*Welcome! Today is my stop of the Fire blog tour, below I've shared my thoughts on this exciting new mythological story!*
*Presented by: I.O. Book Tours*
(Hand of Kali, #1)
By: T.G. Ayer
Release Date: July 25th, 2013
Genre(s): YA Fantasy/Mythology
My Review (4/5 stars*)
I'm one of those people who devour anything and everything that contains mythology in it, the novel Fire which incorporates Hindu myth is no exception. It was a different kind of reading experience for me because I've never paid a lot of attention to Hindu Gods/Goddesses but they are superlatively riveting. Ayer weaves India's culture and beliefs together with fun fantasy-based twists. Maya, the main character of the story really grew on me. She becomes a stronger person as the story goes along and I loved seeing her wield her power, and have the ability to defend herself and others. Nik is the guy she has a crush on and their relationship is really interesting because he's keeping some fascinating secrets. I thought the inclusion of a variety of Hindu gods/goddesses kept things from getting stale—I loved discovering their history and abilities. The world created is compelling and all the characters are developed well, and the story will grip you from beginning to end.
Maya Rao is a sixteen-year-old girl with a big secret one she isn't even aware of. That is, until she attends a popular girl named Amber's party where she's attacked by a boy and she accidentally incinerates him. Maya doesn't believe her own eyes until her parents tell her he was a demon, and that she's the Hand of Kali. The truth of it all hits her hard and she has to step up and become a warrior. With the help of her family and friends she just may have a shot at ridding the world of demons also known as Rakshasas. Even with her newfound abilities and a goddess looking out for her, she has a lot of unseen enemies waiting to strike when she least expects it.
Fire is told from third person which usually makes me feel disconnected from the characters but the way it's written it pulls you in and engages you. Although the main heroine Maya is from India with strict cultural rules her family is flexible with her and allows her to pursue her own interests as opposed to her best friend who is also from India and adheres to them closely. Maya has really cool powers that allows her to throw fireballs and detect demons by scent. She also has some martial arts training and learns to fight with weapons thus making her an up-and-coming warrior. Maya sticks up for herself and tries to do the right thing so she has a lot going on internally and externally. I'm very curious to see where the romance aspect will go with Nik, and how the story will evolve later on.
Fire is a quick read with a ton of cool mythological figures from India, a powerful heroine, unpredictable events, and great side-characters. It is a slow-building story that takes some time to get into and has a lot of information that needs to be absorbed which I was personally fine with, there is just enough action to keep you reading. Overall it's a good start and I'm hooked with Fire. T.G. Ayer takes Hindu folklore and makes it just as enthralling as other popular mythology. Kali is an alluring goddess and I love reading about her and how Maya is connected. I'd recommend to young-adults interested in mythological stories—this one is captivating!
Synopsis:
Normal people sneak out to a party and have fun. Maya Rao ends the evening by incinerating the guy who attacks her. Nik
Lucas, sexy, new in town and totally forbidden, happens to walk in on
her. Normal guys would run for the hills. Nik knows a whole lot more
than he's telling.
Maya doesn't believe the gods are real, doesn't waste her time with mere mythology. But when gods, demons and hellhound's become the new normal and wielding fire becomes her new skill, she must decide what it is she really believes.
Can Maya accept that normal is something she will never be because it isn't normal to be ...the Hand of Kali.
Maya doesn't believe the gods are real, doesn't waste her time with mere mythology. But when gods, demons and hellhound's become the new normal and wielding fire becomes her new skill, she must decide what it is she really believes.
Can Maya accept that normal is something she will never be because it isn't normal to be ...the Hand of Kali.
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