Something big is coming, and it is going to take you by surprise. Hunted by Fire by Jim Hepburn is a YA Fantasy novel that will grab you and leave you with chills in the first chapter, and will take you on a journey that will absolutely grip you. Brace yourself for the drama that is waiting to unfold.
Hunted by Fire draws readers with an eye-catching cover that depicts a hell-storm of chaos and destruction. A dragon sits enshrouded in smoke and clouds as baleful eyes look out at readers from the cover. Glowing a light that threatens retribution for not following the rules, it appears to watch the destruction that it has brought on an unsuspecting village.
Below the shadow of the dragon, houses are shown burning and their skeletons clinging to stand upright in the face of the inferno devouring them. It’s easy to guess that any who may have called those houses home…are either no longer among the living or barely escaped with their lives. The gods…are angry and demand retribution.
Hunted by Fire is a gripping YA fantasy novel that sets the stage with a group of friends outside of their small town. Where they are, they are all fearful of being caught. It won’t sound like an area that should be dangerous…unless creatures routinely descend from the sky to snatch them up. Is that the case in this particular scenario? No, but this group of teens has reason to be concerned.
Where they are? It’s an area forbidden to them. But there is a “marker” that declares that they have trespassed here before. This is where you will be introduced to young Felix and his friends who will be the focus of this story. The group is a mixed collective of individuals. They are all around the same age, but not all of them are friends. You’re quickly going to discover that one in particular is an absolute bully, and not liked much, if at all, by any in the group.
While author Hepburn takes a minute to lay out the dynamics of the group, you get a sense of anticipation that begins to build. These characters are fearful of something. This place that they are at…it’s a boundary. An area declared “off limits.” Why? Don’t worry, answers will be revealed along the way as the story progresses. What will really build the excitement in this book will be after they leave.
When you get to the final pages of chapter one in Hunted By Fire the hair on the back of your next is going to stand up, and you’re going to be pulled to the edge of your seat. Author Hepburn is going to be dropping hints of something big coming, and that Felix and his friends? They are the catalyst for it all.
As Hunted by Fire progresses, the pace of the story takes a dive. While chapter one builds anticipation and excitement the next couple of chapters take on a slower pace.
This slower pace in the story only lasts for a minute before author Hepburn begins to ramp things back up again. Gradually pieces of the puzzle will begin to come together. While some of the drama will be toned down for a few chapters the stage is slowly being put in place for what is to come.
Hunted by Fire is a novel told from the third-person perspective. Felix is the main focus of the story, but he won’t be the sole focus. As Hunted by Fire flows the story shifts between the focus being on Felix to the focus shifting to Harriett, one of his friends. Felix will be the primary focus of the story and so readers will spend a good amount of time learning about him.
Felix desires a better life, and he chafes at the restrictions that they are forced to live under. Of course, speaking the thoughts he thinks out loud? Dangerous at the very least…at worst? If heard by the wrong person could result in severe punishment. So, he chooses to push for a chance at more through innovation. His opportunity comes but at great risk.
Little by little Hunted by Fire is going to grab you with each turn of the page. An enormous danger is heading their way and they have no way of knowing it. You’ll wonder…”Where is this danger going to come from?” You can’t help but ask the question “Will they see it coming?” The way that author Hepburn orchestrates the story…your jaw is going to be on the floor. Prepare for the scene on the cover, which will be played out on these pages.
As Hunted by Fire continues to progress the storyline picks up and the characters are thrown into separate directions. You are now on a quest for answers. You will want to know…what happens next? Did anyone survive the devastation? What is going to happen to Harriett and Felix’s bully, Damien? Will the man that is hunting Felix and his friends find them? What will happen to them if he does?
Author Hepburn gives readers a character in Hunted by Fire that they will wish to despise, other than Damien, the bully. This character, the Vicar Constantine, can be classified as a morally gray character. He’s interesting and will absolutely intrigue readers each time he appears on the page. Constantine’s coldness gives him the appearance of being evil, however, compared to Damien, he’s a truly gray character. Readers will still dislike him based on his actions and ruthless nature, but they will also understand him.
Hunted by Fire is the first book in the Fires of Innovation series. As this book draws to a close you will get answers to some of your burning questions, but others will be left to linger. Will everyone that you meet at the beginning of this book make it to the end? Well, that is a question that you’ll have to answer for yourself by diving into this book.
Readers who enjoy thrilling fantasy novels with mysterious “sky gods”, a land locked in fear, but aspiring for more will not want to miss out on Hunted by Fire. This book gives readers a gripping beginning, and a few slower chapters, but it becomes engaging again and stays that way to the end. Packed with drama, interesting characters, and the promise of more to come this book is a must-read.
Pros:
- Gripping storyline
- Engaging
- Packed with drama
- Interesting characters
- Suitable for young readers
Cons:
- Sluggish pace with a couple chapters slowed the book down for a time.
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