Fire and Flood (Fire & Flood, #1)

by Victoria Scott

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/04/fire-and-flood-by-victoria-scott.html
I'm a fan of Victoria Scott after discovering her Dante Walker series. If you follow her on social media, you'll soon see that she weaves her own fun, sassy and sarcastic personality into her characters, and Fire and Flood is no different. The storyline surrounds a mysterious competition that is reminiscent of The Hunger Games, but rather than a fight to the death, Fire and Flood is a series of survival style races. The competitors, who vary in ages and number in their hundreds, are dropped in a location where it's a race to Base Camp. Each leg of the race is allocated two weeks, with one week of rest in between. Instructions are sent via earpiece and the only assistance competitors will receive is via their chosen Pandora. The only problem is, you have no idea what your Pandora is at the choosing ceremony.

A Pandora is a type of genetically modified animal, that hatch from an egg. From a bear, a lion, even a small fox type creature, but the one thing these animals have in common, that they aren't common at all. Each has a specific element of surprise that will help their human companion within The Race. Tella's Pandora is adorable, adding a softness to the storyline. He's like a playful puppy at times, but is loving and affectionate, traits other Pandora's don't seem to have. Their relationship is unlike any other when Tella names her egg Madox, other competitors choosing to stick to the code that was given to their particular breed of savior. Perhaps that's one of many reasons why Guy softens to the sassy smart mouthed girl.

Guy is your typical young adult male heroine, quiet, moody and mysterious. He holds his cards close to his chest and clearly knows more about The Race than he's willing to share. But thankfully he's not arrogant or chauvinistic, but slowly begins to warm to socialising with other competitors, including Tella. Their relationship blooms to a mutual respect, then to something more. The romance is a slow burning friendship without being overwhelmed by instant love, which is refreshing.

I know it's been compared across a wide range of reviews as a replica of The Hunger Games, and perhaps rightly so. Regardless, I loved it immensely and found myself reading into the early hours of the morning, riveted and unable to put it down.