My Rating of Bloodfire:
Summary of Bloodfire:
Mackenzie Smith has always known that she was different. Growing up as the only human in a pack of rural shapeshifters will do that to you, but then couple it with some mean fighting skills and a fiery temper and you end up with a woman that few will dare to cross. However, when the only father figure in her life is brutally murdered, and the dangerous Brethren with their predatory Lord Alpha come to investigate, Mack has to not only ensure the physical safety of her adopted family by hiding her apparent humanity, she also has to seek the blood-soaked vengeance that she craves.
Length:
317 Pages
Reading Speed:
4 hours and 40 minutes
My Opinion of Bloodfire:
If I want to introduce someone to the whole Y/A Fantasy Genre, it would be through this book. It had a clear Plotline, with multiple subplots, some foreshadowing but not so much that I can guess the entire Plot and no overpowered characters.
Female Main Character:
Mackenzie has this sort of strange power. One that makes her angrier, more focused and stronger. However, her strength does not come from it.
The first thing I want to mention is her faults. This is a girl who feels guilty when she is selfish, admits it, and apologizes without trying to fumble for an excuse.
The second thing I want to mention is her loyalty. All throughout the book, her love for her pack and her friends is what motivates her. It is what keeps her alive. It’s her purpose. It was nice to see that she got that loyalty and protectiveness back as well. Her relationships were by no means one-sided.
She is not overpowered. I repeat people, she is not overpowered!!! Her true power comes from her training, from hard work and from preparation. We catch flashbacks of her working on her hunting skills, even as a child. She takes about taking different kinds of weapons, just in case she encounters a different type of enemy as usual. She is smart, confident and calculated. We also see her taking unnecessary risks for the people she loves, but that is what makes her special.
Main Male Character:
I have to admit, I did not pay him much attention. The plot of Bloodfire was so interesting that I forgot to focus on the romance part, and I love that! It has a clear build-up slow burn trope that I am dying to uncover. So far we have seen that he is dependable, he is powerful and he is definitely interested in her. He leans on others under his command, but still heads into danger first.
That’s it.
The reason this is soooooo refreshing to read is that it is clear that they will end up together. How, when, which book is still such a mystery that it has me running to the next book.
Writing Style / Plot:
There is no chapter in which I am bored. The flashbacks, the pack meetings, even her preparations for danger and not just the danger itself, all interesting. The way the author got us so invested in her life, I’m amazed.
The plot moved along the perfect pace. There is nothing she found out too soon, nothing that happened too fast. It was perfectly intertwined.
Not to mention, she had an interesting take on shifters. Different types living under one pack, the rules of communication, the way someone can leave a pack. The different shifters and their power level sets her writing from others apart. The personality having to do with what kind of animal they can turn to, but not making it overbearing is difficult to manage and Helen Harper did it perfectly.
Side Characters:
This again, is such a good point.
We have some in the book, the closest to her, choosing a life away from her.
Let me emphasize on how important this is.
Helen Harper created characters to give us the glimpse of Mackenzie’s loyalty. She build an entire world for these characters, personalities, hopes and dreams. Used them for the plot and then threw them away.
Now I am unsure if these characters show up in the books again. If they do or if they don’t, she has already established them as separate people from the main character.
Recommendation for Bloodfire:
Anyone starting out or with Fantasy. I feel like this is exactly how the genre of Y/A Books flow. Everything between the characteristics, to the pace of the plot. This is also a good book to read if you are into the entire shifting world. It really sets such a good standard for shifter books. Even if you aren’t starting out, this book should be on the radar of anyone with a passion for light fantasy
Hint: It’s currently free on Audible if you have a subscription.
I am literally already reading the second part and that review will come soon, so stay tuned.