Three friends go camping in Virginia. During the exploration of a cave in their swimming hole, they end up going through a portal to another world. This was an awesome story, to see Kate grow into her powers and finally know the truth about everything. The end does leave you hanging…who are the traitors? Will Brad return from the dead to kill Kate and Arland? Will Brit stay or return to earth? I guess we’ll have to read book two to find out. ( )

First off I wanna say Wow, beautiful cover. The cover is always the first thing that draws me to a book, and this one is really lovely. Also the cover actually pertains to the book, and that isn't always the case anymore.

This book really threw me because it was written in first person present tense, and I have a hard time getting into book written this way. It took me a while, probably almost halfway through, before I felt comfortable reading and not paying too close attention to the wording. I think this is just a personal preference of mine, but I had to at least mention it because it distracted me from enjoying it.

Once I got over the wording, I really enjoyed the story. The world that the author created was really interesting and different. The character's were believable. Kate especially. She's been brought to Encardia without prior knowledge of what life will be like there or what is expected of her, and I thought she handled it realistically. A few times she seemed depressed and upset, but most of the time she was very courageous and accepting. I also really enjoyed Arland, and feel that he is perfect for Kate. Their love is so beautiful and pure, that it's magic.

The best thing about this book is that it has a wonderful story. It's imaginative and unique, and I was really into the story by the end, and I can't wait to find out what happens next. ( )

NOTE: I Received this book from Netgalley.

I read the entire book in one day, almost in one sitting. It was really good, story wise. The writing style was sort of in need of improvement because there were times when the narrative and the characters sounded just too dry. But I thoroughly enjoyed and was left hungry for more.

What really got me going about this book was the different world that the characters suddenly stumble upon. Everything they had known until then is but a dream of sorts. The reality is in the other world, the world where monsters reign, where there is Darkness, and where people die.

I thought the story was original, what with the people living solely underground, and the world being all dark. At least I haven't read another similar book. Sure, the concept is like in any other fantasy book - good vs. evil.

The ending got me quite a bit baffled though. Not because of the cliffhanger, which was sort of good by the way. It was because of the weird explanations that the main character is given, for what had been going on. I do not think it was the right way to close the story, but then again - the author knows best.

The characters:

*Kate, a.k.a. Katriona - I couldn't get to like this girl at all. Main character or not, she totally irritated me. I mean, she could fairly well accept that she was in a different world; she accepted that world as hers; she accepted the fact that she is Light, i.e. the opposite of Darkness.... the only thing she can't seem to accept is her powers. I had never heard of something so stupid. I mean, when you battle monsters, it's those powers that are most important, they must be embraced first. Another thing I didn't like about Kate was how mopey she was. All she knew to do was whine about, cry, whine some more, then stutter an apology of some sort to this person and that. Gosh! She was so darn irritating!!!

*Arland - I can't not give it to him that he was a good leader. The little crew he had at his command respected and obeyed him. But when Kate got in the picture, he didn't mind risking his people just to please her desire to rescue a friend. I'm not sure why he was supposed to be all irresistible and swoon worthy, except for the built of his body, and his rare smiles.

*Brad - the idiot... I hated him from the very beginning, not sure why. There was a constant nagging feeling that he won't turn out good, even when in coma.

*Flanna - now she was a character full of life. I really liked her and her attitude. She was always there at the right time, or the wrong one, sticking her nose in people's business when they least expected it. She was amusing, and I enjoyed having her around.

You'd think that with all those character weaknesses, I'd give it a lower rating. However, the story itself is so good, it deserves those four stars, despite the characters. ( )

Here is my official view on fantasy novels, you ready? The books will either be amazing or disappointing. It's hard to find middle ground, especially when someone is creating a world all their own. I respect people that do that sort of thing because I know how much effort and thought it takes to make a world that makes sense. But that doesn't mean it always works out, so this made me wary at first when I began to read this novel. Somehow along the way, it captured my heart and five stars. The story was wonderful to read and I certainly found myself reading the rest of the series after I finished this one because I couldn't get enough. It became one of those books that once I set it down, I wanted to pick it back up and read it all over again.

Kate, from the moment the story began, held a huge amount of pressure upon her shoulders even when she didn't realize it. Dreams of one man and death haunt her each night and she knows that the man of her dreams is real and that she is in love with him or at least will be. Of course, no one else seems to believe her but that's their issue not hers. She has a certain amount of obliviousness which is adorable and silent strength that proves to be a great resource to her throughout the story. After following a bright light through the forest while hiking with her sister, Brit, and her best friend, Brad, they find themselves in a world that is definitely not their own. Then she finds herself face-to-face with the man who has haunted her dreams and a prophecy that has been attached to her name since before she was born. Beautiful, calm, strong, and brave are some of the words I attach to her and I love her.

I have a love-hate relationship with Brad over the course of the novels. Once you read the books, you'll understand why. He is the typically friend-zoned guy who seems to think he has a chance with the main character when really, she's been in love with this dream guy since she was fourteen. He sadly stumbled into the wrong world when Kate drags him to a world she has only dreamt about and it was most certainly at the wrong time. When he finally gets the nerve up to kiss her, it turns out his whole situation takes a turn for the worse and leaves him without any idea that she doesn't feel that way for him. Of course, his story can only get worse as the story progresses.

Flanna was an endearing character from the moment she was introduced to the novel. She had a witty, sarcastic, and loving way about her that made it hard not to love her. It was clear that she was similar to the woman of the house in this military base that Kate finds herself in. Her jobs were making food for everyone there (which is a higher number than I would ever be willing to cook for) and also caring for the animals that they housed their, such as horses and chickens and goats. Kate and Flanna quickly became friends as they worked together on those duties and found a certain amount of common respect for each other that could not be found with anyone else. She wasn't afraid to ask Kate to work with her and she definitely wasn't afraid to call her on the carpet when she was being stupid and moody.

Arland is the main love interest of the story, although the two of them seem to face a great deal of challenges along the way. He is a clueless male when it comes to certain things about Kate and yet he is a born leader. One of the youngest to take command of a military base, he has a bright and powerful future ahead of him that many expect. He rarely loses his cool in the face of intense and dangerous situations and shows his strength multiple times throughout the course of the book. However no love story is complete without Kate saving him a couple of times, even though he was born to protect her. Who knows, sometimes things get a little backwards.

I absolutely love and adore this story. Read it. No seriously, go check it out. ( )

I received a copy of Wilde's Fire courtesy of NetGalley

Kate has been having the same dreams for the past 6 years. All have the same man, Arland, and deal with daemons, death, and distruction. Only problem is, Kate hasn't ever met Arland. Yet she is somehow in love with him. Upon a camping trip with her sister and best friend Brad, they stumble upon a portal into another world. A world that Kate's parents fled from after receiving Kate's prophecy...

I really enjoyed Wilde's Fire! It reminded me a little of Graceling, a little of Eragon, but was more original than most of the other fantasy stories I've read lately. The writing was great, and the characters as well. I didn't want the story to end! I can't wait to read Wilde's Army, and get deeper into Kate and Arland's story. ( )