Review - Rouge

 Rouge by Isabella Modra

A copy of Rouge was kindly sent to me by Isabella Modra in exchange for an honest review. 

 Age range: Teen / Young adult

 "I don't understand," she muttered through clenched teeth. "Are you saying that I have some kind of...superpower?"
"Put simply... yes."

Hunter Harrison has never strived to be a normal eighteen year old; vintage band tees, old movies and well, a supernatural ability which means she can play with fire, she's not exactly going to be head cheerleader. 

When given an explanation to the random spontaneous fires that only happen when she's nearby by her guardian, Joshua, she takes it as well as an eighteen year old would! She wants to laugh in his face. That is, until he fully explains the truth behind her parent's death.

Suddenly, she's no longer socially awkward Hunter. She's socially awkward Hunter with burning flames inside of her.  Even though it has always been there, learning to accept and to control her new powers is rather difficult. 

The fire is deadly. It tunes in on her emotions, it explodes when she's angry and she knows she is putting others at risks, especially the only person who matters to her in the world, her boyfriend, Eli.

So, a hormone crazed teenager dealing with work, school, romance and now a burning fire inside of her? It's a recipe for disaster.

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My rating: 4/5

Rouge is Modras first novel and once I got in to it, it did not disappoint. 

  I found the first segment of the book rather tedious. She gives the reader back story, ; what really happened to Hunters parents and develops Joshua slightly. I understand the reason to have it in the novel and it saves on a huge information dump later in the novel which would frankly overwhelm the reader. I just felt that it went on slightly too long. I had the feeling of; "Hang on a minute, this was not in the blurb!". It is 13% of the book, and it's in that time that makes me decide whether or not I enjoy a book, but thankfully, I read on and I'm rather glad I did.

The characters were fantastically written, minor and main. As much as I enjoyed Hunter, I really did enjoy reading about Joshua. I feel like I am becoming rather old; having a book crush on one of the adults in a YA book! But he was a rather interesting, but psychotic, character and can not wait to read more.

I also would have loved to have read more about Hunters friend from the Chinese restaurant; Alex. Even though she really was a minor character, I really enjoyed reading her banter. Was rather refreshing to have a character like her in a YA novel and I do hope she comes back.

I did think I had the plot sussed out at first, but actually, I was far from it. Towards the end, the novel had me flicking page to page wanting to know the outcome. With quite a few amazing little plot twists that I'd never would have thought of.  I have the last page open on my kindle at the moment and I'm just staring at it, wanting more words to appear to explain it! So yes, the book does leave on a major cliff hanger, but it's all ok! I'm sure the lovely Modra will fix that soon enough! 

So, Rouge in all, is a fantastic YA novel. It was a little more mature than some YA books, it had a rather lot of sex, not complaining my end, it was tastefully done. (Maybe let Josh get some action? *wink wink*) 

So, put it on your to read shelves!   

Price: £0.77

Buy it: Amazon

 Value: Amazing! I wish I had picked it up sooner.