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Ignite Duology #1
Ignite
"...Ignite is a must-read for fans of the Marvel universe.”
— Sandra Fernandez Rhoads, YA author of Mortal Sight & Realms of Light
What if superhumans weren't considered heroes?
When Scarlett Marley is attacked by an illegal super with fire powers, she doesn’t get burned, but now she has a fire-like glow flickering in her eyes.
With superpowers criminalized, she has no choice but to turn herself over to the Superhuman Containment Facility, or risk hurting everyone she loves.
Her normal life seems lost forever, until she is selected to be one of the first to receive the experimental cure to destroy her powers. In exchange, she must first complete one mission:
Infiltrate and capture one of the largest gangs of supers in the remains of once-great Rapid City.
With the cure and all her future at stake, Scarlett is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring these criminals to justice so she can return to her family. But this gang and their leader, Rez, aren’t what everyone says, and Scarlett begins to question everything she was ever told about the SCF and the fire flowing in her veins.
The cure is her only hope for returning her life to what it was before, but is that life worth returning to after all?
— Sandra Fernandez Rhoads, YA author of Mortal Sight & Realms of Light
What if superhumans weren't considered heroes?
When Scarlett Marley is attacked by an illegal super with fire powers, she doesn’t get burned, but now she has a fire-like glow flickering in her eyes.
With superpowers criminalized, she has no choice but to turn herself over to the Superhuman Containment Facility, or risk hurting everyone she loves.
Her normal life seems lost forever, until she is selected to be one of the first to receive the experimental cure to destroy her powers. In exchange, she must first complete one mission:
Infiltrate and capture one of the largest gangs of supers in the remains of once-great Rapid City.
With the cure and all her future at stake, Scarlett is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring these criminals to justice so she can return to her family. But this gang and their leader, Rez, aren’t what everyone says, and Scarlett begins to question everything she was ever told about the SCF and the fire flowing in her veins.
The cure is her only hope for returning her life to what it was before, but is that life worth returning to after all?
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2021
9 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Terese
2 books178 followersJenna Terese believes stories are powerful. That’s why she’s dedicated to creating fiction that will impact the world. You can find this INFP dreaming about the future, fangirling over her favorite books, geeking out about Marvel, playing piano, or sipping a chai tea latte as she writes sci-fi novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
July 3, 2021
Where to begin? There is honestly nothing more difficult than writing the opening sentence to a review—especially of a book that deserves the very best opening conceivable. No doubt there are and will be better phrased reviews of this novel, more beautiful adjectives used, clearer thoughts expressed.
But that’s not why I’m here. My purpose is to gush exceedingly about Ignite and make absolutely no sense while doing so.
So here we go.
First off, I just want to say that Jenna is actually a friend of mine, and of course I’d expected she’d be a good writer from her blog posts and such...but I hadn’t read a single fictional word of hers until Ignite. So maybe I’m biased? I don’t know. All I know is that despite all of this, I was wholly unprepared for how well-written Ignite is.
Not to mention this is literally the first sci-fi book I think I’ve ever read...so I’m really not an expert on the genre. I mean, there were serious Marvel vibes (and I kinda detected some The Incredibles vibes too…), and I’d know all about that, but as for actually writing a sci-fi superhero novel, I’m clueless. Maybe there were some technical things that didn’t line up or some things that should have been done differently—I don’t know.
All I know is that this is the best sci-fi book I’ve read. But that’s not saying much, is it?
Technically speaking, Jenna is a consummate writer. Her prose is very good—her voice and Scarlett’s voice came through strong; she perfectly balanced action and description with thought and emotion; there was clarity in her writing without it being blunt. To be honest, her writing reminded me a lot of Kara Swanson’s, so there’s that.
Her pacing was amazing too. In a way, some parts seemed rushed and others seemed to drag, but woven together, everything read so smoothly. I think she slowed down on things that deserved more “screen time,” so to speak, and sped up on things that were meant to move more quickly. I never felt like something was missing or milked, you know?
And the plot? Well, maybe it was clichéd—I don’t know. Labs and evil scientists and superpowers are used so often in fantasy, speculative, and sci-fi fiction, so in some ways, Jenna was using tried-and-true tropes. But I never felt like I was reading “just another superhero book” or that “same old story,” and not because I’ve read tons in the genre or anything (trust me, I can detect a cliché in a genre I’ve never read from a mile away)...it was because of the characters.
Every single one of them felt so real. So different and unique and vibrant and full of life. From Scarlett, our heroine, to Ares (#aresfanclub), to Nadia and Seth, to Dr. Bailey, to Rez and Ivan and the rest of the gang. I actually liked Scarlett and her point-of-view—the way she grew, the way her mindset changed. It was bound to happen, yeah, but going on that journey with her was an experience.
Ares and Nadia and Seth, though? Boy howdy, were they great characters or what? Most of the time, your side characters are clichéd and under-developed and kinda boring—but not these guys! Jenna did SUCH a fantastic job bringing them to life and portraying their emotions and internal struggles! I really wish I’d had their POVs! (Especially Ares… #aresfanclub #iwillusethishashtagasmanytimesasittakestogetmypointacrossthataresisabsolutelyadorableandishiphimandscarlettsobadrightnowandjustughilovehim)
As for Dr. Bailey? He was such a good antagonist! I literally kept going back and forth on whether he was secretly good or totally evil and then BOOM! PLOT TWIST! Seriously, once Jenna threw in that epic twist (that I will definitely not spoil), Dr. Bailey’s character just developed a hundred new layers, you know?
And REZ. OH MY GOSH MY BABY I LOVE THIS MAN TO BITS AND PIECES AND WHY?????? Okay, I will spare you the spoilers, but guys. I mean, we all knew Rez was “the guy,” right? So of course I couldn’t wait to meet him and I loved him from first sight and ugh. There is SO MUCH I want to say but I CAN’T. WHYYYYYYYY???????
*sobs*
*wails*
*sniffles*
*clears throat*
Anyway.
As much as I adored the characters and was so captivated by the story itself, my absolute favorite part was (you guessed it) the theme. Like, had this been any other book or any other author, I think I would’ve struggled with the whole acceptance and true self vibes, but Jenna just wove so much spiritual truth into the story that I couldn’t help but applaud her. So, yeah, I guess you could take it one way, but I saw a story that highlighted the sanctity of life and our God-given right as humans—all of us, no matter your race or age—to live and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
Not to mention, you know, the fact that mah man kept quoting Scripture and, you know, talking about God and stuff. Like, my heart. I know how strong of a Christian Jenna is, but I hadn’t expected to see the Bible and God so present in this story. And, I mean, it wasn’t preachy at all. It was so subtle, but it really opened it up for the next book to kinda explore God more and His love for all His creations more and, yeah, I just loved that.
I mean, there coulda been some romance, but I’m not gonna get pushy on y’all. This was just a perfect YA story that really kept its focus on what needed to be said, you know? Family, love, sacrifice—stuff like that. Stuff that inspires and encourages—not stuff that beats you down or depresses you or makes you feel dirty, like most YA (well, all fiction) does these days.
Just everything about Ignite was perfect. How strong but unassuming Scarlett was. How developed and inspiring her journey was. How beautiful the story of a God who loves us all was. How action-packed and well-paced this story was. How unexpected the plot twists were. How awesome my babies Rez and Ares were… #iamgoingtostartarezfanclubnow
Anyway, I’ll end the gushing now, before y’all get bored. Bottom line? Read the book, people. You won’t regret it, okay? And I’m not just sayin’ that ‘cause I’m, like, in love with all the characters and the cover or anything. I’m sayin’ that ‘cause it’s basically gospel truth right now, you hear me? So, yeah. Show some love to another amazing, Holy Spirit-filled young indie author and get your copy of Ignite now!
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
But that’s not why I’m here. My purpose is to gush exceedingly about Ignite and make absolutely no sense while doing so.
So here we go.
First off, I just want to say that Jenna is actually a friend of mine, and of course I’d expected she’d be a good writer from her blog posts and such...but I hadn’t read a single fictional word of hers until Ignite. So maybe I’m biased? I don’t know. All I know is that despite all of this, I was wholly unprepared for how well-written Ignite is.
Not to mention this is literally the first sci-fi book I think I’ve ever read...so I’m really not an expert on the genre. I mean, there were serious Marvel vibes (and I kinda detected some The Incredibles vibes too…), and I’d know all about that, but as for actually writing a sci-fi superhero novel, I’m clueless. Maybe there were some technical things that didn’t line up or some things that should have been done differently—I don’t know.
All I know is that this is the best sci-fi book I’ve read. But that’s not saying much, is it?
Technically speaking, Jenna is a consummate writer. Her prose is very good—her voice and Scarlett’s voice came through strong; she perfectly balanced action and description with thought and emotion; there was clarity in her writing without it being blunt. To be honest, her writing reminded me a lot of Kara Swanson’s, so there’s that.
Her pacing was amazing too. In a way, some parts seemed rushed and others seemed to drag, but woven together, everything read so smoothly. I think she slowed down on things that deserved more “screen time,” so to speak, and sped up on things that were meant to move more quickly. I never felt like something was missing or milked, you know?
And the plot? Well, maybe it was clichéd—I don’t know. Labs and evil scientists and superpowers are used so often in fantasy, speculative, and sci-fi fiction, so in some ways, Jenna was using tried-and-true tropes. But I never felt like I was reading “just another superhero book” or that “same old story,” and not because I’ve read tons in the genre or anything (trust me, I can detect a cliché in a genre I’ve never read from a mile away)...it was because of the characters.
Every single one of them felt so real. So different and unique and vibrant and full of life. From Scarlett, our heroine, to Ares (#aresfanclub), to Nadia and Seth, to Dr. Bailey, to Rez and Ivan and the rest of the gang. I actually liked Scarlett and her point-of-view—the way she grew, the way her mindset changed. It was bound to happen, yeah, but going on that journey with her was an experience.
Ares and Nadia and Seth, though? Boy howdy, were they great characters or what? Most of the time, your side characters are clichéd and under-developed and kinda boring—but not these guys! Jenna did SUCH a fantastic job bringing them to life and portraying their emotions and internal struggles! I really wish I’d had their POVs! (Especially Ares… #aresfanclub #iwillusethishashtagasmanytimesasittakestogetmypointacrossthataresisabsolutelyadorableandishiphimandscarlettsobadrightnowandjustughilovehim)
As for Dr. Bailey? He was such a good antagonist! I literally kept going back and forth on whether he was secretly good or totally evil and then BOOM! PLOT TWIST! Seriously, once Jenna threw in that epic twist (that I will definitely not spoil), Dr. Bailey’s character just developed a hundred new layers, you know?
And REZ. OH MY GOSH MY BABY I LOVE THIS MAN TO BITS AND PIECES AND WHY?????? Okay, I will spare you the spoilers, but guys. I mean, we all knew Rez was “the guy,” right? So of course I couldn’t wait to meet him and I loved him from first sight and ugh. There is SO MUCH I want to say but I CAN’T. WHYYYYYYYY???????
*sobs*
*wails*
*sniffles*
*clears throat*
Anyway.
As much as I adored the characters and was so captivated by the story itself, my absolute favorite part was (you guessed it) the theme. Like, had this been any other book or any other author, I think I would’ve struggled with the whole acceptance and true self vibes, but Jenna just wove so much spiritual truth into the story that I couldn’t help but applaud her. So, yeah, I guess you could take it one way, but I saw a story that highlighted the sanctity of life and our God-given right as humans—all of us, no matter your race or age—to live and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
Not to mention, you know, the fact that mah man kept quoting Scripture and, you know, talking about God and stuff. Like, my heart. I know how strong of a Christian Jenna is, but I hadn’t expected to see the Bible and God so present in this story. And, I mean, it wasn’t preachy at all. It was so subtle, but it really opened it up for the next book to kinda explore God more and His love for all His creations more and, yeah, I just loved that.
I mean, there coulda been some romance, but I’m not gonna get pushy on y’all. This was just a perfect YA story that really kept its focus on what needed to be said, you know? Family, love, sacrifice—stuff like that. Stuff that inspires and encourages—not stuff that beats you down or depresses you or makes you feel dirty, like most YA (well, all fiction) does these days.
Just everything about Ignite was perfect. How strong but unassuming Scarlett was. How developed and inspiring her journey was. How beautiful the story of a God who loves us all was. How action-packed and well-paced this story was. How unexpected the plot twists were. How awesome my babies Rez and Ares were… #iamgoingtostartarezfanclubnow
Anyway, I’ll end the gushing now, before y’all get bored. Bottom line? Read the book, people. You won’t regret it, okay? And I’m not just sayin’ that ‘cause I’m, like, in love with all the characters and the cover or anything. I’m sayin’ that ‘cause it’s basically gospel truth right now, you hear me? So, yeah. Show some love to another amazing, Holy Spirit-filled young indie author and get your copy of Ignite now!
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 16, 2021
The emotions, the characters, the explosive climax...it's a ride, friends. If you're looking for a dystopian-esque superhero story about identity, found-family, and second chances, IGNITE is a wonderful read.
It was such a privilege to be part of this book's "coming of age" process as it was polished up for publishing. Jenna Terese has put in so much heart and soul and sweat into this novel and it certainly pays off.
It was such a privilege to be part of this book's "coming of age" process as it was polished up for publishing. Jenna Terese has put in so much heart and soul and sweat into this novel and it certainly pays off.
January 28, 2022
About this book:
“What if superhumans weren't considered heroes?
When Scarlett Marley is attacked by an illegal super with fire powers, she doesn’t get burned, but now she has a fire-like glow flickering in her eyes. With superpowers criminalized, she has no choice but to turn herself over to the Superhuman Containment Facility, or risk hurting everyone she loves. Her normal life seems lost forever, until she is selected to be one of the first to receive the experimental cure to destroy her powers. In exchange, she must first complete one mission: Infiltrate and capture one of the largest gangs of supers in the remains of once-great Rapid City.
With the cure and all her future at stake, Scarlett is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring these criminals to justice so she can return to her family. But this gang and their leader, Rez, aren’t what everyone says, and Scarlett begins to question everything she was ever told about the SCF and the fire flowing in her veins.
The cure is her only hope for returning her life to what it was before, but is that life worth returning to after all?”
Series: Book #1 of the “Ignite Duology”.
Spiritual Content- 1 Peter 4:10 at the beginning; A couple Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; A few talks about God, gifts, & how He doesn’t make mistakes; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Scarlett finds a blog post that says God made supers too, but she comments “I always hear people say that God is good, so why would He create something so destructive?”; Mentions of God, how He doesn’t make mistakes, & being used by God; Mentions of the Bible & Bible reading; A couple teasing mentions of praying; A mention of someone playing God;
*Note: A mention of being treated like an alien.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, two ‘shut up’s, and two ‘stupid’s; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Being in a fire, being drugged, pain, & passing out (up to semi-detailed); Fighting, Battles, & Seeing a death (up to semi-detailed); Holding someone at gunpoint & being held at gunpoint; Gunfire, seeing people shot, & bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Nightmares of harming a loved one (up to semi-detailed); Stealing food (Scarlett feels guilty doing this); Lying & Keeping a secret from parents (Scarlett feels guilty about this); Many mentions of criminals, crimes, gangs, robberies, burglaries, looting, stealing, kidnappings, vandalizing, & killings and accidental deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of fights, fighting, injuries, blood/bleeding, smoke bombs, & gunshots (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of attacks, fires, screams, burns, injuries, nearly being killed by a super, & deaths; Mentions of threats, blackmail, & weapons being used (guns and knives); Mentions of prisons/jails & arrests; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of hatred & fear towards those with superpowers; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of rumors; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of torture; A couple mentions of jealousy;
*Note: A couple mentions of a mother who left her husband and children.
Sexual Content- N/A.
-Scarlett “Lettie” Marley, age 17-18
1st person P.O.V. of Scarlett
426 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
That was so interesting!
I haven’t read many superhero/superpower books—especially not ones that have faith content. Which I think made this book more special to me because I was so curious on how the author would create a world with superpowers and also have God in it. So while the faith content was on the lighter side, it was still really neat seeing the message of “God doesn’t make mistakes” on a superhero/superpower scale.
(Note: For those concerned and/or wondering: There is no magic in this book, nor the use of that word. Those with superpowers discover them when they are a child (born with it) or, in Scarlett’s case, are attacked by a “super” (a person with superpowers). Some think that superpowers are a dangerous defect, but other believe them to be a gift from God.)
This book was so different from what I’ve read before and I really enjoyed that. It definitely wasn’t the typical YA novel—for one, there’s no (NO!) romance or such in this! (Can you hear my happiness in that statement??) There were a few other elements that made it different from all the YA novels out there that really added to my enjoyment and I found it refreshing. It was slower paced than I was expecting, but I never felt like it dragged on.
There was a lot of different parts that I really enjoyed in this book. I definitely plan on reading the second book of this duology when it releases as I’m so curious on what will happen next, but also thankful that this one didn’t end in a cliffhanger!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review..
“What if superhumans weren't considered heroes?
When Scarlett Marley is attacked by an illegal super with fire powers, she doesn’t get burned, but now she has a fire-like glow flickering in her eyes. With superpowers criminalized, she has no choice but to turn herself over to the Superhuman Containment Facility, or risk hurting everyone she loves. Her normal life seems lost forever, until she is selected to be one of the first to receive the experimental cure to destroy her powers. In exchange, she must first complete one mission: Infiltrate and capture one of the largest gangs of supers in the remains of once-great Rapid City.
With the cure and all her future at stake, Scarlett is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring these criminals to justice so she can return to her family. But this gang and their leader, Rez, aren’t what everyone says, and Scarlett begins to question everything she was ever told about the SCF and the fire flowing in her veins.
The cure is her only hope for returning her life to what it was before, but is that life worth returning to after all?”
Series: Book #1 of the “Ignite Duology”.
Spiritual Content- 1 Peter 4:10 at the beginning; A couple Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; A few talks about God, gifts, & how He doesn’t make mistakes; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Scarlett finds a blog post that says God made supers too, but she comments “I always hear people say that God is good, so why would He create something so destructive?”; Mentions of God, how He doesn’t make mistakes, & being used by God; Mentions of the Bible & Bible reading; A couple teasing mentions of praying; A mention of someone playing God;
*Note: A mention of being treated like an alien.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, two ‘shut up’s, and two ‘stupid’s; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Being in a fire, being drugged, pain, & passing out (up to semi-detailed); Fighting, Battles, & Seeing a death (up to semi-detailed); Holding someone at gunpoint & being held at gunpoint; Gunfire, seeing people shot, & bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Nightmares of harming a loved one (up to semi-detailed); Stealing food (Scarlett feels guilty doing this); Lying & Keeping a secret from parents (Scarlett feels guilty about this); Many mentions of criminals, crimes, gangs, robberies, burglaries, looting, stealing, kidnappings, vandalizing, & killings and accidental deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of fights, fighting, injuries, blood/bleeding, smoke bombs, & gunshots (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of attacks, fires, screams, burns, injuries, nearly being killed by a super, & deaths; Mentions of threats, blackmail, & weapons being used (guns and knives); Mentions of prisons/jails & arrests; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of hatred & fear towards those with superpowers; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of rumors; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of torture; A couple mentions of jealousy;
*Note: A couple mentions of a mother who left her husband and children.
Sexual Content- N/A.
-Scarlett “Lettie” Marley, age 17-18
1st person P.O.V. of Scarlett
426 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
That was so interesting!
I haven’t read many superhero/superpower books—especially not ones that have faith content. Which I think made this book more special to me because I was so curious on how the author would create a world with superpowers and also have God in it. So while the faith content was on the lighter side, it was still really neat seeing the message of “God doesn’t make mistakes” on a superhero/superpower scale.
(Note: For those concerned and/or wondering: There is no magic in this book, nor the use of that word. Those with superpowers discover them when they are a child (born with it) or, in Scarlett’s case, are attacked by a “super” (a person with superpowers). Some think that superpowers are a dangerous defect, but other believe them to be a gift from God.)
This book was so different from what I’ve read before and I really enjoyed that. It definitely wasn’t the typical YA novel—for one, there’s no (NO!) romance or such in this! (Can you hear my happiness in that statement??) There were a few other elements that made it different from all the YA novels out there that really added to my enjoyment and I found it refreshing. It was slower paced than I was expecting, but I never felt like it dragged on.
There was a lot of different parts that I really enjoyed in this book. I definitely plan on reading the second book of this duology when it releases as I’m so curious on what will happen next, but also thankful that this one didn’t end in a cliffhanger!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review..
June 30, 2021
You will probably like this book if you enjoy:
1. subtle Christian fiction
2. clean books
3. a slower pace
4. all the Dystopian vibes
5. books about finding your purpose
6. What if the “bad guys” aren’t really the bad guys?
7. Struggles with the gray areas of right vs. wrong
8. Undercover missions
9. Well-written villains
Things I liked:
- Scarlett and Ares (two of the MCs) had opposite powers
- The second half of the book. This is where I really got sucked in!
- Dr. Bailey is SUCH an interesting character. I can’t say much more because of spoilers, but if you’ve read it, you know what I mean. The way he reacts to different situations makes my skin crawl. I also really enjoyed seeing him through Scarlett’s eyes.
- My poor superhero children with such tragic pasts. My hearttttt. They are so well-developed. Definitely enjoyed reading about them!
- All the sweet moments! There were so many of them. This book really showcased how kind some people can be, and I absolutely loved it.
Things I didn’t like
- Took me about halfway through the book to really get into it.
- The plot twists weren’t that surprising to me. This could definitely be a personal thing, however, because it does take a lot to blindside me as a reader lol.
- Scarlett wasn’t my favorite. She’s super kind and definitely wants to do what’s right. While that’s wonderful, she sometimes annoyed me. (Spoiler: The whole premise of the book is that people believe having superpowers automatically makes you a dangerous villain. Scarlett’s entire character arc is about her slowly realizing that mindset is a lie. However, as a reader and superhero fan, I went into the book already assuming it was a lie. Because of this assumption, I found it frustrating that it took Scarlett most of the book to realize this.)
Overall, these are just based on personal preferences. This book had a lot of great qualities, it just wasn’t 100% for me. I think this was partially because I was expecting something different than what I actually got. It’s much more dystopian than Marvel movie superhero, and I think if you understand that going in, you’ll really enjoy it!
Star rating: 3.5-stars (rounded to 4 stars)
**I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.**
1. subtle Christian fiction
2. clean books
3. a slower pace
4. all the Dystopian vibes
5. books about finding your purpose
6. What if the “bad guys” aren’t really the bad guys?
7. Struggles with the gray areas of right vs. wrong
8. Undercover missions
9. Well-written villains
Things I liked:
- Scarlett and Ares (two of the MCs) had opposite powers
- The second half of the book. This is where I really got sucked in!
- Dr. Bailey is SUCH an interesting character. I can’t say much more because of spoilers, but if you’ve read it, you know what I mean. The way he reacts to different situations makes my skin crawl. I also really enjoyed seeing him through Scarlett’s eyes.
- My poor superhero children with such tragic pasts. My hearttttt. They are so well-developed. Definitely enjoyed reading about them!
- All the sweet moments! There were so many of them. This book really showcased how kind some people can be, and I absolutely loved it.
Things I didn’t like
- Took me about halfway through the book to really get into it.
- The plot twists weren’t that surprising to me. This could definitely be a personal thing, however, because it does take a lot to blindside me as a reader lol.
- Scarlett wasn’t my favorite. She’s super kind and definitely wants to do what’s right. While that’s wonderful, she sometimes annoyed me. (Spoiler: The whole premise of the book is that people believe having superpowers automatically makes you a dangerous villain. Scarlett’s entire character arc is about her slowly realizing that mindset is a lie. However, as a reader and superhero fan, I went into the book already assuming it was a lie. Because of this assumption, I found it frustrating that it took Scarlett most of the book to realize this.)
Overall, these are just based on personal preferences. This book had a lot of great qualities, it just wasn’t 100% for me. I think this was partially because I was expecting something different than what I actually got. It’s much more dystopian than Marvel movie superhero, and I think if you understand that going in, you’ll really enjoy it!
Star rating: 3.5-stars (rounded to 4 stars)
**I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.**
June 21, 2024
(This book is now available for free through the author's newsletter!)
I can’t even tell you how excited I was about this book. I’ve been following the author since the story’s birth, which means I’d been breathlessly waiting for at least two years. So I internally squealed several decibels above my normal level when I was able to read a shiny, shiny ARC! And…wow. Wow. It did not disappoint!
THE EPIC:
-The writing. Jenna is so talented. Her prose was excellent, and the writing engaged me deeply in the story. The descriptions are immersive and vivid, the dialogue feels so natural, the varied sentence length serves to captivate...everything is a testament to Jenna's hard work and care poured into her craft.
-The characters. Characters are definitely one of the most important parts of any story. And these three-dimensional characters did not disappoint. Each of these people has a distinct personality and distinct internal conflict that powers the story. (And each character's voice is distinct in the prose!) As the novel progressed, the character development emerged clearly as the characters moved along their arcs. I especially love Ares, the reserved boy with ice powers, and Ivon, the gentle giant and fiercely loyal friend. (Yes, I am a proud member of the #aresfanclub. Can we make an #ivonfanclub, too?) Rez is pretty great, as well; the wise and kind characters are always favorites of mine. (#rezfanclub #rezmustbeprotected) And although Dr. Bailey was on the wrong side, he was so well-written, and I found myself sympathizing with him despite his actions. (#givethismanahug)
-The plot. Oh, goodness, this unique, intriguing plot! And the conflict! So. Much. Conflict. (You know how there are stories where you cringe and are like, “don’t do it, don’t do it, no, don’t do it!”? And then they do it?) It's believable, sympathetic, and seamless, and the stakes are also tied deeply to the characters and their choices, making everything feel essential and personal. Every part of this story created a unique situation for the characters to face instead of reverting back to the typical formula used in so many modern superhero stories. I loved it. This ties into the fact that I loved...
...the imaginative spin on superheroes. Flipping the typical “hero and villain” roles and painting the supers as the villains was so creative! The societal stigmas everyone had about supers created a world so different from the typical “superhero world.” Also, having two main characters with opposite powers that didn’t mesh well was an intriguing touch!
-The pacing. This goes along with the plot section. I flipped pages (well, digital pages) as fast as possible. Pacing is something I pay special attention to in stories, since I’ve read so many (and written so many, haha) where sections drag. In Ignite, the pacing was excellent. I was riveted from page one. (And I was no less riveted upon rereading!)
-The settings. South Dakota was a wonderful choice for this story; I’ve hardly seen any superhero stories set in the Midwest. Although the settings were mostly touched on, not dwelt on, every picture painted by my imagination was vivid. Also, every setting had a specific role to play in the story; it wasn’t just random description.
-The themes. This, besides the characters, is what I love the most about this story. Revealed as the characters grew and changed, there were such beautiful themes of trusting our God who doesn’t make mistakes, being yourself, and doing the right thing despite what everyone else says is right.
”Be yourself, Scarlett. All of yourself.” -Nadia
THE COULD-HAVE-BEEN-BETTER:
I would have loved just a little more about Seth! His internal conflict was very well done, but I found myself trying to figure out exactly what his personality was because his mood swings were so abrupt a lot of the time. I was also a bit confused about exactly why the villains were bad? That sounds horrible, because I know that they were bad and that they were doing bad things. But it didn’t seem like either Dr. Bailey or…someone I will not say because of spoilers were actually the main villains. It felt like there was someone behind the monitoring cameras at the SCF pulling the strings, but we never found out who. I was hoping for at least a little explanation, or at least some hints, of who exactly the villains were.
CONTENT:
There’s some mild violence and a bit of blood, along with some some disturbing “medical violence” (descriptions of injections with a detrimental serum). Overall, though, there are hardly any content issues at all. I’d say Ignite is probably appropriate for readers 12 or 13+, in keeping with its YA status.
WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?
Why do I even still have this category here? Yes! For sure! Absolutamente! Ignite is a well-written, imaginative superhero debut with three-dimensional characters and beautiful themes. The author really loves her story, and that shines through in her writing. If you’re a speculative-fiction fan, especially a superhero fan, you’ll love the enthralling and creative prose comprising this novel. Like I said before, I think readers ages 12 or 13 and up will love Ignite, and I give it four out of five (4/5) stars. (Or should I do four out of five fire emojis?)
🔥🔥🔥🔥
(Review originally posted on my blog: https://swordmaidenoftheking.home.blo...)
I can’t even tell you how excited I was about this book. I’ve been following the author since the story’s birth, which means I’d been breathlessly waiting for at least two years. So I internally squealed several decibels above my normal level when I was able to read a shiny, shiny ARC! And…wow. Wow. It did not disappoint!
THE EPIC:
-The writing. Jenna is so talented. Her prose was excellent, and the writing engaged me deeply in the story. The descriptions are immersive and vivid, the dialogue feels so natural, the varied sentence length serves to captivate...everything is a testament to Jenna's hard work and care poured into her craft.
-The characters. Characters are definitely one of the most important parts of any story. And these three-dimensional characters did not disappoint. Each of these people has a distinct personality and distinct internal conflict that powers the story. (And each character's voice is distinct in the prose!) As the novel progressed, the character development emerged clearly as the characters moved along their arcs. I especially love Ares, the reserved boy with ice powers, and Ivon, the gentle giant and fiercely loyal friend. (Yes, I am a proud member of the #aresfanclub. Can we make an #ivonfanclub, too?) Rez is pretty great, as well; the wise and kind characters are always favorites of mine. (#rezfanclub #rezmustbeprotected) And although Dr. Bailey was on the wrong side, he was so well-written, and I found myself sympathizing with him despite his actions. (#givethismanahug)
-The plot. Oh, goodness, this unique, intriguing plot! And the conflict! So. Much. Conflict. (You know how there are stories where you cringe and are like, “don’t do it, don’t do it, no, don’t do it!”? And then they do it?) It's believable, sympathetic, and seamless, and the stakes are also tied deeply to the characters and their choices, making everything feel essential and personal. Every part of this story created a unique situation for the characters to face instead of reverting back to the typical formula used in so many modern superhero stories. I loved it. This ties into the fact that I loved...
...the imaginative spin on superheroes. Flipping the typical “hero and villain” roles and painting the supers as the villains was so creative! The societal stigmas everyone had about supers created a world so different from the typical “superhero world.” Also, having two main characters with opposite powers that didn’t mesh well was an intriguing touch!
-The pacing. This goes along with the plot section. I flipped pages (well, digital pages) as fast as possible. Pacing is something I pay special attention to in stories, since I’ve read so many (and written so many, haha) where sections drag. In Ignite, the pacing was excellent. I was riveted from page one. (And I was no less riveted upon rereading!)
-The settings. South Dakota was a wonderful choice for this story; I’ve hardly seen any superhero stories set in the Midwest. Although the settings were mostly touched on, not dwelt on, every picture painted by my imagination was vivid. Also, every setting had a specific role to play in the story; it wasn’t just random description.
-The themes. This, besides the characters, is what I love the most about this story. Revealed as the characters grew and changed, there were such beautiful themes of trusting our God who doesn’t make mistakes, being yourself, and doing the right thing despite what everyone else says is right.
”Be yourself, Scarlett. All of yourself.” -Nadia
THE COULD-HAVE-BEEN-BETTER:
I would have loved just a little more about Seth! His internal conflict was very well done, but I found myself trying to figure out exactly what his personality was because his mood swings were so abrupt a lot of the time. I was also a bit confused about exactly why the villains were bad? That sounds horrible, because I know that they were bad and that they were doing bad things. But it didn’t seem like either Dr. Bailey or…someone I will not say because of spoilers were actually the main villains. It felt like there was someone behind the monitoring cameras at the SCF pulling the strings, but we never found out who. I was hoping for at least a little explanation, or at least some hints, of who exactly the villains were.
CONTENT:
There’s some mild violence and a bit of blood, along with some some disturbing “medical violence” (descriptions of injections with a detrimental serum). Overall, though, there are hardly any content issues at all. I’d say Ignite is probably appropriate for readers 12 or 13+, in keeping with its YA status.
WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?
Why do I even still have this category here? Yes! For sure! Absolutamente! Ignite is a well-written, imaginative superhero debut with three-dimensional characters and beautiful themes. The author really loves her story, and that shines through in her writing. If you’re a speculative-fiction fan, especially a superhero fan, you’ll love the enthralling and creative prose comprising this novel. Like I said before, I think readers ages 12 or 13 and up will love Ignite, and I give it four out of five (4/5) stars. (Or should I do four out of five fire emojis?)
🔥🔥🔥🔥
(Review originally posted on my blog: https://swordmaidenoftheking.home.blo...)
February 19, 2022
I love superhero stories, and I've been craving another original, creative take on the genre. So when I blipped back into the indie bookish world, I was delighted to see this debut and immediately snapped it up.
Life happened and I didn't get to read it for a while, but early this year, Mikayla and I decided to make it a buddy read. ❤️
From the very first, very real scene I was drawn into this world. The political climate, Scarlett's own misgivings, and the general atmosphere made so much sense and made me ponder the real world issues they mirrored. And wow, the description (and onset!) of powers was done so well.
The core four have such rich backstories and motivations, it was really a delight to soak it in. Whoever you are, you will find someone to relate to in this book. Fears, goals, it's all there. 👏👏
I adored the Rapid City scenes, especially anything involving the little kids. This book did a great job keeping the humanity superhero stories can often miss, and the themes shine through some beautiful, beautiful scenes.
Nadia is my favorite character, and I'm invested in Scarlett's continuing arc. (Sequel, when??)
I did find some development of side characters weak or generic, and Seth (my child) fell slightly into that trap in the last few chapters. I found some technical scenes at the SCF confusing, but I currently struggle with concentration issues, so don't take my word for it. 😉
Favorite quotes: “Yeah, I’m okay.” He shrugs. “Always.” He forces his signature grin, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
But anything I say could reveal my true feelings. My true feelings? No, my mixed feelings. My doubts. Whatever they are, he can’t know those.
CW: prejudice and fear against a group of people, death (onscreen and off), illness, injections. One character is trapped in a fire and the scene could be potentially triggering to some readers.
One last comment--I am so glad I splurged and bought a paperback. The cover looks so good in real life, and it's one of the highest quality indie paperbacks I've owned. 🤩
Definitely a great read, and I'm looking forward to what this author does next!
Life happened and I didn't get to read it for a while, but early this year, Mikayla and I decided to make it a buddy read. ❤️
From the very first, very real scene I was drawn into this world. The political climate, Scarlett's own misgivings, and the general atmosphere made so much sense and made me ponder the real world issues they mirrored. And wow, the description (and onset!) of powers was done so well.
The core four have such rich backstories and motivations, it was really a delight to soak it in. Whoever you are, you will find someone to relate to in this book. Fears, goals, it's all there. 👏👏
I adored the Rapid City scenes, especially anything involving the little kids. This book did a great job keeping the humanity superhero stories can often miss, and the themes shine through some beautiful, beautiful scenes.
Nadia is my favorite character, and I'm invested in Scarlett's continuing arc. (Sequel, when??)
I did find some development of side characters weak or generic, and Seth (my child) fell slightly into that trap in the last few chapters. I found some technical scenes at the SCF confusing, but I currently struggle with concentration issues, so don't take my word for it. 😉
Favorite quotes: “Yeah, I’m okay.” He shrugs. “Always.” He forces his signature grin, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
But anything I say could reveal my true feelings. My true feelings? No, my mixed feelings. My doubts. Whatever they are, he can’t know those.
CW: prejudice and fear against a group of people, death (onscreen and off), illness, injections. One character is trapped in a fire and the scene could be potentially triggering to some readers.
One last comment--I am so glad I splurged and bought a paperback. The cover looks so good in real life, and it's one of the highest quality indie paperbacks I've owned. 🤩
Definitely a great read, and I'm looking forward to what this author does next!
August 5, 2021
"Be yourself, Scarlett. All of yourself."
Who doesn't love a superhero story?? I've been excited for this book to release since I first heard Jenna talking about it, and I'm so glad that it's finally here!
There's so much to love about this story - the characters, the world, and the aesthetic were all fantastic. The plot was engaging, I laughed out loud and almost cried, and just fell in love with the whole thing.
Scarlett was a fantastic protagonist. Her choices really drove the plot (for better or worse), and I loved that! There were moments where she made the wrong choice, and she had to deal with the consequences. Which really shouldn't have made me as happy as it did, lol! But there are so many times in YA fiction especially where decisions don't seem to carry weight, and these did. I thought it was great.
The surrounding characters were wonderful as well! There's a definite found family dynamic going on, which y'all know I love. Just... so much friendship, it made my heart so full. Ares, Nadia, Seth, Rez, there are so many fantastic characters around Scarlett, and I loved it!
Like I said, the plot was super engaging, which led to me reading the whole book in like... two days. It was just fantastic. If you're in the market for an adventure that's full of superheroes, corrupt organizations, and found family feels, with the perfect amount of faith content. I can't wait for book 2!
Five stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own**
Who doesn't love a superhero story?? I've been excited for this book to release since I first heard Jenna talking about it, and I'm so glad that it's finally here!
There's so much to love about this story - the characters, the world, and the aesthetic were all fantastic. The plot was engaging, I laughed out loud and almost cried, and just fell in love with the whole thing.
Scarlett was a fantastic protagonist. Her choices really drove the plot (for better or worse), and I loved that! There were moments where she made the wrong choice, and she had to deal with the consequences. Which really shouldn't have made me as happy as it did, lol! But there are so many times in YA fiction especially where decisions don't seem to carry weight, and these did. I thought it was great.
The surrounding characters were wonderful as well! There's a definite found family dynamic going on, which y'all know I love. Just... so much friendship, it made my heart so full. Ares, Nadia, Seth, Rez, there are so many fantastic characters around Scarlett, and I loved it!
Like I said, the plot was super engaging, which led to me reading the whole book in like... two days. It was just fantastic. If you're in the market for an adventure that's full of superheroes, corrupt organizations, and found family feels, with the perfect amount of faith content. I can't wait for book 2!
Five stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own**
December 2, 2022
Eeeee!!! That was so awesome!!!! Man, that was incredible! I loved it so much!!! Now, organizing my thoughts here...
Characters:
The story is told in first person from Scarlett's perceptive, I liked Scarlett she was relatable and real, and her fear and confusion felt right. Her arc was beautiful and I really just enjoyed that so much!!!
Ares, man I love Ares! I"m totally gonna read his story soon! Like, it's going on my 'I need to buy that list' he is so cool guys!!!
Nadia, I loved this girl! She's so sweet!!!!
Seth, I loved him...but...yeah, not gonna say.
Okay, so all the characters in this book were so good! Like I loved the banter between Scarlett, Dylan, and Ian...I loved it all and it was so great!
Theme:
That God doesn't make mistakes. No one is an accident no matter how different they are and no person should ever be allowed to play God. It was a beautiful story of accepting who you are! The backdrop of a world against Superheros was super cool and I liked that aspect of the story!
Romance:
No romance, though I'm shipping two characters so hard even though it's impossible for them to be together...if you read the book you know who I'm talking about. *sighs*
Language:
N/A
Overall:
Okay, this was an amazing superhero book! I loved it so much!!!! It was super incredibly awesome!!!! If you're a marvel fan or just like cool books even definitely pick this up and give it a read! I promise you won't regret it! The story is just so incredible and the message it delivers is beautiful!
As a side note, it was really helpful for me as I work on my current WIP, so that was an amazing bonus!
Characters:
The story is told in first person from Scarlett's perceptive, I liked Scarlett she was relatable and real, and her fear and confusion felt right. Her arc was beautiful and I really just enjoyed that so much!!!
Ares, man I love Ares! I"m totally gonna read his story soon! Like, it's going on my 'I need to buy that list' he is so cool guys!!!
Nadia, I loved this girl! She's so sweet!!!!
Seth, I loved him...but...yeah, not gonna say.
Okay, so all the characters in this book were so good! Like I loved the banter between Scarlett, Dylan, and Ian...I loved it all and it was so great!
Theme:
That God doesn't make mistakes. No one is an accident no matter how different they are and no person should ever be allowed to play God. It was a beautiful story of accepting who you are! The backdrop of a world against Superheros was super cool and I liked that aspect of the story!
Romance:
No romance, though I'm shipping two characters so hard even though it's impossible for them to be together...if you read the book you know who I'm talking about. *sighs*
Language:
N/A
Overall:
Okay, this was an amazing superhero book! I loved it so much!!!! It was super incredibly awesome!!!! If you're a marvel fan or just like cool books even definitely pick this up and give it a read! I promise you won't regret it! The story is just so incredible and the message it delivers is beautiful!
As a side note, it was really helpful for me as I work on my current WIP, so that was an amazing bonus!
August 27, 2021
I'm just gonna lay it flat. If you're a huge superhero fan and end up dying before getting to read this book then, well, you're missing out. Like, A LOT.
I first heard of Ignite through my friend's blog and when I read its lil' ole blurb, my Marvel fangirl side exploded into happy glitter and ABSOLUTELY KNEW that it would be going near the top of my TBR. My only mistake was that it didn't go at the top of my TBR, HOWEVER, I finally did read it, and now y'all get the exciting opportunity to read alllll my thoughts on it!
The Plot
YOU GUYS. I LOVED the whole idea about supers being illegal. It definitely gave me some major The Incredibles vibes, but while we knew superhumans in The Incredibles were good (er...mostly good. It's been a hot second since I've seen those movies) XD I was never certain if containing them in the SCF was right or not. And these were the thoughts that the MC, Scarlett, was constantly battling with. Throughout the whole book, I felt like I was her because Jenna did such an AMAZING job with describing the internal conflict Scarlett had. It was SOOOO realistic and felt exactly like something I would think of or do if I were in her shoes. But more on that in a minute. I also wanna add that the plot constantly kept my attention! At a couple parts it may have seemed a little repetitive, but that was when Scarlett and her friends were at the SCF (which is basically a prisonjust sayin') and, well, ya can't do too much in jail. So, it was understandable. BUT, the rest of the plot was paced very, very smoothly and I felt like each scene was written with the perfect length!
The Characters
Scarlett
First of all, Imma givin' Jenna a HUGE round of applause for writing a female MC who didn't annoy me!!! Now, I'm not usually picky about female leads (in fact, most of the books I do read have lady protagonists), but sooomtimes female MC's can get all "girl power-y" if they end up gaining a lot of, well, power and if that goes too far, then it can get on my nerves. But not with Scarlett! I loved how she often questioned her powers and even freaked out about them at first (which is honestly 100% realistic)! And again, her internal conflict was SO convincing and relatable!!! Seriously, if I had to use ONE book to help me write my own character's inner turmoil, I'd choose Ignite!!! I was constantly blown away throughout the whole read with how incredible it was!
Ares
Y'AAAAALLL. You know what I'm gonna say, so let's just do it together on da count of three!
1
.
.
2
.
.
3
#ARESFANCLUB!!!!!!!! *high-fives* Good job! ;P Honestly, there's not much more to say about him except that he's mah adorable lil' icicle boy! I will admit though, I was a teeeeeny-tiny bit disappointed that he didn't get as much spotlight as I thought he would, but his whole backstory and everything was still enough to convince me to join the club! ;) (Also, *coughs* Imma reeaally hoping to see construction begin on a possible ship between him and certain MC.Not sure how that might happen considering a few things, but anything's possible amiright?) ;)
Seth
Meh.
Okay, okay, I'll give more than that. I just...*sighs* I wanted to like him, really I did. But there was just something about him that didn't click for me. In the beginning he was okay and I liked his snark, but his fun-filled joking attitude didn't last as long as I wanted it too, and was then replaced with #ifyouknowyouknow. And I get that. With his past and what he was having to do, I get how he changed a bit. But, I just really hope he gets some attention in the next book that deals with how he was left in the end.
Nadia
Hah! So the opposite with Seth is what happened with me to Nadia! In the beginning she kinda bugged me, but it was mostly because I didn't fully understand her. Now that I do, however, this girl is PURE GOLD! I just love her so much and am SUPER excited to see how her friendship with Scarlett grows!!!! (Plus, I got Nadia on an Ignite character quiz, so that was awesome!) XD
The Christian Message
YOU GUYS. I LOOVED the Christian message portrayed in this book!!! It wasn't preachy and in-your-face (which was nice) but there was enough in it to show that God made us who we are and He NEVER makes mistakes. I just loved that message and it's even been a huge encouragement to me!!! So an ENORMOUS THANK YOU, Jenna, 'cause girl, I know this book is gonna impact a lot more people with that!!! <3
Content Cautions
Zilch!!! I suppose some people could be wary of the violence, but even that wasn't much and the descriptions never got graphic!
So, I think that's it!!! Honestly, I could go on ('cause there was still so much that I wanted to cover but didn't because of spoilers) but hopefully this was still a helpful review! Again, Ignite was such a thrilling and delightful read and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone and everyone (especially if, like I said, you're a superhero fan)! ;)
I first heard of Ignite through my friend's blog and when I read its lil' ole blurb, my Marvel fangirl side exploded into happy glitter and ABSOLUTELY KNEW that it would be going near the top of my TBR. My only mistake was that it didn't go at the top of my TBR, HOWEVER, I finally did read it, and now y'all get the exciting opportunity to read alllll my thoughts on it!
The Plot
YOU GUYS. I LOVED the whole idea about supers being illegal. It definitely gave me some major The Incredibles vibes, but while we knew superhumans in The Incredibles were good (er...mostly good. It's been a hot second since I've seen those movies) XD I was never certain if containing them in the SCF was right or not. And these were the thoughts that the MC, Scarlett, was constantly battling with. Throughout the whole book, I felt like I was her because Jenna did such an AMAZING job with describing the internal conflict Scarlett had. It was SOOOO realistic and felt exactly like something I would think of or do if I were in her shoes. But more on that in a minute. I also wanna add that the plot constantly kept my attention! At a couple parts it may have seemed a little repetitive, but that was when Scarlett and her friends were at the SCF (which is basically a prison
The Characters
Scarlett
First of all, Imma givin' Jenna a HUGE round of applause for writing a female MC who didn't annoy me!!! Now, I'm not usually picky about female leads (in fact, most of the books I do read have lady protagonists), but sooomtimes female MC's can get all "girl power-y" if they end up gaining a lot of, well, power and if that goes too far, then it can get on my nerves. But not with Scarlett! I loved how she often questioned her powers and even freaked out about them at first (which is honestly 100% realistic)! And again, her internal conflict was SO convincing and relatable!!! Seriously, if I had to use ONE book to help me write my own character's inner turmoil, I'd choose Ignite!!! I was constantly blown away throughout the whole read with how incredible it was!
Ares
Y'AAAAALLL. You know what I'm gonna say, so let's just do it together on da count of three!
1
.
.
2
.
.
3
#ARESFANCLUB!!!!!!!! *high-fives* Good job! ;P Honestly, there's not much more to say about him except that he's mah adorable lil' icicle boy! I will admit though, I was a teeeeeny-tiny bit disappointed that he didn't get as much spotlight as I thought he would, but his whole backstory and everything was still enough to convince me to join the club! ;) (Also, *coughs* Imma reeaally hoping to see construction begin on a possible ship between him and certain MC.
Seth
Meh.
Okay, okay, I'll give more than that. I just...*sighs* I wanted to like him, really I did. But there was just something about him that didn't click for me. In the beginning he was okay and I liked his snark, but his fun-filled joking attitude didn't last as long as I wanted it too, and was then replaced with #ifyouknowyouknow. And I get that. With his past and what he was having to do, I get how he changed a bit. But, I just really hope he gets some attention in the next book that deals with how he was left in the end.
Nadia
Hah! So the opposite with Seth is what happened with me to Nadia! In the beginning she kinda bugged me, but it was mostly because I didn't fully understand her. Now that I do, however, this girl is PURE GOLD! I just love her so much and am SUPER excited to see how her friendship with Scarlett grows!!!! (Plus, I got Nadia on an Ignite character quiz, so that was awesome!) XD
The Christian Message
YOU GUYS. I LOOVED the Christian message portrayed in this book!!! It wasn't preachy and in-your-face (which was nice) but there was enough in it to show that God made us who we are and He NEVER makes mistakes. I just loved that message and it's even been a huge encouragement to me!!! So an ENORMOUS THANK YOU, Jenna, 'cause girl, I know this book is gonna impact a lot more people with that!!! <3
Content Cautions
Zilch!!! I suppose some people could be wary of the violence, but even that wasn't much and the descriptions never got graphic!
So, I think that's it!!! Honestly, I could go on ('cause there was still so much that I wanted to cover but didn't because of spoilers) but hopefully this was still a helpful review! Again, Ignite was such a thrilling and delightful read and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone and everyone (especially if, like I said, you're a superhero fan)! ;)
July 2, 2021
4.5/5 stars.
Thank you Jenna for the free copy!
*coughs* Shall we get into it?
When Jenna reached out to about reading Ignite, never before had I actually read a superhero novel. (I know kinda lame of me, I know).
But like the unoriginal fangirl I am, I'm obsessed with Marvel, so I was instantly intrigued.
This book's concept is absolutely it's greatest strength. It's unique and engaging and the novel encapsulates it very well.
The concept you ask? Superheros are a thing, the twist? They're not heros...or at least that's what they're being told.
Ignite doesn't fear taking chances of wading into the moral complexities of our humanity and how we can use our gifts for both good or evil, and how even the "bad guys" have good intentions.
CHARACTERS
Scarlett - Scarlett was a refreshing addition to YA literature. An MC with a noticeable character arc! THANK YOU JENNA. While Scarlett lacked a bit in personality, she was a very fun POV character, especially since her views often conflict with whim she's talking with. I was never frustrated with her, but I wasn't head over heels. But with the ending, I'm interested to see where her character heads, because the potential is unlimited!
Ares - I liked Ares! His character completely opposing Scarlett's was in interesting take and his backstory was genuinely a shock and a cool layer to his character. He was very charming and kind, without shying away from what he believes in.
Seth - Okay. Some reveiws state they think Seth was irrational. Me? I really liked him. I thought I'd join the legion of Ares fans, but Seth's complex and conflicting character really drew me in. I think yes, he is irrational, but it makes sense due to his circumstance he would begin acting that way. I loved him, and he was a perfect display of how this world is working on the supers.
Nadia - Nadia was the character I personally felt had the strongest CHARACTER. She was easily relatable, had more page time and focus, and had an incredible realistic arc. You can't deny Nadia's personality is also so sweet and adorable that she just needs a hug. I think she perfectly fits what this story sets to accomplish with showing the effects of the supers in this world.
PLOT
The plot was VERY solid. It knew what it was doing and followed a specific structure, which I (being a terrible plotter) was very impressed with it! It's probably one the strongest points of this novel.
The only issue with this was that I could see some plot twists coming from a mile away. Not that the plot twists were bad, but due to the kind of story and trajectory it was heading, I knew somethings had to happen.
A few did manage to catch me off guard!
But overall, the plot is very good, and enjoyable. :D
WORLDBUILDING
No complaints, just wow!
Jenna did a fantastic job of setting up this world and how it functions so brilliantly, I could actually see it happening! I love it and can't wait to return.
(Also it takes place in Rapid City aka where I want to live lol)
OVERALL
Ignite is a GOOD book, and I really liked it! It took me a bit to get into it, but once I was, I was IN. I recommend for anyone looking for a thought provoking read and a love for the superhero genre.
Thank you Jenna for the free copy!
*coughs* Shall we get into it?
When Jenna reached out to about reading Ignite, never before had I actually read a superhero novel. (I know kinda lame of me, I know).
But like the unoriginal fangirl I am, I'm obsessed with Marvel, so I was instantly intrigued.
This book's concept is absolutely it's greatest strength. It's unique and engaging and the novel encapsulates it very well.
The concept you ask? Superheros are a thing, the twist? They're not heros...or at least that's what they're being told.
Ignite doesn't fear taking chances of wading into the moral complexities of our humanity and how we can use our gifts for both good or evil, and how even the "bad guys" have good intentions.
CHARACTERS
Scarlett - Scarlett was a refreshing addition to YA literature. An MC with a noticeable character arc! THANK YOU JENNA. While Scarlett lacked a bit in personality, she was a very fun POV character, especially since her views often conflict with whim she's talking with. I was never frustrated with her, but I wasn't head over heels. But with the ending, I'm interested to see where her character heads, because the potential is unlimited!
Ares - I liked Ares! His character completely opposing Scarlett's was in interesting take and his backstory was genuinely a shock and a cool layer to his character. He was very charming and kind, without shying away from what he believes in.
Seth - Okay. Some reveiws state they think Seth was irrational. Me? I really liked him. I thought I'd join the legion of Ares fans, but Seth's complex and conflicting character really drew me in. I think yes, he is irrational, but it makes sense due to his circumstance he would begin acting that way. I loved him, and he was a perfect display of how this world is working on the supers.
Nadia - Nadia was the character I personally felt had the strongest CHARACTER. She was easily relatable, had more page time and focus, and had an incredible realistic arc. You can't deny Nadia's personality is also so sweet and adorable that she just needs a hug. I think she perfectly fits what this story sets to accomplish with showing the effects of the supers in this world.
PLOT
The plot was VERY solid. It knew what it was doing and followed a specific structure, which I (being a terrible plotter) was very impressed with it! It's probably one the strongest points of this novel.
The only issue with this was that I could see some plot twists coming from a mile away. Not that the plot twists were bad, but due to the kind of story and trajectory it was heading, I knew somethings had to happen.
A few did manage to catch me off guard!
But overall, the plot is very good, and enjoyable. :D
WORLDBUILDING
No complaints, just wow!
Jenna did a fantastic job of setting up this world and how it functions so brilliantly, I could actually see it happening! I love it and can't wait to return.
(Also it takes place in Rapid City aka where I want to live lol)
OVERALL
Ignite is a GOOD book, and I really liked it! It took me a bit to get into it, but once I was, I was IN. I recommend for anyone looking for a thought provoking read and a love for the superhero genre.
July 1, 2021
Okay! Here we go.
You won't hear me call myself a big superhero fan, but reading about them is always fun. And with Ignite, the whole idea of supers being the "bad guys" was intriguing from the start. I'm happy to report that I was sucked into the story from the beginning and had a hard time putting it down!
Let's talk about the characters. Jenna does a fantastic job bringing them to life from the very first page. I really appreciated that her family and friends from her "past life" play a big role in this story! As for the supers themselves, they were amazing! Of course I loved the four mains, particularly Seth my boi whom I didn't expect to love as much as I did, and the supporting characters added plenty to the story as well, although I'd have wished to see more of their powers... Dr. Bailey is an interesting antagonist and I'm curious to know what will happen with him next.
On surface level the plot seems quite simplistic without many shocking twists or turns, but unanswered questions start building up near the end even so. The way certain characters are involved in these complications... AGH, I need to know what's actually going on!! It's been so long that I've read a book that ends satisfyingly but with enough ??? to make you really anticipate the next installment.
I like that the themes were not heavy in this book and not preachy either :) Which means I'd happily recommend it to anyone, whether or not you're into sci-fi or superhero (because... who isn't into superheroes, right?) stories.
So... there you go, my uncomprehensive review of this wonderful debut! I can't wait for book two ;)
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required; all views and opinions expressed are my own.*
You won't hear me call myself a big superhero fan, but reading about them is always fun. And with Ignite, the whole idea of supers being the "bad guys" was intriguing from the start. I'm happy to report that I was sucked into the story from the beginning and had a hard time putting it down!
Let's talk about the characters. Jenna does a fantastic job bringing them to life from the very first page. I really appreciated that her family and friends from her "past life" play a big role in this story! As for the supers themselves, they were amazing! Of course I loved the four mains, particularly Seth my boi whom I didn't expect to love as much as I did, and the supporting characters added plenty to the story as well, although I'd have wished to see more of their powers... Dr. Bailey is an interesting antagonist and I'm curious to know what will happen with him next.
On surface level the plot seems quite simplistic without many shocking twists or turns, but unanswered questions start building up near the end even so. The way certain characters are involved in these complications... AGH, I need to know what's actually going on!! It's been so long that I've read a book that ends satisfyingly but with enough ??? to make you really anticipate the next installment.
I like that the themes were not heavy in this book and not preachy either :) Which means I'd happily recommend it to anyone, whether or not you're into sci-fi or superhero (because... who isn't into superheroes, right?) stories.
So... there you go, my uncomprehensive review of this wonderful debut! I can't wait for book two ;)
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required; all views and opinions expressed are my own.*
June 20, 2021
Sci-fi is my least favorite genre. I try to avoid it as much as possible because I just don’t like those types of books. The only novels in that genre that I enjoy include A Wrinkle in Time, Under Their Skin, and now...Ignite.
Wow, wow, wow, Jenna! Oh, where do I start?
The descriptions made the whole novel come to life. You could feel the characters' pain and how the settings were described, it felt like you were actually there. Descriptions play a big part in stories as they make it alive.
The themes were just lovely.
One that was quite prominent was embracing who you are. Scarlett was super eager and anxious to get the cure so that she could get rid of her fire power. She wanted to see her family again. She wanted to pursue music. She wanted to be free. But eventually, her perspective changed. While on the mission in Rapid City, Rex constantly told her that God doesn’t make mistakes. You have a purpose that only you can fulfill. No matter who you are, God wants to use you.
This led to Scarlett not wanting the cure. She became more comfortable with her gift and didn’t want it to be taken away from her by Dr. Bailey. She wanted to be able to use it for good and show that to the world.
The character development was spot on.
Scarlett was reserved yet fierce, Nadia was quiet but strong in heart, Seth was hiding behind a mask of happy-go-lucky, and Ares was the laid back thinker. All of those qualities and differences showed in how they communicated or reacted, which I liked a lot. This made the characters feel relatable as if they were real. The reader felt like they could actually connect with one of them or all.
And I liked the portrayal of Dr. Bailey a lot, like A LOT. He struck me as the mysterious type. One who was potentially hiding something about the cure. Why was he practically forcing all the superhumans to get the cure? Why was he so vague when it came to giving information about it? Why did the two doses affect Seth in a negative way? There are so many questions and I wouldn’t trust Dr. Bailey. And that’s what I love about his character. I have developed these feelings as if he were a real person. When that happens to me, that means the character is very well-written.
All in all, Ignite has become a new favorite of mine! Everything about it was just perfect! Even though this is considered a YA, I think it’s appropriate for ages 13 and up. Nevertheless, this gets a 5 star rating from me!
*I received an advanced reader copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Wow, wow, wow, Jenna! Oh, where do I start?
The descriptions made the whole novel come to life. You could feel the characters' pain and how the settings were described, it felt like you were actually there. Descriptions play a big part in stories as they make it alive.
The themes were just lovely.
One that was quite prominent was embracing who you are. Scarlett was super eager and anxious to get the cure so that she could get rid of her fire power. She wanted to see her family again. She wanted to pursue music. She wanted to be free. But eventually, her perspective changed. While on the mission in Rapid City, Rex constantly told her that God doesn’t make mistakes. You have a purpose that only you can fulfill. No matter who you are, God wants to use you.
This led to Scarlett not wanting the cure. She became more comfortable with her gift and didn’t want it to be taken away from her by Dr. Bailey. She wanted to be able to use it for good and show that to the world.
The character development was spot on.
Scarlett was reserved yet fierce, Nadia was quiet but strong in heart, Seth was hiding behind a mask of happy-go-lucky, and Ares was the laid back thinker. All of those qualities and differences showed in how they communicated or reacted, which I liked a lot. This made the characters feel relatable as if they were real. The reader felt like they could actually connect with one of them or all.
And I liked the portrayal of Dr. Bailey a lot, like A LOT. He struck me as the mysterious type. One who was potentially hiding something about the cure. Why was he practically forcing all the superhumans to get the cure? Why was he so vague when it came to giving information about it? Why did the two doses affect Seth in a negative way? There are so many questions and I wouldn’t trust Dr. Bailey. And that’s what I love about his character. I have developed these feelings as if he were a real person. When that happens to me, that means the character is very well-written.
All in all, Ignite has become a new favorite of mine! Everything about it was just perfect! Even though this is considered a YA, I think it’s appropriate for ages 13 and up. Nevertheless, this gets a 5 star rating from me!
*I received an advanced reader copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Want to read
May 18, 2021I'm telling you all now - Ares is my child, you can't have him. XD XD (just kidding. mostly.)
July 14, 2021
This is an amazing superhero story you won't wanna miss. Check out my review @ ryanelizabethwrites.com, 7.14.21 :)
Many thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for the review! ♥️
Many thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for the review! ♥️
July 2, 2021
*I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a favorable review.
REVIEW
Have you ever read a book that immediately sucked you in? I’ve read a few and Ignite makes that list. Ms. Terese wove a tale of supers, suburban life, government containment facilities, and finding worth in who God has made you to be so beautifully.
This book reminded me of The Incredibles, outlawed supers and all that, XD but it also reminded me more of a Marvel movie. In this book, we get Scarlett’s origin story, we see her suddenly thrust into the world of superhumans who are viewed as anything but human. We watch her trying to find her place in the world, trying to get back to her old normal, and hating the fire within her. She’s just a 17-year-old girl with dreams and plans for her life, and then all of that is ripped out from under her when she gains her powers.
While in the SCF she meets other supers, people she’s always viewed as less than human, but now she’s one of them. But she’s different, right? She’s still human because she wasn’t born with her powers, she never wanted them and she wishes her fire would just be extinguished.
She hates her powers so much, that when the chance to receive the cure comes, she barely thinks twice about what she has to do to earn it.
We get to know her team too, Ares, Nadia, and Seth. Ares, a cool, calm, collected young man with ice powers to go with his friendly personality. Yeah, we get an ice-super who isn’t cold and stand-off-ish. Nadia, sweet, kind, timid young woman with ground-breaking powers. The girl who wouldn’t hurt a fly has the ability to cause earthquakes. And then there’s Seth, a funny, carefree young man with wind powers that match his motormouth. But all three carry secrets from their past, hurt and scars they’ve kept hidden from everyone.
When they finally get to Rapid, nothing meets Scarlett’s expectations and everything, especially Rez, makes her question what is truly the right thing to do; turn the supers of Rapid in to the SCF… or the unthinkable?
I loved all the character interactions in this book. Ms. Terese did an excellent job crafting real and believable characters, characters with hopes, dreams, flaws, and fears. Scarlett is not perfect, yet you root for her because of that. You want her to find the truth.
Speaking of truth, I love how beautifully the message that God doesn’t make mistakes was woven in. That you are created for a purpose. You are not a mistake.
The plot of this book was very enthralling and and well paced and the character development was wonderful! I loved watching Scarlett go through her journey and loved getting to know the other characters better.
The banter between characters was epic, and I adored seeing Scarlett with her family. A family that loves each other and siblings that don’t fight like worst enemies? Sign me up! Not only was Scarlett’s family amazing, but her best friend’s mom has an opinion that Scarlett’s family doesn’t agree with yet despite that it’s shown that both families love and care for each other instead of arguing and arguing until either side agrees with the other. Love and respect in spite of differences of opinion? Yes, please! XD
My only issues were thinking Seth had a certain opinion about something but then finding out it was actually the opposite? The opinion kind of defined his world-view and character development so it was a bit confusing watching the him act different than I thought he would. I also had slight confusion over another character showing up towards the end of the book in a role I didn’t expect, but that’s more of a question I hope gets explained in the next book than an actual issue.
Other than that this book was wonderful and I can’t wait for the sequel! That ending!!! It was both the best and the worst in the absolute best possible way! XD I need that sequel!
CONTENT CAUTIONS
None really, other than violence and brief mentions of blood during fight scenes.
REVIEW
Have you ever read a book that immediately sucked you in? I’ve read a few and Ignite makes that list. Ms. Terese wove a tale of supers, suburban life, government containment facilities, and finding worth in who God has made you to be so beautifully.
This book reminded me of The Incredibles, outlawed supers and all that, XD but it also reminded me more of a Marvel movie. In this book, we get Scarlett’s origin story, we see her suddenly thrust into the world of superhumans who are viewed as anything but human. We watch her trying to find her place in the world, trying to get back to her old normal, and hating the fire within her. She’s just a 17-year-old girl with dreams and plans for her life, and then all of that is ripped out from under her when she gains her powers.
While in the SCF she meets other supers, people she’s always viewed as less than human, but now she’s one of them. But she’s different, right? She’s still human because she wasn’t born with her powers, she never wanted them and she wishes her fire would just be extinguished.
She hates her powers so much, that when the chance to receive the cure comes, she barely thinks twice about what she has to do to earn it.
We get to know her team too, Ares, Nadia, and Seth. Ares, a cool, calm, collected young man with ice powers to go with his friendly personality. Yeah, we get an ice-super who isn’t cold and stand-off-ish. Nadia, sweet, kind, timid young woman with ground-breaking powers. The girl who wouldn’t hurt a fly has the ability to cause earthquakes. And then there’s Seth, a funny, carefree young man with wind powers that match his motormouth. But all three carry secrets from their past, hurt and scars they’ve kept hidden from everyone.
When they finally get to Rapid, nothing meets Scarlett’s expectations and everything, especially Rez, makes her question what is truly the right thing to do; turn the supers of Rapid in to the SCF… or the unthinkable?
I loved all the character interactions in this book. Ms. Terese did an excellent job crafting real and believable characters, characters with hopes, dreams, flaws, and fears. Scarlett is not perfect, yet you root for her because of that. You want her to find the truth.
Speaking of truth, I love how beautifully the message that God doesn’t make mistakes was woven in. That you are created for a purpose. You are not a mistake.
The plot of this book was very enthralling and and well paced and the character development was wonderful! I loved watching Scarlett go through her journey and loved getting to know the other characters better.
The banter between characters was epic, and I adored seeing Scarlett with her family. A family that loves each other and siblings that don’t fight like worst enemies? Sign me up! Not only was Scarlett’s family amazing, but her best friend’s mom has an opinion that Scarlett’s family doesn’t agree with yet despite that it’s shown that both families love and care for each other instead of arguing and arguing until either side agrees with the other. Love and respect in spite of differences of opinion? Yes, please! XD
My only issues were thinking Seth had a certain opinion about something but then finding out it was actually the opposite? The opinion kind of defined his world-view and character development so it was a bit confusing watching the him act different than I thought he would. I also had slight confusion over another character showing up towards the end of the book in a role I didn’t expect, but that’s more of a question I hope gets explained in the next book than an actual issue.
Other than that this book was wonderful and I can’t wait for the sequel! That ending!!! It was both the best and the worst in the absolute best possible way! XD I need that sequel!
CONTENT CAUTIONS
None really, other than violence and brief mentions of blood during fight scenes.
December 24, 2021
First of all, thank you so much, Jenna, for gifting me a copy of your book! 🧡☺️
Tbh, this is my first super hero book I’ve ever read! I didn’t know what to expect so I started reading Ignite ready for adventure.
I will say, the writing is very good!!! I wasn’t expecting such good writing and editing. I tend to be weary on that area with indie books because many lack good prose and editing but Ignite was done so well! You can tell a professional did the editing.
The story really hooked me from the beginning. It gave me The Incredibles vibes with all the cops and the super hero news and stuff. I enjoyed the first chapters a lot. The family and friendship dynamics were nice and I really liked the pacing and characters.I also really appreciated the faith elements.
What I didn’t enjoy much was that the middle felt super long and I feel it could have been better developed. I feel the friendships made there could have been explored more. I also would have liked to see more of the training and interactions between the main characters in the facility there were in.
Also, there is no romance which I was kinda expecting.
Having said that, I feel it’s a super nice debut book and I can’t wait to see Jenna’s growth as an author! 🧡🥰👍🏼
Tbh, this is my first super hero book I’ve ever read! I didn’t know what to expect so I started reading Ignite ready for adventure.
I will say, the writing is very good!!! I wasn’t expecting such good writing and editing. I tend to be weary on that area with indie books because many lack good prose and editing but Ignite was done so well! You can tell a professional did the editing.
The story really hooked me from the beginning. It gave me The Incredibles vibes with all the cops and the super hero news and stuff. I enjoyed the first chapters a lot. The family and friendship dynamics were nice and I really liked the pacing and characters.I also really appreciated the faith elements.
What I didn’t enjoy much was that the middle felt super long and I feel it could have been better developed. I feel the friendships made there could have been explored more. I also would have liked to see more of the training and interactions between the main characters in the facility there were in.
Also, there is no romance which I was kinda expecting.
Having said that, I feel it’s a super nice debut book and I can’t wait to see Jenna’s growth as an author! 🧡🥰👍🏼
August 5, 2021
Do you ever read certain books where you fully expect them to live up to the hype, but try not to keep your hopes up just in case it's not as good as you hoped, but it turns out to be everything you expected?
Yeah. Me too.
I've been 'friends' with Jenna on Instagram pretty much from the beginning, and being able to watch her journey from aspiring author to published author has been soooo gratifying. The way she talked about this story of hers, I could see how much it meant to her, and after reading Ignite, it's clear how hard she worked on this book.
Mmkay. Now that I've bragged a bit on Jenna as a debut author, let's dive into the story, shall we?
The beginning was a bit slow, to be honest, bordering on annoying with all the times it mentioned people scraping their paper cup to get the last bit of ice cream. But then it definitely picked up the pace when—gasp—Scarlett (the main character, in case you decided to skip the blurb) is attacked by a super.
A super. Not a superhero. Because people with superpowers are criminals.
At least...so says the government.
I adored Scarlett. Her struggles, her determination to do the right thing regardless of what it may mean for her...yes. And what I adored all the more was that it wasn't always clear what was right and what was wrong. Scarlett was so determined to make the right choice, the honest choice...but what happens when you can't see what is right and what is wrong? Do you stick with what you know, or do you explore the unknown? I really appreciated how Scarlett struggled to answer that question, and how she dealt with what followed, and how she chose to take responsibility for choices gone wrong.
Ares, Nadia, and Seth. *deep breath* So different. So unique. To be honest, they was almost allegorically symbolic of the different stages of spiritual growth, and I loved that so much.
But my favorite character? Rez. Always Rez. Having to decide whether or not it's worth doing wrong in order to protect the greater good and, ultimately, save lives. It was so obvious that he was under a lot of stress and pressure, but he still remained gentle and kind. I definitely need more of him in book 2.
The plot, as a whole, was different than I'm used to, but sooo good. My second superhero book, and so far we're 2 for 2! I can't wait to read Ignite's sequel!
*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
Yeah. Me too.
I've been 'friends' with Jenna on Instagram pretty much from the beginning, and being able to watch her journey from aspiring author to published author has been soooo gratifying. The way she talked about this story of hers, I could see how much it meant to her, and after reading Ignite, it's clear how hard she worked on this book.
Mmkay. Now that I've bragged a bit on Jenna as a debut author, let's dive into the story, shall we?
The beginning was a bit slow, to be honest, bordering on annoying with all the times it mentioned people scraping their paper cup to get the last bit of ice cream. But then it definitely picked up the pace when—gasp—Scarlett (the main character, in case you decided to skip the blurb) is attacked by a super.
A super. Not a superhero. Because people with superpowers are criminals.
At least...so says the government.
I adored Scarlett. Her struggles, her determination to do the right thing regardless of what it may mean for her...yes. And what I adored all the more was that it wasn't always clear what was right and what was wrong. Scarlett was so determined to make the right choice, the honest choice...but what happens when you can't see what is right and what is wrong? Do you stick with what you know, or do you explore the unknown? I really appreciated how Scarlett struggled to answer that question, and how she dealt with what followed, and how she chose to take responsibility for choices gone wrong.
Ares, Nadia, and Seth. *deep breath* So different. So unique. To be honest, they was almost allegorically symbolic of the different stages of spiritual growth, and I loved that so much.
But my favorite character? Rez. Always Rez. Having to decide whether or not it's worth doing wrong in order to protect the greater good and, ultimately, save lives. It was so obvious that he was under a lot of stress and pressure, but he still remained gentle and kind. I definitely need more of him in book 2.
The plot, as a whole, was different than I'm used to, but sooo good. My second superhero book, and so far we're 2 for 2! I can't wait to read Ignite's sequel!
*I received an e-copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. All thoughts are my own.
July 4, 2021
Scarlet is just your average teenage girl, minding her own business, until she gets attacked by a superhuman—and survives—leaving her with abilities of her own. The downside? “Supers” are hated and feared, which leaves her with no choice but to hope that she can receive the “cure” and return to her family.
I really enjoyed Scarlet’s character. Most “strong” female leads end up being pushy and selfish, but this wasn’t the case. Everything Scarlet did was so she could be with her family again, help others, and not hurt anyone. She was flawed, made mistakes, and learned from them and I enjoyed watching her journey.
I really, really liked how the author used superpowers for giving the message that God made us exactly how we are for a reason. As someone with chronic illness, I appreciate this message reminding me that I am who God meant me to be!
*I received a complimentary copy from the author in hopes of an honest review. I was not obligated to leave a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
I really enjoyed Scarlet’s character. Most “strong” female leads end up being pushy and selfish, but this wasn’t the case. Everything Scarlet did was so she could be with her family again, help others, and not hurt anyone. She was flawed, made mistakes, and learned from them and I enjoyed watching her journey.
I really, really liked how the author used superpowers for giving the message that God made us exactly how we are for a reason. As someone with chronic illness, I appreciate this message reminding me that I am who God meant me to be!
*I received a complimentary copy from the author in hopes of an honest review. I was not obligated to leave a positive review. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
July 3, 2024
3 ½ stars 🌟
June 26, 2021
Review to come on my blog! But for now: #aresfanclub unite ;)
December 20, 2021
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Ignite is a powerful, emotionally-charged story that flips the superhero trope on its head in a rollercoaster ride that explores the themes of identity, acceptance, and second chances. With high emotional stakes, this story will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering how everything can be resolved in time!
Characters: I was drawn to Scarlett right away, and I loved her character voice. She’s a great big sister, friend, and leader. I sympathized deeply with her struggle between protecting her family and accepting her power. But I admired her strength, courage, and self-sacrifice. She wasn’t afraid to do the hard thing to protect others. I loved watching her grow as a leader throughout the story. She’s a solid, loyal friend to the others. Even though she makes mistakes, she does her best to be present for them. I can’t wait to watch her grow even more in the second book!
I loved Scarlett’s relationship with her family. There are too few healthy family relationships in YA fiction, so I always appreciate when an author makes a point to change that. I loved how supportive and caring her family were in the beginning, although I was disappointed to see them take such a backstage role throughout the rest of the book.
I really liked Scarlett’s friendship with Ian. Their friendly bantering was adorable! Nadia, Ares, and Seth were all very well-developed and realistic. My heart ached for Seth though. His anguish was so heartbreaking. I hope he’s able to find relief in the second book.
Rez was an interesting character. He seemed somewhat morally-grey at first, but I grew to like him as the story progressed. I liked how kind and forgiving he was toward Scarlett and how he showed her the gentle human side of the superhumans.
Dr. Bailey was a fantastic villain. He was complex, somewhat sympathetic, and unpredictable. I was never quite sure what he would do next. I’m hoping he has some kind of redemptive arc in book two! Crynn, however, felt very two-dimensional. I didn’t really get a clear picture of her backstory and motivations. I’m hoping her arc will be developed more in book two.
Plot: The plot was gripping and kept my interest. The pacing was unique, unlike what I normally see in YA novels. It seemed to progress very slowly in some sections, but then quickly made up with tense, high-paced scenes right after. The contrast between the pushing and pulling of the action was very accentuated.
I appreciated that the author established the context of the story and the role of the superhumans right from the start instead of keeping me guessing. It definitely cleared up any confusion and helped me understand the world and stakes better. I loved how high the stakes were. So much was on the line for each of the characters, and that tension came out very strongly. Jenna is a master at manipulating our emotions through the beats of her story!
However, I did have a few questions about the plot that were never answered. The infiltration of the rebel group especially seemed far too easy and suspicious. But other than that, the plot was well-done. Jenna satisfyingly wrapped up the story while still leaving room to set up the second book. I have high expectations for book two!
Themes: I really loved the theme of accepting who God made you to be even if that means others treat you as an outcast. Jenna did a great job pulling this off in a subtle, non-pushy way, which is hard to do!
This theme is certainly an important one in today’s culture when so many people seem to be confused about their identity. Our identity must firmly rest in the truth, and I absolutely loved how powerfully this came out in Ignite. Scarlett’s change of heart about her power was beautiful to watch and felt very realistic.
Prose: The prose was smooth, straightforward, and easy to follow. The dialogue wasn’t always quality and felt repetitive in some places, but I did appreciate Jenna’s clean, simple author voice. And I loved her vivid descriptions of the powers.
Ignite is a beautiful, hope-filled story that will ground you in the truth of the gospel. This is the kind of YA fiction our world needs. Ignite is a story you won’t want to miss, and I can’t wait to read more of what Jenna writes!
Ignite is a powerful, emotionally-charged story that flips the superhero trope on its head in a rollercoaster ride that explores the themes of identity, acceptance, and second chances. With high emotional stakes, this story will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering how everything can be resolved in time!
Characters: I was drawn to Scarlett right away, and I loved her character voice. She’s a great big sister, friend, and leader. I sympathized deeply with her struggle between protecting her family and accepting her power. But I admired her strength, courage, and self-sacrifice. She wasn’t afraid to do the hard thing to protect others. I loved watching her grow as a leader throughout the story. She’s a solid, loyal friend to the others. Even though she makes mistakes, she does her best to be present for them. I can’t wait to watch her grow even more in the second book!
I loved Scarlett’s relationship with her family. There are too few healthy family relationships in YA fiction, so I always appreciate when an author makes a point to change that. I loved how supportive and caring her family were in the beginning, although I was disappointed to see them take such a backstage role throughout the rest of the book.
I really liked Scarlett’s friendship with Ian. Their friendly bantering was adorable! Nadia, Ares, and Seth were all very well-developed and realistic. My heart ached for Seth though. His anguish was so heartbreaking. I hope he’s able to find relief in the second book.
Rez was an interesting character. He seemed somewhat morally-grey at first, but I grew to like him as the story progressed. I liked how kind and forgiving he was toward Scarlett and how he showed her the gentle human side of the superhumans.
Dr. Bailey was a fantastic villain. He was complex, somewhat sympathetic, and unpredictable. I was never quite sure what he would do next. I’m hoping he has some kind of redemptive arc in book two! Crynn, however, felt very two-dimensional. I didn’t really get a clear picture of her backstory and motivations. I’m hoping her arc will be developed more in book two.
Plot: The plot was gripping and kept my interest. The pacing was unique, unlike what I normally see in YA novels. It seemed to progress very slowly in some sections, but then quickly made up with tense, high-paced scenes right after. The contrast between the pushing and pulling of the action was very accentuated.
I appreciated that the author established the context of the story and the role of the superhumans right from the start instead of keeping me guessing. It definitely cleared up any confusion and helped me understand the world and stakes better. I loved how high the stakes were. So much was on the line for each of the characters, and that tension came out very strongly. Jenna is a master at manipulating our emotions through the beats of her story!
However, I did have a few questions about the plot that were never answered. The infiltration of the rebel group especially seemed far too easy and suspicious. But other than that, the plot was well-done. Jenna satisfyingly wrapped up the story while still leaving room to set up the second book. I have high expectations for book two!
Themes: I really loved the theme of accepting who God made you to be even if that means others treat you as an outcast. Jenna did a great job pulling this off in a subtle, non-pushy way, which is hard to do!
This theme is certainly an important one in today’s culture when so many people seem to be confused about their identity. Our identity must firmly rest in the truth, and I absolutely loved how powerfully this came out in Ignite. Scarlett’s change of heart about her power was beautiful to watch and felt very realistic.
Prose: The prose was smooth, straightforward, and easy to follow. The dialogue wasn’t always quality and felt repetitive in some places, but I did appreciate Jenna’s clean, simple author voice. And I loved her vivid descriptions of the powers.
Ignite is a beautiful, hope-filled story that will ground you in the truth of the gospel. This is the kind of YA fiction our world needs. Ignite is a story you won’t want to miss, and I can’t wait to read more of what Jenna writes!
March 21, 2022
This was... everything I expected and more. The characters were deep, the themes were strong and beautiful, and the conflict was gripping. Well done.
Scarlett's attack and choices following were written in such an intriguing way, even if I didn't agree with her choice to turn herself in. I didn't like Dr. Bailey from the start (and then I warmed up to him... and then I read Ares and there's no hope for him now xD). I loved Rez too, I was expecting someone awful but you just see a thoughtful man trying to do what he can. He really helps Scarlett. I also didn't agree with that choice of hers either. XD
The other supers were all so scarred and hurt and need a real childhood, the poor dears. Nadia might have been my favorite, so scared and withdrawn. Seth was cool and intriguing too.... And Ares is epic. Love the fire and ice. I knew *that* plot twist though with Ares was coming .
The ending was super fast paced and good, and I was so intrigued to see what happened. The theme of God's plan and human worth was evident by the ending, and Scarlett had to choose that or to believe what she had been believing. It was refreshing to see a man Christian YA character who want "saved" and made mistakes as much as anyone. Her family is awesome too. Love them all and the friends and all their musical aspirations.
Scarlett's attack and choices following were written in such an intriguing way, even if I didn't agree with her choice to turn herself in. I didn't like Dr. Bailey from the start (and then I warmed up to him... and then I read Ares and there's no hope for him now xD). I loved Rez too, I was expecting someone awful but you just see a thoughtful man trying to do what he can. He really helps Scarlett. I also didn't agree with that choice of hers either. XD
The other supers were all so scarred and hurt and need a real childhood, the poor dears. Nadia might have been my favorite, so scared and withdrawn. Seth was cool and intriguing too.... And Ares is epic. Love the fire and ice. I knew *that* plot twist though with Ares was coming .
The ending was super fast paced and good, and I was so intrigued to see what happened. The theme of God's plan and human worth was evident by the ending, and Scarlett had to choose that or to believe what she had been believing. It was refreshing to see a man Christian YA character who want "saved" and made mistakes as much as anyone. Her family is awesome too. Love them all and the friends and all their musical aspirations.
May 20, 2022
This book was so good!! I loved the concept of superheroes being illegal, and loved watching the character arc of Scarlett as she slowly came to accept who she was. I *really* want to read the sequel now haha! 😂
August 13, 2021
From the very first time I read the blurb, I was guessing I'd love this book. I was right. It's amazing.
It's absolutely perfect for superhero lovers. It hits on some of the familiar themes and tropes superhero fans love, but it keeps you guessing at how it's going to play out. While I was able to guess some plot twists, it was because of good foreshadowing rather than predictability. (It was the kind of guessing plot twists where you're excited you got it right.)
Scarlett was, at times, insufferable. Not that she was annoying to read, but because I wanted to shake some sense into her. Her internal conflict was driven by both fear and love, and even as she transforms throughout the book and (slight spoiler?I mean, given the genre, you can probably guess it, but just in case)
The only thing that made me really raise my eyebrows was the fact that they used the terms "superhuman" and "superpowers" in such negative ways. I would think they would try to use something less culturally positive. That said, I can almost imagine a bit of their history when the superpowers first appeared and people thought they were great, before they became common. I can imagine society twisting the meaning, a bad taste in their mouths as they said it, until they almost forgot the good the term once had. That said, while I wish the book might have touched on that a little, it's also kinda neat to theorize about it.
I appreciated the fact that there wasn't romance. Maybe book 2 will have it, but even if it does, it'll be okay. Unlike many YA books, Ignite clearly doesn't define characters or character growth based solely on relationships. It was refreshing.
All in all, this was exactly what I like in a superhero story. Epic powers, troubled protagonist, tragic backstories, epic powers, governmental overreach, sibling relationships, reluctant heroes, epic powers, mentor figures, found family, tough guy who is actually an absolute cinnamon roll, and did I mention epic powers?
If you love superheroes, I absolutely recommend.
It's absolutely perfect for superhero lovers. It hits on some of the familiar themes and tropes superhero fans love, but it keeps you guessing at how it's going to play out. While I was able to guess some plot twists, it was because of good foreshadowing rather than predictability. (It was the kind of guessing plot twists where you're excited you got it right.)
Scarlett was, at times, insufferable. Not that she was annoying to read, but because I wanted to shake some sense into her. Her internal conflict was driven by both fear and love, and even as she transforms throughout the book and (slight spoiler?
The only thing that made me really raise my eyebrows was the fact that they used the terms "superhuman" and "superpowers" in such negative ways. I would think they would try to use something less culturally positive. That said, I can almost imagine a bit of their history when the superpowers first appeared and people thought they were great, before they became common. I can imagine society twisting the meaning, a bad taste in their mouths as they said it, until they almost forgot the good the term once had. That said, while I wish the book might have touched on that a little, it's also kinda neat to theorize about it.
I appreciated the fact that there wasn't romance. Maybe book 2 will have it, but even if it does, it'll be okay. Unlike many YA books, Ignite clearly doesn't define characters or character growth based solely on relationships. It was refreshing.
All in all, this was exactly what I like in a superhero story. Epic powers, troubled protagonist, tragic backstories, epic powers, governmental overreach, sibling relationships, reluctant heroes, epic powers, mentor figures, found family, tough guy who is actually an absolute cinnamon roll, and did I mention epic powers?
If you love superheroes, I absolutely recommend.
October 6, 2021
A great superhero sci-fi debut from author Jenna Terese! "Ignite" was wonderfully unpredictable, had a fantastic main character, and kept me turning the pages! I recommend it for anyone who loves Marvel, the Incredibles, or superhero stories with substance. There was also a surprising faith message through one of the characters, which I absolutely loved. I can't wait to read the sequel and see where Scarlett's adventures take her! :D
February 26, 2022
I had such a fun time with this book. It was the characters that gripped me the most. I just couldn't get enough of them, and I'm glad there's going to be a sequel because I'm really looking forward to reading more of their story. The plot in this book was a lot of fun. It had some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. At times the writing felt a bit dense and that made it harder to get through, but for the most part it was really good.
July 6, 2021
*deep breath* INTERNAL SCREAMING
April 14, 2022
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. YOU MUST READ IT!
January 14, 2022
AMAZING! :)) Review to come...
August 11, 2021
Short version: MAN this book was as awesome as that cover and you should read it! :D
Long version:
Characters – First of all, I would like to mention that the thing which hooked me the most in that blurb was Rez. I just had to know who he was and what this gang was like and alllll the mystery.
I was not disappointed.
Because I am an evil creator of suspense, I am not going to give away the reasons, but suffice it to say that I was very, very pleased with how Rez turned out. If you want to know why, you’ll have to read the book. 😉
As for Scarlett, the main character – man, I adored her. She was such an incredibly realistic, relatable character! I found myself not necessarily agreeing with her choices, but understanding them thoroughly. Actually, I often realized that they were choices I would probably choose, thoughts I would probably think, if I were in her position. She felt like such a real human being, and the words spoken to her felt like they were spoken to me. It was so touching. I was rooting for her throughout the entire book, and I was so impressed and pleased with how she grew over the course of the story.
The other characters were also fantastic (a notable mention being ARES #aresfanclub), though I did think Seth could have been a bit more…cheerful? Playful? Joking? Mischievous? He was described as such, but I didn’t really see much of that in action. In fact, much of the humorous moments and banter (especially in the earlier half of the book) felt a bit forced.
Prose – This might go along with the humor (maybe I’m just a tough audience or something) but personally, a lot of it wasn’t quite my style. I did adore many of the creative metaphors and similes and comparisons, especially utilizing Scarlett’s familiarity with music and the guitar in particular. But several of them felt, again, forced, as did some conversations that weren’t as natural as they could have been.
Plot/Pacing – This was parfait. *chef’s kiss* A lot of these superhero stories take you on a breakneck race through action and explosions and break-outs, forcing only brief interludes of quiet in between. IGNITE was not afraid to focus on those quiet moments which are so important and realistic. And I wasn’t at all bored during those times. The whole story swept me off my feet, guiding me rapidly through the action, easing me down in the quiet moments, only to lure me forth quickly again. It was delightful.
Yes, some of the developments were predictable (though there was that ONE PLOT TWIST that I definitely did not see coming.) But I barely noticed any similarities with other superhero stories because of one crowning jewel: the themes.
Themes – Ladies and gentlemen, the reason why I did not forget this book shortly after reading it, the reason why it impacted my life in the same life-giving way water does, is because of the impactful messages interwoven into this story.
I might have gotten tears in my eyes.
There’s no way I can put this eloquently, but the questions raised and the answers so subtly yet powerfully provided…gaaahhh it was unbelievable. Becoming the thing you hate? How many times have I felt that, felt like a hypocrite? Struggling with worth, with self-esteem, because of a certain part of you that you think is ugly, terrible, harmful, needs to be gotten rid of? The Creator doesn’t make mistakes but why do I feel like one sometimes?
All these questions and more. And through exploring them, this book really spoke to me in a way so many other superhero stories never could.
Long version:
Characters – First of all, I would like to mention that the thing which hooked me the most in that blurb was Rez. I just had to know who he was and what this gang was like and alllll the mystery.
I was not disappointed.
Because I am an evil creator of suspense, I am not going to give away the reasons, but suffice it to say that I was very, very pleased with how Rez turned out. If you want to know why, you’ll have to read the book. 😉
As for Scarlett, the main character – man, I adored her. She was such an incredibly realistic, relatable character! I found myself not necessarily agreeing with her choices, but understanding them thoroughly. Actually, I often realized that they were choices I would probably choose, thoughts I would probably think, if I were in her position. She felt like such a real human being, and the words spoken to her felt like they were spoken to me. It was so touching. I was rooting for her throughout the entire book, and I was so impressed and pleased with how she grew over the course of the story.
The other characters were also fantastic (a notable mention being ARES #aresfanclub), though I did think Seth could have been a bit more…cheerful? Playful? Joking? Mischievous? He was described as such, but I didn’t really see much of that in action. In fact, much of the humorous moments and banter (especially in the earlier half of the book) felt a bit forced.
Prose – This might go along with the humor (maybe I’m just a tough audience or something) but personally, a lot of it wasn’t quite my style. I did adore many of the creative metaphors and similes and comparisons, especially utilizing Scarlett’s familiarity with music and the guitar in particular. But several of them felt, again, forced, as did some conversations that weren’t as natural as they could have been.
Plot/Pacing – This was parfait. *chef’s kiss* A lot of these superhero stories take you on a breakneck race through action and explosions and break-outs, forcing only brief interludes of quiet in between. IGNITE was not afraid to focus on those quiet moments which are so important and realistic. And I wasn’t at all bored during those times. The whole story swept me off my feet, guiding me rapidly through the action, easing me down in the quiet moments, only to lure me forth quickly again. It was delightful.
Yes, some of the developments were predictable (though there was that ONE PLOT TWIST that I definitely did not see coming.) But I barely noticed any similarities with other superhero stories because of one crowning jewel: the themes.
Themes – Ladies and gentlemen, the reason why I did not forget this book shortly after reading it, the reason why it impacted my life in the same life-giving way water does, is because of the impactful messages interwoven into this story.
I might have gotten tears in my eyes.
There’s no way I can put this eloquently, but the questions raised and the answers so subtly yet powerfully provided…gaaahhh it was unbelievable. Becoming the thing you hate? How many times have I felt that, felt like a hypocrite? Struggling with worth, with self-esteem, because of a certain part of you that you think is ugly, terrible, harmful, needs to be gotten rid of? The Creator doesn’t make mistakes but why do I feel like one sometimes?
All these questions and more. And through exploring them, this book really spoke to me in a way so many other superhero stories never could.
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