Name: Scorched
ISBN: 9781402284588

Mari Mancusi

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Foxx does not believe her grandfather's latest treasure is a real dragon's egg until soldiers invade trying to steal it, a strange boy tells her she must work with him to stop an impending dragon war, and the dragon inside the egg begins telling her what to do.

Scorched

Monicap

DRAGONS.

Also, Trinity was OBVIOUSLY not into Game of Thrones, because if she was, she'd've been ALL OVER being the mother of freakin' dragons, even if they are going to destroy the world.

Also, Connor and Caleb!

Also, DRAGONS. What more do you need?

Michelle Boyea

From finding out that dragons exist, to finding out that she's basically the queen of the dragons, to finding out that her mom isn't really dead, Trinity keeps you on your toes as the chapters unveil the story. It starts off slow but quickly becomes very engaging. This book will keep you riveted throughout the story. The real question for the romantics at heart is who will Trinity choose? Connor or Caleb? Only time will tell.

Lynn Braden

Scorched is the first of a three book series about Trinity who is the chosen or "Fire Kissed" as she is called in the book. Her grandfather runs a failing archeological museum and places all hope to stay open on what turns out to be a dinosaur egg that has been sent to him. Trinity has been chosen to bond with the dinosaur when it hatches. She quickly finds out that being "Fire Kissed" has put her in the middle of a war between a faction called Draken who believe that dinosaurs will save the world in the future and dinosaur hunters who believe that they will destroy the world. Twins Caleb and Conner are each members of these opposing sides, but soon learn that the war isn't as black and white as they think. Both are attracted to Trinity as she is to them, creating a complicated love triangle that I assume will continue through the next two books. Scorched started out being told from Conner's perspective and probably would have been a better story if it had continued that way. In the end, Trinity's emotional conflicts dominated and ultimately bogged down what could have been a great story. However, overall this was a good book and should continue to provide good reading through the next two books.

Jessica Nottingham

What is my favorite mythical creature, you ask? The answer would definitely have to be dragons. I love everything about them, from their scaly hides to their impressive wingspan. Maybe it's because of my addiction to Fantasy, but I'm a dragon fan! Needless to say, I was extremely excited to read Scorched. I already love Mari Mancusi's writing, but then adding in dragons? That's a win in my book!

The first third of the book knocked my socks off. I adored Trinity from the start, and I loved that she was so close with her grandfather. Mancusi slowly built up a story where a boy from the future, and a girl from the present were intertwined in an amazing way. Connor has been sent back to get rid of the threat that will lead to the apocalypse in his time, but once he meets Trinity he just can't shake his feelings for her. Sound slightly sweet? I'd agree! I loved Trinity and Connor during this part of the book, and the added action kept me reading on.

Then Caleb came into the picture and things changed. I can't really explain too much without spoiling things for potential readers, but the twin aspect is a little weird. Caleb is supposed to be the exact opposite of Connor but, in all honesty, they are pretty similar. I was introduced to the Draken, to the Nether, and to the way dragons were born. So much squished into one part of the book made the ending feel more than a little rushed. If only the ending had been as well done as the beginning, I would have given this a much higher rating. I enjoyed the world building, liked the characters, and of course loved the dragons. It was really the pacing that was off.

I'm willing to forgive a lot, since this is the first book in the series. Truth be told, I know for a fact I'll be back to read more of Trinity's story. I can't wait to see what happens to her, to Connor (who is my favorite by the way) and to the dragons. A bit of a slow start, but I know things will pick up. Bring on more dragons!