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Every flame begins with a spark.
Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She's struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl ... read full description
reviews
Jul 09, 2011
Kat
rated it: 
Wildefire by Karsten Knight is what The Goddess Test should have been and wasn't.
In fact, Wildefire does many things right that the YA genre has been getting wrong. Those involved in the recent uproar over the lack of cultural inclusion in this genre can take a nice, refreshing, Polynesian breath of fresh air.
Or, you know, enjoy one of the many OTHER aspects of Polynesian culture...
Ashline is the modern reincarnation of an ancient Polynesian Goddess. Her sis More...
In fact, Wildefire does many things right that the YA genre has been getting wrong. Those involved in the recent uproar over the lack of cultural inclusion in this genre can take a nice, refreshing, Polynesian breath of fresh air.
Or, you know, enjoy one of the many OTHER aspects of Polynesian culture...
Ashline is the modern reincarnation of an ancient Polynesian Goddess. Her sis More...
56 comments
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(72 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Vinaya
rated it: 
I did NOT see that coming! No, I didn't. Not. At. All.
Okay, so Karsten Knight and I got off to a rocky start. Not personally, of course, but in terms of his prose. I read the first chapter of Wildefire on the Simon & Schuster website, and I was not very impressed. I wished desperately that a competent editor would take a pair of shears to the prose and trim it. It was florid, there were too many similes, and it was trying too hard to be 'pretty prose', if you know what I mean. Being More...
Okay, so Karsten Knight and I got off to a rocky start. Not personally, of course, but in terms of his prose. I read the first chapter of Wildefire on the Simon & Schuster website, and I was not very impressed. I wished desperately that a competent editor would take a pair of shears to the prose and trim it. It was florid, there were too many similes, and it was trying too hard to be 'pretty prose', if you know what I mean. Being More...
20 comments
like
(54 people liked it)
Jul 26, 2011
Tatiana
rated it: 
This is not for me.
A shocking amount of pointless, gratuitous, glorified violence that is written in such a way as if it should be applauded by the readers (and to my chagrin, yes, apparently some do think it is perfectly OK, no, cool, for a girl to beat up another girl for messing around with her boyfriend); everyone's flippant attitude towards this violence (really, a week's suspension for knocking someone unconscious?); a girl with her teeth knocked out trying to be mouthy with h More...
A shocking amount of pointless, gratuitous, glorified violence that is written in such a way as if it should be applauded by the readers (and to my chagrin, yes, apparently some do think it is perfectly OK, no, cool, for a girl to beat up another girl for messing around with her boyfriend); everyone's flippant attitude towards this violence (really, a week's suspension for knocking someone unconscious?); a girl with her teeth knocked out trying to be mouthy with h More...
25 comments
like
(31 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Ceilidh
rated it: 
Over the past few years, in the wake of the sparkle madness, we’ve seen a wide variety of paranormal mythologies saturate the YA market to the point where much of it has become derivative, overdone and frankly, a little dull. To find something original in the market is always pleasant, so a novel centred around a reincarnated Polynesian goddess was automatically a must read for me. So far, my GoodReads friends have been mixed in their opinions on the novel, so I will have to be the dull one here
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2 comments
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(25 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Jillian -always aspiring-
rated it:
(Actual Rating: 3.5 stars)
Wildefire by Karsten Knight is a strange beast of a novel. Nearly 400 pages, it's a bit of an intimidating novel – especially if you had been reading many iffy opinions about it as I had. Too much senseless violence. Unsympathetic heroine. Creepy love interest. So many one-star reviews had been coming into my Goodreads feed that, after a while, I had simply deleted the book from my shelves despite my having had the book listed to-read since August 2010.
More...
Wildefire by Karsten Knight is a strange beast of a novel. Nearly 400 pages, it's a bit of an intimidating novel – especially if you had been reading many iffy opinions about it as I had. Too much senseless violence. Unsympathetic heroine. Creepy love interest. So many one-star reviews had been coming into my Goodreads feed that, after a while, I had simply deleted the book from my shelves despite my having had the book listed to-read since August 2010.
More...
11 comments
like
(24 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
Stephanie
rated it: 
*Sigh*
Do you know how you are really excited about a book and you have this feeling you are going to LOVE it. But soon as you start reading it you start to wonder if you have received the same copy as others who fell head over heels in love with it? Well, that is exactly what Wildefire was for me. I have a confession. I totally fell for the hype with this one. I really wanted to love this. Even when I felt like giving up halfway through, I continued on in hopes that it would get better More...
4 comments
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(13 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Nafiza
rated it:
This is going to be a very long review – I probably shouldn’t even say review. More of a discussion, really, of what I thought about this book and why I was not impressed by it.
The last book that produced such a visceral reaction in me was the latest one in the Strange Angels series. That one, I didn’t complete because well, I disliked it that much. This one I felt compelled to complete because people whose reviews I follow assured me that this book gets better. After completing it, More...
The last book that produced such a visceral reaction in me was the latest one in the Strange Angels series. That one, I didn’t complete because well, I disliked it that much. This one I felt compelled to complete because people whose reviews I follow assured me that this book gets better. After completing it, More...
19 comments
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(34 people liked it)
Aug 07, 2011
Paige
rated it:
Also appears on The Screaming Nitpicker.
After an incident in her hometown leaves a girl dead by a lightning strike (that may or may not have something to do with her sister), Ashline Wilde is happy to get away to Blackwood Academy in California on the opposite side of the country. She just wants a fresh start, the opportunity to be normal, and maybe a romance with that really cute park ranger. Then she gets a bombshell dropped on her: she, a few of her classmates, and even her sister More...
After an incident in her hometown leaves a girl dead by a lightning strike (that may or may not have something to do with her sister), Ashline Wilde is happy to get away to Blackwood Academy in California on the opposite side of the country. She just wants a fresh start, the opportunity to be normal, and maybe a romance with that really cute park ranger. Then she gets a bombshell dropped on her: she, a few of her classmates, and even her sister More...
Jul 09, 2011
Crystal
rated it:
I cannot finish this one. I have really tried to like it, but I am going to give up. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer and I feel so let down. I have been told that it gets better but I am having trouble getting past the characters attitudes. Ash was so violent that I don't know if there is any way for her to redeem herself. I was also shocked at how X-Menish this book was. I wasn't prepared for that and it felt way to cliche. So I am going to let this book go and gr
More...
12 comments
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(11 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Katya
rated it:
What? What?! What do you mean! You can't end the book like this! I demand a sequel!!!
*scuffle*
*straps alter ego to the wall*
*mutters* Damn fangirls.
Q: So, how can I describe Karsten Knight's "Wildefire" without sounding like a complete and utter psycho?
A: I can't. I can promise though that I will not go off stalking anyone - I'm in a session right now.
But on the (relatively) serious note, I have to say that this w More...
*scuffle*
*straps alter ego to the wall*
*mutters* Damn fangirls.
Q: So, how can I describe Karsten Knight's "Wildefire" without sounding like a complete and utter psycho?
A: I can't. I can promise though that I will not go off stalking anyone - I'm in a session right now.
But on the (relatively) serious note, I have to say that this w More...
0 comments
like
(10 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Kari
rated it:
The Short Version:
Unique in concept and engaging in play out, Wildefire covers a range of emotions and builds a strong plot with fantastic characters. Filled with witty banter and sarcastic retorts, and written in an incredibly fluid, intelligent way, this one is both fun and interesting. Ashline is a phenomenal central character, smoothly built and perfectly damaged to create a well rounded, fully dimensional and relatable protagonist. The plot has a very steady pace, and with easily ins More...
Unique in concept and engaging in play out, Wildefire covers a range of emotions and builds a strong plot with fantastic characters. Filled with witty banter and sarcastic retorts, and written in an incredibly fluid, intelligent way, this one is both fun and interesting. Ashline is a phenomenal central character, smoothly built and perfectly damaged to create a well rounded, fully dimensional and relatable protagonist. The plot has a very steady pace, and with easily ins More...
Jul 09, 2011
Caitlin
rated it:
BEFORE
Well, what the fuck?
That's all I have to say after reading the first chapter/preview. I'll still read it, but now I'm a little annoyed.
AFTER
I give up. I tried. I seriously wanted to see something underneath all the cut-out characters, over the top--everything. I wanted to find something that would make my heart race, even if it was for a measly second. But no. Instead, I can't stand it. So, I stop right here (page 104).
I'll keep it simple: More...
Well, what the fuck?
That's all I have to say after reading the first chapter/preview. I'll still read it, but now I'm a little annoyed.
AFTER
I give up. I tried. I seriously wanted to see something underneath all the cut-out characters, over the top--everything. I wanted to find something that would make my heart race, even if it was for a measly second. But no. Instead, I can't stand it. So, I stop right here (page 104).
I'll keep it simple: More...
4 comments
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(12 people liked it)
Sep 05, 2011
Penelope
rated it:
1.5 stars
To say I fell for the hype for this book would not be the truth...because the truth is that I created my own hype for this book, long before I found Karsten's blog and saw how hilariously funny he is, which only added to it. The sad part is that after all my excitement, I didn't like Wildefire. I know, I'm crying too, because that means that what comes next is stuff I hate to type.
It's truth time and if you loved this book, you may not like what I have to say.
More...
To say I fell for the hype for this book would not be the truth...because the truth is that I created my own hype for this book, long before I found Karsten's blog and saw how hilariously funny he is, which only added to it. The sad part is that after all my excitement, I didn't like Wildefire. I know, I'm crying too, because that means that what comes next is stuff I hate to type.
It's truth time and if you loved this book, you may not like what I have to say.
More...
0 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
I created a new shelf just for Wildefire called Pure Torture. Seriously I think you have to be a sociopath to truly enjoy this book. Nothing but senseless violence from a main character who think her sh*t don't stink. The book literally starts with a fight all over a stupid boy.
Fight after fight all in the town of Scarsdale, New York. This part cracked me up because I live in the same county and let me tell you, if this happened here the school vp wouldn't just stand by why some gir More...
Fight after fight all in the town of Scarsdale, New York. This part cracked me up because I live in the same county and let me tell you, if this happened here the school vp wouldn't just stand by why some gir More...
3 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Kaye
rated it:
No. Just no.
So I logged onto PulseIt for the first time in weeks to find this book was already up for free, and was like, "Why not?" I love mythology, particularly those types of books that try to put it in perspective with the present - such as Rick Riordan, the amazing guy that he is - and the multicultural aspects that people kept raving about sounded appealing.
All I can say is, I have no idea why I went through with finishing the story.
First of a More...
So I logged onto PulseIt for the first time in weeks to find this book was already up for free, and was like, "Why not?" I love mythology, particularly those types of books that try to put it in perspective with the present - such as Rick Riordan, the amazing guy that he is - and the multicultural aspects that people kept raving about sounded appealing.
All I can say is, I have no idea why I went through with finishing the story.
First of a More...
4 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Kristin (Beneath Shining Stars, I Read)
rated it:
So, I'm struck with the urge to tell you, dear reader, to run out and pick up a copy of Wildefire posthaste. More importantly, whatever you do, do not try to compare this to The Goddess Test because the only thing that they remotely have in common is the fact that they both feature deities/gods/goddesses. In Wildefire there is reincarnation, a very strong heroine (both figuratively and literally), deities from a bevy of religions and places, unusual weather (and lightning strikes) and--in my opi
More...
0 comments
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(5 people liked it)
May 21, 2011
Here's something I never thought I'd say in a review but wouldn't mind saying again: Wildefire is pretty much what you would get if Sam Raimi decided to write a YA novel. We're talkin' like, Xena (okay, I know that's Rob Tapert but Raimi produced and they're friends and have you ever compared Army of Darkness to a Xena episode? Like certain cinematic sensibilities? I KNOW!) infused with the violence of Drag Me to Hell and the kind of wry humour you get in flicks like Evil Dead 2 and Army of
More...
9 comments
like
(13 people liked it)
May 25, 2011
Krys
rated it:
Well, this book fizzled and died for me. For the record, I really wanted to like Wildefire by Karsten Knight, but the read just went from bad to worse. For starters, it's not at all what I expected it would be. For second... it's not very well written. The transitions are clunky and the author uses too many weird devices to tell a story.
I always know it's a bad thing when I am not absorbed in a book, but this was ridiculous. I spent three days lazily chipping away at this book and di More...
I always know it's a bad thing when I am not absorbed in a book, but this was ridiculous. I spent three days lazily chipping away at this book and di More...
Aug 17, 2011
Cait
rated it:
No no no no no no no just a million times no, Karsten Knight. I don't really even know why I rated this book two stars; it deserves a one but I feel like being nice today so it gets two stars for......I guess for even being published. Because either Knight is the smoothest negotiator in history, his publishers have never read a good book in their lives, or they all are idiots. Maybe even a mix of all three, but I'm guessing more of the latter. A lot more of the latter.
First of all More...
First of all More...
21 comments
like
(12 people liked it)
Aug 25, 2011
Emilija
rated it:
Ok, so I didn't finish reading the book, and let me tell you - I didn't even want to. I would rather scoop my eyes out and then eat them for dinner.
(Also this review might contain a few spoilers for the first three chapters of the book.)
Holy shit. There are just so many things I’d like to talk about that I don’t even know where to start.
-How about the begging?
-Thank you, voice at the back of my head called common sense and logic, something that the characte More...
(Also this review might contain a few spoilers for the first three chapters of the book.)
Holy shit. There are just so many things I’d like to talk about that I don’t even know where to start.
-How about the begging?
-Thank you, voice at the back of my head called common sense and logic, something that the characte More...
2 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Oct 20, 2011
Wendy Darling
rated it:
Read the first 80 pages, skimmed the rest, saw the big secret, saw the big cliffhanger.
Style and story are just not for me, and I really have no interest in spending the time to write a review. More details in my reading status update.
Style and story are just not for me, and I really have no interest in spending the time to write a review. More details in my reading status update.
32 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
It sounds like nothing I've read before.
Volcano goddess= MUST READ.
*EXCITED*
Volcano goddess= MUST READ.
*EXCITED*
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
I can't wait! We need to see more male authors out there in the YA world too.
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Jul 27, 2011
Krystle
rated it:
Update: I found out WHICH Polynesian Goddess he based it off of. And ding ding ding, it's MINE (Hawaiian).
http://enchantedinkpot.livejournal.com/9...
I'm so annoyed. Yeah, yeah, every volcano brings about birth and destruction. Whatever. That's SUCH a scientific/exoticized view of things. If he really wanted to invoke our mythology well he should've actually paid attention to our origin stories.
It's not like it's really hard to find.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/hm/hm13.... More...
http://enchantedinkpot.livejournal.com/9...
I'm so annoyed. Yeah, yeah, every volcano brings about birth and destruction. Whatever. That's SUCH a scientific/exoticized view of things. If he really wanted to invoke our mythology well he should've actually paid attention to our origin stories.
It's not like it's really hard to find.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/hm/hm13.... More...
0 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
I cannot wait for this book! Karsten is hilarious on his blog, and I can't wait to see what his writing style is like.
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Oven mitts should be worn at all times during heavy make-out sessions...
Hahaha ^^ Very interesting storyline
Hahaha ^^ Very interesting storyline
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Nov 23, 2011
Lea
rated it:
.
Yep, so in a nutshell, I was not a fan of this book. Like, at all.
My main issue with Wildefire was that I didn't like the main character.
Wait, scratch that-- I could not stand the main character.
Wait, scratch that again-- I wish the main character had taken a running dive off of a cliff and spontaneously combusted in mid-free fall, or met any other catastrophe a la Wile E. Coyote.
Like so:
Yes, that's how m More...
Yep, so in a nutshell, I was not a fan of this book. Like, at all.
My main issue with Wildefire was that I didn't like the main character.
Wait, scratch that-- I could not stand the main character.
Wait, scratch that again-- I wish the main character had taken a running dive off of a cliff and spontaneously combusted in mid-free fall, or met any other catastrophe a la Wile E. Coyote.
Like so:
Yes, that's how m More...
7 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Dec 26, 2011
KM
rated it:
Hmm...
I'm having a really difficult time reviewing this book, mostly because I've got a lot of mixed feelings. All the negative comments about it are true:
- There's a lot of unnecessary violence.
- There's a lot of unnecessary vulgar language.
- The girls in the story act like boys.
- There aren't any sympathetic characters.
But having said all that, I've got to admit that I liked the book. The premise is an interesting one - a mixture of l More...
I'm having a really difficult time reviewing this book, mostly because I've got a lot of mixed feelings. All the negative comments about it are true:
- There's a lot of unnecessary violence.
- There's a lot of unnecessary vulgar language.
- The girls in the story act like boys.
- There aren't any sympathetic characters.
But having said all that, I've got to admit that I liked the book. The premise is an interesting one - a mixture of l More...
2 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2011
Reading
rated it:
Review Written by Andrea @ Reading Lark
Wow. Preorder this book NOW. End of Review.
Just kidding, but seriously, that is pretty much all you need to know. I can't actually write this review until I have a paragraph or two to just gush about this one. I have a serious crush on this book; it is one of the best debut novels I have read in quite some time. I am sitting here in awe as I try to find words that are worthy of this book. I have been looking for a series that has an addicting More...
Wow. Preorder this book NOW. End of Review.
Just kidding, but seriously, that is pretty much all you need to know. I can't actually write this review until I have a paragraph or two to just gush about this one. I have a serious crush on this book; it is one of the best debut novels I have read in quite some time. I am sitting here in awe as I try to find words that are worthy of this book. I have been looking for a series that has an addicting More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
