Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

"Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?"

The first thing I heard about this book was that it was a mix between The Hunger Games (THG) and Pokémon. Well, I have to disagree, at least partially. For me this was as if Pokémon meets The Amazing Race (a TV Show). But I do understand why everyone is comparing it to THG, because of course it has some similarities (it happens when you deal with the same genre) though they fade as the story goes on.

Fire & Flood follows a girl named Tessa who decides to participate in a Race, the Brimstone Bleed, to win a cure so that she can save her brother. A Race that lasts three (freaking) months and has four phases: jungle, dessert, ocean and mountain. Only one person can win, even though there is a small prize in every phase. Your only help during the Race is your Pandora, a genetic altered animal whose propose is to help and protect his/her Contender. What really intrigued me is that most of the Contenders did not know about the Race, is not a public thing. You only know about it when a special device is delivered to each possible Contender with instructions.

The characters were, for me, very likeable and relatable throughout the entire story and I found myself caring for them. Also, can I have a Pandora of my own? Can that happen? Because let me tell you that I would be awesome! In my own personal opinion I will say Victoria Scott built a great story with an interesting plot that will make you scream for more once you’ve finished it. Action-packed, fast-paced, incredibly addictive and full of twists is how I would describe this great start, which looks like it will become an awesome trilogy. Can’t wait for the second book! 

MY RATING:

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