Review of A Scar in the Bone (A Fire in the Sky, #2)
As a kid, I was utterly captivated by the world of Firelight, so the arrival of A Scar in the Bone by Sophie Jordan filled me with excitement and nostalgia. I had high hopes for this sequel, especially with the intriguing premise set up in A Fire in the Sky, which sought to explore the existence of draki—those mesmerizing human-dragon shifters. I was particularly invested in the evolution of Tamsyn and Fell’s relationship, hoping to witness their growth from a reluctant arranged marriage to something more profound. Unfortunately, while the book promised so much, it left me feeling disconnected and unsatisfied.
Plot and Premise
The story kicks off with a staggering one-year time skip, dropping us into chaos without clear context. Tamsyn, now part of the pride and mourning Fell, narrates her internal struggles through flashbacks and vague references, leaving readers in the dust for way too long. I found it frustrating that huge emotional arcs were relegated to off-page events. How can we empathize with Tamsyn’s grief when we don’t actually get to share in the experiences that shape it? While her reflections provide some insight, I couldn’t help but feel the narrative fell short in truly conveying her emotional journey.
As Tamsyn attempts to fit into the pride, we’re treated to scenes of her being an outsider. However, these skips in time robbed us of what could have been rich, character-developing moments—introducing us to customs and societal norms in the draki world while rooted in Tamsyn’s perspective. Instead, the world-building is a dizzying flurry of terms and concepts that feel overwhelming. For a reader new to this universe, it must be a wild ride of confusion!
Character Development Issues
When it comes to characters, Fell’s absence for roughly 80% of the book significantly hampers the emotional stakes. Instead, the story gives us Vetr, Fell’s twin brother, whose attempts to step in feel more like an intrusion than a genuine connection. His actions and chilling indifference to Tamsyn’s suffering during pivotal moments left me incredulous and more than a little frustrated. I expected to root for Tamsyn’s reclamation of love, not to watch her be co-piloted through a burgeoning and inappropriate romance with someone who feels more like a shadow than a true partner.
The tension between Tamsyn and Vetr elicits mixed emotions; instead of rooting for her, I found myself wanting to shake some sense into her. Coupled with the undeniable patriarchal themes evident in the pride culture—a topic ripe for exploration—the book glossed over the potential for meaningful change. Watching Tamsyn shuffle off with Fell while leaving these issues unresolved felt like a betrayal to the very themes the author seemed eager to explore.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, A Scar in the Bone felt like a missed opportunity. Despite its ambitious narrative elements and emotional potential, the execution left me yearning for a deeper connection. While there are flickers of magic and promise in this draki world, the rushed pacing and lack of meaningful interactions rendered it less impactful than I hoped.
This sequel may resonate with devoted fans of the series who relish in missed chances and hidden layers, but newcomers may find it hard to navigate through the chaotic storytelling. My own experience left me contemplating the bittersweet, as I drift through memories of what the Firelight series promised—much like Tamsyn herself, trying to find a place and a purpose in a world that sometimes feels just out of reach.
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