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Are you looking for a gripping, dark YA Fantasy novel? Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows might be the book for you. 😉 Scroll for an honest review and enjoy!
Title: Before She Ignites
Author: Jodi Meadows
Pages: 481 (hardcover)
Point of View: 1st person (Mira)
Genre: YA Fantasy
Installment: Book 1 in the Fallen Isles Trilogy
Trope(s): found family
Mira was born on the same day the peace treaty, named after her, was signed. A treaty that should unite the Fallen Isles against their enemy, the Algotti Empire. As the Hopebearer Mira has obligations to the people of her isle, Damina. In their eyes she is perfect, she is trustworthy, she is the Mira Treaty. Little do they know that Mira has quite a few secrets that would make them think otherwise. Like her crippling anxiety, her habit of counting, or that she does everything her mother and the Luminary Council want of her when all she desires is to spend time with dragons. But when Mira discovers a secret that makes her doubt everything she and the treaty stand for she needs to bring it to light. Then she is betrayed and sentenced to the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles and Mira must adapt to survive.
I wanted freedom in the same way I wanted my next breath: an unspoken but constant desire.
Realistically Flawed Characters
I first read this book in 2019 after it came out and was confused to have never heard of it before. Almost three years later, I still wonder why Before She Ignites is so underhyped.
Mira makes for an interesting protagonist since all her life she’s been oppressed by her mother but was spoiled at the same time, because of their privileged life on Damina. She never knew hunger or filth or complete isolation. Things that she must acclimate to in her new residence. Mira is a somewhat flawed character that you can still sympathize with easily, because it makes her so realistic. We get some great character growth from her.
Depicting an anxious person quite realistically in a fictional world? A fictional world in which only (I think) people of color exist? Jodi Meadows did an excellent job with Before She Ignites!
the Perfect little carrot on a string
The world-building of Before She Ignites is intriguing and very enjoyable. The idea of the seven Fallen Gods, who all have their own island-nation and attributes that reflect in their people and the customs is exquisite. I honestly can’t wait to see more of their world. Since it’s mostly set in the prison on Khulan we only get a few glimpses into the other islands, but that’s the perfect little carrot on a string to hook you further into wanting the story to continue ASAP. Oh and don’t get me started on the noorestones! There are so many questions around those at the end that I wanted to start the sequel right away.
“There is strength,” he said slowly, “in knowing when to speak, and when to listen.” His hands stayed on his chest, motionless. “And when to say nothing at all.”
Slow-burn romance
The romance. Where can I start other than that Aaru is the most precious, innocent little bean?! He’s got to be my favorite character in the way that he communicates alone! This is and will be a slow-burning romance, however, which is understandable and definitely needed in the first book and I’m curious to see how it will progress.
Before She Ignites is a gripping and refreshingly new novel about dragons, magic, and being true to yourself and your beliefs when everyone else is against you.
Did I succeed in making you want to read Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows? If so you can buy a copy here: Thalia | Amazon USA
