About the Book

Title: Scorched (Scorched #1)
Published: 2013
Series: Scorched
Swoonworthy Scale: 6

Cover Story: Hot Mess
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: He Said, She Said, He Said
Bonus Factor: Dragons, Superpowers
Anti-bonus Factor: Love Triangle
Relationship Status: Bonded Pair

Cover Story: Hot Mess

Someone please alert that woman that while she’s standing there looking fierce, her dragon seems to be destroying things behind her

The Deal:

Trinity Foxx is a pretty typical teenager, at least on the surface. Look a little deeper and you’ll see an orphan who struggles daily to keep her grandfather and herself afloat, whether it be paying the bills with money from after school jobs or taking over the managerial duties of her grandfather’s (failing) fossil museum.

When her grandfather gets involved in yet another crazy scheme—this time, spending the money that was supposed to go to save the museum on the world’s last surviving dragon egg—Trinity is about to give up. Until the military men in the big black SUV and the strange, pale guy with futuristic gadgets show up, that is, and Trinity realizes that her grandfather’s crazy might not be so crazy after all.

Prefer a visual explanation? Check out the Scorched book trailer, below:


(Dun-dun-DUN!)

BFF Charm: Yay

Yay BFF Charm

Even with the ridiculous name, Trinity is an awesome girl. She’s dedicated and loyal, and keeps her wits about her when she’s forced into situations that drastically change her life and her view of reality. Plus, she’s “fire kissed,” which means she’s been chosen by a dragon to become paired with, and dragons are freaking sweet. I’d hope that by being BFFs, I’d get to ride it on occasion.

Swoonworthy Scale: 6

Being on the run from a sketchy military organization, “protected by” (i.e. being held prisoner) by a cult-like organization and often not being able to figure out which one of a pair of twin brothers you’re talking to would take a toll on anyone’s love life, but Trinity is a teenage girl, so she makes a valiant attempt at engaging in swoonage.

Connor and Caleb, the twin brothers who are both, at different times, savior and captor, are similar in that they’re both dedicated to their respective causes but are able to make adjustments when certain truths are revealed, but different in the manner in which they carry out their tasks, at least at the beginning of the book when Connor is more pragmatic and Caleb is more volatile. They’re both sweet, genuine guys (plus they’re hot, natch) and by the end of the book, their personalities kind of meet in the middle. I don’t envy Trinity at the eventuality of having to choose between the two. (I’m not entirely sure that this is the start of a series, but it has the feel of one.)

Talky Talk: He Said, She Said, He Said

In Scorched, we hear the thoughts of and see through the eyes of all three of the main characters (Trinity, Connor and Caleb.) Mari Mancusi does a great job of differentiating between the boys and Trinity, but as the twins’ characters progress, it gets a bit harder to tell who’s who by the end unless we’re specifically told. On the flip side, I do appreciate an author who can create a new lexicon (slang, curses, etc.) without it feeling completely foreign and confusing.

Bonus Factor: Dragons

A dragon perched on a mountain top with his wings spread with the sun setting in the background

Seriously, guys. There are not many creatures, fantastical or real, that are cooler than dragons, and the dragons in Scorched are some of the best I’ve read about. They’re intelligent, loyal, playful and gorgeous (massive) creatures who can breathe fire and fly—and will sometimes take you on rides. Sure, they can be dangerous, but the pros totally outweighs the cons in this case.

Bonus Factor: Superpowers

None of the characters can fly (without the aid of dragons) or Hulk-out when they get angry, but certain individuals in Scorched have something called the “spark,” which gives them some pretty awesome mind powers. And on occasion, those are more helpful than the ability to punch through walls.

Anti-bonus Factor: Love Triangle

Jacob, Bella, and Edward from Twilight

The Trinity/Connor/Caleb business is not the worst example of a love triangle I’ve ever read, but there’s serious foreshadowing of a situation that could end badly, depending upon which twin’s team you’re on.

Relationship Status: Bonded Pair

Dragons, mind powers, kickass heroine and hot twins? Book, you had me at hello. Regardless of how many times I complain about series, I’m actually really hoping you turn into one so that we can have more adventures together. Plus, I still want that dragon ride.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a free review copy from Sourcebooks Fire. I received neither snickerdoodles nor money for this review (dammit!). Scorched will be available Sept. 3.

Mandy (she/her) is a manager at a tech company who lives in Austin, TX, with her husband, son, and dogs. She loves superheroes and pretty much any show or movie with “Star” in the name.