The Fire (Mila 2.0, #0.5)

by Debra Driza

[Jo]

Originally published on Once Upon a Bookcase.

This short story prequel to Mila 2.0 is exactly that - a short story. Not a novella, like I was expecting. But it's still an awesome short story! Mila 2.0: The Origins: The Fire covers the fire that, in Mila 2.0, Mila can't remember anything before. The fire her father dies in.

It's fast paced and exciting, throwing you right into the action from the very get go. There's no slow building up to it; one minute Mila is dreaming, the next she wakes up choking on smoke. Debra Driza has written the story in such detail that even though I have never been in a fire, I could feel everything. The thick, choking smoke, the incessant, blistering heat. In such a small amount of time, Driza sets up extreme drama and tension, and has you sitting on the edge of your seat before you've even realised you've moved.

With this short story, Driza shows she is an extremely skilled writer, but also gives us some insight into what to expect in the full length novel. Mila is extremely resourceful, and although panicked and scared, keeps a clear enough head to think. And with the ending, I am so intrigued to see where Mila 2.0 will follow.

This free (currently) short story comes with the first seven chapters of Mila 2.0, but I didn't read them as I get too interested, and then can't continue! But as it is, I am super excited to get my hands on this book once it's released! It's going to be awesome!