Firebrand (Rebel Angels, #1)

Feb 21, 2013 Wendy Darling rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-publication, february, pn-witches, male-pov, tor, read-2013, fantasy, adult, uk

DNF I read about 150 pages before I put this aside--not because it's a bad book by any means, but because I mostly felt indifferent to it.

Firebrand starts off with a great scene: a boy named Seth watches as his brother and his brother's lover are about to be put to a painful death, and he's helpless to stop it. All he can do is choose whether to end their lives to spare them the pain. The book then takes us back to Seth's childhood, where his history with his brother and his troubled relationsh...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Karissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

I got a copy of this book to review through the Amazon Vine program. This is the first book in the Rebel Angel series. The second book will be titled Bloodstone and is scheduled for a November 2013 release. I enjoyed the world building in this book and thought it was well written. The story moves slowly though. Also despite the commentary on the back of the book this book is pretty much straight fantasy, not an urban fantasy as described.

Seth and his brother, Conal, are Sithe and live in a world...more

I got a copy of this book to review through the Amazon Vine program. This is the first book in the Rebel Angel series. The second book will be titled Bloodstone and is scheduled for a November 2013 release. I enjoyed the world building in this book and thought it was well written. The story moves slowly though. Also despite the commentary on the back of the book this book is pretty much straight fantasy, not an urban fantasy as described.

Seth and his brother, Conal, are Sithe and live in a world outside the human one. Seth’s brother Conal, is constantly in struggles with the Queen of Sithe, Kate. When Conal disobeys the Queen he is thrown out of the Sithe world and into the human world to survive. Seth follows Conal. Seth and Conal must not only survive the human world, but also navigate the politics of the Sithe to save those they love.

I enjoyed Seth as a character; he is complex, reckless, and wild. He does everything with all of his heart and has a wry sense of humor. Conal is more of a “too good to be true” type of character and more straight-laced and serious than Seth. The two characters balance each other out well.

The world was complicated and more about Sithe politics than anything else. When in the human world Seth and Conal are faced with witch trials and paranoia typical to Medieval times. There are some excellent battle scenes and there is also a tad of romance throughout as well.

The book was beautifully written, but moved slowly. Most of the plot that drives the book is about a power struggle between the Sithe Queen Kate and a witch that lives in Conal’s clan named Leonora, their battle tears the Sithe’s lives apart.

The ARC I got said that this is a “great new urban fantasy series”. There really isn’t anything urban fantasy about this book at all. The Sithe culture is very Celtic in feel, when the brothers travel to the human world they enter it in what seems to be Medieval times. So this book is pretty much straight fantasy.

It’s a decent fantasy, but a bit slow at times. I enjoyed reading it for the most part but at times had trouble staying engaged in the story. I enjoyed the writing style. Although by the end of the story I was kind of left thinking, “Huh, what was the point of all of that?” It’s almost like this whole book is used up to set up how Conal and Seth end up in the human world.

Overall a solid fantasy. I enjoyed the characters and the world. I thought the pacing was pretty slow though and the plot was fairly pointless. It is almost like this whole book is being used up to set up how Conal and Seth got to the human world. I would tentatively recommend to fans of fantasy novels.

I am curious to see if Bloodstone is more of an urban fantasy because this book was definitely not urban fantasy as advertised on the back cover. So, I guess I was a bit perturbed that this is billed as “a critically acclaimed urban fantasy series” when it is absolutely not an urban fantasy.(less)

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Mar 30, 2013 Brian Palmer rated it 3 of 5 stars

So, quick summary: Semi-historical fantasy in which two Sithe brothers come of age and into adulthood in the 16th cenury, on the other side of "the Veil", which separates fairies from Earth. The Sithe can travel across the veil, but are 'muted', so that they fade in as background characters whenever not being directly dealt with by humans. They're taught to not stand out; the Europe is filled with witch hunters and inquisitors who would otherwise go after them.

For being a novel of fairies and el...more

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Mar 15, 2013 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn

Firebrand is simply a great book. Philip introduces us to the world of the Sithe. She created a race unknown to mortals and an intricate world full of politics to go with it. Firebrand is a perfect example of how to introduce a new world with unknown characters without overwhelming the reader.

Firebrand is told from Seth’s perspective. Seth seems like a hard-ass annoying trouble-maker. But there’s so much more than meets the eye. He is jaded, way too mature for...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

ok --this wasn't bad - which is really good because I haven't read a decent fantasy book in a long time..but for some reason, no one seems to want to write a single monograph anymore- so is this a tale that will go on and on?

I have been fooled before by fantasy authors who keep writing and writing - long books that often never move the action - then the author dies before finishing the saga and someone else has to finish it. I bailed out of that series long before then and am never going back....more

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Mar 06, 2013 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Four stars: An adrenaline fueled thrilling read!

Seth clutches his cross bow holding his breath, he is waiting for the moment when intolerant, superstitious and cowardly humans will tie his noble and beloved brother to the stake for burning. Seth will not allow those beasts to kill his brother in fiery flames, he will take matters into his own hands and spare his brother a cruel death. Seth is angry at the ignorant mortals, but he is even angrier at his Queen. Seth and Conal should not be here i...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Liviania rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'll admit: I almost didn't read FIREBRAND because Gillian Philip spells the word Sithe instead of Sidhe. I feared she might be a cupcake. I am so happy I ignored that twinge of fear and chose to read FIREBRAND anyway.

The blurb says that FIREBRAND is an urban fantasy, but it's not. It's part historical fantasy and part high fantasy, all portal fantasy. Perhaps there is something to that discussion last year that portal fantasy is unpopular. But FIREBRAND doesn't follow the typical portal fantasy...more I'll admit: I almost didn't read FIREBRAND because Gillian Philip spells the word Sithe instead of Sidhe. I feared she might be a cupcake. I am so happy I ignored that twinge of fear and chose to read FIREBRAND anyway.

The blurb says that FIREBRAND is an urban fantasy, but it's not. It's part historical fantasy and part high fantasy, all portal fantasy. Perhaps there is something to that discussion last year that portal fantasy is unpopular. But FIREBRAND doesn't follow the typical portal fantasy model. Seth MacGregor and his brother Conal are Sithe, living in their own world, and cross the portal into our world. (For the value of "our world" meaning "historical Scotland.") Then they cross back into their own world . . . and it certainly doesn't live up to the criticism that portal fantasy is unpopular because the real world isn't at stake. Both worlds are at stake, as are the lives of Seth, his brother, and basically everyone in the novel.

Kate NicNiven is the queen of the Sithe, by her people's consent. The MacGregors are her most powerful opponents, but she's canny about keeping control and preventing rebellion. This, despite the fact that she want to destroy the Veil the separates the world of the Sithe from the humans and keeps both sides safe.

Philip's worldbuilding is top notch. The Sithe are not human. They have an alien way of thinking, as well as different culture and politics. She carefully builds her fantasy land and then she brings Scotland into the mix. Her Scotland seems no less fully realized.

But what really sells FIREBRAND is Seth himself. He's not only the younger son, but also a bastard. Yet he loves his brother and has many dear friends, no matter that he took awhile to develop any connections. He spent his youngest years neglected, but he loves deeply and is loved in return. He's fiercely loyal, and he may not be the most moral person around, but he knows when to make a stand for what's right.

Right now, I hate everyone in the UK, because they already have books two and three in the Rebel Angels series. Meanwhile, all of us in the US are stuck waiting for more. But based on the reviews, the wait will be worth it. (less)

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Feb 19, 2013 Terry Weyna rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Firebrand opens, Seth, a 16-year-old Sithe, has a crossbow trained on his brother, Conal. Conal is thin, his face half-blacked and bloody, his hair shaved from his head. Conal is about to be burned as a witch at the tail-end of the sixteenth century at the urging of a minister who smiles at the thought of the horrible deaths his victims are about to endure. Seth will kill his brother to spare him the agony of burning at the stake.

It’s a prologue that grabs the reader’s attention firmly. Tur...more When Firebrand opens, Seth, a 16-year-old Sithe, has a crossbow trained on his brother, Conal. Conal is thin, his face half-blacked and bloody, his hair shaved from his head. Conal is about to be burned as a witch at the tail-end of the sixteenth century at the urging of a minister who smiles at the thought of the horrible deaths his victims are about to endure. Seth will kill his brother to spare him the agony of burning at the stake.

It’s a prologue that grabs the reader’s attention firmly. Turn the page and Seth is only eight years old. He’s been sent by his mother, an adviser to the queen, to live with his father, who is bound to another Sithe woman. Seth’s mother was but a dalliance, a bit of unfaithfulness not unusual or immoral among the Sithe, though Seth’s stepmother is not exactly enamoured of him nonetheless. Seth is eager for his father’s love, but the man never seems to notice his existence. Instead Griogair MacGregor gives all his attention to his older son, Conal. Conal doesn’t seem to notice Seth at all at first, but soon befriends the child, who thereafter is no longer ignored by one and all in their father’s fort. Conal gains Seth’s love all in one afternoon, and it is a fierce love. When Kate, the queen, sends Conal into exile in the human world, Seth follows. It is a defining experience for both of them, weaving them into a web of Sithe politics that threatens to undo not just them, but their entire race.

A Veil divides the human world from the Sithe world, but it is wearing thin. It will reach the end of its life in a few centuries, but time means little to the Sithe, and the danger is apparent to most. But Kate believes that it might benefit her if the Veil were to disappear altogether, and soon. She thinks humans would “be as malleable as beasts. We could have unimaginable power of the full-mortals, were the worlds to fuse.” But Conal and his mother, Leonora, believe that the Sithe world would die, along with the Sithe. And Leonora believes that there is a way to mend the Veil and restore its strength. The exile Conal and Seth endure lends credence to their way of thinking, but Kate is willing to go to enormous lengths to fulfill her dream of ruling over both humans and Sithe, even if it means forming an alliance with the Lammyr.

Philip breathes new life into old tropes with this debut, Book One of a series called REBEL ANGELS. I groaned when I saw that this was the first book of yet another series, but by the time I finished Firebrand I was glad that more was coming. And I confess that the events that occurred toward the end of the book had me in tears, not something that happens all that often. Philip knows how to write!

Originally published at http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi....(less)

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Feb 14, 2013 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Most fantasy fans

Firebrand is the first novel in Scottish author Gillian Philip's "Rebel Angel" high fantasy series. There are four novels in the series at present (with more on the way), but only the first is currently available in the US.

The book begins in medias res, with young fae ("Sithe") Seth preparing to kill his older half-brother Colin in order to spare Colin the agony of being burnt alive by witch-hunters. This initial chapter, which ends with Seth's finger still on the trigger of his crossbow, is bea...more Firebrand is the first novel in Scottish author Gillian Philip's "Rebel Angel" high fantasy series. There are four novels in the series at present (with more on the way), but only the first is currently available in the US.

The book begins in medias res, with young fae ("Sithe") Seth preparing to kill his older half-brother Colin in order to spare Colin the agony of being burnt alive by witch-hunters. This initial chapter, which ends with Seth's finger still on the trigger of his crossbow, is beautifully written, as is the rest of this literate novel.

Much of the general background will be familiar to fantasy readers. The Sithe are immortal but slow to reproduce. Long ago, they walled themselves off with a magical "Veil," separating the Sithe from the "otherworld" of the numerous and fecund "full mortal" humans, protecting each race from the other. The Sithe are organized in semi-feudal fashion, with ordinary folk owing fealty to local lords, and lords owing fealty to a queen. Armed with swords and bows, riding either horses or tamed kelpies (dangerous fae water horses), they frequently fight amongst themselves for honor, plunder, and power. The Sithe also recognize sexual equality, are fine with promiscuity and same-sex marriage, have telepathic powers, can communicate with animals, and at least some of them can practice magic.

The overall narrative is driven by conflict between Seth's father's clan and the ambitious, ruthless, and possibly unbalanced Sithe queen, Kate. As slowly becomes clear, Kate is attempting to consolidate her hold over the Sithe by eliminating internal opposition, and, with the help of Seth's mother Lilith, she hopes to go even further and conquer the human world as well. Pulling Seth's universally-admired brother Colin over to her side -- or, failing that, to keep him out of play -- figures prominently in her plans.

Almost everything about the novel is done well, from the voice of angry teenage Seth, who narrates the proceedings, the vivid world-building, the political intrigues, and the few bits of romance, to the troubled dealings between Sithe and humans. For swords and sorcery fantasy, the book has uncommon emotional and philosophical depth. I recommend it highly.

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Dec 26, 2012 Yvonne Boag rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

The world between the mortals and the fey is divided by a veil. But the veil is failing and within a few centuries will collapse altogether. For most of the fey it is a disaster but a select few including the queen see it as an opportunity. We see the story through the eyes of Seth, a bastard fey who is not wanted by either of his parents but is dumped in his father's stronghold. He is unloved and friendless and mostly feral. That is until the day his half brother confronts him and slowly over t...more

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Apr 09, 2011 Caroline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, fantasy, young-adult

The story is told from the point of view of Seth, a young Sithe who is sent to live with his Noble father. We learn very early that Seth never felt as if he belonged when he was living with his mother Lilith, an adviser to the queen Kate and that he doesn't belong either when he is sent to live with his father. He develops his strong character from this very lonely childhood. His half-brother Conal takes him under his wing when he is 8 years old and they become very close throughout the years. W...more The story is told from the point of view of Seth, a young Sithe who is sent to live with his Noble father. We learn very early that Seth never felt as if he belonged when he was living with his mother Lilith, an adviser to the queen Kate and that he doesn't belong either when he is sent to live with his father. He develops his strong character from this very lonely childhood. His half-brother Conal takes him under his wing when he is 8 years old and they become very close throughout the years. When Conal is exiled to the full-mortal world, behind the veil, Seth follows him into what is our 16th century. Seth and Conal discover more about the world behind the Veil, but also about themselves.

To be honest this is one of the most promising fantasy series I have read lately. The writing grips you from the very first pages and I haven't been able to stop reading it. This book is truly a much welcomed addition to the genre and I am really excited for the sequels!

I absolutely loved the world created by Gillian Philip. It is thoroughly original and keeps enough mystery to keep you wanting more. The Sithe society is so different from the human society that not only was I interested to learn more and more about their customs but I was also given, as the full mortal that I am, a really good insight into human customs. We see the 16th century through the eyes of Seth and how religion worked back then. The perspective is fascinating to read and I really love books which make me think.

In the Sithe society, women are equal to men and as strong as them when it comes to fighting. I *loved* reading about Seth not understanding why, in the full mortal world, women are required to stay at home and wear dresses (my point exactly!). An also very interesting thing that was present in the book is the difficulty encountered by some Sithe to have children. It is very interesting how an ever decreasing prospect of a younger generation can affect a person. It's the type of undercurrent themes that I wasn't anticipating in a fantasy book and which bring so much depth to the story.

The characters and various personalities and lives presented throughout the book are truly fascinating and a proof of an amazing talent. I am going to go all fangirly on you here but I loved all the characters and I thought they were brilliantly created.

And I will love Gillian Philip *forever* for the presence of two Sithe wolf pets. I *love* those two darlings!! Okay and I might have already told my mom that this is what I want for Christmas because now I know they (metaphorically) exist, I can't live without them.

Seth is the narrator but we can read every now and then a sentence which tells us that he is telling the story some time in the future. The comings and goings in the past/present/future usually don't entrance me though it is not too present in this book and I have a feeling that at some point in the following novels of the Rebel Angels series we'll be reading Seth narrating in the present.

This is an amazing book for anyone who is a fan of fantasy, but maybe also to people who enjoy historical fiction and character-oriented stories. The writing is mesmerising and I am sure you won't be able to put it down!

Info: Some violent scenes in the book and definitely a perfect book for boys!(less)

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Feb 02, 2011 Rebecca E. rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

I read this after chatting to the hero on Twitter (long story, don't ask, just check out @sethmacgregor on Twitter) and he was such a charmer I had to read the book. It has become one of my all-time favourite books and I don't hesitate to recommend it to absolutely anyone. Lots of people here have reviewed the plot and given a brief blurb; I'm only going to add two things that really make this book stand out so far from the crowd:
1) characterisation - Seth is utterly, utterly believable as a bas...more

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Jul 16, 2010 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

wonderful, wonderful start to this fantasy series. Can't wait to read more.
Seth is unceremoniously dumped by his mother with his father who has no interest in this son. He grows up with no real family until taken under the wing of his half brother so when that brother Conal is exiled into the world of the fully mortal, for opposing his Queen, Seth follows him out of loyalty. From the opening scene as Seth waits fearfully while his half brother is led out to be burned at the stake to the last dra...more wonderful, wonderful start to this fantasy series. Can't wait to read more.
Seth is unceremoniously dumped by his mother with his father who has no interest in this son. He grows up with no real family until taken under the wing of his half brother so when that brother Conal is exiled into the world of the fully mortal, for opposing his Queen, Seth follows him out of loyalty. From the opening scene as Seth waits fearfully while his half brother is led out to be burned at the stake to the last dramatic chapter the reader is drawn along in a hellter skelter whirl. We share Seth's neglected childhood, run with him across heather moors and machair, ride with him as he tames his wild kelpie horse and follow him as he matures and learns to let down his defences enough to trust, and even love, others.

The other Gillian Philip books I've read have been modern, urban, gritty novels - full of knife crime, murder, dystopian futures - this book is a bit of a departure. Ok there's still the knives - well, swords- and a fair amount of murder and violence but set against the backdrop of the pristine wild land and sea scape of the Sidhe. The physical presence of this world really leapt out of the page at me as I read, with the feel of wind and sunshine over the machair, the shimmering sea, loch dripping with pigment. At times, Ms Philip builds a word picture akin to those of contemporary scottish West coast painters with their splashes of vibrant colour, pulsating with light, brought immediately to my mind by description of reflections in the water of a loch that a hand dipped in would come out 'dripping with pigment'.

This is an action packed, fast paced novel capable of surprising, despite many hints, to almost the last page, with a cast of real living breathing characters -the half-wild Seth, ruthless Queen Kate NicNiven, Catriona the fully mortal girl rescued and taken through the veil to a world so very different to her own. Although marketed here as YA I understand that in US it will be sold as adult fantasy and think it will be a worthy addition to the genre.(less)

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Mar 02, 2013 Мирела (fai_rodis) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

На онези читатели, които обичат приключенията, комбинирани с романтика и са се отегчили от вампирския жанр, представям Сет Макгрегър. На шестнайсет години, но с живот, който продължава векове. Сет е Sidhe (произнася се Ший). С други думи, той е фея. Но в този млад мъж няма нищо „розово”. В неговите вени тече непокорната кръв от заглавието. Шотландските Ший са високи, красиви, с невероятни умения в бойните изкуства и са по-бързи отколкото може да си представи човек. Освен това могат да бъдат и же...more На онези читатели, които обичат приключенията, комбинирани с романтика и са се отегчили от вампирския жанр, представям Сет Макгрегър. На шестнайсет години, но с живот, който продължава векове. Сет е Sidhe (произнася се Ший). С други думи, той е фея. Но в този млад мъж няма нищо „розово”. В неговите вени тече непокорната кръв от заглавието. Шотландските Ший са високи, красиви, с невероятни умения в бойните изкуства и са по-бързи отколкото може да си представи човек. Освен това могат да бъдат и жестоки, особено към простосмъртните, но пък са безумно лоялни към своя народ.
Въпреки дългия им живот те не са безсмъртни. Един Воал разделя света на Ший от света на простосмъртните. По-големият полубрат на Сет, Конал, е изпратен в изгнание в света на хората и двамата братя преминават през един воден портал, озовавайки се в края на 16-ти век.
Макар Конал да се старае да не изпъква и прилага само най-елементарните си лечителски умения, това е епохата на лова на вещици и скоро той привлича нежелано внимание. Книгата започва драматично със Сет, който се прицелва в любимия си брат, за да го спаси от ужаса и мъченията от изгарянето жив на клада. Следват около 200 страници предходна история, която ни разкрива как се е стигнало дотук, но за сметка на това какви страници! А после следват още толкова до края.
Сет и Конал са синове на Григар, водач на един от клановете на Ший. Но майка на Конал е Ленора, която е обречена партньорка на водача, а майка на Сет е Лилит, една от най-могъщите съветнички на кралицата на Ший Кейт Никнивън. Когато навършва осем години, Лилит изпраща Сет да живее в крепостта на баща си, където никой не му обръща внимание, докато Конал не се прибира у дома и не се сприятелява с него.
Това определено е книга за по-големите тийнейджъри. Сет смело губи девствеността си на тринайсет години и езикът му е изпъстрен с ругатни. Всъщност, макар и описан в романтичен стил, той е правдоподобен, пламенен и лоялен герой, който се опитва да се докаже в крепостта на баща си и е готов да се бие до смърт за своя брат.
Основните проблеми в света на Ший произлизат от двора на кралица Кейт: тя иска да унищожи Воала, който ги скрива от света на смъртните. Той е едно опасно и деликатно нещо, този Воал. Времето не тече по един и същи начин от двете му страни и както се случва в много келтски митове, след едно кратко посещение в страната на феите при завръщането си простосмъртните установяват, че в техния свят са минали няколко поколения.
Кралица Кейт е врагът на нашите двама братя и то страховит враг. Ще имаме още много сблъсъци с нея, защото „Непокорна кръв” е първата от четири книги - което е едновременно добра и лоша новина. Добра, защото ни очакват нови приключения; лоша, защото ще се наложи да ги чакаме. Отдавна не се бях наслаждавала толкова на книга от този жанр. (less)

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Aug 01, 2011 Sahina Bibi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sahina by: Strident Publishing

My review:
Thanks again to Strident publishing for providing me with this book! As soon as I got it, I was excited, and with good reason to. The cover looks amazing, but more than that was the promise of a new fantasy book that hosted the tale of fairies. Not the pink and green winged creatures as you might come to believe, but instead hard, unyielding, strong, courageous characters who are loyal and bound by family ties. I think that’s what I loved most about the book, the undercurrent and under...more My review:
Thanks again to Strident publishing for providing me with this book! As soon as I got it, I was excited, and with good reason to. The cover looks amazing, but more than that was the promise of a new fantasy book that hosted the tale of fairies. Not the pink and green winged creatures as you might come to believe, but instead hard, unyielding, strong, courageous characters who are loyal and bound by family ties. I think that’s what I loved most about the book, the undercurrent and underlying theme of a sense of family and loyalty. It’s one theme that’s be portrayed so many times in so many ways, but the joy is in the storytelling, not just the story, and this was definitely the case for Firebrand.

Analysis of plot:
Starting with a flashback, it shows Seth, the 16 year old crouched hidden, waiting for his brother and a companion to appear. Through a slight narrative, we gauge that the brothers, despite not being in range of talking to each other, are mentally conversing and Seth’s older brother Conal convinces him to shoot them both when the time is right. This scene ends with Seth ready to pull the trigger. From there on, the book only gets better, with a mixture of adventure, love, and action which despite its fantasy genre, it makes you really believe in the story, such is the writing.

While after reading the blurb, you might guess at what happens next as a cliché fantasty book, but you’re wrong and gladly so! The plot of this novel kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and Philip twists and turns to evade giving you what you want most! Yet through the journey you’re taken on as a reader, you come to love Philip’s beautiful writing that encapsulates the harsh struggle of the character Seth, who is willing to sacrifice everything for his brother – showing how the ties of family are strong, even for a young 16 year old who has had a rocky childhood.

Set against the backdrop of Scotland, Philip will take your breath away with the intense scenery description that’s set in the 16th century and how the two brothers who are exiled, cope with being in the mortal world. The destruction of the “Veil” that separates the mortal and fairy world in the book can almost be touched as you read the hardships the brothers face and Philip has lent historical context to it as witch-hunts going on in the novel mirror the traditions of the 16th century.

Analysis of characters:
Seth, being the central character, is undeniably loveable. At first he may come across as bitter and thanks to his harsh and unaffectionate childhood, may seem capable of great hatred and vicious violence, but deep underneath that, Philip shows us the bonds of love and loyalty freely available to those who stick with Seth long enough to find it. He has been constructed magically by Philip as she lends him all the great attributes which makes him a young hero, at a mere 16, yet it shows the strength of his character.

The love for his older brother, who is seen as being the calmer one, the one more loved by his father, is breathtaking as it was Conal who Seth felt the greatest connection with, and that is clear to see throughout the book as the events the brother’s share together, binds them by blood, family ties and loyalty.

Overall:
Slowly, over the course of the book, you too will come to love Seth and Conal for it can’t be helped – you have to love him and the passion he feels, and you’ll feel immersed in the book so much that fantasy may just become your reality. This book is a must read, I can’t wait for the second in the series, “Bloodstone”!(less)

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Jan 23, 2013 Michele rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Star parts: Seth MacGregor is one of those annoying teenagers, he's in love with the girl who will never have him. He takes ages to recognise the girl who is in love with him. He does stupid, stupid stuff. He's proud, he's a softie, he's all those things that teenagers are. In addition he's this kick ass fairie that can go into people's minds, fight like you wouldn't believe. He has this amazing horse thing and finds and rears two super cute wolves. Even when he is in big, big trouble he goes ba...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Grace rated it 5 of 5 stars

Firebrand is now my new favourite book! It has incredibly complex characters and Gillian Philip offers a banquet for readers who love books that make them pause and think about what they have just read.

The story is told from the point of view of a young Sithe boy named Seth. The Sithe are a warrior race of faeries, who are granted with unnaturally long life and the ability to speak and sense one another telepathically. Seth MacGregor is the bastard son of a Lord, and for this reason he is largel...more Firebrand is now my new favourite book! It has incredibly complex characters and Gillian Philip offers a banquet for readers who love books that make them pause and think about what they have just read.

The story is told from the point of view of a young Sithe boy named Seth. The Sithe are a warrior race of faeries, who are granted with unnaturally long life and the ability to speak and sense one another telepathically. Seth MacGregor is the bastard son of a Lord, and for this reason he is largely an outcast in society and is frowned upon by older citizens. When Seth forms a bond with his brother Conal, who is far more respected amongst the Sithe and eventually appointed to the role of Captain after Lord Griogair, Seth's father, dies (not a spoiler - this is stated on the blurb of the book ;) ), people begin to recognize and respect Seth more. Their kingdom is ruled by the cruel Kate McNiven, who causes the main conflict in the book.

If you like very complex plots and story lines, this book may not be for you, however it does not need a brilliant plot (though it is a not a dull or boring plot by any means), for Seth provides the reader with a unique and believable point of view. Every time I read I felt like I was being pulled into his world and I sympathized for him while I got a clear understanding of his emotions. I was easily pulled into his story and his universe, and I think this is one of the essential aspects of great fiction novels. There are so many messages in this book that younger and older readers alike should pay close attention to. The first two thoughts that come to mind when I think of 'Firebrand': 'HONEST' and 'TOO MUCH FEELS/TOO MANY EMOTIONS!' - hahaha XD

By the end of the story, I felt like my heart had been torn out, put back in, torn out and then put back in...but...in a good way? Haha :P Truly amazing writing; Philip brings back the true meaning of writing after it was ripped out by various vampire/werewolf authors (harsh, but the whole werewolf/vampire hype lasted a little too long...and isn't even all the way over yet! It seems to be the 'easy way out' for making money and becoming 'famous' for some of those writers).
I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age, if you can stomach a little bit of violence and implied sex (and general boyish behaviour, haha :P)!

'Firebrand' is a unique exploration of the human spirit, and our will to survive, our need to love and be loved.(less)

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May 14, 2013 Lydia Presley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fantasy, fiction

I'll readily admit that, after the initial scene in Firebrand hooked me, it took a while for the book to regain the momentum it had in the prologue. But, ultimately, it did get there and I am excited to write this review because Firebrand was a book that, once it hooked me, it wouldn't let me put it down until I finished it.

Gillian Philip takes the Sithe (I'm assuming they are similar to the Sidhe? but may be wrong here), a people who live on one side of the "Veil" and writes them into a world t...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Firebrand is so vast in its magnitude that I almost find it impossible to summarise. It has a longevity in its nature which mirrors the lives of the Sithe people that populate its pages. It has a brutality in its heart for the narrator Seth does not have a childhood structured with affection. He is an outcast. A child of his father's lover who unceremoniously drops him at his father's feet and expects him to take care of him. His father Griogair treats him with a raw contempt. Yet Seth idolises...more Firebrand is so vast in its magnitude that I almost find it impossible to summarise. It has a longevity in its nature which mirrors the lives of the Sithe people that populate its pages. It has a brutality in its heart for the narrator Seth does not have a childhood structured with affection. He is an outcast. A child of his father's lover who unceremoniously drops him at his father's feet and expects him to take care of him. His father Griogair treats him with a raw contempt. Yet Seth idolises him and longs for his father's approval, love and respect. Sadly, he does not find affection in his father's arms. Seth is almost feral and at the very least a wild boy. When the first born son of Griogair returns home to the dun, Seth despises him. Conal has everything that Seth desires but mainly the unconditional love of their father. Yet Conal casts his almost lion-tamer magic over Seth and soon he worships the ground that Conal walks on. In fact Conal is the one person that Seth would do anything for. He would kill for him. He would die for him.

The Sithe people live in a world that is not unlike the world of the full-mortals. It is a place of beautiful sky, breathtaking lochs and embodies the sublime awe of nature. The Sithe are hardly witches in the sense that we imagine them to be. Their special ability is to see into the minds of others and communicate with them. They also live for centuries. The Sithe have a special light in their eyes and so do the fantastical creatures that share their world. Beyond the veil live the full-mortals. It is the late sixteenth century there and the village people live an almost savage existence. It is a time when witch trials are gaining a violent fervour and the innocent are persceuted and tortured into confessing sins they have not committed.

Seth is forced to leave the relative safety of the Sithe world and exist in the world of the full-mortals. He despises them for their lack of dignity and their inability to think for themselves. He is also demoralised by the disease and illness that kills the full-mortals both young and old.

There are so many things about this book that make me crazy with love and quite frankly in adoration of it. Firstly, it is beautifully written. The Sithe world was so visible to me that I could almost reach out and touch it in my mind. Secondly, the plot kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I loved that the author doesn't give you want you want. It is a journey that you go on with Seth. You share his blood, his sweat, his tears. You feel every slash of his knife. You hear every sound from the raven's laughter to the horses' whickering.
But most importantly, you cannot help but simply adore Seth. He is fierce and angry and arrogant and raw and soft all at the same time. He melted my heart and made me want to reach out and cuddle him, soothe him, love him. I feel like a literary adulterer. Suddenly I am sharing my love for a Mexican badass with a Sithe warrior. What can I say? Seth has captivated me.

Firebrand has made its way on to my best books of 2010 list. In fact it has made it on to my best ever fantasy books list. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It takes you to the wilds of Scotland and makes you smell the air and feel rugged ground beneath your feet. The story wraps around your heart and makes you ache for the characters. They become a whole family that you want to adopt. Gillian Philip is a breath-taking writer who has taken a genre that is swimming with the mediocre and given it an awe-inspiring transformation and I worship her for it. The passion I feel for this book is just bursting out of me. You must all go and buy it!

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Feb 18, 2013 Ali rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was all right...
I mean it was very well written and stuff, but there was something about it, I just could never become invested in the story line, it never HOOKED me.
Also,and this is a more personal preference than an actual complaint of the book, but I hate it when authors leave out huge chunks of time, and Gillian Philip did it A LOT. I mean, I get that she wanted to show that time had passed so on and so forth but I like to see the development, I want to KNOW what's happened, I feel that w...more

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Dec 05, 2010 Brian rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: teenage-ya

At more than ninety-thousand words, densely written, and bristling with Gaelic names, Firebrand could represent a challenge for some readers. However, it’s a challenge worth rising to, for Gillian Philip has drawn upon the neglected mythology of these islands to forge a powerful work of fantasy. With a driving plot and central characters that burn with a fierce intensity she makes the magical realm of Celtic myth utterly convincing.

This is the story of two worlds: our own and the parallel world...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Jessica Strider rated it 4 of 5 stars

Pros: characters feel real, interesting story, compelling, emotionally gripping

Cons: Kate's cruelty made her queenship hard to understand, worldbuilding had some gaps

Seth is an angry child, abandoned by his mother and ignored by his father. Only his older half-brother, Conal, cared for him in his youth. So when Conal is exiled to the mortal realms by Kate, the Sithe queen, Seth travels with him. But life in the late 16th century is hard, especially when they're obvious targets for the witch craz...more Pros: characters feel real, interesting story, compelling, emotionally gripping

Cons: Kate's cruelty made her queenship hard to understand, worldbuilding had some gaps

Seth is an angry child, abandoned by his mother and ignored by his father. Only his older half-brother, Conal, cared for him in his youth. So when Conal is exiled to the mortal realms by Kate, the Sithe queen, Seth travels with him. But life in the late 16th century is hard, especially when they're obvious targets for the witch craze. This is the first part of Seth's tale.

I'm not a fan of character driven novels, but there are exceptions to every rule. And boy, is this an exception. Seth's angry youth and damaged pride grabbed my interest and never let it go. This isn't an angsty story and Seth does grow up, but he only learns there are more things in the world that deserve his anger and that love brings its own kinds of pain.

As a narrator, Seth constantly alludes to future happenings, meaning that even when things are going well for him in the book - as rare as that is - it won't last. Indeed, the tension caused by knowing things will get worse is partly why this book was so compelling. It's also what makes the ending so forceful.

I was surprised that Kate, a queen who ruled by consent, was able to keep power considering as readers we only hear of the cruel things she does. I found this a flaw in the worldbuiding, that we're so focused on Seth's family's dun (holding) that there's no sense of a larger world on their side of the veil.

It also took me longer than I'd care to admit to figure out that the Sithe switched terms with humans, calling themselves human beings, us the full-mortals and stories about us 'fairy stories'. At first I thought the fairy story reference was an error. This swapping of terms could have been made clearer, though Philip did do a great job of explaining other aspects of Sithe culture through realistic circumstances. I loved the inclusion of truenames and water-horses, and the Lammyr were a creepy invention. There was also a great conversation half way through the book between Seth and one of his lovers about some differences between Sithe and mortal customs with regards to women. And I loved that the Sithe were an equal society, with no bias with regards to lovers, though also little love for offspring.

I don't always mention this but there are 2 rapes that occur in the book. One is off stage and neither is described in any detail. I appreciated the care given one of the characters with regards to healing and finding love despite the reality of the horrors of the world.

Ultimately it's a great book that's hard to put down, though it won't leave you feeling warm and fuzzy at the end.(less)

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Feb 23, 2013 Shay Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brimming with intrigue, danger and suspense FIREBRAND grabs the reader's attention with a scene where Seth is getting ready to kill Conal and continues on from there. There are a few pauses to allow the reader to catch their breath and then we are onto another adventure.

Ms Philip as chosen an unusual format in that the book reads as an autobiography or a journal of Seth's. Unusual as I said but it really works. I was able to really get into Seth's mind and get to know him as flawed as he is. He...more

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Nov 08, 2010 Jesse Owen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Adventure, action and… witch hunts awaits you inside the just under 400 pages of Firebrand. From the very first page the adventure starts and things seem to go from bad to worse for Seth, who I thought was fantastic by the way.

I admired him (is that the right word) right from the off and my admiration got stronger the further the story went along. It was also nice to have a male main character (or two) something which I haven’t read a lot of in YA (although I’m sure there’s more of it out there...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews, fantasy

It's the 16th century, brothers Seth and Conal live in their world of the Sithe. The Veil protects and separates them the mortal world, where everyday people are condemned by the word of a neighbor for just being different. When Conal displeases the Queen, she exiles him to the mortal world. Being forever loyal to his brother, Seth follows his brother into exile.

I was blown away by this book. I loved it, way more than I thought I would. I probably wouldn't have picked up this book on my own - bu...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Kimberly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I won the ARC of this book from a First-Reads Giveaway, and I wouldn't have imagined that this book was as good as it was. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well developed and life-like. Most of the book was plot and character development and contained less action than I expected, but it's crucial to the story and it built a large amount of suspense in the process.
The book really takes off at the end, and leaves you with a cliffhanger eager for you to continue the story of the Sithe...more

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Jan 28, 2011 Siobhan (Totally Bookalicious) rated it 5 of 5 stars

First I just want to thank Gillian for giving me this chance to review such a wonderful story. I feel in love from the first few pages and this now has a special place within my heart.

Firebrand is the first in a new fantasy series by Gillian Philip. It is set in the 16th Century Scotland at the times of religious wars and witchs hunts. The book tells the story of a young Sithe (Faery) Warrior called Seth and follows him from being a young boy being sent to life with his father who doesnt want hi...more First I just want to thank Gillian for giving me this chance to review such a wonderful story. I feel in love from the first few pages and this now has a special place within my heart.

Firebrand is the first in a new fantasy series by Gillian Philip. It is set in the 16th Century Scotland at the times of religious wars and witchs hunts. The book tells the story of a young Sithe (Faery) Warrior called Seth and follows him from being a young boy being sent to life with his father who doesnt want him right up until he is a man who is in love. Seth is the type of character that is it easy to bound with. He is arrogant, selfish and complete brat. Yet, he is vulnerable, loyal and a joy to read. One of the things that I really liked about him was his love for his brother Conal. He is devoted to him, even when he disagrees with him. He loves his brother so much that when Conal is exiled by Kate to the "Otherworld" - the Full-Mortal world. Seth without a doubt goes with him. And this is where is story really get going.

Gillian really has a way with her word. With the story being set in 16th Century I really thought I was there along side Seth on his journey through life. I could see everything he saw, I went through the motions along with him. I could even smell what he could smell, just though Gillian powerful and beautiful writing.

Firebrand is a novel that if you are 13+ you have to read it. Young or Old. It has something for everyone. However, there are some swear words throughout and sexual contain so I would suggest if you are a parent read it before you let your kids read and its up to you whether you think they should read. I personally think this should be a book that is taught in school and would enrich all the youngsters with a love for reading.

So if you want a novel that is packed with action, adventure, superstition that will take on a whirlwind rollcoaster of emotions then please get out there and read this novel. It will truely amaze you. And captive your very being as it has did with me

My only negative is that I now have to wait for the next one. LOL

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Mar 12, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dark, coming-of-age, arc-or-review-copy, historical, read-in-2013, tor, fantasy

Firebrand was a book I didn’t expect to enjoy. In fact, I expected to read a light bit of fluff for a mental vacation. What I got was a formidable historical fantasy, supported by some deft world building and some great historical research. While this does have a distinct first-book-in-a-series feel to it, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The protagonist is believable, flawed, and a sort of tortured hero that I almost immediately loved. The plot is fast moving and has a depth that surprised m...more

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Apr 15, 2013 Michelle Hauck rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was disappointed with this book. The secondary characters were so underdone that I couldn't tell one from another and often mixed them up. Not because names weren't given, but because I forgot who the name went with. New characters seems to pop up as needed, instead of being fully development and established. In fact, all the characters, expect for the mc, were sadly lacking in definition or personality.

The descriptions and time passage were so sketchy I often couldn't follow, or didn't care...more

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May 26, 2013 Chapter by Chapter rated it 4 of 5 stars

I’ve been seeing some of the reviews and ratings for this book and there was mixture of love for the book, and some of indecision. But when I was given the opportunity to review this book, I was very intrigued by the synopsis! And I, for one, am so glad that I read it! I loved everything about this book. A story of 2 worlds (Sithe and mortal), brothers, love, and loads of action.

Seth MacGregor wants to feel like he belongs somewhere. His mother, Lilith, pretty much abandoned him and left him wit...more I’ve been seeing some of the reviews and ratings for this book and there was mixture of love for the book, and some of indecision. But when I was given the opportunity to review this book, I was very intrigued by the synopsis! And I, for one, am so glad that I read it! I loved everything about this book. A story of 2 worlds (Sithe and mortal), brothers, love, and loads of action.

Seth MacGregor wants to feel like he belongs somewhere. His mother, Lilith, pretty much abandoned him and left him with his uncaring father and stepmother. But what made it all worthwhile was the brother he found in his half-brother, Conal. Watching the relationship develop between Seth and Conal was something that I really loved to watch unfold. We are introduced to an angst full, angry, lonely Seth who craves nothing more than to feel accepted by his father, but is only met with hateful eyes and being ignored. I loved watching how Conal opened up his arms and his heart to Seth, and found ways in which to include him and feel like he’s part of the family. True, in the beginning there were ups and downs, but just watch them warm up to each other, and come closer together is one that I adored.

But when it comes to doing the bidding of the Sithe queen, Kate NicNiven, Conal will not bow down. After a fight with the Kate that succeeds in pissing her off royally, Conal and Seth find themselves banished from their world, which by the way, is a world that lies just beyond our world and is forced to live and survive in our world…circa sixteen century. But in a time where the pointing of fingers and ratting out anyone who is different as a witch, survival is but a difficult thing for these brothers.

They do what they can to appear normal and try to blend in, but with a beauty that is anything than human, and with skills that can only be classified as “witchcraft” in this time, the brothers find that the only way they can survive is to try and find a way back to the very place they were banished.

The opening scene in the book really captured my attention. In the middle of a witch hunt where Conal is the intended victim to be burned at the stake (along with an “at the time” unknown woman), we witness Seth mourning the coming loss of his brother, and deciding when to let the arrow fly to kill his brother so that he won’t suffer when being burned alive. We witness the love that the brothers have for each other as they speak to each other in their minds. It certainly was a gripping scene for me, and I could not wait to see what was going to happen next! Leaving the beginning in a gripping cliff hanger, author, Gillian Philip, takes the reader back to before the opening scene where we are given the back story of how the brothers came to be so close, and the past of Seth (which was heart breaking!).

Of the experiences that Seth and Conal have in the two worlds that are explored in Firebrand, my favorite time for them would have to be their time on the human realm. I found myself on the edge of my seat at various points of the book, nervous that the two brothers would be ousted as witches. I loved the buildup that leads to the events that we see in the beginning of the book.

I know that many readers out there may have been annoyed with the constant anger emanating off of Seth, but I loved it! Especially when we are treated with seeing the softer side of Seth. It was those moments that I always looked forward to. In a world where the years go by much slower than that of the human realm, the events that transpire at the end of the book killed me! I didn’t expect it at all, and now thinking back, I totally should have! But I was so engrossed in the story that was unfolding, that that little tidbit of info just flew over my head. And the villains in this book? Ehrmehgherd! I LOVED to hate them. They were written so well, that regardless of how awful their evil plot was, they made the book that much more interesting!

I recommend this book to fans of Fae type reads, fans that enjoy heartwarming stories of brotherly love will really enjoy the relationship that builds between Seth and Conal, and fans of reads that have edge of your seat action and a storyline.(less)

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