Review: The Firedragon

Title: The Firedragon (Flynn Nightsider 0.5) 

Author: Mary Fan 

Synopsis: Almost a hundred years ago, the Enchanters defeated the Lord of the Underworld in one of the most fearsome wars the world had ever seen. The public thinks that this victory means the people are safe. But they’re wrong. The supernatural beasts the Lord unleashed remain on the earth, multiplying and ravaging what’s left of civilization. As long as these monsters exist, mankind will be in danger. And though the government, ruled by the magic-wielding Enchanters, seeks to protect their people, they are too few in number. They need the Defenders – a special class of non-magical humans – to fight the monsters. The Defenders are an elite force, and mankind’s only hope against the horrors that live beyond their gates. Fourteen-year-old Aurelia “the Firedragon” Sun has been training since she could walk to become a Defender, and her extraordinary combat skills have earned the attention of the powerful government. In fact, she’s been tapped to represent her nation in an international monster-fighting competition, which pits champions from across the globe against creatures of the Underworld in a violent spectacle. If she wins, she will become a full-fledged member of the Defender force. But as Aurelia moves deeper into the competition, she realizes that all is not as it appears. There’s something sinister behind the competition, something that could change the way she sees everything … and the Enchanters, it seems, are not the heroes she thought. Aurelia begins to ask questions. But before she can discover the truth, she is pitted against the most dangerous monster in the competition – one that will take her life if it can .

My Review:

The Firedragon is full of action from the very first page till the last one. It will grip your attention instantly. The main character, Aurelia Sun is one of a kind, she is stubborn, cocky, loyal and brave. In the beginning I was surprised and pleased with a new kind of heroine, because Aurelia surely knows what she wants and that she is able to do it. Though through the story goes on I sometimes wanted to knock some sense in her, she is too cocky for her own good, but in the end she realizes that she is not the most important person in the world.

The story is short but full of content at the same time. I haven´t read Flynn Nightsider, which is the 1st book in this series but I think The Firedragon serves its purpose of introductory book to this new scary dystopian world. I really liked the characters of Aurelia and Connor and I would definitely love to read more about them because the book ends in a kind of cliffhanger when the most interesting things are about to happen. 

This book also focus on the political aspects of this world because politics are a really important tool in every distopian universe. The writing is detailed, fluid and catching which makes The Firedragon a fast read perfect for teenagers and lovers of fantasy.

I would recommend this book and the next ones in the series because if this short novella was good then I can´t wait what Mary Fan can do in a whole novel!