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Blaze #1
Blaze: If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Don’t Walk into the Fire
If you can't stand the heat, don't walk into the fire. Danny knew his sophomore year would be stressful, but he didn’t expect his school to burn down on the first day. To make matters worse (and they were about to get a lot worse), he — and his three best friends — each receive an email from the principal of their rival, King’s Academy, offering full-rides to attend the town's prestigious boarding school. Danny wants nothing to do with King’s Academy and says no. His mother has other ideas. So off he goes to be bullied and picked on for not being part of the popular and rich crowd. From day one at King’s, Danny encounters hazing, mocking insults from girls at the "popular and pretty" table, and cafeteria food that, for such a prestigious school, tastes as if it was purchased from a military surplus supply warehouse. If he survives, Danny will have to overcome his fears of failure, rejection, and loneliness—all while standing strong in his beliefs and walking into the fire.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2019
68 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 29, 2019
I’ll let you all decide, but this was a really fun book to write. I’ve fallen in love with the characters and had a little too much fun with names, symbolism, and of course, fire
June 3, 2019
An amazing debut novel from a young and talented novelist. Hope Bolinger writes with a fresh and sensory-laden style that is sure to make you sweat and shiver within the same chapter. Blaze, the first in a must-read series of books about the book of Daniel, is retold from the perspective of a rule-following, courageous teen boy named Danny. Along with his friends, Danny is forced to attend the rival school's prison style campus and is caught between trying to find who burned down his home school, Emanuel, while not getting expelled from King's with their over-the-top rules. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!
June 13, 2019
And I thought Veggie Tales' Rack, Shack, and Benny would always be my favorite retelling of the book of Daniel's fiery furnace.
I'm breaking this review of Hope Bolinger's novel BLAZE into the story's four strongest categories.
The Hook: A modern-day retelling of Daniel set in a boarding school. From the moment I heard about it, I was intrigued. I'd never read a Bible story retelling and YA isn't my usual genre of choice, but I was excited to try this book. I'm so glad I did! The author did a fabulous job cleverly incorporating the story of Daniel into a modern setting, particularly towards the second half of the book. I especially liked the use of Danny's graphic design class and the mysterious image sent by one of the students paralleling King Nebuchadnezzar's dream with a modern flavor.
But I don't want to talk about hooks any longer because there's a certain fishhook in this story that ruins it for me. 😆
The Plot: It surprised me how well the story of Daniel translated into an engaging, cohesive, and suspenseful YA plot. One minute we're wondering how Danny is going to survive in a horrible school with a horrible dorm room and horrible cafeteria food, and the next we're trying to solve several arson mysteries. The author balances this well - keeping tensions high on all fronts, both high school drama and life-or-death. And sometimes they're one and the same.
The Characters: All of the "good" characters in this story are likeable in some way or another, but scene-stealer Hannah is by far my favorite. The stories I enjoy most are the ones that have a certain character that grabs onto my reader heart and refuses to let go - usually quite violently. I don't know why I gravitate towards rough-and-tumble characters, but something about finding a heart of gold under all that gruff is so satisfying to me. And Hannah embodies this to perfection. I love her sooo much!
The Cliffhanger: That ending!!! Gah, it BURNS!!! (For more reasons than one. 😉)
The author's writing style and descriptions work hard at creating a tangible atmosphere in the reader's imagination. All five of the reader's senses are constantly engaged (for better or worse in the case of certain smells!), creating an incredibly vivid reading experience. One trigger warning, though. There are several, frequent passages that are an emetophobic's nightmare. I'm usually okay with vomiting scenes in books if I can keep my imagination in check, but there were definitely a few scenes I had to skim over. Just something to keep in mind for anyone who deals with emetophobia.
BLAZE was a 5-star reading adventure for me, and I hope it's the same for everyone who picks up this book. Looking forward to the sequel!
I'm breaking this review of Hope Bolinger's novel BLAZE into the story's four strongest categories.
The Hook: A modern-day retelling of Daniel set in a boarding school. From the moment I heard about it, I was intrigued. I'd never read a Bible story retelling and YA isn't my usual genre of choice, but I was excited to try this book. I'm so glad I did! The author did a fabulous job cleverly incorporating the story of Daniel into a modern setting, particularly towards the second half of the book. I especially liked the use of Danny's graphic design class and the mysterious image sent by one of the students paralleling King Nebuchadnezzar's dream with a modern flavor.
But I don't want to talk about hooks any longer because there's a certain fishhook in this story that ruins it for me. 😆
The Plot: It surprised me how well the story of Daniel translated into an engaging, cohesive, and suspenseful YA plot. One minute we're wondering how Danny is going to survive in a horrible school with a horrible dorm room and horrible cafeteria food, and the next we're trying to solve several arson mysteries. The author balances this well - keeping tensions high on all fronts, both high school drama and life-or-death. And sometimes they're one and the same.
The Characters: All of the "good" characters in this story are likeable in some way or another, but scene-stealer Hannah is by far my favorite. The stories I enjoy most are the ones that have a certain character that grabs onto my reader heart and refuses to let go - usually quite violently. I don't know why I gravitate towards rough-and-tumble characters, but something about finding a heart of gold under all that gruff is so satisfying to me. And Hannah embodies this to perfection. I love her sooo much!
The Cliffhanger: That ending!!! Gah, it BURNS!!! (For more reasons than one. 😉)
The author's writing style and descriptions work hard at creating a tangible atmosphere in the reader's imagination. All five of the reader's senses are constantly engaged (for better or worse in the case of certain smells!), creating an incredibly vivid reading experience. One trigger warning, though. There are several, frequent passages that are an emetophobic's nightmare. I'm usually okay with vomiting scenes in books if I can keep my imagination in check, but there were definitely a few scenes I had to skim over. Just something to keep in mind for anyone who deals with emetophobia.
BLAZE was a 5-star reading adventure for me, and I hope it's the same for everyone who picks up this book. Looking forward to the sequel!
June 26, 2019
An excellent book from a young author. It is a modern retelling of the Book of Daniel. The characters and situations seemed very real. I felt bad for Danny, the protagonist, who suffers from constant stomach problems. Ned, the principal, is an intriguing antagonist. I can't wait for the second book.
June 5, 2019
Blaze, a delightful new novel by Hope Bolinger, tells the story of an academic year in the lives of four students at a new academy after the school they love burns down. Danny, Michelle, Rayah, and Hannah all must find a way to adjust as they are accepted to King’s Academy tuition-free. But like all offers that are too good to be true, this one comes with a heavy price to pay. What first appears to be a paradise turns into the opposite as the students face terrible food, unfair athletic trials, and a gruesome hazing. And this is at the start of the school year…
Blaze is a wonderful YA novel of the trials and tribulations of four different but likeable students navigating their way through a challenging school year. While the story gets far-fetched at times, the anxieties and fears of Danny, Michelle, Rayah, and Hannah feel sincere, and the efforts the administration takes to stamp out religion in particular did not seem unrealistic in this day and age. The story is told from Danny’s point-of-view. His voice, guiding the reader through the plot, is often funny and authentic. And of the supporting friends, my guess is everyone is going to love Hannah. Read the book to find out why.
Clever, hopeful, well-written, and as I said at the beginning, delightful best describe what I thought of Blaze. It’s a worthy addition to any bookshelf.
I received a copy of this novel from the author, but I bought it after reading it.
Blaze is a wonderful YA novel of the trials and tribulations of four different but likeable students navigating their way through a challenging school year. While the story gets far-fetched at times, the anxieties and fears of Danny, Michelle, Rayah, and Hannah feel sincere, and the efforts the administration takes to stamp out religion in particular did not seem unrealistic in this day and age. The story is told from Danny’s point-of-view. His voice, guiding the reader through the plot, is often funny and authentic. And of the supporting friends, my guess is everyone is going to love Hannah. Read the book to find out why.
Clever, hopeful, well-written, and as I said at the beginning, delightful best describe what I thought of Blaze. It’s a worthy addition to any bookshelf.
I received a copy of this novel from the author, but I bought it after reading it.
June 22, 2019
Danny Belte is haunted by fire. As threats of arson at his high school loom, he and his three friends receive offers from their prestigious rival, King’s Academy, for full rides. They’re loathe to accept—that is, until their school burns to the ground and their parents decide to accept the offer for them. But King’s isn’t all glamor, as it appeared during the campus tour: instead, the school is populated by vicious teens with cruel initiation ceremonies and nasty habits, not to mention the dangerously aggressive teachers who demand their students—and especially their athletes—to compete beyond what should be humanly possible. Danny and his friends, however, try to hold out, and in the midst of the pressure to conform, they stand for their beliefs as much as possible, striving for change while also beginning a Bible study. But the arsonist of their old school is still prowling around, ready to burn more buildings . . .
This is a creative approach to the book of Daniel, which Blaze sets in a modern-day high school. Maybe. After Danny ran—barefoot—a 4:11 mile (as a sophomore with no previous sports/running experience), I realized that perhaps this isn’t a modern high school story at all, but instead is a near-future dystopian novel in which the parents of the protagonists recognize that the United States’ economy is crumbling and new, dangerous leaders are vying for power, so they frantically send their kids to the best possible high school/prep school in hopes that their kids will manage to find a stable job (and perhaps a way out of the country) amid the collapse. Hence, since it’s the future (slightly), everyone can run a bit faster, etc. And in this dystopian future, it’s not against fire code to have a dorm completely lacking windows and only possessing one door. That is locked from the outside at night.
Honestly, the book (especially the baffling preponderance of crazy parents) made more sense to me when I read it as a dystopian piece rather than realistic/contemporary YA.
Something I appreciated was the four main characters’ steadfast faithfulness to their beliefs. They refused to back down, and they fought hard to enact changes in the school and maintain their Christian beliefs. Unfortunately, most of the characters felt like your stereotypical high schoolers: the high-heeled, gum-chewing female jock, the shy and timid pretty girl/crush, the wild girl (she even comes with a nose piercing—how rebellious), and the smart-and-top-athlete protagonist (who, again, displayed no previous skill in sports). There was also a nerdy/loser side-character who has acne, braces, asthma, etc. Give me a break. Handing these cardboard cutouts some anxious quirks like nail-biting doesn’t make them any less of cardboard cutouts.
As a side-note to this comment on characters, Danny spends at least half the book throwing up. Ew. I don’t want to read about vomit every eleventh page, and it began to feel ridiculous enough to be something straight of a more absurdist/black humor book like Catch-22. Danny would fit right in with Orr and Kid Sampson and Washington Irving.
Another issue I had was with the writing style. Much of the phrasing, and especially word choice, felt overdone and forceful. For example, rather than calling knives “daggers,” they’re called “sharp vessels,” and a few times the word “capsules” was used in place of “drops” of blood or rain. It was like the author fell into a thesaurus and got lost, then tossed some random words out as a lifeline rather than find a better and more natural fit. It’s one thing to write eloquently and skillfully with less-common words, but it’s another to force them in so one can show off.
Still on the topic of writing style, I think it was an interesting choice to have the book written in third person pov; I know first present is a big YA trope, but this book—especially with so many of the narrator’s (meant to be Danny's?) snarky/sarcastic comments—would have been better packaged in first present from Danny's pov.
Overall, I’d have to give this book two-and-a-half stars, but rounded down to two because three feels too generous. Kudos to the author for the creative retelling, but . . . the execution of said retelling was sloppy and rushed. Maybe more time will be spent on editing and revising the sequel; I, however, will refrain from reading the remainder of this trilogy.
This is a creative approach to the book of Daniel, which Blaze sets in a modern-day high school. Maybe. After Danny ran—barefoot—a 4:11 mile (as a sophomore with no previous sports/running experience), I realized that perhaps this isn’t a modern high school story at all, but instead is a near-future dystopian novel in which the parents of the protagonists recognize that the United States’ economy is crumbling and new, dangerous leaders are vying for power, so they frantically send their kids to the best possible high school/prep school in hopes that their kids will manage to find a stable job (and perhaps a way out of the country) amid the collapse. Hence, since it’s the future (slightly), everyone can run a bit faster, etc. And in this dystopian future, it’s not against fire code to have a dorm completely lacking windows and only possessing one door. That is locked from the outside at night.
Honestly, the book (especially the baffling preponderance of crazy parents) made more sense to me when I read it as a dystopian piece rather than realistic/contemporary YA.
Something I appreciated was the four main characters’ steadfast faithfulness to their beliefs. They refused to back down, and they fought hard to enact changes in the school and maintain their Christian beliefs. Unfortunately, most of the characters felt like your stereotypical high schoolers: the high-heeled, gum-chewing female jock, the shy and timid pretty girl/crush, the wild girl (she even comes with a nose piercing—how rebellious), and the smart-and-top-athlete protagonist (who, again, displayed no previous skill in sports). There was also a nerdy/loser side-character who has acne, braces, asthma, etc. Give me a break. Handing these cardboard cutouts some anxious quirks like nail-biting doesn’t make them any less of cardboard cutouts.
As a side-note to this comment on characters, Danny spends at least half the book throwing up. Ew. I don’t want to read about vomit every eleventh page, and it began to feel ridiculous enough to be something straight of a more absurdist/black humor book like Catch-22. Danny would fit right in with Orr and Kid Sampson and Washington Irving.
Another issue I had was with the writing style. Much of the phrasing, and especially word choice, felt overdone and forceful. For example, rather than calling knives “daggers,” they’re called “sharp vessels,” and a few times the word “capsules” was used in place of “drops” of blood or rain. It was like the author fell into a thesaurus and got lost, then tossed some random words out as a lifeline rather than find a better and more natural fit. It’s one thing to write eloquently and skillfully with less-common words, but it’s another to force them in so one can show off.
Still on the topic of writing style, I think it was an interesting choice to have the book written in third person pov; I know first present is a big YA trope, but this book—especially with so many of the narrator’s (meant to be Danny's?) snarky/sarcastic comments—would have been better packaged in first present from Danny's pov.
Overall, I’d have to give this book two-and-a-half stars, but rounded down to two because three feels too generous. Kudos to the author for the creative retelling, but . . . the execution of said retelling was sloppy and rushed. Maybe more time will be spent on editing and revising the sequel; I, however, will refrain from reading the remainder of this trilogy.
April 29, 2024
I stumbled onto this one completely by accident, but it piqued my interest immediately for a couple reasons. For one thing, I've written a contemporary biblical retelling of my own, and I have a biblical fiction WIP based on the book of Daniel that has been in the works for years and that I may or may not actually finish someday. So my ears perked up hard at the idea of a contemporary retelling of the book of Daniel.
I enjoyed picking out all the little parallels, and I think I caught most of them, even some of the more obscure ones. And I enjoyed the tight bond between Danny and his friends, as diverse as their personalities were. I had a bit of a hard time suspending disbelief on certain points and had to reframe it in my mind as a sort of contemporary dystopian to get some of the "wait...how?" questions to go away, but I didn't mind that too much. Some of the details added in to certain "biblical" characters had me scratching my head a little, but I could roll with it for the most part. However, some of Hannah's behavior in particular was downright disturbing, and even though I felt for her rough past, I didn't like it being written off as "just Hannah." There were also various unsavory things going on with the other kids at the school (drinking, having girls in the room ast night, etc.), which bugged me to some extent, but which I could mostly let go because this was the equivalent of the Babylonian crowd. However, the other thing that got to me was ALL the sensory description--it seemed like just about everything had a scent to it, which was brought up even in otherwise pleasant situations and gave me whiplash sometimes trying to fit my thoughts to the mood. Also, a warning to those with more sensitive stomachs that Danny's stomach issues get both intense and descriptive at times...
Finally...WHAT WAS THAT ENDING??? How can you end it there??? Seriously??? Part of me says I need the next book yesterday, but with the sensory issues I had with this one and my personal comfort level with some of the issues in the next two, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle them, so maybe I'll just hold onto the biblical ending and let it go here?
I enjoyed picking out all the little parallels, and I think I caught most of them, even some of the more obscure ones. And I enjoyed the tight bond between Danny and his friends, as diverse as their personalities were. I had a bit of a hard time suspending disbelief on certain points and had to reframe it in my mind as a sort of contemporary dystopian to get some of the "wait...how?" questions to go away, but I didn't mind that too much. Some of the details added in to certain "biblical" characters had me scratching my head a little, but I could roll with it for the most part. However, some of Hannah's behavior in particular was downright disturbing, and even though I felt for her rough past, I didn't like it being written off as "just Hannah." There were also various unsavory things going on with the other kids at the school (drinking, having girls in the room ast night, etc.), which bugged me to some extent, but which I could mostly let go because this was the equivalent of the Babylonian crowd. However, the other thing that got to me was ALL the sensory description--it seemed like just about everything had a scent to it, which was brought up even in otherwise pleasant situations and gave me whiplash sometimes trying to fit my thoughts to the mood. Also, a warning to those with more sensitive stomachs that Danny's stomach issues get both intense and descriptive at times...
Finally...WHAT WAS THAT ENDING??? How can you end it there??? Seriously??? Part of me says I need the next book yesterday, but with the sensory issues I had with this one and my personal comfort level with some of the issues in the next two, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle them, so maybe I'll just hold onto the biblical ending and let it go here?
December 1, 2019
Technically I DNF. I think this story is brilliant for some people. But I just couldn’t get into it. The storyline didn’t draw my interest enough. I love the thought of a Bible retelling. I may pick this back up later on in the future. After not reading it since the spring, it’s best to take this off my currently reading shelf for now.
September 18, 2019
A really fun retelling of Daniel and the lion’s den, but not too preachy for non-religious readers. Great character development—my fave is Hannah. She’s quirky and eccentric, but a really loyal friend. Mostly, it’s cool how she could care less what others think about her. I love the intertextuality, referencing Harry Potter, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Goodnight Moon, and The Giving Tree, etc. Plus, a good bit of gore and drama with Julius Caesar. There are a few vomit scenes I skimmed by pretty fast, but I’ve got a sensitive gag reflex—a frog dissection too. Lots of fire, which I love. Looking forward to the sequel.
June 9, 2019
Young adult fiction isn't a genre I normally read, but this modern day retelling from the book of Daniel piqued my interest, especially the use of a high school for the setting. Danny and friends are likable characters that make you want to root for them and I loved Danny's sharp wit throughout the story. The teenagers are a bit too cliched at times, something that resulted in more than one eye-roll on my part, but other than that, the story held my interest and kept me turning pages.
June 6, 2019
To see my review of Blaze by Hope Bolinger, follow this link:
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May 29, 2019
I came into this book unsure what I'd think, since I generally don't read YA fiction. As it turned out, the story was so good I forgot I was reading YA fiction a few pages in.
The characters are each fascinating in their own way and snappy dialogue throughout makes them each highly entertaining.
The author also does a great job of capturing the "it's a jungle in here" atmosphere that fill most high schools with all the anxiety that goes along with that.
I look forward to recommending this book to friends and family.
The characters are each fascinating in their own way and snappy dialogue throughout makes them each highly entertaining.
The author also does a great job of capturing the "it's a jungle in here" atmosphere that fill most high schools with all the anxiety that goes along with that.
I look forward to recommending this book to friends and family.
May 28, 2019
An exciting, suspenseful novel with relatable characters and unforeseen twists and turns. Loved this book!
May 20, 2020
There are very few books out there that accurately portray the hardships of teenagerhood. And Blaze by Hope Bolinger is one of them. Bolinger keeps it real by describing all the uglies of life, like acne, sweat, vomiting, and nervousness without making it overpowering or ridiculous. Which I found to be a refreshing change from the picture-perfect protagonists who would make Vicky Secret models hide their heads in shame. She won me over from page one.
The book opens on Daniel “Danny” Belte and his friends in school, with his friend, Michelle, triumphantly concocting a conspiracy theory, as Danny puts it, about a threat found in the girl’s bathroom. From that moment on, the characters are thrown into one disaster after another, until they reach King’s Academy. And from there, things just get even worse.
While it could have been dark, Blaze remained lighthearted as Danny continued to crack jokes that ranged from lame to hilarious about every situation. The pacing was top-notch, and I didn’t feel bored or jerked around by everything that was going on. Bolinger never lingered on one subject too long or for too short a time, which, I have to say, is amazing writing. And while it is a retelling of the book of Daniel in the Bible, there was just enough difference to keep me guessing.
After all the amazing-ness, Blaze ends on a cliffhanger, which is not cool. I love writing cliffhangers because they are a wonderful, horrible torture device to use on readers. And being on the receiving end of such malefactory practices was both horrible and satisfying. I can positively that I want to know what happens next. Which means I have to wait till the next book, Den, releases in July.
Blaze was a fast and fun read, perfect for anyone who loves suspense, school drama, real characters, and is a bit of a pyromaniac.
Thank you, Hope, for the free copy of Blaze in exchange for an honest review!
The book opens on Daniel “Danny” Belte and his friends in school, with his friend, Michelle, triumphantly concocting a conspiracy theory, as Danny puts it, about a threat found in the girl’s bathroom. From that moment on, the characters are thrown into one disaster after another, until they reach King’s Academy. And from there, things just get even worse.
While it could have been dark, Blaze remained lighthearted as Danny continued to crack jokes that ranged from lame to hilarious about every situation. The pacing was top-notch, and I didn’t feel bored or jerked around by everything that was going on. Bolinger never lingered on one subject too long or for too short a time, which, I have to say, is amazing writing. And while it is a retelling of the book of Daniel in the Bible, there was just enough difference to keep me guessing.
After all the amazing-ness, Blaze ends on a cliffhanger, which is not cool. I love writing cliffhangers because they are a wonderful, horrible torture device to use on readers. And being on the receiving end of such malefactory practices was both horrible and satisfying. I can positively that I want to know what happens next. Which means I have to wait till the next book, Den, releases in July.
Blaze was a fast and fun read, perfect for anyone who loves suspense, school drama, real characters, and is a bit of a pyromaniac.
Thank you, Hope, for the free copy of Blaze in exchange for an honest review!
October 26, 2024
I love the book of Daniel, so I was super excited to get my hands on this!
My thoughts from beginning to end:
The first two chapters were okay.
A few chapters in, there were a few lines that made me sit up, leaning close to the book. It was getting good. The way Danny's thoughts were in a different tense than the rest of the story threw me off a bit, and it sometimes felt like the wording hadn't been smoothed down enough. But I was beginning to see that much of what I had interpreted as too much detail/unpleasant detail at first was actually character voice. Though it still felt a bit rough, the plot was picking up, and I was riveted.
I had thought that it might be easy to set the book down before it got too late.
I was wrong.
See, it's all the plot twists. And the character turns. And my eagerness to see how the author took a story that I know and put it to characters I was still learning about. Not to mention the fact that most authors don't want to talk about a character who pukes all the time, but this book did that really well! (Okay, that doesn't sound like a good thing—but it really is! It gave me a peek into what life is like for people with certain chronic health issues.)
So instead of being able to put it down at 11 PM like planned, I read straight until 3 AM, and now I'm eager to read the next book.
Overall, it felt like it could have used a more rigorous line editing process (some of it may have been a style that I'm personally not fond of, though; no shade on the editor), but the plot made up for it. And I definitely appreciated the author's willingness to talk about tough issues!
My thoughts from beginning to end:
The first two chapters were okay.
A few chapters in, there were a few lines that made me sit up, leaning close to the book. It was getting good. The way Danny's thoughts were in a different tense than the rest of the story threw me off a bit, and it sometimes felt like the wording hadn't been smoothed down enough. But I was beginning to see that much of what I had interpreted as too much detail/unpleasant detail at first was actually character voice. Though it still felt a bit rough, the plot was picking up, and I was riveted.
I had thought that it might be easy to set the book down before it got too late.
I was wrong.
See, it's all the plot twists. And the character turns. And my eagerness to see how the author took a story that I know and put it to characters I was still learning about. Not to mention the fact that most authors don't want to talk about a character who pukes all the time, but this book did that really well! (Okay, that doesn't sound like a good thing—but it really is! It gave me a peek into what life is like for people with certain chronic health issues.)
So instead of being able to put it down at 11 PM like planned, I read straight until 3 AM, and now I'm eager to read the next book.
Overall, it felt like it could have used a more rigorous line editing process (some of it may have been a style that I'm personally not fond of, though; no shade on the editor), but the plot made up for it. And I definitely appreciated the author's willingness to talk about tough issues!
May 20, 2023
I had no idea what I was walking into and was absolutely blown away by the world-building in the school alone. Hope Bolinger goes out of her way to create a new world that is believable and engaging, to the point where you want to start the next chapter the moment you finish one.
The MC’s of the story are deeply grounded in development as they navigate their new “home” while having targets on their back throughout. For young adults, this book heavily touches on facing fear, overcoming obstacles, and sticking together in the face of opposition and obstacles. This is something teens need these days: stories of hope and courage while being believable, honest, and even hard.
There were a lot of emotions to feel in this book: anger, frustration, grief, anxiety, hope, and much more. Absolutely well-done writing well-deserved INSPY award winner!
The MC’s of the story are deeply grounded in development as they navigate their new “home” while having targets on their back throughout. For young adults, this book heavily touches on facing fear, overcoming obstacles, and sticking together in the face of opposition and obstacles. This is something teens need these days: stories of hope and courage while being believable, honest, and even hard.
There were a lot of emotions to feel in this book: anger, frustration, grief, anxiety, hope, and much more. Absolutely well-done writing well-deserved INSPY award winner!
November 23, 2023
Normally I'm not a fan of Bible stories set in modern times, but I really enjoyed this book! The plot is laid out very carefully and I found the adaptation of the events of Daniel clever and well thought out. The many suspenseful moments and twists and turns throughout the book made it a real page turner. The four main characters are each very unique and I loved each of them in their own way. The main character's sense of humor, Danny, is histerical and I wish I could meet him in real life. This book was a very good start to my summer reading and I am already looking forward to book 2!
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March 10, 2020Blaze by Hope Bolinger is a fun, YA book that tackles some of the tough themes that teens deal with like depression. I believe Blaze will be especially enjoyed by middle grade and teen readers who like action and bravery under conflict...
May 7, 2019
Haven’t finished the book yet, but it caught me from the first chapter. I’m excited to see where the story leads! A great debuts novel for this author!
June 7, 2020
Alsome!
I loved the book I can't wait till the second one is out. Please write it soon! I will be waiting.
I loved the book I can't wait till the second one is out. Please write it soon! I will be waiting.
did-not-finish
June 8, 2020This book just wasn't for me.
August 19, 2020
Action packed, exciting, and wholesome! Highly recommend for youth/young adult reading!
July 22, 2019
You wouldn’t think a “dusty old Bible story” could have anything in common with a YA novel--or make anyone who likes typical YA want to read it. But in fact, Bolinger adapts the biblical story of Daniel to a modern-day high school setting surprisingly well. Everything from people/place names to plot devices seemed to work without being too heavy-handed. (Confession: I wouldn’t call myself super familiar with the small details of the Daniel story, but this book intrigued me so much I had to go back and read the original text again to see what was up. Made me even more impressed with this author’s creativity! So, extra points for making me want to read my Bible, I guess? :D)
I also enjoyed the characters. Definitely put me down for Team Rayah...though I developed a soft spot for Hannah as well. But weirdly, I think my favorite was the minor character Jeremy--every scene with that guy absolutely cracked me up! I would TOTALLY read a spin-off or short story about him (hint, hint…)
I love books with humor and heart, and this story has both in spades. Bolinger shines when she lets her natural wittiness out and doesn’t try too hard to force a joke, but there were plenty of solid quips that kept me smiling throughout what’s otherwise a pretty grim/intense read. There’s enough heavy stuff about family struggles to tug at the ol’ heartstrings a little bit, but in an all-too-relatable way. And this book doesn’t pull punches or tiptoe around what it means to be a Christian in a high school. There are real struggles, doubts, and bumps in the journey here--and there’s real faith through it all. Can’t applaud that enough.
I would be remiss if I kept this a one-sided review, so let’s touch on the “needs improvement” aspects. The main thing here is that the descriptions, though vivid and creative--which are good things to be, don’t get me wrong--tend to feel a bit overdone and stilted. Again, I think it just shows a tendency to reach too far in an attempt to make every description of every character or action sound one-of-a-kind. We need to be able to focus on the forest (story) without getting distracted by the trees (the sentence level: word choices, similes/metaphors, non sequiturs, etc.).
This is the author’s first novel (and I believe she’s got a sequel well on the way), so I’m confident she’ll grow into the talents she’s already demonstrated. You should absolutely check out this book if you have an interest in YA, (good/authentic/non-Amish) Christian fiction, and/or pyromania. It’s clean without being “sanitized” and intense without feeling too hopeless/depressing, so I’d say it’s good for young’uns and old farts (me!) alike.
RATING: 3.5 stars, can’t wait for the next installment!
I also enjoyed the characters. Definitely put me down for Team Rayah...though I developed a soft spot for Hannah as well. But weirdly, I think my favorite was the minor character Jeremy--every scene with that guy absolutely cracked me up! I would TOTALLY read a spin-off or short story about him (hint, hint…)
I love books with humor and heart, and this story has both in spades. Bolinger shines when she lets her natural wittiness out and doesn’t try too hard to force a joke, but there were plenty of solid quips that kept me smiling throughout what’s otherwise a pretty grim/intense read. There’s enough heavy stuff about family struggles to tug at the ol’ heartstrings a little bit, but in an all-too-relatable way. And this book doesn’t pull punches or tiptoe around what it means to be a Christian in a high school. There are real struggles, doubts, and bumps in the journey here--and there’s real faith through it all. Can’t applaud that enough.
I would be remiss if I kept this a one-sided review, so let’s touch on the “needs improvement” aspects. The main thing here is that the descriptions, though vivid and creative--which are good things to be, don’t get me wrong--tend to feel a bit overdone and stilted. Again, I think it just shows a tendency to reach too far in an attempt to make every description of every character or action sound one-of-a-kind. We need to be able to focus on the forest (story) without getting distracted by the trees (the sentence level: word choices, similes/metaphors, non sequiturs, etc.).
This is the author’s first novel (and I believe she’s got a sequel well on the way), so I’m confident she’ll grow into the talents she’s already demonstrated. You should absolutely check out this book if you have an interest in YA, (good/authentic/non-Amish) Christian fiction, and/or pyromania. It’s clean without being “sanitized” and intense without feeling too hopeless/depressing, so I’d say it’s good for young’uns and old farts (me!) alike.
RATING: 3.5 stars, can’t wait for the next installment!
August 11, 2019
When Danny and his three friends are faced with switching from their imperfect but comfortable Christian high school to attend a strikingly different boarding school at the beginning of tenth grade, their already stressful lives take on additional challenges that will either make or break them.
The author masterfully crafts an authentic tale of teens who must trust in their faith and each other to rise above serious struggles, both internal and external, that I agree many teenagers and young adults are dealing with today. The clever correlation between this modern story of Danny as it reflects on the historic, biblical account in the Book of Daniel is delightfully drawn using symbolism that encourages the reader to dig out layers of hidden meanings, much like a good mystery. Beautiful imagery, skillful language, and descriptive details also elevate the readers experience.
My only slightly negative comments would be that I felt there was a build up to Christmas Break which fizzled out rather than being fully realized. And I would have liked to have had some personal communication between Danny and his brother, perhaps if both had been at home during the holiday?
As a mother of two young adults, I find the book Blaze to be excellent and insightful for parents as well as their children who are in the YA age group, perhaps a conversation starter. I am proud of this author for not shying away from some of the sticky issues that even the best of young people must grapple with at a time when they probably won't ask for it but very much need support and guidance from parents or other caring and competent, older adults.
I enjoyed Blaze, highly recommend it, and look forward to reading the sequel!
The author masterfully crafts an authentic tale of teens who must trust in their faith and each other to rise above serious struggles, both internal and external, that I agree many teenagers and young adults are dealing with today. The clever correlation between this modern story of Danny as it reflects on the historic, biblical account in the Book of Daniel is delightfully drawn using symbolism that encourages the reader to dig out layers of hidden meanings, much like a good mystery. Beautiful imagery, skillful language, and descriptive details also elevate the readers experience.
My only slightly negative comments would be that I felt there was a build up to Christmas Break which fizzled out rather than being fully realized. And I would have liked to have had some personal communication between Danny and his brother, perhaps if both had been at home during the holiday?
As a mother of two young adults, I find the book Blaze to be excellent and insightful for parents as well as their children who are in the YA age group, perhaps a conversation starter. I am proud of this author for not shying away from some of the sticky issues that even the best of young people must grapple with at a time when they probably won't ask for it but very much need support and guidance from parents or other caring and competent, older adults.
I enjoyed Blaze, highly recommend it, and look forward to reading the sequel!
June 27, 2020
I love books that retell Bible stories with a modern day twist. I’ll admit I was several chapters into the book before I realized that that is what Blaze was doing.Hope Bolinger has taken the book of Daniel and repurposed it for today’s teens. Blaze includes modern-day retelling of the stories in Daniel 1, 2 and 3. Hope Bolinger is very creative in how she chose to tell the story in such a believable, realistic way. Danny, Hannah, Michelle, and Rayah are likeable characters who strive to live by Biblical standards in the midst of a very non-Christian environment. School principal Edgar Rezzen (nicknamed Ned) is the guy to dislike in this book. His behavior is deceptive at best and criminal at its worst.
Readers will at times think, thighs like this couldn’t really happen; and yet, I think they could. I think the story could be an eye-opener that could generate some deep thought or great discussions. Or, it could make the book of Daniel seem more real to today’s teens.
Hope Bolinger ended the book with a very big cliffhanger. I hope book two Den is coming out soon. I can’t wait to read it.
One area that librarians need to be aware of is the repeated use of the word “crap” followed by “He didn’t really say crap.” The word is considered offensive by some so i need to make note of it, in case it would influence purchase decisions.
Blaze is a great book for a k-12 Christian school library. I think it is appropriate for middle school and up.
I received this book courtesy of the author, through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review.
Readers will at times think, thighs like this couldn’t really happen; and yet, I think they could. I think the story could be an eye-opener that could generate some deep thought or great discussions. Or, it could make the book of Daniel seem more real to today’s teens.
Hope Bolinger ended the book with a very big cliffhanger. I hope book two Den is coming out soon. I can’t wait to read it.
One area that librarians need to be aware of is the repeated use of the word “crap” followed by “He didn’t really say crap.” The word is considered offensive by some so i need to make note of it, in case it would influence purchase decisions.
Blaze is a great book for a k-12 Christian school library. I think it is appropriate for middle school and up.
I received this book courtesy of the author, through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review.
August 11, 2021
Fair warning: don't try to eat while you read this story. I've never wrinkled my nose so much reading a book before... The smells, sights, and sickness of the characters were definitely realistic!
I was so intrigued by the plot of Daniel being translated into a modern-day, high school setting. It never would've crossed my mind to merge those two worlds, but Bolinger made it work. There were some aspects of the story that didn't seem to make much sense (like the principal forcing the students to interpret a picture without seeing it, the principal coming up with a pledge of allegiance to himself), but I do understand that she was trying to follow the Bible events. Overall, I think she came up with creative solutions, even though some of the justifications could have been stronger. Someone who isn't familiar with the story of Daniel would probably be scratching her head, but a Christian audience would definitely see what Bolinger is doing.
I did previously mention the smells and imagery of the book, and I'm not kidding when I say this book isn't for the weak of stomach. Sadly, Danny gets violently sick a lot. As someone with stomach issues, I can relate, but at the same time, I'm not sure I want to read about it as much as I did here.
However, there were a lot of enjoyable parts to the story. I loved the creativity behind Danny's friends and the way they stood up for their faith. I especially enjoyed watching Duke's transformation and his relationship with Danny and the others grow. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so I suggest getting the next book to dive right into when you're finished. I am curious to see how the adventure progresses in the next books.
I was so intrigued by the plot of Daniel being translated into a modern-day, high school setting. It never would've crossed my mind to merge those two worlds, but Bolinger made it work. There were some aspects of the story that didn't seem to make much sense (like the principal forcing the students to interpret a picture without seeing it, the principal coming up with a pledge of allegiance to himself), but I do understand that she was trying to follow the Bible events. Overall, I think she came up with creative solutions, even though some of the justifications could have been stronger. Someone who isn't familiar with the story of Daniel would probably be scratching her head, but a Christian audience would definitely see what Bolinger is doing.
I did previously mention the smells and imagery of the book, and I'm not kidding when I say this book isn't for the weak of stomach. Sadly, Danny gets violently sick a lot. As someone with stomach issues, I can relate, but at the same time, I'm not sure I want to read about it as much as I did here.
However, there were a lot of enjoyable parts to the story. I loved the creativity behind Danny's friends and the way they stood up for their faith. I especially enjoyed watching Duke's transformation and his relationship with Danny and the others grow. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so I suggest getting the next book to dive right into when you're finished. I am curious to see how the adventure progresses in the next books.
May 31, 2020
Where there's smoke, there's fire, and Hope Bolinger's YA trilogy hurtles you into the flames right from the start.
Literally, for Danny Belte and his three best friends. They never expected their school to burn down on the first day. To top it off, each receives an invitation from the principal of their hated rival school, King's Academy, for full-ride scholarships.
Despite his best efforts to refuse, Danny's mom overrules his decision, and Danny is thrown into a world of hazing, bad cafeteria food, and elitist students and staff who look down on him because of his origins... and his faith.
Surviving King's Academy seems unlikely. If he stands up for his beliefs, he may face a fate worse than expulsion. A fate through the inferno.
I thoroughly enjoyed this modern retelling of the book of Daniel. Blaze was a foray outside the usual genres I read. Usually, contemporary novels don't enthrall me, and rarely contemporary YA. So a four-star rating is high praise from me. If you enjoy YA, Blaze is essential to add to your collection.
Hope Bolinger catapults you into a vivid world of adolescents, with all the real-life struggles they face. Her quirky, yet endearing characters draw you in for a harrowing ride, balanced with levity and grace. An infectious allegory that'll burn straight into your heart!
Literally, for Danny Belte and his three best friends. They never expected their school to burn down on the first day. To top it off, each receives an invitation from the principal of their hated rival school, King's Academy, for full-ride scholarships.
Despite his best efforts to refuse, Danny's mom overrules his decision, and Danny is thrown into a world of hazing, bad cafeteria food, and elitist students and staff who look down on him because of his origins... and his faith.
Surviving King's Academy seems unlikely. If he stands up for his beliefs, he may face a fate worse than expulsion. A fate through the inferno.
I thoroughly enjoyed this modern retelling of the book of Daniel. Blaze was a foray outside the usual genres I read. Usually, contemporary novels don't enthrall me, and rarely contemporary YA. So a four-star rating is high praise from me. If you enjoy YA, Blaze is essential to add to your collection.
Hope Bolinger catapults you into a vivid world of adolescents, with all the real-life struggles they face. Her quirky, yet endearing characters draw you in for a harrowing ride, balanced with levity and grace. An infectious allegory that'll burn straight into your heart!
March 11, 2020
Hope Bolinger is a fresh voice in young adult fiction whose writing reads like a direct wire to the teen psyche. In this modern-day Daniel retelling, she presents flawed, likable teens who desperately want to stay in their small, imperfect Christian school. But when arson strikes their school, even their best efforts can’t keep them out of King’s, which is more like a prison than a school.
I enjoyed the creative ways Bolinger draws parallels to the story of Daniel through her version of a school food test and even a principal who creates a pledge every student is required to recite—or face the consequences. My only criticism is perhaps just a matter of perspective. Because she is so in tune with the way teenagers think, she perhaps unintentionally paints adults in a very poor light. Even at the “better” school, the teachers and staff come across as inadequate and foolish. The parents are also presented poorly. The only semi-positive adult role model is a nurse who takes the main character’s side in a situation with the pledge-obsessed principal.
That aside, I enjoyed this book. Bolinger is a genius at visualization and also cliffhangers. I look forward to reading the sequel, Den.
I enjoyed the creative ways Bolinger draws parallels to the story of Daniel through her version of a school food test and even a principal who creates a pledge every student is required to recite—or face the consequences. My only criticism is perhaps just a matter of perspective. Because she is so in tune with the way teenagers think, she perhaps unintentionally paints adults in a very poor light. Even at the “better” school, the teachers and staff come across as inadequate and foolish. The parents are also presented poorly. The only semi-positive adult role model is a nurse who takes the main character’s side in a situation with the pledge-obsessed principal.
That aside, I enjoyed this book. Bolinger is a genius at visualization and also cliffhangers. I look forward to reading the sequel, Den.
May 16, 2020
This contemporary thriller/mystery/school life release expertly blends humor, intrigue, and faith all while using allegory and symbolism from the book of Daniel. Fast-paced with a delightful cast of characters, Blaze is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page. Are you a fan of mystery? Witty dialogue? A setting that keeps you in a constant state of unease? A unique interpretation of the book of Daniel? Then this is the perfect read for you!
*Content Disclosure:
The content is relatively clean, but still authentic, containing the following:
Language: no strong curse-words are used, but cussing is implied.
Violence: There are several intense scenes, including a pretty traumatic hazing ceremony and several scenes involving arson and vomiting.
Sexual/Relationship Content: Sex is implied for some of the supporting cast, but the relationships for the main characters are clean.
Thematic Content: Substance abuse, physical abuse, and alcohol consumption are all present, but not glamorized by the protagonist. Surveillance, leadership abusing power, hazing, and rebellion are present as themes. The characters have a strong core built around their Christian faith, but it doesn’t read as preachy.
If it sounds an exciting novel to you, give it a read!
*Content Disclosure:
The content is relatively clean, but still authentic, containing the following:
Language: no strong curse-words are used, but cussing is implied.
Violence: There are several intense scenes, including a pretty traumatic hazing ceremony and several scenes involving arson and vomiting.
Sexual/Relationship Content: Sex is implied for some of the supporting cast, but the relationships for the main characters are clean.
Thematic Content: Substance abuse, physical abuse, and alcohol consumption are all present, but not glamorized by the protagonist. Surveillance, leadership abusing power, hazing, and rebellion are present as themes. The characters have a strong core built around their Christian faith, but it doesn’t read as preachy.
If it sounds an exciting novel to you, give it a read!
April 28, 2021
5 things from Blaze
1)Danny and his friends have been offered a scholarship to the notoriously un-Christian boarding school, King's Academy. (clever keeping with the Bible Names!)
2) Principal Ned sets strict standards for the kids
3)Danny is a vegetarian with stomach issues--so there is still a matter of eating healthy foods with the test of time.
4) Arson
5) Desperate and not too afraid of death at this point- after the first few months at King's, he had kind of gotten bored of fearing for his life-Danny approached Duke about joining [Bible Study]. Worst case, he'd die and not have to deal with this anymore.
Well done! good for young readers and adults! I enjoyed this retelling of Daniel. Very cleverly done. Thumbs up from my daughter!
Reviewed by Naomi Craig
Author of Christian Fiction on Amazon
1)Danny and his friends have been offered a scholarship to the notoriously un-Christian boarding school, King's Academy. (clever keeping with the Bible Names!)
2) Principal Ned sets strict standards for the kids
3)Danny is a vegetarian with stomach issues--so there is still a matter of eating healthy foods with the test of time.
4) Arson
5) Desperate and not too afraid of death at this point- after the first few months at King's, he had kind of gotten bored of fearing for his life-Danny approached Duke about joining [Bible Study]. Worst case, he'd die and not have to deal with this anymore.
Well done! good for young readers and adults! I enjoyed this retelling of Daniel. Very cleverly done. Thumbs up from my daughter!
Reviewed by Naomi Craig
Author of Christian Fiction on Amazon
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