Whoa... what a trip! Claudia Gray has cover almost every single question there is to know or understand in A Thousand Pieces of You. What started as a journey of revenge turn into a multi-dimensional jumping across the universe to discover love has become a science fiction young adult romance with more twist and turns to a point unexpectedly ends with a cliffhanger. The shivers that came with this unexpected ending is just what is needed for turning this Firebird trilogy into a television series.

As it begins, we see our protagonist (Marguerite & Paul), once more, travel to other dimensions to save their friend Theo from an unexpected side effects of Nightthief (when the 'other' version of Theo took over his body) by finding a cure. What happens later Paul was splintered into four other dimensions and Wyatt Conley (the main villain) make a deal with Marguerite in order to save Paul's soul, she will help Conley to sabotage and destroy all Firebird technology that was discovered in other dimensions. As she travel, what she herself discover of her love for Paul questions her love for him and other versions of Paul.

Sequels are a tricky thing - it either grabs you and lose you when you begin to read. A season reader will have more expectations than those aren't. There are twist that surprises me, some were quite unexpected that do questions Marguerite's faith on Paul. While Claudia Gray description of other dimensions and theories of similarities are logical, I do feel there are one too many times recaps repeated in the book. Nevertheless, it was not formulated and it is slightly better than the first book and of course, until that "twist" in the end, that held me abound and crave for more

Claudia Gray has created some thing what was a favorite concept of mind but what was good in the first book, has step up a little higher for the sequel. While I can say it is bias of this review because I love Quantum Leap and Sliders, the Firebird trilogy able to quench my thirst for more what I loved from both TV series. I do hope in the third and final book she will do away a lot of recap repeats in the book as it does hinder the fun in reading. This is so far a worthy sequel of the first.

I kind of enjoy the first book of the trilogy. Its quite fast, I love the creative dimensional worlds description in this book and that reminds me a lot of the 1995-2000 Sliders television series that I used to love and of course, the 'taking-over' versions of ourselves in the universe that do feels like Quantum Leap (I am feeling a little old on this but hey, I love TV!) and voila - you have an 18-year old girl named Marguerite Caine travel through alternate dimensions that hunt down her father's killer named Paul Markov (a Russian physics favorite student of her fathers) together with Theo Beck (another physics student) on jumping through worlds. But what it seems to be on a hunt to bring justice to her father's killer may turn out bigger than what it seems into a conspiracy of a bigger league. That's how it sets off with the first book of the Firebirdtrilogy.

Its quite a simple read actually. Easy to follow, not much of science techno-explanation that might give you problems that you need to go back to your school days when you learn about science as a subject. Every thing was laid out pretty well and I do enjoy the actions that go along with it. Some how, it does lay thick with the romance when Marguerite was in Russia but every thing else is enjoyable. I can see why Claudia Gray succeed with this but I felt this first book was short on many things - unexplained loopholes, unexplained events that occurred and of course, the ending. Overall - I do find it an easy read and it can be done in a day (took me 4 because I got work to do). I do hope my next read will fill in the blanks but for anyone that loves science fiction in a simplify manner, this book might work for you (or if you love alternate dimensions that you are curious about what version are you in another dimension).

Jennifer Loring does a wonderful job of continuing Stephanie Hartwell’s and former NHL Star Aleksandr Volynsky’s story in the second book of the Firebird Trilogy, WHAT'S LEFT OF ME.  Alex and Stephanie have not had it easy.  Just when it looks like everything is finally going to go their way, Alex is accused of sexual assault allegations, and Stephanie is diagnosed with a serious illness.   This contemporary sports romance takes place in Buffalo and is suitable for adult audiences.

Jennifer Loring does an admirable job with her character development.  Both main characters have gone through a lot and grown tremendously.  I felt bad for everything that the couple went through.  The characters are likeable.  Alex is now aware of his mental illness and trying to deal with it.  He had to end his NHL career early due to an injury.  He was given the opportunity to coach his old team the Buffalo Gladiators.  He is a good man, and he tries hard to be a decent husband and father.  I love Alex’s sense of humor.   Stephanie is a strong heroine.  I love that she plays hockey.  I was often disappointed in how she treated Alex in this story, and that she kept her illness from him, but I get that people respond to situations differently.  I like that Stephanie is ruthless when it comes to investigating accusations against her loved ones.

The plot was realistic and thought-provoking.  The issues were pertinent with today’s society.  The couple was put through some test in their relationship.  Both being public figures made their ordeals even more difficult.  I like how the story was resolved, and I look forward to the last book in the trilogy. 

Complimentary copy provided via manicreaders.com in exchange for an honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyed The Man, the first book of The Firebird Trilogy!

The Man tells a story about Gin, a girl who lives with a kind old candle-maker, and carves out candles for living. After a fire tragedy pulls them apart, Gin finds shelter in a safe house of the candle maker’s mysterious friend, Niall. In the safe house, Gin meets a group of people who share many secrets. And as time goes by, Gin becomes fatally attracted to Niall, her protector on the journey that’s to unfold…

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and found myself wrapped in its magic right away. I empathised with Gin, who is a very interesting, soulful heroine. Her romantic relationship with Niall is engaging since their very first meeting and their chemistry is quite irresistible. Gin’s dog friend, who is simply called Dog, is a cute character as well.

The novel blends romance with fantasy and dystopian genre, but is one of a kind in its own special way. I enjoyed Gin’s memories of her wise grandmother, through which the reader slowly unravels Gin’s past as well as anticipates her future lot. Being an astrologer, I also liked how the author plays with the fire element symbolism and astrological philosophy. I particularly liked the mention about the “Virgo maiden who spent so much time analysing life and its pieces that she forgot to live.”

I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy reading unique dystopian fantasy romance, but to everyone really, because it’s a really good one! And since this is the first part of a series, I look forward to read on.

NHL Star, Aleksandr Volynsky, is traded to the Seattle Earthquakes expansion team. His high school sweetheart and current sports writer, Stephanie Hartwell, request an exclusive interview, reuniting them after eight years.

It has been a long time since a book made me cry. Considering I read three to four book a week that is saying a lot. Jennifer Loring’s Firebird is a believable and heartfelt story that I could not put down.

I loved Alex’s character. He is an incredible athlete but very lonely. He never loved anyone other than Stephanie. My heart really went out to him and everything he endures. He is a good person even though he does not believe that himself.

A couple of times I was a little ticked off at Stephanie. I felt she did not cut Alex enough slack. However, in all honesty, I would have probably acted similar to her. I liked that she also plays hockey, and that she stands up for herself at work.

I love that they quote Winnie the Pooh. As they say, he really is a very wise bear.

The hockey scenes are well-written. The characters are well developed. The title is perfect for the plot of the book. There is a lot that happens in this story that kept me captivated. Firebird keeps getting better the further you read it. It is a meaningful story with an intense plot. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.