YA Fantasy
Before
Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.
But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.
After
Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.
No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book where the plot doesn’t skip right into an epic journey with a fierce heroine at its heels. I, for one, appreciated the chance to read about a main character who not only struggles with a terrible situation but also deals with anxiety plus OCD, how this intensifies her problems tenfold, yet still manages to retain a bit of her spirit and willingness to protect the things she stands for.
Mira gets thrown into a literal pit in which she faces her worst demons (and even crueler evils). She is mistreated and comes close to dying several times due to the awful living conditions as a prisoner, and having lived a privileged life up until this point proves to make everything much harder. All of Mira’s weaknesses are laid out in this book but underneath them there’s so much MORE. Loyalty. Heart. Endurance. Several traits that make her an admirable not-yet heroine. I can see her potential and where she could lead this story.
Leaving Mira aside, Jodi Meadows does a great job drawing out the world in Before She Ignites. I liked how The Fallen Isles are tied to gods and each Island and their people have different ways and personalities. Looking forward to exploring each place and meeting more people (preferably outside a prison).
What Left Me Wanting More:
I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed in the lack of dragons in this book. They are often mentioned and they are THE reason why Mira is thrown into the pit (she is willing to protect them at all cost) but we don’t really interact with them, at least not in this installment. Pretty sure in the sequel we’ll see more action from them, but I kind of wanted to see them now.
Not so sure what to think about the romance either… or some of the side characters. Would love to read more about them, from their point of view if possible. They seem to have stories to tell!
Final Verdict:
Before She Ingites is a good read that lays the foundation to an intriguing world! One can only hope that the next book comes out soon to see where Mira’s journey leads. 🙂
— The Chef
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Tour Stops
Jodi Meadows wants to be a ferret when she grows up and she has no self-control when it comes to yarn, ink, or outer space. Still, she manages to write books. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy, the ORPHAN QUEEN Duology, and the FALLEN ISLES Trilogy (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen), and a coauthor of MY LADY JANE (HarperTeen). Visit her at Website: www.jodimeadows.com
Totally with you on this review, overall I really liked it but I wish there were more of a dragon presence in this book. Hopefully, in the next book though!
Great review,
~Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
Still haven't read this, darn shame! Great review, Melissa. Thanks for sharing!