I was really excited to pick this book up as I found people constantly saying that this book felt like Harry Potter - rather inspired by that world. After all, every Harry Potter fan is still suffering from the series hangover and wishing for more. But at the same time, I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive as well. I hear Harry Potter and my expectations go sky high and I have felt let down by few other fantasy series before this because of my own expectations. So, do you want to know whether this book lived up to it or not? 
 The Last of the Firedrakes introduces us to the fantastical world of Avalonia. Where there are Fae, Mages and mystical beasts. But wait, I am getting ahead of myself here. This is Aurora's story. She is your average 16 year old girl who was orphaned at a tender age and taken in by her uncle. Mistreated by her adoptive family and bullied at school, she doesn't have the best life. Yet when she gets kidnapped and taken into a world where everything is new and different only turns things for the worse. However, as Aurora discovers more about Avalonia, she learns more about her heritage, discovers herself and also finds Rafe! 
 The character development in the book is tremendous. Towards the beginning Aurora did get on my nerves a bit, but then we see her grow throughout the book and by the end of it I kind of started liking her. In her defence though, she didn't have the best life or people in her life in the beginning. And then to discover the existence of a whole different world - anyone would need time to get back on their feet, let alone to rise to every challenge thrown at them. Then there is Rafe... wouldn't I like to know all there is to know about that one ;) The world of Avalonia is really beautiful and the author has done a great job of building it up slowly for her readers. I loved the way she has set up everything not only in this book but for the coming books as well. For someone like me, who is always looking for details, this book is ideal as the author has dished out a lot. Her descriptive narration style creates a vivid image of the world and most of the settings in the mind of the readers. 
 I cannot believe that this is only the author's debut novel. Her language and narrative is striking and well structured which was another added advantage of the book. And while I did see why people where comparing it to some other epic-fantasies, Last of the Firedrakes has an identity of its own. While I wouldn't really compare it to Harry Potter myself, I will say that this book is a promising start to the series.