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GOING DOWN IN FLAMES
by Chris Cannon
Publisher: Entangled Teen Ember (June 2014)
Genre: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult
Format: eARC (407 pages)
Source: Free book from blog tour for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Summary
If her love life is going down in flames, she might as well spark a revolution.
Finding out on your sixteenth birthday you’re a shape-shifting dragon is tough to swallow. Being hauled off to an elite boarding school is enough to choke on.
Since Bryn is the only crossbreed at the Institute for Excellence, all eyes are on her, but it’s a particular black dragon, Zavien, who catches her attention.
Zavien is tired of the Council’s rules. Segregated clans, being told who to love, and close-minded leaders make freedom of choice almost impossible. The new girl with the striped hair is a breath of fresh air, and with Bryn’s help, they may be able to change the rules.
At the Institute, old grudges, new crushes, and death threats are all part of a normal day for Bryn. She’ll need to learn to control her dragon powers if she wants to make it through her first year at school. But even focusing on staying alive is difficult when you’re falling for someone you can't have.
At A GlanceIf her love life is going down in flames, she might as well spark a revolution.
Finding out on your sixteenth birthday you’re a shape-shifting dragon is tough to swallow. Being hauled off to an elite boarding school is enough to choke on.
Since Bryn is the only crossbreed at the Institute for Excellence, all eyes are on her, but it’s a particular black dragon, Zavien, who catches her attention.
Zavien is tired of the Council’s rules. Segregated clans, being told who to love, and close-minded leaders make freedom of choice almost impossible. The new girl with the striped hair is a breath of fresh air, and with Bryn’s help, they may be able to change the rules.
At the Institute, old grudges, new crushes, and death threats are all part of a normal day for Bryn. She’ll need to learn to control her dragon powers if she wants to make it through her first year at school. But even focusing on staying alive is difficult when you’re falling for someone you can't have.
Loved the dragons, the characters, and the story, but where was the revolution?
The Good
This was so FUN! I am on a dragon kick right now. Dragonshifters are the new vampire and werewolf! You heard it here first, people! Anyway, the dragon aspect really kicked this book up a notch. Who doesn't want to learn about dragonshifter culture? And Chris did a great job of creating a little dystopian dragon world. Old fashioned and sexist laws have our dragons being forced into arranged marriages, living in a caste system based on dragon color, and being ruled by a council of a**holes. It's totally messed up but it made for one interesting book.
Bryn was spunky, fearless, and witty. She didn't let her mixed breed state dictate who she was. She demanded respect. She shot down the bullies and stood up for what was right. Bryn was so cool with the way she handled finding out she was a dragonshifter and being forced into a school of haters. She was even better at making people who were taught to hate her to end up loving her. She is just so damn approachable. Bryn took to being a dragon with ease and turned out to be pretty badass when it came to flying and fighting. A very cool girl all the way around.
The other characters were interesting as well. Zavien was a little up and down at times but it added to his mystery. Even when he was being unfair to Bryn, he always had her best interests in mind. His protector mode was adorable. I would feel safe with him at my back. Jaxon was a great villain but he also had some goodness to him too. He grew up learning to be prejudice, so he really didn't know any better as he made Bryn's life difficult, but Bryn always got the last word.
The story and plot kept my attention the whole time. I never felt bored which is hard to do with a over 400 page book. The mystery was well done and the writing had a nice flow. I am assuming that this book will turn into a series because the ending left a lot of things up in the air.
The Bad
Though I never got bored, I do think this book is a little too long. Cut about fifty pages of unnecessary stuff and it would be perfect.
My biggest gripe is the so called revolution. There wasn't one, or at least Bryn didn't start it. It was already established before she got to the school and she didn't help the cause really. All she did was get people use to being around a hybrid. I really expected more when it came to the revolution and Bryn changing the old fashioned laws.
The Snuggly
It took some time for Bryn and Zavien to get together but I liked how they were friends first. I didn't necessarily feel the passion but these two were so cute together. They are still in that PG stage, so we will see how close they get later on, if this becomes a series.
Very YA appropriate, though there is bad language.
Final Thoughts
Finally, a well done dragon book. I want more already. I really hope this will be a series because I will be first in line for book #2. I hope you guys give this book a try. Very recommended.
Quotes
"If she spotted him, she'd blast him to cinder. And then she'd be the one going to jail because being a presumptuous, adulterous asshat was legal in polite dragon society, while flash-frying said asshat was not."
"I threatened him with bodily harm. He promised to bring me cake for the rest of my life. We worked it out."
"Living a simple life full of love had to be better then living an extravagant life full of hate."
Author Bio"If she spotted him, she'd blast him to cinder. And then she'd be the one going to jail because being a presumptuous, adulterous asshat was legal in polite dragon society, while flash-frying said asshat was not."
"I threatened him with bodily harm. He promised to bring me cake for the rest of my life. We worked it out."
"Living a simple life full of love had to be better then living an extravagant life full of hate."
I love reading and writing snarky, kick-butt characters who take on the world and win.
My truths: You can never have too many books, shoes, or purses.
Coffee is the Elixir of Life.
There should be a National Nerf Bat Day where you are allowed to whack annoying people upside the head.
This is a Tour Wide Giveaway
As long as you weren't bored the book sounds really interesting! You're right, it's always awesome to have a story about dragons!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't bored at all.
DeleteI saw the words fun and dragons...I AM IN! :D
ReplyDeletehehe, I knew you would be.
DeleteThank you for taking the time to read and review my book. Going Down In Flames is book one in Bryn's story. Book two is on the editor's desk and the revolution builds as the series goes on.
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy to know there is a book 2 already out there somewhere. :)
DeleteI feel somewhat the same about this! Dragons are always cool. ^^
ReplyDeleteSo cool!!!
DeleteI have heard some great things about this one and I am super curious about it. I think I need to add this one to my TBR pile this summer.
ReplyDeleteFor sure. I think you will be pleasantly surprised, like I was.
DeleteSo what is Bryn's role in the big scheme of things except for the hybrid thingy?
ReplyDeleteWell, I assume she will be helping the rebels eventually. It seems the story is leading to that.
DeleteYES! Dragons. Already interested just by that. I love that the main character was one you really enjoyed. Zavien is a new 'z' name to me. I'll have to tell Zane about it. He's already saying all his kid's names will start with 'z'. My question is "how many kids???".
ReplyDeleteTry Zonell I've never met another one.
DeleteLOL, I love that idea. I like the way Zane thinks! :)
DeleteI'm into the dragon shifters too! It's a little bit of a let down when the blurb says one thing and the story gives another. I can't help but spot those descrpencies either. But it sounds like this would be a really fun read!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th!
Even with the snag, this was an awesome book.
DeleteGoing Down in Flames sounds good, I've added to my shopping list
ReplyDeleteOh i've added this one to my TBR since it has dragons--and i'm a sucker for anything that has dragons.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds super cute and fun. I have read a few YA dragon books and you are right, they are the new shifter. Glad to hear this is one to read! :)
ReplyDeleteDragons! Yay!!! hehe
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