Arson Blog Tour: review and giveaway

The Arson Blog Tour, presented by AToMR Book Blog Tours, begins today and we are one of the hosts. We have our review and there is a contest to enter below. Welcome.

Arson by Estevan Vega

Genre: YA contemporary fantasy

Format: Paperback, 318 pages, and ebook
Publisher: Stonehouse Ink, 2012 (first published May 4th 2010)

Blurb: ARSON is the first book in a Young Adult Paranormal series. Book two, ASHES, is also available now.

ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CAN CREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN'T SHUT IT OFF.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. After years of living in fear, he will be forced to confront his haunting past and embrace the unknown as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Edgy, realistic, and breathtaking, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated teenager with unimaginable ability, is set to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Purchase links:  Amazon/Barnes and Noble 

Our review:
Vega has crafted a gripping novel which places a voice and identity to one of the 'faceless' kids we encounter everyday. It's refreshing to read a YA novel about a character who isn't typical or usual. Arson is a quiet kid, a loner, who lives with his grandmother. He has the ability to create fire, pyrokinesis, and blames himself for his mother's death (during childbirth). His grandmother, Kay, has her own issues and is not the supporting kind of person Arson needs in his life. Instead of helping him, Kay only adds to his problems. When he spots his new neighbor, a strange mask-wearing girl, Arson's curiosity is piqued. Her name is Emery and the two become friends. Both outcasts, their friendship is tested during the story's climatic scene.

Arson is not an easy or quick read; it's a dark, compelling character study about the forgotten who possess peculiar skills while touching upon the dynamics of tugging love-and-hate relationships of dysfunctional families and alcoholism. Though I found the beginning meandering--I wondered exactly what was going on with Arson's pyrokinesis--Vega's sparse and gritty writing kept my interest. The imagery is strong and lyrical throughout, breathing life into a story of growing up, stepping out into society, and first love. Arson is sympathetic, a teen boy torn and tortured by his power and need to not turn into a monster. The novel is also a character study of the major and minor characters. We are privy not only to Arson and Emery, but to those closest to them, grandmother Kay and Emery's mom and dad. Their thoughts shape the outcome of their actions, affecting more than themselves.

Rating: 3.5

Cover comment: I like this cover much more than the previous edition.

Book source: I received an ebook copy of this book for my honest review during a blog tour.

Author links: Estevan Vega's website | Twitter is @EstevanVega | Facebook

Giveaways: There is ONE SIGNED COPY of Arson and a $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD are being given away. This contest is open for residents of the US/Canada.

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