Arson Review

Author: Estevan Vega
Release Date: May 4, 2010

Pages: 336 (Paperback)

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from author

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Arson was so unlike anything I've ever read. And it worked.

I'll admit that for the first 100 pages or so, it wasn't grabbing me. Then, out of nowhere, it did. Fully. I guess I had to give myself time to adjust to the uniqueness of the novel and connect with the characters.

And the characters. Geesh they were so...everything. Layered. Different. Easy to relate to. I don't know why, but it's so easy to fall for these characters that have inner and outer wounds that they can't escape from. Even when they make mistakes, you can't be too mad at them. I love it when I connect so well to the main characters, Arson and Emery. The rest were okay, but they were my favorites.

I'm not entirely sure what to call this genre. It had a fire boy, along with a girl unable to cope with the past, two very dysfunctional families, and subtle religious undertones....It wasn't an action-packed paranormal like I'd expected, but more a beautiful story that's easy to get invested in.

I'm pretty sure this is the start to a potentially amazing new series. Basically, read Arson. It's a story that will stay with you.

Book Report:

Plot: Slow moving at first, but ends up being gripping.

Characters: I love Arson and Emery, but the others are pretty crazy.

Writing: So good.

Ending: There's a sequel, right?!?

How kid friendly is it? Slight drinking and drug use and mentions of sex, but it's never graphic at all.

Should I read it? If you need action, then no. But if you can appreciate a great story, definitely.

Overall: