My Rating: 3.5 hearts
Thoughts on the Novel: Friendship on Fire by Danielle Weiler is like the Aussie version of Miranda Kenneally's Catching Jordan, minus the football. Although Weiler’s book was released earlier, since I read Catching Jordan first and just before reading Friendship on Fire, it was hard not to notice the similarities in plot.
However, while Catching Jordan has Jordan slowly counting down the days until her trip to Alabama, Friendship on Fire really has no goal per se because it’s just a story chronicling Daisy’s Year 12. What makes Friendship on Fire meaningful is that it reminds the reader of their own high school years. Most of us had/have very boring, ordinary lives, and the drama in high school came from arguing with friends, falling in love, sucking at driving lessons, etc. These events wouldn’t be particularly memorable to others but they’re important to us, and I think that’s what Friendship on Fire emphasizes.
Just as I found the story to be realistic, I also thought that Daisy acted like a typical teen. Sometimes she acted wise, but at other times she was sort of naïve and immature. There were times when I liked her, and there were times when I wanted to strangle her because she refused to listen to anybody.
Although I sometimes questioned Daisy’s parents’ decisions, I liked that rather than trying to control their daughter, they allowed her the freedom to make her own choices and mistakes. At the same time, it wasn’t as if there was no parental (or sibling) involvement at all; Daisy actually had a very close family that spent time with each other, and her parents and older brothers were there for her when she needed them to be.
A story that teens and adults can easily relate to, Friendship on Fire was released in March 2011 by Sid Harta Publishers.
However, while Catching Jordan has Jordan slowly counting down the days until her trip to Alabama, Friendship on Fire really has no goal per se because it’s just a story chronicling Daisy’s Year 12. What makes Friendship on Fire meaningful is that it reminds the reader of their own high school years. Most of us had/have very boring, ordinary lives, and the drama in high school came from arguing with friends, falling in love, sucking at driving lessons, etc. These events wouldn’t be particularly memorable to others but they’re important to us, and I think that’s what Friendship on Fire emphasizes.
Just as I found the story to be realistic, I also thought that Daisy acted like a typical teen. Sometimes she acted wise, but at other times she was sort of naïve and immature. There were times when I liked her, and there were times when I wanted to strangle her because she refused to listen to anybody.
Although I sometimes questioned Daisy’s parents’ decisions, I liked that rather than trying to control their daughter, they allowed her the freedom to make her own choices and mistakes. At the same time, it wasn’t as if there was no parental (or sibling) involvement at all; Daisy actually had a very close family that spent time with each other, and her parents and older brothers were there for her when she needed them to be.
A story that teens and adults can easily relate to, Friendship on Fire was released in March 2011 by Sid Harta Publishers.
Comments About the Cover: In my mind, Daisy’s hair would be more orange – sort of like Anne of Green Gables'.
Yay! I can comment. I was dying here! LOL
ReplyDeleteZ, I'm always a book or two behind you. I started FoF earlier this month, but put it down for some reason. I found Daisy to be very abrupt and it was hard to get an handle on her. Like you said, I also felt like strangling her, and I'm still at the beginning. LOL
I plan to return to the book soon. I like knowing that it's similar to Catching Jordan, another I want to read. :)
"These events wouldn’t be particularly memorable to others but they’re important to us, and I think that’s what Friendship on Fire emphasizes."
ReplyDeleteLove that, it's so very true! I like reading about the small things and moments I can relate too, so I'm looking forward to reading this one! I like how you said Daisy was at typical teen - sometimes making smart decision and sometimes showing her youth, I can always get behind characters like that. Fantastic review Zahida:)
Oooh. Anything compared to Catching Jordan is going on my wishlist! Haha. I've never heard of this one before though it sounds like a book I'd enjoy! Great review!
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
Surprisingly I haven't heard of this book either but like Giselle is it has to do with Catching Jordan sign me up!!! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteJaskirat~SeeitORreadit
Tempest and The Eternal One's Giveaway!
You're so right, Z! I'm in high school right now and things that are important to me right now probably don't mean much to others, but I hold on to them anyway. :) And I actually think it's hard to write a realistic teenager nowadays! People don't want to make them too immature or too mature, and it often makes them a weird mix of both LOL!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Z! I still need to read Catching Jordan, but I've heard cool things about that too and now I want to read both of these LOL! :)
Hmmm interesting. I loved Catching Jordan but I would hate to have to read something so similar to it. That would bug me, too!
ReplyDelete"... I liked that rather than trying to control their daughter, they allowed her the freedom to make her own choices and mistakes."
ReplyDeleteI love my parents but they can be a bit too overprotective. I understand their worries for me but sometimes you just have to let people make their mistakes and truly grow up. I really liked CJ, which you know so I'm really excited to read this one. I got a copy from the author. Just trying to find a time to do read it. :)
Nicely reviewed :) I'm always torn with contemporary books. On one hand I want them to be realistic and for the teens to ring true. But on the other hand, like you said, realistic means realistic small dramas. Fights with friends, little things that don't necessarily make for a great story even if they do resonate well.
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