Monday, June 29, 2015

Double Review ♥ Fire & Flood Series by Victoria Scott.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Fire & Flood
Victoria Scott

Image and video hosting by TinyPicPublisher: Scholastic Press (February 25, 2014)
  • ISBN-13: 978-0545537469
Genre: Dystopian(maybe), Thriller, Young Adult

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles |Book Depo
Source: Review copy was sent free of charge via Scholastic Press. Thank you Saraciea.
Synopsis: Time is slipping away....  Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything. Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race. The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

  • Tella Holloway's brother is terminally sick and there is no medicine or drug out there that can cure him. Her parents move to Montana believing fresh air would help Colin. Soon, she receives a mysertious call to become a Contender in the Brimstone Blood which is an epic race across four ecosystems: jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain. If she wins, she can have the cure that will help her brother. Without hesitaion, Tella jumps at the opportunity, but there are other Contenders after the cure as well. Now Tella must find her way in the race - the jungle is her first stop. There is one question ticking though, why have so many people fallen sick in the first place?
  • Unpopular opinion time.. I actually really liked this series, Fire & Flood. I have read many negative reviews on this book and how it is almost a replica of The Hunger Games. Isn't THG a replica of BATTLE ROYALE? I have read both books and it's insane how they're so many similarities. The only real difference is Battle Royale is more gruesome, and THG is more personal/family. With that being said, this book does have obvious elements of THG, but I'm surprised why no one is comparing it to Battle Royale, which is the original book for a dystopian government with some kind of competition(unless one exists before that). Don't get me wrong, The Hunger Games series is still fantastic, but is not unique and neither is the Fire & Flood series, it's just surprising most people barely even question THG. Regardless, I found the author's take on her series intriguing, it's probably inspired, and I don't believe it's an imitation because they're different plot lines. The competition in this series is about survival and not killing. This sounds like a dystopian novel, but there is no wicked government here. It's all very secret. Oh, and the new covers of this series are gorgeous. I hated the eyeballs. Sometimes simple covers are just as elegant as fancy ones. The feathers symbolizes something major in the novel and the titles suit the books well too. I couldn't ask for a more perfect cover for both of these books.
  • Tella Holloway is shallow, ignorant, vain, and she shows signs of stupidity.. Without any research, she jumps at the opportunity to save her brother, however, she shows bravery, she's selfless, she loves animals, and she's not cruel. Her character does slightly annoy the reader, but she does grow on you eventually. At the end of the day, she's a teenager and she's being to worry about her makeup and hair. I still do it, and I'm an adult. Although, in a death scenario, that would be the last thing on my mind. The male lead's name is Guy.. He's cold at first, but ultimately he is likeable once you get to know him. His name could have been more better. The romance was interesting as well and I so shipped their boat! I was rooting for both of these characters, I prefer Tella's character more though. She has yet to reach character growth, but she does goes get there slowly, but surely.
  • The Pandora's aspect in the novel was different, although it's similar to Digiman - it works though. The Pandoras are animals that are digitally made, but they're actually real. They still eat(although, they can survive without food), you can still hold them and what not. The bond between Tella and her Pandora Maddox, her fox was adorable. Yes, she even names him. Her cutesy character reminded me a bit of Penryn from the Angelfall series, they both name their possessions, and they're innocent yet fiery. The world building plot was fascinating to read about, concepts about adventures are my most favorites. This book was a surprising read since I managed to like it quite a lot. The adventures in the ecosystems jungle and desert were amazing and the writing does have it's fair dose of humor. It's not the most original book out there, although, I do believe it's still great in it's own way.


  • Salt & Stone
  • Victoria Scott

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  • Publisher:Chicken House LTD (April 15 2015)
  • ISBN-13: 978-1910002063
  • Genre: Dystopian(maybe), Thriller, Young adult
  • Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | Book Depository
  • Source: Review Copy was sent free of charge via Scholastic Press. Thank you Saraciea.

  • *The review and synopsis has mild spoilers for the previous book.
  • Synopsis: What would you do to save someone you love? What about risking...everything. In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and a terrifying march across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't stop—and in Salt & Stone, Tella will have to face the unseen dangers of the ocean, the breathless cold of a mountain, and the twisted new rules in the raceBut what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you've relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another? The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the beginning of the race there were 122 Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the fourth and final part of the race, just forty-one are left...and only one can win.

  • *This review is more shorter since it's part of a series, and I don't much to say to add to what's been said already in my earlier review. Salt & Stone is the second book and the continuation of the Fire and Flood series. Tella now has survived the jungle, and the desert. In an another journey, she must have now survive in the remaining two ecosystems: ocean and mountain. Tella and her remaining friends are one of the few still alive and only one can win. The second book in the series wasn't as great as I would have wanted it to be, it's still good, and it does have plenty of potential - however, it could have been much than Tella just trying to prove to Guy she can handle herself without him. Personally, you shouldn't ever need to prove yourself to anyone - there's something called faith which the person should have in you. There's much more angst in the novel between the couple which is unappealing. The cover is amazingly, gorgeous though.. it just suits the setting of this novel so much, ocean.
  • The author does have a great way of writing, and she is talented in creating adventures. I swear, every time Tella is in danger - I hold my breath, my heart is pounding, and I nervously turn the page. Tella finally does reach character growth in this novel, the female friendships with Harper and Olivia were amazing as well. It's great to see Tella going from a shallow hater to a young woman with spunk and growth. This series is overall wonderful to read about, I couldn't wait to find out what happens next, and I actually read both books in one setting. Now, it's time to part with these series.. until the third book comes out. If not, I'll miss Tella, Guy, Harper, Olivia.. and Maddox and Monster the most. You crazy, cutesy pandora's.

Thank you for reading this! Have an amazing month of June - Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & drop by :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures..

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” —Nora Ephron 
femmmefatalee@gmail.com


42 comments:

  1. I also really enjoyed this one as well-- the survival race is kinda open world, its the characters and their journey that make it unique

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    1. I agree, the journey was the most exciting part.

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  2. The MC was so self-centered and snotty in the first book that I could hardly get through it. Does she get better in the second?
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

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    1. Yes, she does reach plenty of character growth by the second book :)

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  3. I haven't read these books yet because I'm quite intimidated by the not-so favourable reviews for these books. It's great that you gave them a chance, and that you enjoyed them. Maybe someday. :)

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  4. I've been afraid of this series, but you have me rethinking it Bennish :)

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    1. I do hope you pick it up for yourself soon ♥

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  5. I haven't read Fire and Flood yet! I'm not sure I will, but if it's at the library then I'll check it out there! I'm glad that Salt and Stone was just as good as the first book! Also, I have never heard of Battle Royale, which is probably why people didn't care that THG was like that? Maybe! Either way I feel like any book that has a competition is being compared to THG!

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    1. That's true, Battle Royale is much more underrated than THG, maybe that's why - although it has been on the news all over. Like Game of Thrones, and Throne of Glass, ACOTAR has a competition too but I don't see people saying it's like THG's.

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  6. It looks like this series and you got off to a good start! I actually have the second book but sadly don't have the first one yet, so I can't really begin to read it DD: I love the name Tella and I think it would make for a good main characters name. I think the suspense in this one sounds good, especially when it comes to being similar to THG. I actually wouldn't mind that.

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    1. I think you might like this one if you can stand the characters :)

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  7. I really enjoyed Fire & Flood as well and I have been eager to read Salt & Stone, it's such a shame about the added angst but I'm pleased to hear that there is character growth.

    Wonderful reviews Benish :-) Sharon – Obsession with Books

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    1. The angst wasn't important, it's like how Insurgent was from the Divergent series.

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  8. I had to DNF Fire & Flood because the MC got on my nerves. Like you said, she was very shallow, but I think I want to give the book another shot. Maybe when the last one comes out I'll binge-read it. The plot especially sounds really exciting!
    The angst in the second book though! I seriously don't enjoy that in my books.
    Still, I'm glad you enjoyed these books, Benish!
    Lovely reviews!

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    1. Yes, I think it's Tella's character that is rubbing off people the wrong way. She does reach character growth at one point, and the plot is amazing ♥

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  9. Seriously, WHAT will we do without a 3rd book!?!? There needs to be one. Who do I have to beg, plead, grovel to? I will do it! I did enjoy Tella's growth in S&S. I actually liked S&S a little better than F&F, because I found the first 25% of F&F to be kind of... ridiculous. But then I loved it so it was okay ;) But yeah, I was like, biting my nails through the entirety of S&S, and I thought that the ante was REALLY upped. PLEASE let there be a 3rd!!! PANDORAS!

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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    1. The publisher should just buy the third book already, I hope they do! ♥ I kind of preferred Fire & Flood much more, second books usually fail for me sometimes although in this case I still enjoyed it.

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  10. I haven't read these books yet but I definitely want to check it out soon. Hopefully. Great review!

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  11. I liked both of these a lot! I'm glad you did too. Hopefully there will be a third book because I NEED IT! :D

    Excellent reviews!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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  12. I was dead set against reading this book but I think I should change my mind. I originally didn't want to read it not because of the THG comparisons but because of the character's allegedly lack of self-preservation. I just don't have the patience for characters like that, but hey! Who knows? Maybe she will grow on me because of her character quirk.

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. The character is cringe worthy, but she does snap out of it later on. She's just immature at first, it's similar to THG, but it's a different story.

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  13. I loved Fire & Flood as well Benish. I agree that it isn't original, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. Tella's character grew on me as well. I agree that she was impulsive at the beginning of the story, but I admired her bravery, and love for her brother. I haven't read Salt & Stone yet, but have it on my kindle :) I'm not to happy that Tella is going to feel compelled to prover herself to Guy, and that there is unnecessary angst. However, I'm glad that she grows as a character. I love the pandora's too! Awesome Reviews Benish!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Tella's character does grow on you later on, I'm glad you could enioy this series as well! ♥ The pandora's were my favorite and they were adorbs. Thank you Lindy :)

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  14. Benish, you are the queen of unpopular opinions xD That's why I love reading your reviews, they always offer a different perspective. I still can't wrap my head around Digimons in YA, what even. Does it develop into something more, like is it ever explained how and why these Pandoras came to be?

    Also, I thought Penryn was really hardcore realist and grimly sarcastic, but come to think of it, she does have a cutesy light-hearted side.

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    1. Aww haha thank you Juwairiya! ♥ That means a lot to me :) I thought the digimon aspect was really unique, and yes the first book does explain everything.

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  15. You know, I am okay if a book shares elements of other books. It's bound to happen. Happy you liked this one.

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  16. Ohmigod, I need Fire and Blood! It sounds like a perfect book for audio! I am curious about the illness. I need to give this series a try. Thanks for the reviews!

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  17. Ooh lovely reviews!! I really need to read this series I guess!! Good point, THG itself is a knockoff of another series ;) Nice reviews <3

    Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books

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    1. Yes, THG is still an amazing series but it's a rip off as well. Thank you Rachel ♥

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  18. It's weird how some books just take off and are considered the *original* for their genre but I guess that's the way it rolls lol

    I had only read good reviews for this series so far and I hadn't seen the eyeball cover - only the feathers - whoch I love.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. The eyeball covers are in the other old editions - the feathers covers are beyond gorgeous ♥

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  19. Ahhh, I totally avoided this one because of all the negative reviews, but I still want to try them some time, they don't seem that bad, even though I heard Tella's a little vain, but I can deal with that. And I mean, come on, I need to meet the Pandora's already. Glad you enjoyed the series so far! :)

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    1. I still think you should give it a try, it's not a bad series at all :)

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  20. I'm really looking forward to reading this series. I haven't heard much about them one way or the other myself. People really compare it to The Hunger Games? Unless something is an obvious rip off, like only the names are changed, then I really hate these kind of comparisons. Every single story line has been done before, it's what you do with the details that make things different and interesting.

    Great reviews!

    Dreams @ Once Upon A Dream Books

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    1. Yes, that's very true - you do make a good point. I personally didn't see THG in this novel that much, the concept is similar but the characters and plots are completely different,

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  21. I absolutely loved Fire & Flood, but haven't read the follow up just yet. Seeing the comparisons for this to other big dystopians I don't think really represented how awesome the series is. It's unique and I loved the inclusion of the Pandora's, super cute. One aspect I love about her writing is she really adds the snark so incredibly well and infuses her characters with little pieces of herself. I can't wait to start Salt & Stone. Brilliant reviews Benish, absolutely loved them! <3

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  22. Man, you have no idea how much Tella annoyed me so much. I was just GIRL THIS IS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION. Why are you doing your nail polish? This girl absolutely GRATED. But that being said, I did like the 'Games' and the Pandoras. Glad to hear the 2nd wasn't terrible, so I look forward to reading them!

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