A villain's shot in the head and devoured by rats. In Firebrand , the characters have more time than in Elemental to indulge in romantic experimentation and the jealousy that can come from it. Sixteen-year-olds Thomas and Rose share a night of physical intimacy, although it's not clear how much it progresses beyond kissing and making out.
Parents need to know that Firebrand , the exciting second volume of a fantasy series set in a dystopian near future in North Carolina's Outer Banks, features pirates, a colony of treacherous refugees, and a group of survivors with the power to command the elements. Beatings, gunshots, and stabbings are common, but gratuitous description is rare; one scene shows a villain being shot in the head and then eaten by rats.
Three characters form an awkward romantic triangle, but there's little sexual content; in one scene, two teens spend the night together, but the details of their physical intimacy go undescribed. Having saved themselves at great cost from Roanoke Island's pirates in Elemental , Thomas and his fractious crew of friends and family members, now in the pirates' commandeered ship, still need a new place to call home. Using his newfound elemental powers on the ship's radio, Thomas hears a message urging all refugees to head to Fort Sumter.
But as they head south, he and his crew discover their powers fading; by the time they reach the refugee colony, they fear its distrustful, rather sinister inhabitants. Is Fort Sumter the haven they've been searching for, or have they stumbled into an even worse predicament? A nonstop adventure fantasy with an intriguing near-future setting, FIREBRAND mixes history and fantasy to present a fresh take on the standard tropes of apocalyptic fiction. The series' second volume is a little harsher than the first in its presentation of violence, but not excessively so.
The plot offers plenty of twists, as well as a deepening sense of the characters. Author Antony John inspires confidence that he'll be able to carry this saga to its conclusion with inventiveness and skill.
Families can talk about why post-apocalyptic stories in books, movies, and TV are so popular. What's going on in our world that makes readers want to imagine a near future in which everyone's struggling to survive? How do you develop trust with people? What characteristics make one person more trustworthy than another? Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. See how we rate. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase.
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Dystopian fantasy displays sharper edges in second volume. Antony John Fantasy Sign in or join to save for later. Parents say No reviews yet Add your rating. Kids say No reviews yet Add your rating. Get it now Searching for streaming and purchasing options Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Jun 09, Stephanie rated it really liked it. What I liked about this book: Unique plot and setting — the fact that this was a dystopian society and somehow a small group of people with elemental powers have survived on an island while everyone else seemed to be trapped on boats and most do not have any powers.
Most of the books out there are either one or the other so I liked how this author meshed these two aspects together. Another aspect was the fact that the Plague was brought on by rats so whoever has a fear of rats, probably should not read this novel especially the third one because they became a large part of that third book. Characters grew a lot and matured — this story followed Thomas who grew up his entire life without having an element when everyone else in his society had a special power. I liked how he was still optimistic and cheerful with a good personality. It also helped that his peers treated him with respect especially after disaster hit and their troubles began.
He was the one they relied on and listened to. The other main girl, Alice, was such a resourceful and bad-ass chick. She clearly thrived in danger and took it up on herself to keep everyone safe so with the two of them, they were able to keep everyone alive. I also appreciated how honest she was and to be perfectly honest, I thought Alice and Thomas would get together. One other character that I really thought matured a lot was Rose. The various plot twists — while there were a few areas where it was pretty obvious what was going to happen but there were also a lot that I did not see coming.
Overall, great trilogy and great ending — the last book was a great wrap up to the novels. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy, sci-fi or dystopian novels. This trilogy managed to wrap those three genres together in a pretty package. Aug 26, Wendy rated it really liked it Recommended to Wendy by: What they will find is disturbing as they grapple with lies, threats and a dangerous secret that could bring death to them all.
This is a dystopian story filled with non-stop action, thrills and adventure with a dash of romance and mystery. Using Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour, South Carolina as a backdrop for the s "Firebrand" is the fast-paced sequel to "Elemental" which unfolds at Fort Sumter where Thomas, his friends and the Guardians seek sanctuary after their escape from Roanoke Island.
Using Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour, South Carolina as a backdrop for the story is a fascinating bit of ingenuity. Being isolated and defensible in the first battle of the civil war makes it a perfect location for a colony of refugees seeking safety from an infestation of rats who carry the plague.
Ironically not guns but a man's stupidity will undermine its security. The plot is well-written,the characters realistic , their personalities developing as events unfold and the action heats up. Thomas, an innate leader develops with the story line.
He's brave, considerate, and shrewd as he struggles to overcome the prejudice of Rose's mother, and to discern the truth or deception in the Chief's supposed friendship. Alice haunted by her father's violence is strong-willed, competitive, loyal,trustworthy, and finds a kindred spirit in Jerren. Nyla like Rose is determined and steadfast. Both are willing to sacrifice their safety to protect those they love. Even the antagonists are memorable, like Chief, the deceptive leader whose lies and cruelty outweigh any good intentions, and Kell, the tough, no-nonsense second-in-command with a killer instinct.
Although, I thought the elemental abilities of the characters were underplayed as was the seriousness of the plague. But, I can't wait to see what Antony John has in-store for Thomas and his friends in the next book. Jan 08, Hope rated it liked it. This book was awesome! Good Job to the writer Antony John for making an extraordinary sequel. I absolutely loved Elemental but this sequel knocked my socks off. I loved Thomas and Rose in this book, their relationship transformed a lot from the first book to the sequel.
They are so cute together and I loved all of their scenes.
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I was so intrigued in the beginning, that it actually picked up exactly where it left off from Elemental. They were sailing away from Roanoke away from the pirates This book was awesome! They were sailing away from Roanoke away from the pirates. There was a lot of commotion and disaster aboard the boat, dealing with Eleanor and her father, and literally everyone was on edge worrying about heading to this new colony in South Carolina that Thomas told everyone about.
The beginning definitely drew me in, all because it was so intriguing and interesting, the fact that Thomas's father was released by two people combining their elements was amazing. I loved the fact that, that was seen throughout the novel a lot, two people combing their elements. It was interesting to read and I loved every minute of it. The colony on Sumter was interesting but I knew from the very beginning something was off and Chief could not be trusted, just something about him being way too friendly threw me off.
I loved Jerren and Alice and I hope their relationship will elope in the third novel. I loved how in the end there is still a recurring antagonist, Dare, Thomas's Uncle. It's so interesting because in the bend of Elemental after he moved onto the island, they managed to throw him overboard from his own boat that they eventually took.
It all was one big trick and plan. I was surprised to see in the end, he still is not killed off and i am so excited to read the next book, hoping to tie up all the loose ends. Dare is such an interesting antagonist and this book unraveled a lot about their journey and what is to come. Everyone start with Elemental and then read this book. It's riveting and mind-numbing! Jan 05, Ben Farmer rated it really liked it.
Firebrand (Elemental, #2) by Antony John
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If I were to write a letter to this author about this novel, I would say. John Before reading your book i had never read a book in this series but the cover look interesting which made me want to read it. After reading a description of what the book over, it had gain my interest. Although when i first started reading, it was very confusing as i did not know this book was part of a series and there was not much information about what happen previously at the start of the book.
But as i ke If I were to write a letter to this author about this novel, I would say. But as i kept reading I formed a general idea of what happen in the previous book, still I would like a summary of what happened in the first book and do you recommend i go back to read the previous book or would i be fine to go to the next one. One complaint i would make about the article would be is not having a lot of backstory about how the world crumbled because of rats. Were told the rats carry the plague but beyond that, there not much else. Another complaint would be how the rats were smart enough to flank the main characters and use strategy.
I can understand the rats evolving and being more intelligent but the level of strategy the rats use is rather unbelievable considering the animal brain size. My suggestion would be to add a scientist like character that can shine some light on how the plague wipe out the human race and how rats became so intelligent. A good time to introduce this character would be at fort sumter as one of chiefs men which would make sense because it would tie in with the chief trying to cure the plague.
That the only problem i had with the novel, other than that i thought it was a really good book.
Jul 02, Kristen rated it really liked it Shelves: In a future post-apocalyptic world, Thomas and his friends have succeeded in saving their parents, the Guardians, from invading pirates. However, the pirates hold Roanoke Island. When the use of his power allows him to hear a radio message calling for refugees to come to Fort Sumter, Thomas and the group decide to head there. Fort Sumter will reveal answers to the questions that have plagued Thomas and his friends. Such as what power do the pira In a future post-apocalyptic world, Thomas and his friends have succeeded in saving their parents, the Guardians, from invading pirates.
Such as what power do the pirates think Griffin possesses that would be worth enough to kill for? Are there other secrets that the Guardians kept from their young? Firebrand is the second novel in the Elemental trilogy by Antony John. The Lost Colony of Roanoke is a popular topic to write on and starts to feel played out. But,this trilogy provides a fun and mystical take that may not be altogether new but is engaging and worth delving into.
Mar 28, Kelsey Mitchell rated it liked it. Thomas and the rest of the Elementals are forced to leave Roanoke Island now that the pirates have it overrun. They sail to a new community, determined to make a new life. But they soon find that the further away they get from Skeleton Island, the less their powers work. That's the least of their problems though, when they realize that this town has some secrets. Powerful, dangerous secrets that really should've stayed hidden. This book was still very captivating, and engaging. And I completely adore Thomas, and his element, but it was missing a bit of the urgency that the first book had that made it so bewitching.
Aug 25, Pages For Thoughts rated it liked it. Firebrand was a definite improvement from the first book.
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Their elements were taken to a whole new level, and they discovered more things to do with them, which I greatly liked. The characters were more emotional, and the book was not as fast, which gave more chances to connect with the characters. The writing was not the best. The author told a lot of things, but didn't really show them.
Firebrand: Elemental, Book 2
Instead of the author picturing the story for me, I had to do it myself and make up the story in my head. It Firebrand was a definite improvement from the first book. It made Firebrand more challenging than I would have liked. I will still read the next book to finish the series, but if you have not read the series yet, I am not sure if you should. See this review and more at http: Mar 18, Lectus rated it it was amazing. Thank you John for not dissapointing me. You know how you read a book and then the next in the series is kind of just okay? Well, Firebrand wasn't okay, it was perfect.
This second book kept the same just-about-right pace of the first one. I would have liked a cast of characters just so I could had remembered who was who, but John did a great job reminding us of who each character was in the previous book without being repetitive. The action was paced as the first one OMG! The action was paced as the first one: I absolutely loved the second book in the series and I'm going to stalk the author again to find out when the third book is coming.
Nov 11, Erik V. Firebrand is the second book in this elemental series. However if you start this series with this second book you can still understand what is going on and happened in the previous book. In this book you are thrown into a post apocalyptic world and certain people can control certain parts of nature around them. You jumped straight into the story with action, but as you read on the story became more clear and told about what had happened to the characters in the previous book.
Overall I would giv Firebrand is the second book in this elemental series. Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars because it was a great and exciting book to read, but nothing special blew me away. I really liked this book! It has been awhile since I read Elemental, but I caught on after a while. The story really drew me in and it was amazing!! Thomas is still trying to figure every thing out. His element, his family, the secrets the Guardians hid from them, the Solution.
But nothing is what it seems. When they find a settlement, it seems to be thriving and it appears that it might be the haven they have been looking for, but there are sinister secrets, even here.
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The oh so perfe I really liked this book! The oh so perfect place, might not be so innocent.
But can Thomas figure it out before it's too late and he loses everything he has risked it make it this far? Nov 26, Abigail rated it really liked it Shelves: The story picks up right where Elemental left off and again ends on a cliffhanger. The threat of contracting plague from rats takes center stage in this book, and the elements play a slightly lesser role. I admire how Antony John can write stories that are fast-paced without sacrificing character development.
I also thought he effectively depicted the subtle threat always in the air in the seemingly peaceful colony that Thomas and co. I think Alice is still my favorite character The story picks up right where Elemental left off and again ends on a cliffhanger. I think Alice is still my favorite character. Sep 06, Saied Ali rated it liked it. Well this book was indeed better than the first in my opinion Looking forward to Well this book was indeed better than the first in my opinion Looking forward to Renegade!
Oct 11, Chelsey Middleton rated it really liked it Shelves: I received this book from the author for a honest review as a first reads book I very much enjoyed this book. It was quite adventurous. From page to page things just happened that literally make you want to yell "Noooo".
It also picked up were it was left off from the first one. I recommend this book percent, and I thank the author for sending this book to me so I have the opportunity to melt in the enjoyment of his book. This book is an adventurous action packed paranormal book and its g I received this book from the author for a honest review as a first reads book This book is an adventurous action packed paranormal book and its goooood Feb 25, Daphne rated it really liked it Shelves: This book was a lot more exciting than the first.
The action started right at the beginning and it kept a good pace through the book.