Review: Destiny's Fire - Trisha Wolfe

Title: Destiny's Fire (#1)

Author: Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: January 10th 2012

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

Last month, if you told me that I would have read a steampunk novel and end up LOVING it, then I would have laughed maniacally at your face and tell you to f*** off.  Hell, if you told me that yesterday, I would have. 

Let me see. I'll start with why I'm a little *wary* of this. Do any of you remember the old cover? Yep. The one with the girl with the bad haircut and a head too big? With the super scary NOT hot guy? Yep. That's the one. (Here's the link if you can't remember) I've got the 'Don't judge a book by its cover' drilled in my head, but this, THIS. You just can't blame me.  I'm afraid that cover turned me off a bit and dear God I admit I was one of the people that went a bit mad and sprouted off not very nice comments when it was revealed on The Story Siren. To tame the backlash, the publisher decided to redesign the cover (above) which is a million times better.

Secondly, I was so frigging worried that I would get so confused out of my mind about all these terms and words that steampunk normally uses. And yes, when I started Destiny's Fire, I was overwhelmed with all these new terms and stuff that my mind couldn't take it anymore and I actually had to write them down in a piece of paper to keep in track. I know. I'm sad. BUT. As you get more into the story, I found out that I don't actually need the list! Because Trisha's writing just drew me in and along the way, we do get some backstory and history so I said bye bye to my list. 

I love the main character, Dez (Destiny) Harkly. She was strong, stubborn, selfish, yet she wanted to do things right. She was just overall a good person. And she wasn't annoying like the other heroines and female leads that I've encountered lately (I mean, HAVE YOU READ MY REVIEWS?). Sure, some of her actions were selfish and unjustified, but hey. No one's perfect. I love the whole cast - Dez, the triplets Jace, Lana and Nick, Reese (of course), her mum, and even her teacher Mr. Liam. They were all three-dimensional and had very likable personalities.

And you know what else I love? The love triangle. Halleluiah! Finally, I love triangle where both guys are good (in lack of better words) for her. We have Jace, her loyal and over-protective bestfriend and on the other, we have Reese (insert biggest squeeeee here) the hot brave red-eyed hottie who is just so bad I love him. At first, I was totally team Jace (I mean hell, with a name like that, how can I refuse?) then when we get to see more of Reese. OH I thought I died and gone to heaven. That boy is sex on legs.

This book was so unlike everything I've ever read before. There were times when I was like WHAT? and chocked on my drink when the ending thingy was revealed and we find out who her father is. I love everything about it - the unpredictable storyline, the gripping and nonstop action, fully-fleshed characters *coughhotboyscough* and an intense love triangle that would have you fanning yourself. I know I did. 

This is one of the most underated books out this year (I think I need to call the hype monster for this one!) and possibly my favourite debut author 2012 book I've read so far. This is definitely one of my favourites ever. How's that? So yes. Please do read it now. And just because I'm so kind and it's VALENTINE'S DAY today, I think you lot deserve to have a peek at these two gorgeous hotties. Just promise me not to touch Reese - he's MINE. :P