Title: Firebolt (The Dragonian Series #1)
Author: Adrienne Woods
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4,5 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an hoenst review.
For the love of blueberries, Elena Watkins was destined for greatness, even though she didn’t know it. Before entering Paegeia Elena was not special, she wasn’t even average until the night her father was killed by a creature she thought only existed in fairy tales – a dragon. With her father’s death leaving her orphaned, Elena is whisked away to her true birthplace, Paegeia. Arriving at Dragonia Academy, the premier school for young Dragonians; a school she was never meant to attend because her father was a dragon. Unbeknownst to Elena danger is lurking behind the enchanted vines concealing the once thriving capital of Paegeia – Etan. Goran, the darkest sorcerer in the realm, has lain dormant for over a century behind the crumbling city. There, in the shadowy ruins he plots his revenge to destroy the only weapon that can kill him – the King of Lion Sword. When the sword is stolen without a trace Elena doesn’t think twice about seeking it; knowing deep down that it is her destiny to save her new home.
Dragons? Yes, please! But “Firebolt”, the first book in a riveting new YA fantasy series, gives us so much more than ‘just’ dragons. With great writing, an enchanting fantasy world called Paegeia, and a main character who one can truly root for, it’s an interesting and intriguing start to a new series.
Elena Watkins had all the ingredients to live a perfectly happy, normal life. That is, except for how she had to move states every three months. This time around, however, her Dad comes up with his escape plan a bit too late, and while they race away in their car, father and daughter get attacked by…you guessed it, dragons. Her father jumps ship to save her, but dies while trying to protect her from the dragons. Elena is taken back to her birthplace, Paegeia, where she is send to Dragonia Academy, a premier school for young Dragonians. But unfortunately life isn’t baout to sit back and relax and let Elena enjoy it just yet. A dark sorcerer, Goran, has been plotting his revenge in the ruins of the former capital of Paegeia, Etan. Elena may have to step up and save her new-found home.
If you read the plot just like that, you may see some resemblances to Harry Potter, mainly in the whole Dragonia Academy part. While there are some resemblances, there weren’t enough of them to bother me, and mostly they could be overlooked by how awesome the story was. The name may not be so original (Dragonia, coming from Dragon) but I actually liked it – I don’t like the whole inventing names thing when those names don’t make sense at all, and her the name definitely made sense.
Elena is a strong, loveable character. She has some very distinct flaws, which made her seem a lot more like a real person. My favorite quality about her was her courage – even in the face of evil, she still could act bravely, a definite feat.
The most enjoyable part about the book, was the fantasy world author Adrienne Woods created. Paegeia was amazing. I loved the setting, the little details that made it seem real, the lore behind everything. I kind of want to live there too now.
An awesome start to a new series, and I’m hoping the sequel will be out soon.
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