FellStar

Enjoyable

I really enjoyed reading The Silent Skater. I haven't read a modern story since high school. My preferences includes fantasy/paranormal/science fiction so I was pleasantly surprised when your story was able to maintain my attention all the way to the end. It is a challenge for me to get pulled into a genre I do not typically read. You have a way of making readers fall for your characters that is refreshing. Your writing style and story telling reminds me a little of Sarah Dessen.

I absolutely love Charlene. I loved seeing her grow as a skater and as a person. Melanie and Sarah also grew on me rather quickly. But I'm still so-so about Doug. Towards the end of the book he did finally start to grow on me. I strongly dislike her aunt. There are some inexcusable actions that I simply can't get over.

An issue I have is that you made these letters seem extremely important but we don't ever find out what her father written in them for ourselves. While we got her aunt and father's back story I feel a little stifled. I would have loved to know just who her father really was through the letters. I would have loved to see how Char would have reacted while reading her father's letters.

I would have liked "tough Doug" explained. It was brought up but never brought up again. Maybe if this was explained I would have understand Doug a lot better and not be on the fence about him. And I really wanted to know if Melanie and char were able to talk things out and mend their relationship. I really loved their bond.

Overall it was an enjoyable read.

Spirit of Fire

This is the first time I'm reading a book about elemental wielders set in a futuristic setting. I like it so far and I'm not a huge fan of futuristic settings. I do have to say that the first half of chapter one was rather difficult to maintain my attention. There is a lot of details (which throughout the rest of the chapters is amazing, if somewhat repetitive in a few cases.). In my personal opinion, I feel as if some details could have been left out or slowly brought into the story over time. You have some serious world building skills and a knack for descriptions. Your descriptions are well written and I have no problem visualizing what you wrote, but they can be a tad excessive sometimes.

However, after the first half of chapter one I found myself fully submersed into Spirit of Fire. I love the back and forth between Saffire and Coburn. I'm really looking forward to finding out more about the Shadow Realm and seeing just how much Saffire can grow into her position. I so very much want to see a confidence boost in her as her story progresses.

I just have to say I am not a huge fan of switching perspectives. I believe out of ten books I have read with different perspectives, I have only liked one. I find myself counting down the pages or skimming through the chapter. But this was such an easy transition and I love Coburn's character that I do not mind when it's in his perspective. His boyish charm won me over. I highly enjoy my time reading from his point of view. I can easily say that Spirit of Fire is the second book I like with switching perspectives.

And I absolutely LOVE the details and the pain I feel when reading about Saffire's hair. The bane, the love-hate relationship of those with curly hair. I have curly hair myself and the details are perfection. It is what it is. Taming the beast is a win-lose situation. We win some and we lose some. I truly feel for Saffire. Half the time I let my hair do as it pleases because I know with an absolutely certainty that I will not be taming it that day. I love the details. It's extremely relatable.

I look forward to seeing where Spirit of Fire heads to, how much the characters grow, and the world building that is ahead of you. This has amazing potential!