Sometimes I let myself break the old adage, "don't judge a book by its cover" because sometimes there are really neat covers. And while they don't always give the best insights to the true worth of a book, sometimes they are.
Okay, I will fully admit. I got about six or seven pages into this book and fully contemplated putting it back. Probably not as a DNF, I loath not finishing books even if I dislike them. However, I was in a weird mood and decided to just keep reading, and I'm glad I did. Firebolt does it's best to put you in the middle of action as it begins, however compared to the rest of the novel, the first chapter seems a little flat.
I enjoyed learning more about the world, and characters. It is definitely a young adult book, focusing around school and relationships. Yet with a book I'd just contemplated putting off for another night, I ended up finishing it within hours. So I will let that also speak to how the book gets better the further you get. There is just so much that Elena doesn't know, which helps the audience learn with her. Which isn't my favorite way of learning in books, too often it was a 'Donnatella' (probably not the post for West Wing references, oops). This could also be seen in some of the pacing, we spent quite a bit of time learning and the action was packed into the very front and tail end of the novel.
However, what probably kept me reading was the way Elena coped with her loss. I was so incredibly nervous, after all to those of us who've lost someone integral in our lives, reading about loss from a character who obviously doesn't understand what they're supposed to be feeling is the worst. I was pleasantly surprised. Elena did try to push through the pain as I expected, but she cried. Her emotions got the best of her. She had panic attacks. She got upset mere moments after being happy. And this happened throughout the book. So I stayed. I stayed for a character who I could understand.
The most interesting part about all of plot of this novel to me is the prophecies. Prophecies can be so powerful in writing, and I for one was glad how Elena handled this aspect of the novel. I can already see the set up for the next novel, but I'm excited to see if my guesses come to pass, and the explanation behind them.
In short, this isn't a book I came away gushing about the second I put it down. Instead it's a creeper, it continues to grow on you. The world of Firebolt is obviously well thought out by the author, and I think that Woods just needed to get part way through the book to where she could actually being to weave the story. I expect the rest of the series to pick up in tempo, and think it's a good quick young adult book. What shines to me was how real Elena could be at times and I truly applaud Woods for her personification of this character.
Book: I feel like it should be a 3.85 to a 3.9, which is just silly so I'll give it my full four stars! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the book, and I recommend giving it a shot!
Thank you to NetGalley, Adrienne Woods, and Fire Quill Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest review.
my way by Starlight 
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