty much it, everything else about the book was awesome.
Blue Fire, like I said earlier, was a fantastic read, and I'm positively sure that all ages from 10 to 17 would love it. I'm also sure that both boys and girls would like the book. I can't wait for the third book to come out in October of this year and I hope it'll be just as good as the first two. I'm giving the book as well as the cover five stars because it shows pynvium, one of the main reasons of conflict in this book.
The second book in the Healing Wars Trilogy was just as I expected it would be, filled with non-stop action. All-in-all it was a good read and I couldn't put in down. I finished it in almost an hour! Usually it's the male authors who make their books gory and filled with violence, but Jane Hardy is the biggest exception I have ever seen. There is fighting on almost every page, and mix that up with the characters Ms. Hardy has created and you've got Blue Fire. The book was great and I would surely rate it five stars due to the fact that book was perfect for kids my age and older. The characters that Ms. Hardy has created also plays a large part in why it was such a great read because Nya's (the main character in The Healing Wars Trilogy) attitude and personality is the top reason I liked it so much.
And now to the part of a review I always hate doing, the bad things about the book.
In a way it was a kind of a disappointment, because Jane Hardy didn't really give me the ending I wanted. She really had the book going fast in Shifter, but stuff slowed down just a bit in Blue Fire. But that was pretty much it, everything else about the book was awesome.
Blue Fire, like I said earlier, was a fantastic read, and I'm positively sure that all ages from 10 to 17 would love it. I'm also sure that both boys and girls would like the book. I can't wait for the third book to come out in October of this year and I hope it'll be just as good as the first two. I'm giving the book as well as the cover five stars because it shows pynvium, one of the main reasons of conflict in this book.
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