Arson (Arson #1)
by Estevan Vega
Published: 2011
From Goodreads:ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CAN CREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN’T SHUT IT OFF.
Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl–who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin–moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he’s never had: purpose. After years of living in fear, he will be forced to confront his haunting past and embrace the unknown as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Edgy, realistic, and breathtaking, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated teenager with unimaginable ability, is set to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.
Tabatha thought:
I came across this book in my inbox. If the cover wasn’t enough to intrigue me, the synopsis just put it over the top! Honestly, I didn’t know what to make of this book when I first started reading it. There wasn’t really much of a lead up. It was just all the sudden – BAM! – awesome story time! I kind of developed a love/hate relationship with it as I read. I know some people might think that is a bad thing, but it really isn’t. To me, it means the story has FEELING.
Arson – who is quite freaking awesome – has the most fitting name EVER. Why? The dude can just conjure up some fire with his mind. (YES PLEASE! This would totally come in handy in all aspects of my life! Where can I sign up for this?!) Here is someone who is just trying to… well, live. He isn’t moving forward.. or backwards for that matter and he has the insanely “horrid” task of his love/hate relationship with his grandmother. Eventually, something good will happen to him!
That something good comes in the form of Emery, his neighbor who wears a mask… and by mask, I mean hideous mask. Intrigued now aren’t you?! I thought the relationship between the two of them was an epic kind of beautiful. I loved watching everything happen. (You know, on the magic movie reel inside my head!) It was very real. By real I mean I could relate. It wasn’t so over the top that I couldn’t picture it happening to someone in real life. When it comes to Emery though, I LOVE her. Everything about her fascinates me. She has the personality of some of my friends, which makes her pretty awesome in my book (:
My favorite part of this book would have to me Emery’s mother. The book even gives HER perspective on this. Yes, an ADULT perspective. How often do you see that man!? Kudos on that Mr. Vega. Originality at it’s finest! The other thing that really caught me with this book was the ending. Normally, I am not one for cliffhangers, simply because I am impatient and want to know RIGHT THEN what is going to happen! However, Vega did it with skill. I actually loved the cliffhanging ending in this book. I cannot wait to read Ashes! (be sure to check back for that review!)
My ONLY pet peeve with this book was one of the secondary characters, Mandy. She is seriously one of those people that you just want to shank in the eye.. with your stiletto. No joke, she was THAT bad.. I literally cringed every time she had a part in the book! Then again, the book wouldn’t have been the same without her, so it was just one of those things I had to deal with.
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Oh nice, I saw the cover (which is really beautiful by the way) around but didn’t look further. Now I’m really intrigued and I would like to learn more about it. thanks for the review!
The cover is kind of awesome! You’re welcome for the review (: – I’d love to hear what you think about it after you read it!
I really enjoyed this book too!! I thought it was creative and wonderful. The end was fantastic! I actually bought Ashes immediately after finishing and sadly have not had time to get to it. Great review!!
I bought it right after too!
I was like – I HAVE TO KNOW! I can’t wait to get started on it! 
&& thank you!
Shank in the eye with a stiletto? LOL Oh that is a bad secondary character. Still, this one sounds like awsomesauce! Thanks!
It was the best I could come up with. She’s like the “popular mean chick” in high school who everyone just wants to kick lol.
[...] Book Review: Arson by Estevan Vega [...]
I remember hearing about this book a long time ago and sadly I decided to not pick it up. Now I’m starting to regret that decision since it sounds like such a great story.
Thanks for the awesome review!
It took me awhile to get around to reading it, but I am glad I did! If you do read it, I’d love to hear what you think (:
Stoked you enjoyed it, Tabs! Epic kind of beautiful…thanks so much for the kind words. And yes, that reaction is totally allowed toward Mandy. I do believe a good eye-shanking is in order.
Spread the fire!
evega
facebook: we are arson
twitter: @estevanvega