REVIEW: Scorched Skies (Fire Spirits #2) by Samantha Young

 

Author: Samantha Young

Series: Fire Spirits

Pages: 358

Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal

Publisher: Self

Amazon: Scorched Skies

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

FEAR THE HEAT...

The White King has crossed the line, sounded the horn, sent out the wolves.

When blood is shed and life is lost the reality of Ari’s position as both hunter and prey finally sets in. It seems her father will stop at nothing to force her will to his own and distracted by Charlie’s latest mistake and her seemingly misguided attraction to Jai, Ari never thought to fear anyone else but the Jinn King.

Blindsided and attacked, Ari learns a new wolf has joined the hunt. A dark sorcerer believes he knows a way to bleed the power of the Seal and wield it as his own, and he is even less patient than The White King.

The War for the Seal has only just begun… and it’s time for Ari to turn it on its head.
It’s time for Ari to stop acting like the hunted.

It’s time for Ari to become the hunter.

REVIEW: 4 ½ out of 5 stars

** Contains possible spoilers from book 1, Smokeless Fire **

Scorched Skies is the second book in the Fire Spirits series by Samantha Young and begins where Smokeless Fire ends.

Ari Johnson is still coming to terms with her heritage, of her position as the Seal amongst the Jinn and her new feelings towards her Guardian Jai and her long time best friend, Charlie – now a sorcerer.

When a life is lost under orders from The White King, Ari sets out for revenge all the while trying to avoid playing in to his hands which will force her return to Mount Qaf, right where he wants her. There is also a new player wanting Ari and her powers for his own nefarious purposes. The poor thing never gets a moments peace to not only grieve for the person she has lost but also to think about her new life which has been more or less forced upon her.

Scorched Skies was such an emotional read on so many levels, Ari’s fathers declaration of I really do love you, kid. I guess I just never loved you enough left me feeling heartbroken for her but it obviously explained his absence and lack of feeling! Charlies’s poor timing and constant presence drove me a little batty and Jai’s hot and cold left my head spinning, how Ari stayed sane with so much drama around her left me baffled.

The politics is alive and well in this book and I can’t seem to work out each of the player’s agendas – they all have a bit of a power struggle going on and each want Ari for their own use, the mystery and suspense makes for an enthralling read and the war for the seal is going to be an intriguing one.

Each of the characters in this book have certainly been developed further than in Smokeless Fire, we are beginning to learn more about Jai and his past, Charlie and what is drawing him and even The Red King who still shows his humor in this book – I love how powerful he is yet still a neat freak. Ms Maggie has also returned but is still quite the mystery; I am curious about who is under the cloak.

The romance is also really sweet and progressing at a pace that is realistic, you can’t help but want happiness and a HEA for Jai and Ari who are both deserving of a bit of love and peace.

I was completely immersed in this story, the pacing flowed really well and it is a plot that is solid and engaging, I also like Ms. Young’s detailed and entertaining writing.

Overall, Scorched Skies is a wonderful addition to this series which is action-packed and filled with intense drama, power struggles and a really sweet budding romance. I am really eager to dive into book three, Borrowed Ember.