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Fireseed One

by Catherine Stine (Goodreads Author)

4.28 of 5 stars 4.28 · rating details · 40 ratings · 28 reviews

What if Only Your Worst Enemy Could Help You Save the World?

Fireseed One, a YA futuristic thriller, is set on earth in 2089 where people ride tricked-out amphibious vehicles over toxic waters, dance in ice-themed clubs and eat fish that grow up on vines in floating warehouses. Varik Teitur inherits a vast sea farm after the mysterious drowning of his marine biologist fath...more

Paperback, 296 pages

Published December 2nd 2011 by Konjur Road Press (first published March 23rd 2010)

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Jan 23, 2013 Betty Cross rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopia

Try to imagine a world where global warming has gotten so bad that planet earth is almost uninhabitable below the US-Canadian border, with high temperatures exceeding 135 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Fortunately, the polar region has mild weather and people live either on houseboats or on now-liveable Arctic islands like Vostok and Svalbard. This is the Sea Dominion. It's also rather nice in Canada, now known as the Land Dominion. But below the Land D is the Hotzone, where daily life is a...more Try to imagine a world where global warming has gotten so bad that planet earth is almost uninhabitable below the US-Canadian border, with high temperatures exceeding 135 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Fortunately, the polar region has mild weather and people live either on houseboats or on now-liveable Arctic islands like Vostok and Svalbard. This is the Sea Dominion. It's also rather nice in Canada, now known as the Land Dominion. But below the Land D is the Hotzone, where daily life is a struggle to evade the intense heat. Some Hotzone residents try to escape over the Berlin-wall like barrier that separates the Hotzone from Land D.

Is this world a utopia or a dystopia? It depends on whom you ask. Varik, son and heir to a polar floating agar farm, has it pretty good, considering agar is a main source of food and other products for both dominions. Marisa Barone, daughter of a real estate developer, also has it pretty good.

But if you live in the Hotzone, it's a tough life. Daytime temperatures can kill you. Hotzone residents -- the few that haven't died -- stay indoors and only come out at night, when the children forage for beetles with long sticks, and insect meat loaf is the result. It's alleged to be delicious once you get used to the idea. Hotzone residents who try to escape to the North had earned the derogatory nickname "refs," not only for themselves but for all Hotzone residents.

That's the setup. Marisa has seen how poorly paid her father's Hotzone origin workers are, and her cause is to get Varik and others like him to share their agrotechnology with the Hotzone people, the "refs" he despises. They begin as enemies, and how they become friends is one the most convincing and satisfying features of this tightly written, skillfully paced Young Adult sci-fi novel.

The unlikely pair bond while on a seemingly quixotic mission to find a living specimen of an experimental plant called Fireseed which can grow in any environment and cross-pollinated with practically anything. Do they find it? I don't put spoilers in my reviews, but if your curiosity has been provoked, prepare yourself for a fast paced adventure through a bizarre and forbidding but fascinating science-fictional environment.(less)

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Mar 15, 2012 Paige Bradish rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: rewind-review-challenge

Wow I was a little afraid that I wouldn’t end up liking this book but the more that I read the more that I loved it. The book was a little out of my comfort zone being a book about weird plants in the future well that’s not what they book is about but it’s a pretty big part of the story. Now I know what your thinking a book about plants yeah right but it’s so much more then that!

Now for the characters we have the main character Varik (They have some cool names in the future) Varik is an 18 year...more Wow I was a little afraid that I wouldn’t end up liking this book but the more that I read the more that I loved it. The book was a little out of my comfort zone being a book about weird plants in the future well that’s not what they book is about but it’s a pretty big part of the story. Now I know what your thinking a book about plants yeah right but it’s so much more then that!

Now for the characters we have the main character Varik (They have some cool names in the future) Varik is an 18 year old who grows up apart of his dads plant business but it’s not just a plant business these plants feed the whole world. Ahh now you see why there so important. Varik’s dad dies and he needs to take over but soon after his dad dies all the crops to feed the world have died and he has to figure out why. Now on his little journey he takes the girl that breaks into his fathers vault Marisa.

Marisa is the enemy at first she is against everything that Varik is about. She is apart of the ZWC which plans to steel some plant seeds so that they can have more food then they’re getting. But their plan goes wrong because even though they steel the discs Marisa still gets caught. Along this journey Varik and Marisa start to warm up to each other. Varik starts to trust her and they start to fall in love. I’m glad they fell in love by the way because opposites definitely attract!

Varik is a strong independent guy who is sensitive but also he’s able to stand up for himself and those he loves. He just wants to help people he never wanted to be apart of his dads business but found himself right in the middle of it because of his fathers death. Marissa the same way doesn’t want to be apart of her fathers business she hates him but the only difference is she gets away goes off and does her own things learns her own lessons which is why her and Varik get together in the end.

Overall I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It was a beautifully written book and I can’t wait to see more of these characters in future books. I recommend this story to anyone who likes I think Science Fiction and Fantasy! It’ll really make your head spin in a good way!(less)

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May 06, 2013 Damali rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Kat Falls fans

Shelves: sci-fi, dystopian-pa-zombies-survivalist

Futuristic world where the temperature gets close to 200 degrees and people have to wear protective clothing. The only available food is grown on sea farms and rationed to the rest of the world. Varik inherited a sea farm from his genius inventor father. He grows Agar, which can be used for anything from building material to food. When his farm is sabotaged, he's forced to travel to the Hotzone -- once known as the United States -- to search for the fabled Fireseed plant that will hopefully solv...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

THE RUNDOWN

In prime post-apocalyptic fashion, Catherine Stine’s FireSeed One takes readers on an adventure through a world devastated by global warming. The world as we know it has fallen to ruin. Spiking temperatures have caused much of the United States and other nations near the equator to become uninhabitable. Humans have taken up living in the polar regions on boats or man-made islands. In such a harsh world, our protagonist, eighteen-year-old Varik, has had it relatively easy. His father i...more THE RUNDOWN

In prime post-apocalyptic fashion, Catherine Stine’s FireSeed One takes readers on an adventure through a world devastated by global warming. The world as we know it has fallen to ruin. Spiking temperatures have caused much of the United States and other nations near the equator to become uninhabitable. Humans have taken up living in the polar regions on boats or man-made islands. In such a harsh world, our protagonist, eighteen-year-old Varik, has had it relatively easy. His father is one of the agar farmers, cultivating sea life for the Earth's dwindling food supply. But then, Varik’s father dies unexpectedly, leaving Varik in charge. To top off his plight, a thief tries to make away with his father’s precious stock of plant seeds, seeds that Varik needs to keep the agar farm growing. When Varik confronts the thief and stop her, he learns the burglar is Marissa, a rich, powerful young lady who has fallen in with a group of terrorists. Together Varik and Marissa, with help from his lovable sidekick best friend, set off to help those suffering in the Hotzone regions. They must find the elusive Fireseed plant, the possible salvation of those starving in the hottest parts of the world.

The first thing I noticed about FireSeed One was the amount of time and thought Stine put into the creation of Varik’s world. Stine did not miss a beat, including those small, but ever so important, details about life on an agar farm. Extensive research must have gone into building such an elaborate world. It is this detail that separates the so-so stories from the epic feats of world building wonder. I was impressed with how Stine seemed to know the ins and outs of her planet. It really added depth to a fast-paced, interesting story.

The characters were likable, with the exception of Marissa who, I suspect, was meant to be menacing. The plot was well-paced. There were times, however, when I felt as though I was not properly “seeing” Stine’s world. Descriptive detail is a must when presenting a world so different from our own and I felt there were times when it was lacking. I also felt as though the story could use a well-formed antagonist to keep our heart pumping through those middle chapters.

THE RECOMMENDATION

Speculative fiction lovers will enjoy Stine’s take on how our society will evolve. Minor problems aside, the price point is right at $2.99 and the nine illustrations add to the value of a well-done book. (less)

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Nov 26, 2012 Mina Burrows rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fireseed One is a riveting futuristic fantasy tale that is classic YA with more than enough to sustain the die-hard adult sci-fi fans. I found the world Stine created reminiscent of best-selling, middle-grade Dark Life series by Kat Falls. However, in Fireseed One, Stine takes the global warming fantasy tale to a whole new level. In the beginning, we meet a reluctant hero, Varik, a young man who's forced to run his family farm after the passing of his father. Straight away, Varik is thrust into...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Nickie rated it 4 of 5 stars

'Fireseed One' is set in a future where mankind is finally seeing the horrible results of pollution and global warming. The 'haves' live in Land Dominion or Ocean Dominion, colonies set up far north where temperatures are still reasonable. The 'have nots' live in the barren deserts and wastelands in the southern parts of the world, burned and killed by the harsh sun and high temperatures.

Eighteen year old Varik has dreams of going to college when his father, an agar farmer, dies unexpectedly in...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Katja aka Tink rated it 3 of 5 stars

I received Fireseed One from author Catherine Stine, for an honest review. It took me a while to get into the book, because I lean towards character rather than plot driven stories. It was at about page 120 when I finally decided that I liked Varik and Marisa and then I was turning the pages eagerly. Up until that point I kept reading because the of the plot and the world, but lacked an emotional connection to the story.

Catherine Stine's given the novel a lovely, personal touch with her own illu...more

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Mar 03, 2012 Red rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I first received the review request for Fireseed One, I was hesitant about taking it on. It sounded interesting enough and although that logic has led me astray before, I'm glad I took the chance. I always enjoy a good adventure and this book provided just that. Now I'll try not to give away much so you'll have to read it yourself.

It took me a little while to get into the story but once I did, I found myself caught up in a futuristic world with characters that made me laugh and cheer them o...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Michael Offutt rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book pretty quickly. It's told in first person from the perspective of a guy named Varik. When we first meet him, we discover through his own eyes and thoughts that he's got a lot of chips on his shoulder with regard to the death of his father and eco terrorists. But as the story progresses, and he is confronted by the awful living conditions of those in the rest of the world, he grows to not only understand the important legacy left behind by his genius father, but how he alone can...more I read this book pretty quickly. It's told in first person from the perspective of a guy named Varik. When we first meet him, we discover through his own eyes and thoughts that he's got a lot of chips on his shoulder with regard to the death of his father and eco terrorists. But as the story progresses, and he is confronted by the awful living conditions of those in the rest of the world, he grows to not only understand the important legacy left behind by his genius father, but how he alone can now change the world. Oh and Varik finds love in the most unlikely of places.

The world of "Fireseed One" is carefully crafted by Ms. Stine. It is Earth, but hardly recognizable because the world has gone through an ecological Armageddon. The world's population does not have enough of the things that you and I would take for granted: clean water, food, shelter, and medicine. The rich seem to fare much better than most, and even in Las Vegas (which is now beach front property because California is gone), people walk around in suits that both protect them from the sun's rays, but are still fashionable with fins and projectiles coming off the garments. Strange, right?

But I kind of liked it. There is no swearing in this book. Stine goes the route of Battlestar Galactica and substitutes words like "frying" for the much spoken "f-bomb." I think I would have preferred some "f-bombs" myself, but whatever. "Fireseed One" is essentially squeaky clean with no sex (just a little talk about it), no real violence (a lot of intense talking and one dude gets his nose broke), no real villain, and no real "risks". The plot is pretty straight forward. Varik needs to find Fireseed (a plant that can grow without water, combine with other plants making them prolific, and be a huge food source).

He goes on a journey that takes him here and there and with the lovely Marisa (an eco-terrorist that he grows to love), they find Fireseed and everyone lives happily ever after (well Varik has a plant growing out of his arm, and I have no idea where that's going).

The tension in the book comes from putting the characters continuously at risk in their environment: lack of water, burning up because of severe sun exposure (the atmosphere no longer adequately shields the land from the deadly sun's rays), having to eat food made from beetles...basically the stuff you get by watching Bear Grylls "Man vs. Wild" only without the infamous Bear Grylls bat guano enema.

I think the things I liked most about this book are Catherine's incredible interior illustrations, the world-building, and the hard science that made me appreciate the astounding amount of research she went to in writing this book. Stine never runs out of clever ideas. The idea of a genetically rugged plant like Fireseed is clever. So are fish growing from vines. And the different zones on Earth are also clever (as well as the Streamarazzi-think paparazzi but with a cooler name).

I recommend this book highly to young readers eager to explore safe science fiction without the risk of scary monsters, violence, swearing, sex, or basically anything adult.(less)

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Jan 13, 2012 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

FOLLOW ME TO THE HOTZONE! FIRESEED ONE A SCI-FI ADVENTURE FOR EVERY ONE.
BY KATHERINE STINE.
Just a month after his father is found drowned, Varik finds that the vaults holding valuable seeds for his farm are being stolen. He is forced to face the facts that due to global warming the world are a mess and it is up to him and the rebel robber he caught red-handed to head off to save the world from starvation. Varik must also face truths about the people around him as he and the beautiful daughter of...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Erleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

You can also view this review at Books For YA!

Fireseed One took me into a futuristic realm where the world is divided into three parts; The Land Dominion, Ocean Dominion and the Hotzone. In this world, humans who live in the Hotzone was scorched to death, no ordinary plant can survive the intense heat of the sun and the only source of food came from the sea-farms in the Ocean Dominion.

Varik, inherited the biggest sea-farms in Ocean Dominion when his famous marine biologist father died and becaus...more You can also view this review at Books For YA!

Fireseed One took me into a futuristic realm where the world is divided into three parts; The Land Dominion, Ocean Dominion and the Hotzone. In this world, humans who live in the Hotzone was scorched to death, no ordinary plant can survive the intense heat of the sun and the only source of food came from the sea-farms in the Ocean Dominion.

Varik, inherited the biggest sea-farms in Ocean Dominion when his famous marine biologist father died and because of this inheritance that he met Marissa, a ZWC terrorist who tried to robbed his vault full of sea disks. Marissa knew something Varik didn't know. It's about a pet project of Varik's dad that he abandoned after the tragic incident which caused the death of Varik's mother.This plant is called Fireseed and it can survive without water and can crossbreed to other plants to create a super plant that can withstand anything.

Varik didn't believe it at first but when a mysterious calamity threatened to destroy the only food source in the world, Varik have no choice but to go on a quest to find the Fireseed.

I have a mixed emotions in the characters of this book. Varik was likable. He was responsible, sensitive, smart and courageous but I didn't feel a strong connection to his character. On the other hand, I feel the opposite with Marissa. There is an instant connection between us that I can't explain. She's a bit naive, rebellious and impulsive but she's not just that. She's also strong-willed and independent which are the qualities I liked about heroines.

The world Catherine Stine created was believable, I feel like I time-travelled into 2089. It's fascinating and haunting, both as the same time. The ideas from this book is so out of this world, my geeky side was amazed. I would love to see cross-breeds between plants and fish and a suit that can adapt to its environment like a chameleon.

Overall, it was a great read. Fireseed One will take you to a thrilling, action-filled adventure that you will never forget.(less)

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Oct 25, 2012 Alison DeLuca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fireseed gripped me from the start. Stine introduced the action, the concept, and the characters right away, and I loved all of them. Varik, the son of an agar farmer who has to shoulder responsibilities too large for anyone, let alone an adolescent, is strong and intelligent. More than that - he is REAL. He makes bad decisions and gets crushes, and I thoroughly related to him right away.

Marisa, the girl who breaks into the precious seed discs that keep Varik's agar farm going, is also real. Yes...more

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Alison DeLuca Fireseed One seized my attention from the start. Stine introduced the action, the concept, and the characters right away, and I loved all of them. Var...more Fireseed One seized my attention from the start. Stine introduced the action, the concept, and the characters right away, and I loved all of them. Varik, the son of an agar farmer who has to shoulder responsibilities too large for anyone, let alone an adolescent, is strong and intelligent. More than that - he is REAL. He makes bad decisions and gets crushes, and I thoroughly related to him right away.

Marisa, the girl who breaks into the precious seed discs that keep Varik's agar farm going, is also real. Yes, she is beautiful with long, red hair and a gorgeous figure. yes, she is rich, and she is also brave and intelligent. But she also makes mistakes, and it is those fatal flaws that make her and Varik so human. Marisa has been "seduced" (in every sense of the word) by a political group. This compels much of the action.

No one, except for Varik, realizes how important the seed discs and the agar crop are. When the whole farm nearly is destroyed, it puts the entire world in jeopardy of starvation, since food no longer grows in the "Hot Zone" which is most of the US.

Varik's father developed something called Fireseed years before the action begins, and it is this mysterious plant that Marisa is after. When the farm is nearly shut down, Fireseed becomes the last hope for the human race.

This may sound very serious and grand-scheme, but Stine also focuses on the relationship between Varik and Marisa, which is touching and also very real. The arcs of the story ebb and flow perfectly, like the waves around Varik's farm, and I breathlessly followed all of them.

Add to this Stine's lovely prose, and the book is very compelling. I had to ration it out because I loved reading it so much, but at the end I just couldn't stop.

Beyond that, in this installment Stine has presented a complete adventure. However, at the end, there is a twist that makes me long for the next book. That is a very difficult thing to do, and the writer has pulled it off brilliantly.

I highly recommend Fireseed One.(less)
Oct 23, 2012 06:14am

Jan 27, 2012 Stephen Graff rated it 5 of 5 stars

A THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINING PAGE TURNER

Catherine Stine's dystopian novel FIRESEED ONE immediately pulls the reader into a strange, new world. The description of the setting--from the physical architecture of it to the natural land and seascapes--is itself compelling enough that it drives the story. I could see it in the next James Cameron film and, as setting is so important to a good dystopian story, it helps to set up the turning points in this novel. It also helps that Ms. Stine is an accomplis...more A THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINING PAGE TURNER

Catherine Stine's dystopian novel FIRESEED ONE immediately pulls the reader into a strange, new world. The description of the setting--from the physical architecture of it to the natural land and seascapes--is itself compelling enough that it drives the story. I could see it in the next James Cameron film and, as setting is so important to a good dystopian story, it helps to set up the turning points in this novel. It also helps that Ms. Stine is an accomplished illustrator. Her visual depictions are shown throughout the novel. Good science fiction explores how technology will change. Some writers get too caught up in the details. Stine's descriptions are, just by themselves, worth reading and could be another book. She's clearly done her homework in researching how society might create food for itself in the event of environmental collapse. The classic dystopian elements are also in place. It's a world at war between the have and have nots. A place where authority hovers like an ominous shadow.

Like those imaginative science fiction masters Heinlein, Asimov, and D'Engle, Ms. Stine provides a techno-cool descriptive language interlaced with darkly humorous satiric asides to present this ravaged world, fighting environmental devastation. Human inhabitants struggle to survive, but many intrepid characters have managed to make out pretty well despite the harsh climates and rash of invasive species. Varik is the young narrator/protagonist, a young man still recovering from the mysterious death of his father. As the novel begins, he is attacked by a strange young woman, Marisa. He manages to capture and imprison her, and he is now trying to figure out who she is. Good writers are always careful to reveal just enough information and Stine understands this. There is a always a sense of mystery throughout. We can identify with Varik. What he doesn't know, we also don't know. And what he wants to find out, we also want to find out. We also want to know who Marisa is in the classic tradition of noir and detective books. Is she working for the enemy, the terrorists who may have killed Varik's father? Is she in love with their leader? Is she falling for Varik? This combination of attention to the right kind of detail and letting the story drive itself is the inner strength of FIRESEED ONE. As the novel progresses, the stakes get higher and the central mysteries--including the search for the key to the planet's survival, Fireseed One--deepen.

I was completely transported into the setting, taken aback by the boldness of the writing, and pulled along by a story that revealed itself in pieces--so that by the end the pieces could be assembled by a careful reader. A great reading choice for fans of science and dystopian fiction, and general readers looking for a literary work that is, at the same time, a thoroughly entertaining page turner.
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Mar 13, 2012 Alex Bennett added it

I’m not a fan of science fiction. However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying Fireseed One immensely. Because even though it is sci-fi—heavily so—it was an action-packed, emotional thrill ride that made me forget about the genre, and instead focus on the characters and their journey.

Fireseed One is based in a highly imaginative futuristic world where land is a desert wasteland, and people have chosen to build their lives on and around the water to survive. Everything is barren and dry, and there...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Sophia C rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was very good, and more people should know about it. The illustrations are lovely, the characters are better than a lot of other book and the world building was very impressive. I liked the male protagonist a lot, which is rare because I actually believed that he was a guy, not a female author trying to make a realistic guy.

Varik was a good main character. Though I didn't love him or hate him, I wanted him to succeed and I did care about him. Marisa was the heroine and I went from liki...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Vicki rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you're looking for a fast-paced good read about a perhaps not-to-distant-future, check out Stine's latest thriller. The characters are engaging and real, the descriptions are beautifully written, and the romance is sweet without being sappy. Stine wowed me with her stunning illustrations, too. If you haven't read anything by Stine, you are in for a great treat. Don't miss this roller coaster adventure!
-Vicki Wittenstein, author of PlANET HUNTER: GEOFF MARCY AND THE SEARCH FOR OTHER EARTHS (Bo...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Shelly Blackmore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, fantasy

Received Fireseed One from a Goodreads giveaway - Thanks!

Let me start by saying, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were likable (or not, as required) and easy to care about, and the world created by Cahterine Stine was absolutely remarkable. A futuristic tale of an Earth where the polar caps have melted, leaving the States and areas southward nearly uninhabitalbe, with temps soaring in the mid to upper 100's. Man has adapted, though, learning to grow engineered crops on man-made farming...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Donna Galanti rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: teens, adults

Fireseed One is a captivating thriller set in a futuristic, toxic world teetering on chaos and crisis. Danger, loss, love, and redemption all tie together with rich characters to make for one imaginative blast.

Varik, a young man struggling to manage his family’s farm alone after his father’s death, finds himself thrust into a deadly mission to save the world’s future food source. It gets worse for him. He must do it with his father’s arch enemy’s daughter, Marisa, who wants to save the world’s...more Fireseed One is a captivating thriller set in a futuristic, toxic world teetering on chaos and crisis. Danger, loss, love, and redemption all tie together with rich characters to make for one imaginative blast.

Varik, a young man struggling to manage his family’s farm alone after his father’s death, finds himself thrust into a deadly mission to save the world’s future food source. It gets worse for him. He must do it with his father’s arch enemy’s daughter, Marisa, who wants to save the world’s food now – not later. Sworn enemies caught together in a quest to save the world, they must trust each other against instinct.

Stine creates a believable place full of dark wonder where one crop item is utilized to feed, clothe, and shelter the world. Now its extinction looms – and the only way to save the world is to find the one miracle plant Varik’s father engineered, Fireseed One. It’s been created to breed with other plants and miraculously grows in the deadly Hotzone. And Varik and Marisa must find it in the face of great odds.

Stine beautifully draws Varik and Marisa together as they learn to trust to survive. We suffer with them through a terrifying world where the land is an uninhabitable hot zone and the seas are poisonous sludge. A place that seems oh-so real. Once you put the book down it haunts you. You wonder if it could happen in your lifetime.

And as Varik begins to doubt his father, the secrets pile up and he questions what is truth and what is fiction. Did he ever really know his father? In this lies the seed that transforms Varik from child to man. We feel his pain, through Stine’s aching prose. And we want to follow his journey.

In a fiery, dying world Varik and Marisa come together in love and Stine’s lyrical language shines through. Can Varik and Marisa complete their mission in their darkest hour and if so, can they survive the journey back? No spoilers here but you will be in a race to find out.

In Fireseed One, Stine takes us on a painful but heartfelt coming of age story of two people discovering that sometimes your enemy can be your greatest friend, and all is not as it seems. Stine has created compelling, complex characters in Varik and Marisa.

Stine has created a world as deep and layered as our own, where its own language flows into the story seamlessly. She gives us a beautiful, bittersweet story of survival and love, where two young adults come to terms with who their parents are and who they are. And they face it with the grace of an adult not the petulance of a child anymore. This unique, refreshing story reveals pioneers in a new age, willing to risk the unknown and death for a better life. They are the pioneers of a new frontier. And you want them to survive and succeed at all odds.
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May 25, 2012 Beverly McClure rated it 5 of 5 stars

FIRESEED ONE
By Catherine Stine
Illustrated by Catherine Stine

Sometimes the people we know are not who we think they are, even if they’re our parents. Sometimes our worst enemy turns out to be the person we care about the most. Life changes, and we often find ourselves having to make tough decisions. In Author Catherine Stine’s young adult novel, Fireseed One, eighteen-year-old Varik faces challenges he never dreamed of when he inherits a sea farm after his father’s death. Since his mother was mu...more FIRESEED ONE
By Catherine Stine
Illustrated by Catherine Stine

Sometimes the people we know are not who we think they are, even if they’re our parents. Sometimes our worst enemy turns out to be the person we care about the most. Life changes, and we often find ourselves having to make tough decisions. In Author Catherine Stine’s young adult novel, Fireseed One, eighteen-year-old Varik faces challenges he never dreamed of when he inherits a sea farm after his father’s death. Since his mother was murdered years earlier, Varik is now left alone to carry on the important business of growing food for people in many of the sectors of Ocean Dominion that depend on the produce from Varik’s farm.

Problems plague him from the start, and he soon finds himself on a mission with Marissa, a thief, to discover the whereabouts of his father’s pet project, Fireseed One, that could save the world from starvation. As the two teens search not only for the plants but for answers to questions about their families, their relationship changes from hostile and distrustful to the beginnings of love. A gentle love story between two former enemies is just the right touch for Catherine Stine‘s futuristic adventure. The author has developed a world with familiar places, like Kansas, Vegas, Black Hills, that now are so hot people must wear special suits to survive, and also new places under the sea where most of the world’s food is grown. It makes me wonder if someday our major food sources might come from the sea. An interesting thought.

The author’s illustrations complement the writing, giving the reader a glimpse into Varik’s and Marissa’s lives. I especially like the little fellow on page 245. What is it? You’ll have to read the book to see. The characters have faults like real people, which makes them more human. You’ll want to help them each time they face danger and decisions, at least I did. I recommend Fireseed One for science fiction lovers, adventure lovers, and readers who enjoy young romance. The book would be a great addition to middle school and high school libraries, too. The novel ends with another dilemma for Varik to solve that, in my opinion, is very creative. I just hope book two comes out soon.

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Oct 23, 2012 Helen Mallon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Why illustrate fiction? Isn't narrative enough? Since the 19th century heyday of Charles Dickens's ardent collaborations with artists George Cruikshank and Phiz, a trickle of writers has experimented with this hybrid art form. At best, story and image interact, energizing the reading experience. Such is the case with Catherine Stine's YA speculative novel, FireSeed One. Her engagement with environmental issues and the detailed world she creates will appeal to adult readers as well.

Stine art dire...more Why illustrate fiction? Isn't narrative enough? Since the 19th century heyday of Charles Dickens's ardent collaborations with artists George Cruikshank and Phiz, a trickle of writers has experimented with this hybrid art form. At best, story and image interact, energizing the reading experience. Such is the case with Catherine Stine's YA speculative novel, FireSeed One. Her engagement with environmental issues and the detailed world she creates will appeal to adult readers as well.

Stine art directed the project, working with graphic artist Jay Montgomery on a richly imagined cover for her vision of a dystopian North America wracked by global warming. FireSeed's frontispiece contains a map of the "dominions" in our potential future. There's a Hotzone where killing temperatures burn the leg off a young boy stuck in a rock crevice; Land Dominion, bordered on the West by Vegas-by-the-Sea, and protected from Hotzone refugees by a "huge border wall"; and the once-arctic Ocean Dominion, where 18-year-old Varik Teitur is hurled into the story when he discovers that his dead father's underwater seed vault has been vandalized.

The seed code disks that hold the world's remaining food supply are in jeopardy. After a small figure in a silver diving suit "rockets" from the vault, Varik must face the truth of his father's murder and embark with his enemy, Marisa Baron, on a quest for the mythical FireSeed food plant, rumored to thrive in blowtorch conditions.

Stine herself contributed 9 illustrations to the text. She kept me turning pages, not just because of her skillful rendering of relationship as Varik and his red-haired, quarrelsome nemesis are forced to work together to save the planet and its politicized factions.

I was delighted to discover Stine's drawings of "fish plants that were an early cross-species hybid," the catlike bird that relentlessly tails Varik and Marisa's flycar, and the hooded members of the hostile FireSeed desert cult. These did not eclipse my images of the narrative; rather they were frames that led to rich interplay between narrative and mental vision.

Having experienced the surprise ending in which Varik's body changes in a startling way, I can't wait to see his growth as a character in Stine's sequel.(less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Sheri rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: teens, adults, adventure lovers

Recommended to Sheri by: I want to thank the author for providing me with a copy for review.

Shelves: contest-giveaway

A tale of a futuristic world, where land and water battle against the odds and each other in order to survive.

Despite being out of my regular scope of interest, I enjoyed this story. There was life and emotion throughout the plot, which melded nicely with the subplots. The writer's word choices were appropriate and flowed from one chapter to the next. I really liked how the information about the world, inhabitants, and conflicts were released to the reader. It made sense and was quite plausible....more

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Mar 08, 2012 Ezmirelda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, 4-stars, romance, original, must-read

Fireseed One starts off with the protagonist Varik, a boy who has recently lost his father and has a lot on his plate. The story’s action starts off when Varik discovers a strange girl trying to steal seed disks. He catches her before she can get away, holds her captive, and tries to find out more about her. They go on an adventure to search for a hybrid plan through the hot zone, facing many obstacles along the way.

I thought the whole plot of Fireseed One an extremely clever one. The adventure...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Angel rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I agreed to read Fireseed One. All I knew was that it sounded really interesting, and I’ve wanted to jump-start my fantasy reads for a long time now. So I am very happy to say that I really enjoyed Fireseed One, and was really impressed with the author, Catherine Stine.
Fireseed One takes place in a future world. Global warming has taken place, and everything is far from perfect. People are quite literally burning to death from heat levels...more I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I agreed to read Fireseed One. All I knew was that it sounded really interesting, and I’ve wanted to jump-start my fantasy reads for a long time now. So I am very happy to say that I really enjoyed Fireseed One, and was really impressed with the author, Catherine Stine.
Fireseed One takes place in a future world. Global warming has taken place, and everything is far from perfect. People are quite literally burning to death from heat levels way above normal, and most are starving. It was a sad look on just what could happen to the world, and I really enjoyed reading about a future that wasn’t so bright, like most futuristic books will have you believe.
I loved the illustrations in this novel. I liked that the author not only showed you in words what things looked like, but showed you with actual images. They were often beautiful (just like the book’s cover), or kind of freaky (which was intended). Either way, I loved them, and got excited whenever an image showed up on the page.
Our hero, Varik, was a nice character to read about. It is not often that I read YA books from the male perspective, and when I do, I am always a little let down. That is not the case with Fireseed One. Varik was interesting, semi-witty, and although he could sometimes start to fade into the background of forgettable characters, he always redeemed himself, and I liked him.
Our heroine, Marisa, was nice, too. I didn’t really like her at first, but she grew on me.
She was strong, brave about most things, and really out there. I like a girl who can speak her mind.
Varik’s friend, Audun, was easily my favorite character. I loved how witty and loyal he was, and I was sad he was absent for most of the middle and end of the book.

Fireseed One is a true fantasy-adventure! It grabbed me from the first chapter and didn’t let go. I was always left wanting more at the end of each chapter, and I was forced to read well into the night because of this book. I love when that happens. It was thrilling, exciting, and an overall great story. Catherine Stine is a wonderful story teller, and I enjoyed her writing style greatly.
My only complaint is the relationship between Varik and Marisa. I didn’t understand it.
Sure—every book needs a little romance, and don’t get me wrong; Fireseed One did not overdo the romance—but I just wasn’t feeling it. It seemed to me that one minute, Varik really disliked Marisa (and for good reason, too!) and then the next—he was kissing her! I must have missed the sudden growth of feelings between them, but still. I would have liked for them to get to know each other a bit more before that happened.
Also, some of the dialogue was kind of awkward, or just over the top. Varik often said things that I would have expected Marisa to say, because, well… she’s a girl. Needless to say, Varik could say some pretty funny things.

Overall, Fireseed One will have you on the edge of your seat, cheering for these characters every step of the way. It won’t let you go until the last page, and will leave you wondering just what will happen next. Even now, the story is still fresh in my mind, and refusing to let go!
If you’re a fan of fantasy that isn’t over the top, action-adventure with a bit of romance—read this book. You won’t be sorry. Catherine Stine is an author to look out for, and shines brightly with this stunning thriller.

“There’s only so far you can pry into someone’s soul before they protest. But I have to say Marisa builds her walls faster than anyone I’ve ever met, and, as close as I’ve gotten to her, it still brings me down.” –Fireseed One(less)

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Mar 07, 2012 Allison Levine rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone

I absolutely loved this book. Catherine Stine has a wonderful knack of creating believeable twists and turns all thruogh the book there was even a point where I said out loud "really?" because I thought those poor kids couldn't take anymore. But they did! I loved the interaction between Varik and Marissa it was believable and endearing. The imagery was beautiful and well described and the illustrations just took it to an even better level. Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down, i...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

An adventure story set in a futuristic world. Ideal for the young adult audience, it has all the right ingredients. A hint of romance, fast paced, goodies and baddies and a hero destined to save the world from famine. The story is also written in a youthful tone which adds to its appeal. I think this story would translate well into a computer game or adventure film!

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Dec 19, 2011 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fireseed One is a "hard to put down" unique novel. Stine has done a great job drawing us into Varik's world - not just the interesting, scary, and intriguing futuristic landscape, but also Varik's inner world which was easy to connect with immediately. The subtle social commentary and sharp wit added to the well-crafted suspense in this novel.

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Jul 08, 2012 Kristen N. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-giveaway

Catherine Stine will capture most readers with Fireseed One. Catherine Stine has created a futuristic world with characters with characters that will have to laughing and cheering right along with them. In Fireseed One global warming has already happened, creating a dystopian society. Catherine Stine created Varik and Marisa, the two main characters in Fireseed One to be likeable and readers will be able to relate easily with them. There is some romance between Varik and Marisa. Just as most 18...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to get into this book but I was really impressed and actually liked reading this.

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May 23, 2013 Lee (Rally the Readers) marked it as to-read

May 23, 2013 Marked By Books marked it as library-watch

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Goodreads Sci-Fi/...: Offering a 25-pg YA sci-fi manuscript eval Giveaway as part of my Fireseed One book tour finale, open through March 25	1	1	Mar 19, 2012 12:21pm
Young Adult Reads: 25-page YA sci-fi manuscript GIVEAWAY as part of my book tour finale! Open through March 25	1	8	Mar 19, 2012 12:12pm
Young Adult Reads: eBook Giveaway, plus learn secrets of the illustrated novel!	1	10	Mar 09, 2012 07:27am
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Young Adult Reads: FREE EBOOKS!	1	13	Mar 01, 2012 08:25am

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About Catherine Stine

Catherine Stine’s YA futuristic thriller, Fireseed One has nine original illustrations by the author, and it just won a 2013 Wishing Shelf Award. Her YA novel, Refugees, earned a New York Public Library Best Book and a featured review and interview in Booklist. Middle grade novels include The End of the Race in the Wild at Heart series and A Girl’s Best Friend in the Innerstar University series. S...more

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