Changes

The story is split into two parts - ''Flint and Steel'', and ''Spark and Ignition''. Flint and Steel puts the pieces of the plot together - plunging the reader into the action with compelling speed, and introducing the characters in school scenes that swiftly induct the reader into their lives - it's packed full of interesting personalities and fun, sparky dialogue. Everything changes with ''Spark and Ignition'', a time jump allowing the plot to swiftly grow in urgency and pace, driving the reader along to an explosive, apocalyptic, and thrilling climax. It's a really fun read - and whilst I found some of the dialogue a little clunky to start with, it soon clicks into place - fitting alongside the action to create a book that, initially, reads like a slightly darker, British ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', before finding its own voice and veering into territory more epic that one may initially expect from the school setting. All of the characters are drawn well, and read as genuine teenagers (something I find adult authors rarely do well), but it's Zach who is the most interesting - a strong lead undergoing a struggle which is extremely compelling - not just to read, but as an intriguing metaphor for growing up too. It's clever, carefully written, and hugely enjoyable. An epilogue sets things up well for further books, and Rais-Daal has crafted a world for which there are many possibilities which I'm looking forward to seeing explored.

{{amazontext|amazon=1524678872}}