Monday, January 23, 2012

Firethorn - Ronie Kendig

THE BOOK:

Blown and dismantled, Nightshade is ready to repay the favor.

Former Marine and current Nightshade team member Griffin "Legend" Riddell is comfortable. So comfortable he never sees the set up that lands him in a maximum security prison, charged with murder. How can he prove his innocence behind bars?

Covert operative Kazi Faron is tasked with reassembling Nightshade—the black ops team someone dissected. Breaking Griffin out of a federal penitentiary amid explosive confusion may turn out to be her last assignment. What will it take to convince the fugitive that whoever set him up has also dissected the Nightshade team? As Kazi and Griffin race to rescue the others and discover the traitor, love begins to awaken in their hearts.

Can a covert operative and the felon she's freed overcome their mutual distrust long enough to save Nightshade? Will anything prepare them for who—or what is coming?

MY REVIEW:

Star Rating: *****

Anyone who’s read anything by Ronie Kendig knows that she can deliver “rapid-fire fiction”, and she does not disappoint in Firethorn, the grand finale for the Discarded Heroes series! Open this book and instantly you will be sucked into the latest adventure for the Nightshade team. Except, instead of being sent on a mission…they are the mission—to regroup back together and hunt down whoever tried to permanently dismantle the Nightshade team.

What I found most intriguing about Firethorn is that it wasn’t just about Griffin (Legend) and Kazi—though they are very central characters—but touches on each one of the members of the Nightshade team. Including their wives. Getting to see the men and their families from previous books—Max and Sydney, Colton and Piper, Canyon and Dani—fight for their livelihood was the most gripping part of the book. After growing so attached to all of them in Nightshade, Digitalis, and Wolfsbane, I was nearly out of my mind with worry when the Nightshade was targeted and the members scattered.

Bringing in Kazi—an assassin who’s always worked alone—was a really neat twist in contrast to the tight teamwork that Griffin is used to with the Nightshade team. This book almost rivaled Wolfsbane’s position as my favorite out of the series. Almost. I admit I was a little depressed on finishing this book—one ending just completely took me by surprise. And while I don’t hate the book—by any means!—it still...really saddened me. (No spoilers in this review, so that’s all I’m saying!)

Ronie Kendig is at the top of her game with Firethorn. The writing grips you, the characters (once again) spring from the pages, and the action is non-stop! It’s so hard to believe the Discarded Heroes series has come to an end. The characters have become so special and personal to me! But I know whatever book/series she comes out with next, I am going to love—It’s Ronie Kendig we’re talkin’ about here, a lady who writes my kind of suspense...how can I not?? 

I reviewed this book for FIRST Wild Card Blog Tours. Special thanks to Ronie Kendig for sending me a review copy. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done. 

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10 comments:

Rissi said...

Ah! Book four of Kendig's popular suspense series. I'll definitely have to pick this one up for my mom (she has read all three) and then get reading the series myself! Not sure that she'll like the "questionable" finale though.

Sheri Salatin said...

LOVED THIS BOOK! I think it was her most intense yet. you?

4readin said...

Thanks for the review! I always enjoy reading your posts!

Katie McCurdy said...

Rissi,

Oh, yes, she MUST read this one!

It wasn't really questionable ending...just for me, it was rather sad. But that's me. Others might find it an awesome ending. It was still good--don't get me wrong, Firethorn was awesome!--I just shed a few tears over one ending. :-)

~ Lady Katy

Katie McCurdy said...

Sheri,

She sure had some non-stop action in there, to be sure! And I have to agree with you---it was so intense, with everyone's life going crazy! Awesome!

~ Lady Katy

Katie McCurdy said...

4readin,

Thanks! Glad you like it. Hope you find some great reads!

~ Lady Katy

Marianne said...

Thanks, Katie. Love all the Ronie novels, and they are a must on my shelf! Up there with Irene Hannon and Dee Henderson!

Katie McCurdy said...

Marianne,

Yes, a very BIG must! I love 'em all, too! Oh yeah, she's right up there with those two. I need to read more by Dee -- I've only read one of hers, but really liked it!

~ Lady Katy

4readin said...

Sounds great! Thanks for the review.

Katie McCurdy said...

4Readin,

The book is great!!!! If you at all like military suspense, then you DEFF need to read this book!

~ Lady Katy