The FiremanAuthor: Joe Hill
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: May 17, 2016
Format: eARC
Pages: 768
Source: Publisher
No one knows exactly when it began or where it originated. A terrifying new plague is spreading like wildfire across the country, striking cities one by one: Boston, Detroit, Seattle. The doctors call it Draco Incendia Trychophyton. To everyone else it’s Dragonscale, a highly contagious, deadly spore that marks its hosts with beautiful black and gold marks across their bodies—before causing them to burst into flames. Millions are infected; blazes erupt everywhere. There is no antidote. No one is safe.
Harper Grayson, a compassionate, dedicated nurse as pragmatic as Mary Poppins, treated hundreds of infected patients before her hospital burned to the ground. Now she’s discovered the telltale gold-flecked marks on her skin. When the outbreak first began, she and her husband, Jakob, had made a pact: they would take matters into their own hands if they became infected. To Jakob’s dismay, Harper wants to live—at least until the fetus she is carrying comes to term. At the hospital, she witnessed infected mothers give birth to healthy babies and believes hers will be fine too. . . if she can live long enough to deliver the child.
Convinced that his do-gooding wife has made him sick, Jakob becomes unhinged, and eventually abandons her as their placid New England community collapses in terror. The chaos gives rise to ruthless Cremation Squads—armed, self-appointed posses roaming the streets and woods to exterminate those who they believe carry the spore. But Harper isn’t as alone as she fears: a mysterious and compelling stranger she briefly met at the hospital, a man in a dirty yellow fire fighter’s jacket, carrying a hooked iron bar, straddles the abyss between insanity and death. Known as The Fireman, he strolls the ruins of New Hampshire, a madman afflicted with Dragonscale who has learned to control the fire within himself, using it as a shield to protect the hunted . . . and as a weapon to avenge the wronged.
In the desperate season to come, as the world burns out of control, Harper must learn the Fireman's secrets before her life—and that of her unborn child—goes up in smoke.
Holy book hangover! Let’s just get it out of the way right now: I freaking love The Fireman!
This is 760+ pages that I never wanted to end! It didn’t even feel that long because I was so completely immersed; transported to this crazy messed-up world. People all over the world are contracting a disease dubbed Dragonscale that causes them to spontaneously combust. The world is literally burning.
The Fireman is such a fascinating, exciting and fun tale. And chilling, I can’t forget that. The true horror in this book isn’t the fact that people are burning, it’s the way part of humanity reacts. There’s always going to be those people, you know the sick assholes that need to destroy what they fear and don’t understand. It’s sad and infuriating, but there was also so much hope and perseverance.
What a fantastic ensemble of characters! The story is told from Harper’s perspective, and she’s possibly perfect in every way. Okay, not really, but pretty damn close. Her love for Mary Poppins definitely shines through in her personality, which is very much needed in the world she’s living in now. She’s kind, witty, and has a cheery disposition (couldn’t resist). All true, but she’s also brave and certainly has grit. Oh, and she’s pregnant. Yeah, talk about timing. I absolutely adored her and the other characters, there’s so much depth to them.
Seriously, this is such a compelling story that takes us through an array of emotions. Plus, there’s quite a bit of wit and humor throughout the book, and I often found myself laughing out loud. It was just all so perfectly put together.
So let me reiterate: I love The Fireman! I already want to read it again. This is a top read for sure.
I have read 2 by him, and I did like those 😀
I read Horns and Heart Shaped Box when they first released, so it has been quite awhile since I’ve read anything by him. This was definitely my favorite, though.
Oh big book there but it’s great to see you had a great time with it!
I had a blast with it.
You have a generous ability to get through door-stoppers. Seriously. I haven’t read a Joe Hill book. I need to, I know! Have you read NOS4A2?
Once I start, I can’t stop. lol. No, I haven’t, but I will soon. I read Horns and Heart Shaped Box many years ago and loved them too. But this was my favorite of the 3 I’ve read.
760+ pages!!! I am glad it didn’t feel like that. Boog books scare me so much but this does sounds like it was great!!
At 760+ pages it is intimidating. It would have to be immersing to hold you to the end.
It totally did!
It totally didn’t feel like it. Don’t be skerrd! lol
This actually sounds right up my alley Christy!
You’ve gotta read it, Kim!
Can I just say that I saw the 768 pages and thought “omigosh!” And then I read your first sentence! lol Okay, from your review I’m thinking this is a tome that I’d be willing to sit awhile with. It’s certainly an interesting premise and sounds very well done. Plus, I want to meet this Harper and her “spoonful of sugar” ways. 😉
Haha – it did even feel like it was that long. It’s definitely worth the try, Brandee, so read it! 😀
That is one LONG book but sounds so fantastic!!! I bet it is sooooo good on audio!! And who is the Fireman?!?!?! Gotta love those books that feel long… 🙂
It’s long, but worth every page. Idk, about the audio. I haven’t listened to a sample, but if it’s a good narrator, then yeah, I’m sure it’s really good
How have I not heard about this before now? I love that this 700 plus book didn’t even feel long because it hooked you that much.
Um, I don’t know, but you sure the heck need to read it.
I’ve been wanting to read Joe Hill and I’ve heard raves about this one. Your review definitely has me excited to start reading it myself even though that 760+ page thing is intimidating! I love that it didn’t feel like it was that long. Definitely a sign of a book that hooks you and doesn’t let go!
This is the 3rd book of his I read, and my favorite. You should definitely read it.
JINX! 😀
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I didn’t like it as well as you did, but I did find the world fascinating.
Ha! Oh no, I’m afraid to see what you said. 😀
Oh wow, now you have me interested. Definitely adding this to my list. Great review!
I hope you read it!
I would expect that this would be emotional. I would be too if I were in the same situation. That said, I might not enjoy reading too much of it. You know me 😉
You really, really should though. Do it! 😀
Ooo that does sound good! It’s amazing finding those books that fly by like that.
It was so, so good!
If it’s half as good as it sounds like then I can see why you didn’t even notice the pages flying by. I want to read it now. 🙂
I hope you do! I want everyone to read it.
I like big books and I cannot lie! lol This sounds good! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
~Mckenzie
OMG 760+ pages! That’s really awesome that the book was so great though all throughout. I love books that explore the human psyche and this just sounds amazing. The characters all sound excellent too! I’m going to look into this one even though I hate you a little because … 760 pages!
Lovely review! 🙂
Hate me all you want, as long as you read it. 😀
I never read anything by this author, and at 760+ pgs. This will be one I skip. I’ll have to try a shorter book–even though this review has me tempted.
Whoa! 760+ pages?! That’s a pretty intimidating page count Christy! Sounds like those pages fly right by though, so I’m going to add this to my list despite the length:) I’m glad there’s some humor to offset some of the darkness:)
Ignore the length, just go for it!
You had me by the first two lines of your review Christy. A plague that leaves people with Dragon like scales before they burst into flames? Oh sign me the hell up for this! It sounds bloody incredibly. I love epic reads as long and they’re immersive and boy do I need this book in my life. I WANT I WANT! Brilliant review hun, loved it! <3
I hope you read it, Kelly. They call it dragonscales, but they make designs on the skin. It’s both terrifying and cool.
Huh, I haven’t read this guy and to be honest the title wouldn’t have grabbed me, but I like the sound of it. Spontaneous combustion and people burning up! Sounds freaky, and it’s a chunker too but those are good sometimes. 🙂 Adding to TBR…
I hope you read it, Greg! I bet you’d enjoy it.
I wish I had requested this for review on audiobook. It has the same narrator as NOS4A2, which is the first Joe Hill book that I read. I need to read more. I guess I’ll have get it from the library. Great review.
If I didn’t already know I want to read this one, your review would surely have sold me. This sounds fantastic and I need it in my life!!!
-Lauren
Whew 760+ pages, that’s a lot, but it must’ve been a good one if you didn’t want it to end. And what a weird and unique plot lien with the dragonscale. And yes it can be devastating to see how human react in some situations and I can see why the true horror would be in there. The main character sounds like a good one and like she brings some sunshine in the dark world she lives in. Great review!
I just heard about this author in the last week and that he’s amazing so it’s so cool to read a great review from you, too! That seems super long but glad you loved this and I want to check it out
Based off your review I had to add this to my wish list. I actually almost bought it but I had to remember that I want to listen to Heart Shaped Box (I think that’s what it’s called) first. Great review!
LOL I love your enthusiastic review. Puts mine to shame. And you make me want to read the book all over again!
Glad you enjoyed this one, it was totally an amazing read. I want to read it again to savour it all!
The UK publishers also sent me some cool postcards of Martha Quinns Island and Camp Wyndham which I am treasuring!
I like that there were a lot of elements in this story that you loved, and for such a long read too. Got to love laugh out loud moments!
I had previously read the blurb about this and thought it sounded freaking cool – and now your review makes me want to read it even more. THAT’S IT. I’m going over to GR right now and adding it to my TBR (and what goes on my TBR gets read. PERIOD.)!