Review: Firefight - Brandon Sanderson

Firefight by Brandon Sanderson
Series: The Reckoners #2
Genre: YA, science fiction
Published on January 6, 2015
Published by Delacorte Press
Pages: 432
Read From: 12.30.14 - 1.8.15












SYNOPSIS

Newcago is free. 

They told David it was impossible - that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet Steelheart - invincible, immortal, unconquerable - is dead. And he died by David's hand. 

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life simpler. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And no one in Newcago can give him answers. 

Babylon Restored, the city formerly known as the borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic Regalia, Babylon Restored is flooded and miserable, but David is sure it's the path that will lead him to what he needs to find. Entering a city oppressed by a High Epic despot is risky, but David's willing to take the gamble. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic - Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker and even more dangerous than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

Review

Warning: Spoilers for Steelheart may follow. Read at your own risk.

Cover Blurb: Yes or No? I do like the cover art! It doesn't mismatch the original Steelheart hardcover too badly, either, so I'm good with it!

Characters: David is just awesome. His bad metaphors/similes are just hilarious, and he's a total nerd, but super duper into guns, and I can totally appreciate that. He doesn't always think before he acts, but his gut instinct is usually right - which shouldn't excuse his recklessness, but somehow does. Just can't stay mad at David for long. I still love Prof and the fatherlike role he takes on, and his struggle with being an Epic lends a very complex aspect to his character. This also is true for Megan's character, and it made me appreciate her a lot more, too. I was sorry that Cody and Abe weren't in Firefight much, but I really liked the new characters we were introduced to: Val and Mizzie (who I adored). And we still got Tia! I love Tia! Regalia was a very interesting villain. I loved how in control she was; how nothing phased her, and the Reckoners constantly wondered if they were playing right into her hands. But Obliteration was probably the most terrifying Epic. Oh my gosh, seriously creepy dude! His whole demeanor and behavior - it was all so creepy! And then there's the mysterious Dawnslight - who I was dying to know more about the whole time!

The Romance: David still has feelings for Megan, and Megan is fighting with her powers and her feelings for David. I love these two so much, and yes, I was invested in the romance. It doesn't get in the way of the story at all, but it also doesn't take backseat.

Plot: Now that Steelheart has been killed and Newcago is free from Epic rule, the Reckoners need to decide what to do next. Keep killing minor Epics like they used to? Or target another High Epic? Regalia, ruler of Babylon Restored, makes the decision for them: she's been sending powerful Epics to Newcago, trying to get Prof's attention. She and Prof have a history. And now David, Prof, and Tia are teaming up with the Reckoners of Babylon Restored to take her out - and more importantly, figure out what Regalia is up to. But David isn't there just to take down Regalia. Firefight - an Epic who has special meaning for David - is also there. And as the Reckoners investigate not only Regalia, but Firefight and other Epics as well, David learns that there's a lot more to what's going on than he initially thought. Firefight ups the game times ten. You thought Steelheart was intense? Wait until you meet the Epics of this book! Regalia, Obliteration, Firefight, Dawnslight - just to name a few. It seems like around each corner there's more and more questions about what Regalia is up to; what exactly created Epics in the first place; whether or not Epics can learn how to control the corruption that comes with their powers. There's a ton of world building - and can I just say that Babylon Restored has got to be my favorite Epic city ever?! It is so flippin' awesome! Amid all of this are more mysteries: what exactly Calamity is, who Dawnslight - a seemingly benevolent High Epic - is, and what Regalia's plan is. I was totally invested in the storyline and the world. Absolutely captivating.

Believability: Not applicable.

Writing Style: First person, past tense. David is one of my all-time favorite narrators. He's hilarious and awesome. These books wouldn't be what they are if he didn't narrate them.

Content: None.

Conclusion: Once again, Brandon Sanderson pulled two twists that I didn't see coming. Not entirely, at least. One of them I rather hoped wouldn't happen (but was pleased and horrified when it did). And I have no idea what Book #3 will bring. So much stuff to happen! I'm so excited! Firefight was everything a sequel should be. There was character development, the stakes were raised, the world building was more in depth, and there were lots of unexpected twists. He never disappoints.

Recommended Audience: Guy-read, seventeen-and-up, fans of science fiction, superheroes, and something original.

Others in The Reckoners Series:
1)Steelheart
2)Firefight