EMBER FURY

Pyromania: A mental derangement, excitement or excessive enthusiasm for fire.

Having celebrity parents isn't as hot as it sounds.

Yes, there's money to burn, fame and some totally smoking guys...But when your dad's more interested in blazing a trail to the top of the charts than why you got kicked out of school, again, it can make you seriously angry.

And if there's one thing Ember knows, it's that the smallest spark of anger can ignite a whole heap of trouble.

Firstly, I have to say that this book is stunningly beautiful and I'm not just talking about the cover. It's a novel with an interesting story, but it's also a gorgeous graphic novel with awesome illustrations! I loved the unique way Ember's story was told, it made the reading experience that much more fun.

Ember Fury is a teenager with celebrity parents - her father's in a band and her stepmother is an actress. So, anything she does makes it into the gossip magazines. When she goes from London to LA to stay with her stepmother, Ember does everything she can to oppose her. No matter how nice Charity is, or tries to include her in things, Ember just doesn't want to get along with her. Oh, and did I mention that Ember's obsessed with fire and has gotten in trouble because of it many times? Well, she is.

I found Ember's voice smooth and the way the story unfolded, addictive. It sucked me in and kept me glued to every page. Ember starts out sounding like a girl who doesn't care about much and is willing to cause trouble no matter what, but as more of her past is revealed, I realised that all that outward troubled energy is like an armour she wears to hide her real emotions. Deep down, she's just a teen who misses her dead mother. And she's so angry at the absent father she never gets to see, that making trouble is her way of dealing with it.

A lot of other stuff happens to her along the way - including meeting Finn, running off to Las Vegas in a stolen car, and finding out the truth about what happened to her imaginary friend, Ned. All of these things help shape who she slowly becomes.

Ember Fury is a charming story that I really, really enjoyed. I think this style of storytelling was perfect for a YA novel and look forward to reading more of Cathy Brett's stories. I give this book a big thumb's up! It's a fast read complimented with stunning art. It's also fun, yet deep, and even sad. I really felt for Ember every step of the way. Loved it!

Ember Fury, September 2009, ISBN 0755347889, Headline Paperback (B)