Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott Pages: 320
Published by Scholastic Inc. on February 25, 2014
Genres: Action & Adventure, Dystopian, Love & Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult
A pulse-pounding thrill ride, where a teen girl must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life--and her own. Time is slipping away. . . . Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to the middle of nowhere for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying--and she's helpless to change anything. Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race. The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place? Victoria Scott's breathtaking novel grabs readers by the throat and doesn't let go.
Fire and Flood is intense and action packed. I could not put this book down. I gobbled it up in one sitting. The book takes place in multiple settings, first in a forest and then in a dessert. Each extreme in their own ways. Victoria Scott did such an excellent job bringing these awful conditions to life. The contestants in the Brimstone Bleed competition had to endure so much. Fire and Flood has a very mysterious vibe. The people behind the Brimstone Bleed and the competition itself is all shrouded in mystery. And then there are the pandoras, which are mysterious in and of themselves. I loved getting to know all of the different pandoras and seeing what they can do.
I have seen more than a few comparisons to the Hunger Games, and while I do see some similarities, I feel like Fire and Flood has a different focus than the Hunger Games. Yes, they are both dystopians and a majority of the book takes place in a competition like arena where the stakes are high enough for people to kill, but for me the main focus in Fire and Flood was aimed at uncovering the past of the Brimstone Bleed and discovering what secrets it held. In the Hunger Games everyone knew the history of the games and the focus was mostly on the capitol. I was so curious about the race itself, and I was super surprised at what we learned about it. It was a great plot development. Everyone that goes to the race is trying to win a cure for a loved one in their life. This was one thing that I was questioning while reading. Why was everyone convinced that this single “cure” would work for everyone. How could this brimstone bleed know just what every sick loved one would need. I asked myself that at least 5 times while reading. But that is the only hold up I had.
Not only is the Brimstone Bleed plot super interesting, but you also get a really great romance between Tella and Guy. Tella was pretty awesome all on her own though. She is laugh out loud funny and I adored her connection and love for the pandoras. (which kind of reminded me of pokemon)Each contestant gets their own pandora to help them out in the competition and they are all different. Fire and Flood is an awesome start to a series that I dying to continue. Victoria Scott rocks.
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Candace
I’ve been wanting to read this since before it came out so I’m really happy to see your review. I need to get my hands on it!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I loved it Candace. I really hope you enjoy it, and the awesome-ness that are the pandoras too! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Wow, you really enjoyed this. I love the dystopian genre. Fire & Blood sounds action packed and I am curious about the plot. Great review Michelle
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yea, Kim I really enjoyed this one. I didn’t even know about the mixed reviews until after I was done reading it.
Giselle
I had fun with this one as well though the reviews are really all over the place with it. I do agree that the comparisons with THG, while I get it, this book is quite different overall. My favorite part was the pandoras! I loved finding out what each one could do. I want one!! >.< Great review, Michelle!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I had no idea the reviews were all over the place until I wrote mine and started looking at the others once I posted it to goodreads. I don’t read as many Dystopians and some other bloggers so I am wondering if there is dystopian burn out going around? Either way, I am obsessed with the pandoras too!
Missie
I am so glad you enjoyed this one, I could just not get past the MC’s attitude and dialogue!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Tella only bugged me at the start of the book. Once I saw her with the pandoras I was really moved by her connection with them. Sorry this one wasn’t for you Missy, but thanks for stopping by anyway 🙂
Ari T.
I agree with you about the obvious differences between this book and The Hunger Games. I’m still iffy on dystopians as a category of YA (or NA), but I do think Fire & Blood may be more to my liking as it’s about uncovering the history behind the Brimstone Bleed and the people behind it, and in cases like that, I like the built-up suspense and mystery reveal.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I don’t read too many dystopians anymore, so I am pretty picky about which ones I do pick up. It was more of a suspenseful mysterious feeling with the brimstone bleed so I think you will enjoy that about it.
Let me know what you think Ari! 🙂
Cait @ Notebook Sisters
I did enjoy this one, but not as much as I thought I would. 😉 I DID adore Tella and Guy though (although I toootally guessed what was up with Dink, like, only a few chapters in). It was awesome for once reading about a spunky girl who liked clothes and makeup and stuff and wasn’t slammed for it. Very refreshing. ;))
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Snaps to you for figuring Dink out. I didn’t. At all! haha I was all swoony for Tella and Guy though. I thought they were too cute.
Christy
Dang, Michelle. I’ve seen mixed reviews on this, but I know I tend to like the same books you do. Plus, I really like Victoria. I’ve been burned out on dystopians, but I’ll pick this up when the mood strikes again.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I don’t read that many Dystopians anymore Christy, so I am normally pretty selective on which ones I do pick up. But I really liked the pandoras and the mystery behind the Brimstone Bleed in this one. I wasn’t even aware that it got such mixed reviews until after. I was kind of surprised because I enjoyed it so much. I hope you like it if you try it!
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I’m really glad to read that you enjoyed Fire and Flood so much, Michelle, as it’s a book I’m really excited to read myself.
To read a story where the setting makes me almost feel like I’m there with the characters is something that always amazes me, it’s so much better than watching a movie 🙂
Great review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
The book does transport you to the various settings right alongside the characters. It made for a kind of intense read because they were going through some tough survival things. But it was all very vivid. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book
Angie @Angela's Anxious Life
I have seen quite a few people review this book. So it is perking up peoples interest. I like your review and it makes me interested in picking this book up from the library!!
Tabitha (Pabkins)
see – I didn’t consider this one dystopian at all. Sometimes I wonder if I have a completely different idea of what a dystopian is. A novel which has a society that is as dehumanizing and as unpleasant as possible (not necessarily futuristic). To me this is not dystopian at all because it’s not society that is different there is just this hidden corporation that are making people’s lives miserable (those family members that were descendant from the original scientists) so in essence not at all dystopian. Now if society as a whole or even the government were involved then yes.
Sorry for the rant! I’ve read like 4 reviews this week that called books dystopian that I didn’t agree were dystopian at all but hey everyone really does genre place their books differently that’s for sure.
I’m curious though what you consider dystopian. dish it!
Ria@aBookishEscape.com
ERMERGERSH!!!!!!!!! Um Salt & Stone any one? Lol!! so glad you loved this so.did.I.
I understand you questioning “the cure”…I figured medicine was sparse and this was the only way to save your loved one…but then Guy tells Tella what he knows about the pharmies and I about LOST IT lol seriously I was like “OMG self! OFC it had to be something totally amazing that no one knows about!! This is Victoria Scott!! and she’s pretty much the MOST Awesomest awesome EVER!!!” So yea, I get you 😉 Oh ps LOVED your review!! Flip tHG Katniss does NOT deserve Peeta.Ever. Lol I did say in my review that F&F is like the Golden Compass meets Hunger Games but only if you mix together the amazing parts… GAH I type too much!! lol great review and I love your BLOG!! So FUN!!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Your comment has made me smile! So much I need to talk about. Umm, yes! I was the exact same way with the pharmies! I did not see what coming.
Victoria is made of awesome.
Thank you Ria! I love your blog too. It always makes me feel warm and like summer when I visit 🙂
Lily B
humm I heard some up and down things about this one. The fact that it resembles Hunger Games irks me but I think it was the main character that has me kind of pulling away.
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight
I am so excited for this one, and I love that you loved it! I bought the Kindle edition, but just won a signed copy (!!!) so I am totally waiting for that.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Ooh Signed copy! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it Shannon. I’m a new follower of your blog. I hope you love it 🙂
Let me know when you read it!
Thea 'Gizzimomo' Wilson
I just love the sound of this book and have it on my Kindle to read soon, I’m pretty hyped to read it. Thanks for the fantastic review!
I’m a new Bloglovin follower
Thea @ Gizzimomo’s Book Shelf
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I hope you love this one Thea! I can’t get enough of it!
Juhina
ok.. I did NOT know this was dystopian! I assumed it was paranormal.. and a competition? i love those! (like THG and Divergent with the tests) AH! and to know you gave it 5 stars? ok I must get my hands on this ASAP!
– Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Well there is some debate whether this is dystopian or not because its not exactly the government, its more the whole world of the Brimstone Bleed that is dystopian esque. But still, You should totally read this one Juhina. I loved it! If you like competition books, this will be great for you.
kindlemom1
I am so happy to see this review because I agree, there are comparisons but this one holds it’s own.
Great review!
Gabs @ My Full Bookshelf
I will have to read this! I have been seeing it around a lot in Stacking the Shelves, but this is the first review of it I have read. Sounds awesome!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Thanks! The reviews are mixed on this book, but I really loved it!
Stephanie @ No BS Book Reviews
I LOVED this book! I’m always so happy when it gets new lovin’. <3 I too read this all in one sitting. IT WAS AWESOME!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yes! Stephanie, wasn’t it just awesome. I am a total guy fan! Plus tella with the pandoras- so great!!
Pzzike
I haven’t read this book, yet, but is on my wishlist and tbr and I can’t wait to read it. Great review:)
Jaime Lynn
There are reasons that I want to read this book, but Tella is by far the main one! I have heard amazing things about her as a character. A great character is one of the most important things in a story for me, so knowing this one has a great MC and just the fact that the story sounds AWESOME, make me think that I will love this one. Thanks for your review!