Verity Fire

by Nishit Rathod, Berley Kerr

KIRKUS REVIEW Rathod and Kerr’s novel is a fantastical coming-of-age story about a16-year-old named Howard. The novel uses the discovery of inner power as a tidy metaphor for growing up, while telling an intricately plotted sci-fi tale... Takes the reader on a gripping journey filled with unexpected twists and turns; a fun and smart read. BOOK DESCRIPTION Howard is a goofy, sixteen-year-old orphan who is desperate to figure out his life—he always manages to land in inexplicable situations. The mesmerizing Elisa is living the life from her most perfect dream. Jack, Elisa's computer-hacking boyfriend, doesn't care the least bit about what life has in store for him as long as Elisa is in it. When fate brings the three together, their lives are permanently altered in ways none of them could have ever imagined. Howard, Elisa, and Jack are forced to embark on a great adventure in a world where the delicate peace between humans and Veneficans, people with magical powers, is carefully enforced by Ferreters, the unforgiving hunters. Treading on the perilous and chaotic boundary between the realms of humans and Veneficans, the three will have to quickly learn how to face the most terrifying challenges both imaginable as well as unimaginable. OTHER REVIEWS "I was very impressed with the concept and the writing style. It surely captured my attention and my imagination." -Linda Lakshminarayanan, Librarian, Emerson School NOTE FROM THE 50% of net proceeds will benefit charities.

Genres: Young Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2011

Reviews

[Linda Lakshminaryanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to offer in Verity Fire. It is an interesting concept built upon a variety of ideas that have been around for thousands of years yet set in a modern setting. Howard is fed up with living in the orphanage and at age 16 is ready for some adventure. He needs to be careful what he wishes for because soon he is in the adventure of a lifetime with unexpected magic and historical implications flying at him from all angles. He meets Elisa, a beautiful woman of 19, who informs Howard that he, like her, is a unique type of person, filled with magical powers just waiting to be put to service. They are also being followed by an organization of people who want to test their loyalty or destroy them. Howard, Elisa, and her boyfriend Jack then set off on a journey that begins in Wisconsin and takes them to the jungles of Brazil and places that defy imagination. The pace keeps moving so that the reader does not want to put the book down.

Why then am I only giving it four stars? It is a fascinating concept but it is also clearly a first novel. It is a little rough around the edges at times. I encourage you to read it for yourself and then give Nishit Rathod your input on what he should do to write an even better book next time.

Please also check out his website where he will tell you about his core beliefs which are strongly present in the book. This is one of the areas that gets the most praise from me. The average reader is quickly turned off when pounded by the moral of a story. That does not happen here. Rathod has worked his beliefs into the story in a way that makes them clear but not forced, either in their delivery or in how they are worked into the story. The reader may not even be aware the a lesson has been given. Rathod is also living his values by giving a portion of the profits from his writing to charity.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads!

I really liked this book, I love anything to do with magic. This book is very fast paced, so its hard to put it down.

This book is about Howard, Elisa, and Jack who go on an adventure. Their world is filled witb normal humans and Veneficans, who have magical powers. The Ferreters are the hunters who keep the peace between the regular people and the people with magical powers. The three teens start on an adventure that starts in Wisconsin and takes them all over the world.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book was great. It was very fast paced and I never wanted to put it down. The story was great even though I don't normally read books that involve a lot of magic.
Howard was really likeable and easy to relate to (what teenager hasn't done stupid things that they instantly regret?). He really made the book for me.
Im really glad I won this from Goodreads First Reads.

[Kimberly Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I TRIED TO READ IT, AND I LOVE THIS GENRE OF BOOK. I JUST COULD NOT GET PAST THE 3RD CHAPTER BEFORE I GAVE UP. TOO MUCH TOO SOON!!