Firegold

by Dia Calhoun

Thirteen-year-old Jonathon, feared and hated by the brown-eyed Valley people because of his blue eyes, tries to find answers to his true identity in the Red Mountains, home of the Dalriada, a mountain people with magnificent horses, mystical powers, and blue eyes like his.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Young Adult Fantasy, Childrens

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Author, essayist, and poet Dia Calhoun won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature for her novel Aria of the Sea. Three of her eight novels are American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults. Calhoun’s contemporary novel Eva of the Farm was a Hornbook Magazine Best Verse Novel. Reviewing Calhoun’s most recent book, After the River the Sun School Library Journal wrote—“Lovers of gaming and Arthurian legends will thoroughly enjoy this one.” Calhoun’s 7:30 BELLS blog essays explore creativity and inspiration.

Calhoun is a cofounder of the literacy social media project, readergirlz, recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Innovations in Reading Prize. Calhoun has taught at Seattle University and the Cornish College of Arts. She currently offers private coaching in writing to kids and adults. Calhoun lives beside the wild Nisqually River in Washington state. Not only does the natural world inspire her writing, it’s also the basis for her new work as a sculptor.

Reviews

[Eskana · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Thirteen-year-old Jonathon, feared and hated by the brown-eyed Valley people because of his blue eyes, tries to find answers to his true identity in the Red Mountains, home of the Dalriada, a mountain people with magnificent horses, mystical powers, and blue eyes like his."

It was this, and a bit more. Let's face it, there are a lot of stories with similar themes: a teenager finding out they're "different", leaving to find their other culture, finding themselves there, and staying there. Basically, find your other half and boom- problem solved.
"Firegold" does it better though. Calhoun focuses a good deal on Jonathan's home, the identity and family he has always known, and I think very realistically shows how someone would deal with this powerfully split identity. Jonathan identifies as a Valley-dweller, but eventually is forced to face the rest of his heritage- but it doesn't happen quickly, as many books tell it. It happens slowly, gradually.

And when, as it says in the description, he seeks to discover himself with the Dalriadas, that's not the cure, either. Many YA "identity" themed books will make the "other" identity, where the person "belongs" the end of everything, but it can't always be, and it wouldn't make sense if it was. Jonathan finds his place with the Dalriadas, but that's not the end. He still must search for who he really is, and I think it leads to a very satisfying conclusion.

I saw someone mentioned in comments about the pacing... I didn't think it was slow, but I did feel like the ending went much too fast. There was a lot of travel time that the author skipped, which might have contributed to that. Overall, though, a good book- if you, like many people, like the idea of someone a little "different" finding his place in the world (rather, in two very different worlds) then look no further.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely read this in middle school or high school, I remember pulling it off the library shelf because the title and colors caught my eye. I remember that I didn't love the book, and I don't really remember the plot but the imagery obviously stuck with me -- I can still imagine this hilly, golden-red landscape; something about a golden apple; the idea of walking up a hill in a forest with the late afternoon sun in your eyes as you leave behind your home and community in the valley below.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan is "looney-blue" - a rare blue-eyed child among the Valley people (an all brown-eyed race of people). Most of the villagers fear or despise him because the only people that DO have blue eyes are the Dalriada who live in the mountains - and they are said to be crazy and ruthless barbarians.

Jonathan learns the truth of his heritage, but it comes not without great personal cost. Eventually he goes to dwell among the Dalriada and claim his place as a bridge between the peoples of the valley and the mountains.

This is a short book, and one that begs for a sequel (or several!). I'm looking into that. I was a bit impatient with this tale to GET UNDERWAY ALREADY. It became obvious to me that the only way I was really going to be able to bond with Jonathan was if he was to get himself away to be among the Dalriada - and FAST. His home situation, once his mother dies and the villagers become openly hostile, is untenable, and it's necessary that he get away in order to learn who he is. He can't do it among the valley people alone and he can't do it with them tagging along either. He's got to be alone (bildungsroman...sorry).

It helps (me as a reader) that one of the lures of the Dalriada are their fantastic horses, which each choose a Dalriada to bond with after passing into adulthood. This reminded me strongly of the hillfolk in Robin McKinley's Blue Sword - a story I love.

The cover art will probably keep a lot of readers from picking up this book, which is unfortunate because it is a lovely tale. As I mentioned above, a sequel would be much appreciated.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent YA fantasy, involving a young man's quest for his origins and the struggle between his two peoples (the Valley folk, and the magical Dalriada of the mountains). The pacing was a little off, I thought -- the beginning was a little slow and the end a little rushed -- but I really liked the vivid setting and characters and the emotional depth.

[cobwebbing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books that I read in elementary school that I reread every once in a while even as an adult. My main hangup is that the main character suffers from the stubborn entitled male fantasy protagonist cliche for much of the book. Nevertheless, I think that the descriptions of the settings and the mysticism late into the story make it worth it.

[Asenath · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning was slow-but still relevant. He should've spent more time in the mountains.

[Bobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it growing up about 5 or 6 times. Jonathon's struggle and journey echoed in my own tween life. Today I still recall random parts of the book at odd times.

[Tessa Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firegold is an amazing fantasy novel that follows the life of Jonathan as he struggles to come to terms with his heritage. It’s a coming of age book that follows his journey to find himself and who he wants to be. The author, Dia Calhoun, was able to create a beautiful fantasy world with a culturally rich valley and mountains that are home to secrets in this novel. This book also addresses how people often choose to consider themselves superior to other groups and demonize them while still staying very child (or at least young adult) friendly. The main character faces discrimination for his differences and could be educational to young people about racism because of the book’s parallels to racism. It’s very exciting as well and leaves you wanting more. In fact, Firegold was so good I finished it the day I began reading it and I wish that there were sequels to this novel.

[ReadForDessert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiammadoro è stato il mio libro preferito ai tempi delle medie, e da allora me lo porto nel cuore: dopo averlo ritrovato in uno scatolone di vecchi libri in cantina, ho deciso che era arrivato il momento di rileggerlo!

Il romanzo racconta la storia di Johnathon: un ragazzo diverso dai suoi compaesani che decide di cercare le sue origini in un viaggio attraverso le montagne abitate da un popolo selvaggio dedito alla caccia e ai cavalli: una storia avventurosa che parla di diversità, di crescita e di ricerca della propria identità, il tutto immerso in un suggestivo sfondo di ispirazione celtica (ma non solo) e con quel giusto pizzico di fantasy per far sognare i piccoli lettori... Alla tenera età di 30 anni l'ho trovato bello come quando ne avevo 14, e ne sono felicissima! : D

[Heather Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters, plot, pacing, themes, and a fully realized vision of an alternate world: this is the finest young adult writing out there. Firegold is one of my all time favorite novels of any genre. I think Dia Calhoun truly knocks it out of the park with this one.

Essentially a coming of age novel, Firegold is set in a complex and dangerous world with a rich history and a compelling central conflict. The plot is just beautiful, weaving disparate aspects of characters and events into a satisfying conclusion.

This is as near to perfect as fiction writing gets. I don't reread books often but this one is an "over and over again" book.

[Michael Cuesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic YA fantasy novel. Always great to see that a book that I loved as a kid holds up. Though not terribly high concept, the book is carried by strong prose, and believable characters, and engrossing drama. My only major complaint is with the pacing; the early part of the novel can be pretty slow (even though I personally enjoy these chapters) and the last chapter feels rushed, but besides that, this is a rock solid novel.

[Fin Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this book was the cover. Other than that, it was uninspiring. The world had a lot of potential, as did the story, but it was just boring, with bland dialogue, stale imagery, and convoluted metaphors. Great cover art though.

[Abigail G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short read with enough twists, adventure and internal discovery to make it a page turner.

[Brenda]

There was a chunk missing from my copy of the book and was replaced with some that was there. So I missed part of the story but was still able to figure out the story.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was boring enough that I don't actually remember the main character's name. There was this thing about Dalriada, and how they all have blue eyes. There was this right of passage thing called Sol Faringen, and if they finished it they got this scar called the O'Bredann. And this girl who made arrows, couldn't talk, and died.
I did read the book, it was just so boring that I wouldn't suggest it to anyone. also, I would only have remembered the details if it was a school project or something like that.

ADDENDUM: I do remember this bit at the end, where Jonathan gets his father to give him the mark that means he passed the test. I get that this is supposed to be a big epiphany for him and all, but really it just seems like cheating. What are the Dalriada going to think when he comes back with this mark that they wouldn't give him? It's going to look like "Well, guys, you wouldn't give me the O-Bredann, so I went home and got my dad to do it for me!"

[Fsp 5/6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Is a average 13 year old boy living in the southern valley, except for the fact he has blue eyes. For blue eyes are the sign of Dalriada, the barbarians who have terrorized the valley folk for hundreds of years. Is Jonathan a barbarian? Are Jonathan's parents lying to him about his origins? His answer waits in the red mountains.
I find this book interesting because of how it is well-writen, emotional, and simply compelling. It speaks to you about the sheer confusion Jonathan feels, with a complex but understandable plot. This book made me feel like i was living the main character's life, sad, happy, and a little frustrated at points.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firegold is about a young boy named Jonathon who discovers that he is not who he thought he was. He is one of a mysterious race of people, the Dalriada, who are thought to be ruthless barbarians. The novel traces his journey to discover himself, and to find out what is truth amidst the lies.

The imagery is beautiful here, but overall, it is nothing terribly special. I would much rather recommend Lloyd Alexander’s books. Having said this, I am still planning on reading the prequel to Firegold, White Midnight .

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great YA fantasy that shows that even familiar fantasy tropes can be used to great effect in the hands of a good writer. Jonathan has always been treated as an outsider, with his unusual blue yes and a mother who is not from the Valley where he lives. Gradually he begins to realize that he is perhaps truly an outsider; he may be related to the Dalriada, strange mountain-dwelling barbarians who are said to possess blue eyes and strange powers.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jonathon is different from the other Valley Folk. He has blue eyes, and everyone believes that he is the cause of the terrible blight. His blue eyes and markings show him to be of the blood of the mountain barbarians, the Dalriada. After a mob tries to kill him, Jonathon runs away to the Red Mountains, hoping to find the answers to his heritage. He must undergo the ridgewalk , a coming of age ritual to find the answers about himself.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good book by Dia Calhoun. The main character Jonathon is the only person in the Valley where he lives that doesn't have brown eyes. His eyes resemble the "loony blue" eyes of the mountain people called the Dalriada. Now he has to worry if he's going crazy much like the stories of the townspeople say he will. Will he stay with the town and everything he's ever known? Or, will he go to the mountains in search of these people with blue eyes?

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this one when I was younger - say from seven to thirteen, more or less. Now I'm past twenty and I can see its faults ahahahahah. But despite that I still find it very gentle and even touching in some passages; it's a good book to read over and over as one grows up.
It's a pity the other novels by the Calhoun were never translated in Italian, I have the feeling I would have liked those also.

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been in my collection for over ten years before I finally read it! I liked the premise of the story and it was engaging enough to keep my interest. That said, the book could have used a more attentive editor since there were elements of the story that needed better integration. I was also often frustrated by the actions of the main character, Jonathan, when they didn't make sense to me. The pacing of the story could have been better balanced, as well.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a young adult book about the Dalraida - a mythical people with magical powers.
There are horses, magic, coming of age, love, truth and family secrets all wrapped up in a sweet, lovely book. There is action also.
I recommend this book - it captures the imagination and makes the reader dream.

[LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the first half of the book Jonathan tries to deny that he could be Dalriada; the second half he seeks to complete the Dalriada coming-of-age challenge and so belong. Trying NOT to be does not work as well as trying to be. I found this hard to get into despite good character motivations. There is some mysticism.

[Sabrina Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming of age story (seems to have been a trend lately) about a boy who is discovering why he is so different from all the other Valley people. His mom, a horse, apples, and the mountains all add up to so much more. A good book for biracial/biethnic issues.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes from my childhood review:

-birth doesn't determine who you are, but who you were born as should be part of who you are
-The boy learns to breathe, stand his ground, face fear, love, cry and forgive

[Jennifer Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book a few years ago after trying to find it without remembering the name. I highly recommend. My school librarian had me read it in elementary school and I still love it as a 34 year old woman.

[Kinsie Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the most amazing book i've ever read.

[Jenylyng · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books that come up with new, imaginitive characters. This is a fantasy-like book without the normal fantasy dragons and elves. A great book for young adults.