Let me be clear, there were a LOT of good ideas in Fire Baptized. The world set up was interesting, the lore had a new spin on it that I enjoyed. However, the writing left a lot to be desired, and the execution of the story felt lacking. 
 I found the heroine of the book difficult to relate to, and really, that's the crux of the problem. I really wanted to like her. She was unconventional. A thankfully non-white heroine that was poor to the point of living in the ghetto, yet still trying to go to school and better herself. But, instead of feeling positive feelings for this character, I was a bit disgusted. I felt like I was taking a stroll through the seedier part of town - and it wasn't even cool or exciting. Instead it was base and creepy, and vulgar and...and there was nothing there to recommend it, I just wanted out. 
 In the first 3 % of the book Lanore (the heroine) sets a guys face on fire and watches it burn to ash. While she says: "I held in a scream, knowing that I would have nightmares about this." I really wasn't convinced, since her ability is to control fire and she could have put it out after she'd made her point. Later on, she never does seem to reflect on that fact that she freaking killed a man and could have stopped, she didn't even think it at the time. It was really instant dislike for me. 
 Then there are the two love interests. MeShack and Zulu. Yeah, those are their names. Both order Lanore about and ignore what she says she wants. Ugh. Moving on... 
 As far as story line goes, it was okay. I do wish we'd gotten to the meat of the whole thing, rather than trying to solve this murder. I wanted to see what will happen when the Purebloods and Mixbreeds finally break out of Habitat and wreak havoc on the world. Would they band together? Would the humans play one against another? Etc.