Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Wicked like a Wildfire
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.lanapopovicbooks.com/
CITY: Boston
STATE: MA
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://www.chalbergsussman.com/about/ *
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL EDUCATION:
Yale University, B.A. (honors); Boston University School of Law, J.D.; Emerson College, M.A. (highest honors).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Author. Literary agent, Chalberg & Sussman; formerly worked at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Lana Popovic is a literary agent and writer whose first two young adult novels, Wicked like a Wildfire and Fierce like a Firestorm, are set in a small hill town in the Balkan nation of Montenegro. Popovic had a long familiarity with young adult fiction before she became a writer herself. “Prior to joining Chalberg & Sussman, Lana managed foreign rights at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth,” said the contributor of a biographical blurb to the Chalberg & Sussman website, “where she built a list of Young Adult and adult literary authors.”
In Wicked like a Wildfire, Popovic introduces a set of powerful female characters and a unique form of magic. “Wicked like a Wildfire,” Popovic explained in an interview with Joyce Lamb in Happy Ever After, “is a contemporary fantasy about witchy sisters living in a small seaside town in Montenegro with their cold, distant mother. They both have the `gleam,’ the ability to magically bring forth and manipulate beauty. Iris blooms flowers into gorgeous visual fractals, Malina interprets moods as music, and their mother, Jasmina, bakes delicacies that evoke sights through flavor. She’s forbidden the twins from using their gleam in order to keep a low profile, and from falling in love, too. But everything shatters when she’s brutally attacked and left for dead.” “When a mysterious white-haired woman attacks their mother,” she continued, “… the sisters unearth an ancient curse that haunts their line.” “It has been hard,” said Meghan Watts in RT Book Reviews, “… since their mother forbade them to share their gleam with the world, to use it fully.” Armed with a new understanding of their powers and assisted by some old friends, wrote Maggie Reagan in Booklist, “the twins delve into the secrets of the ancient, cursed family they never knew they had.” “Wicked like a Wildfire is the first in a two-book series,” declared a TeenReads reviewer. “Readers will be rapt with anticipation for the sequel.”
Critics noted that the way Popovic portrayed magic differed significantly from the norm found in much young adult fiction. “I was fascinated by the magic structure in this novel,” enthused a reviewer for Reading Lark. “It felt different than the typical witch lore and was described in beautiful vivid detail. As a reader who loves lush description and gorgeous prose, I loved this novel, but readers who prefer a more minimal style may find this a bit difficult to wade through.” “A magic spun of the senses can be hard to contain on the page,” opined a contributor to All Things Urban Fantasy, “but Wicked like a Wildfire reflects the awe of its magic into the space between characters. Its impact shows in how they draw toward each other and flinch away. Iris and Malina each deal with their mother’s distance in different ways.”
Many reviewers commented on the powerful bond between Malina and her sister Iris. “This is a book about relationships: about the relationship between mothers and daughters; about the relationship between sisters; about the relationship of friends; and about the relationship between lovers,” stated an Elitist Book Reviews contributor. “The primary relationship explored through the story is that of the mother and her two daughters, and even though their mother is absent for the majority of the story, everything she’s taught her daughters hangs over their heads.” “I really enjoy the dynamic between the twin sisters, Iris and Malina. Iris and Malina have an extremely complex relationship – being twins, I expected them to be super close and they are close. However, their relationship comes with minor complexities – Iris privately thinks Malina is the purer twin and secretly envies her and her friendships,” declared an Effortlessly Reading reviewer. “Iris often overcomes her jealousy. Iris and Malina are definitely a solid team.” “The importance placed on the sister relationship, as well as the mystical magic that Iris and Lina discover in their lineage,” said a Happy Indulgence reviewer, “were the biggest parts of the book that allowed me to continue reading. The author does a good job in feeding information in increments so you have to continue reading to figure out what’s going on – talk about unpredictable! And yet, the mystery part in the former half of the book rather bored me while the latter half started picking up as more magic got involved.” “Layered, likable characters,” stated Annie Metcalf in BookPage, “will leave readers eager for what’s next in this unique new series from … Popovic.”
Critics also commented on the power of the author’s prose and her lyrical evocation of the novel’s southeastern European setting. “Popovic’s novel has a fresh premise and a unique setting,” declared Jennifer Staller in Voice of Youth Advocates: “the mountains of Montenegro, which are described in rich detail.” “Popovic mingles brilliant prose with sensory details that allows readers to smell the Montenegro breezes,” wrote Brittney Kosev in School Library Journal. “The characterization is excellent: both girls are relatable and blatantly honest … toward their harsh mother.” “Most readers,” said a Publishers Weekly reviewer, “will be captivated by her entrancing writing, evocative setting, and distinctive supernatural worldbuilding.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor wrote that the novel was “not for fans of the quick, adventurous whodunit but for readers who enjoy detailed descriptions, particularly ones that evoke sights, sounds, and smells.” “I do believe I’ll pick up the sequel to see how the story ends up – especially with the unexpected added dimension by a certain greasy character,” the Happy Indulgence reviewer continued. “Expect more on the familial dynamics, especially between the two contrasting sisters.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, June, 2017, Maggie Reagan, review of Wicked like a Wildfire, p. 100.
BookPage, August, 2017, Annie Metcalf, review of Wicked like a Wildfire, p. 28.
Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2017, review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
Publishers Weekly, May 29, 2017, review of Wicked like a Wildfire, p. 70.
School Library Journal, August, 2017, Brittney Kosev, review of Wicked like a Wildfire, p. 105.
Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 2017, Jennifer Staller, review of Wicked like a Wildfire, p. 76.
ONLINE
All Things Urban Fantasy, http://allthingsuf.com/ (August 15, 2017), review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
Chalberg & Sussman, http://www.chalbergsussman.com/ (April 18, 2018), author profile.
Effortlessly Reading, http://effortlesslyreading.com/ (August 14, 2017), review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
Elitist Book Reviews, https://elitistbookreviews.com/ (August 8, 2017), review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
Happy Ever After, https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/ (August 15, 2017), Joyce Lamb, “Interview: Lana Popovic, Author of ‘Wicked like a Wildfire.’”
Happy Indulgence, http://www.happyindulgencebooks.com/ (August 8, 2017), review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
Lana Popovic Website, http://www.lanapopovicbooks.com (April 18, 2018), author profile.
Reading Lark, http://readinglark.blogspot.com/ (July, 2017), review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
RT Book Reviews, https://www.rtbookreviews.com/ (April 18, 2018), Meghan Watts, review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
TeenReads, https://www.teenreads.com/ (April 18, 2018), review of Wicked like a Wildfire.
Lana Popovic
Lana Popovic holds a B.A. with honors from Yale University, a J.D. from the Boston University School of Law, and an M.A. with highest honors from the Emerson College Publishing and Writing program. Prior to joining Chalberg & Sussman, Lana managed foreign rights at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth, where she built a list of Young Adult and adult literary authors. She is also the author of Wicked Like a Wildfire, out now from Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins.
Lana’s clients include Rebecca Podos (The Mystery of Hollow Places, Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins; Like Water, Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins), Brittany Cavallaro (A Study in Charlotte, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins; The Last of August, Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins), Emily Henry (The Love That Split the World, Razorbill/Penguin Random House; A Million Junes, Razorbill/Penguin Random House), Marie Jaskulka (The Lost Marble Notebook of Forgotten Girl and Random Boy, Skyhorse), Leah Thomas (Because You’ll Never Meet Me, Bloomsbury, a finalist for the 2016 William C. Morris Award; Nowhere Near You, Bloomsbury), Christian Smith (Bloody, Bloody Bakersfield series, Permuted Press), Michelle Smith (Play On, Spencer Hill Contemporary), and Danielle Mages Amato (The Hidden Memory of Objects, Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins), among others. Lana's books have sold abroad in over twenty territories and have been optioned for film and television.
With an abiding love for dark themes and shamelessly nerdy fare—Battlestar Galactica, Joss Whedon, and Lev Grossman’s Magicians series are three of her great loves—Lana is drawn to beautifully and diversely voiced Young Adult and Middle Grade projects ranging from contemporary realism to speculative fiction, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. For the adult market, Lana represents literary thrillers, horror, fantasy, sophisticated erotica and romance, and select nonfiction. She has a particular fondness for stories set in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, although she also loves reading about American subcultures.
To query Lana, please send your pitch and the first ten pages of the manuscript within the body of the email to lana@chalbergsussman.com.
Lana's debut YA contemporary fantasy, Wicked Like a Wildfire, was published by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins in August 2017. The duology sequel, Fierce Like a Firestorm, is forthcoming in Summer 2018.
Lana studied psychology and literature at Yale University, and law at Boston University. She is a graduate of the Emerson College Publishing and Writing program and works as a literary agent with Chalberg & Sussman, specializing in YA.
Lana lives in Boston, subsisting largely on cake, eyeliner, and aerial yoga. She'd happily spend all her waking hours hanging out in silks, and may very well be upside down right now. Just ask her about it (depending on your tolerance for high enthusiasm and hand-waving). Lana is represented by Taylor Haggerty at Waxman-Leavell.
Interview: Lana Popovic, author of ‘Wicked Like a Wildfire’
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By: Joyce Lamb | August 15, 2017 12:01 am
Lana Popovic
Joyce: Welcome to HEA, Lana! Please tell us a bit about your new release, Wicked Like a Wildfire.
Lana: Wicked Like a Wildfire is a contemporary fantasy about witchy sisters living in a small seaside town in Montenegro with their cold, distant mother. They both have the “gleam,” the ability to magically bring forth and manipulate beauty. Iris blooms flowers into gorgeous visual fractals, Malina interprets moods as music, and their mother, Jasmina, bakes delicacies that evoke sights through flavor. She’s forbidden the twins from using their gleam in order to keep a low profile, and from falling in love, too. But everything shatters when she’s brutally attacked and left for dead, and the twins have to unravel a wicked family curse and discover their origins — along with the secrets they’ve kept from each other.
Joyce: Is there anything interesting that’s happened to you while doing research for a book?
Lana: I became obsessed with handmade fragrances — understanding how they were made, what different notes smelled like, and generally burying my nose into every essential and fragrance oil and absolute I could find. (There is something called a butter absolute, and it smells super strange.) It’s gone so far that I worked with Akuura of Aroma Sanctum in Salem to customize a perfume for Iris, and one for another character in the book (#secrets). While designing and testing them on me, I discovered that redheads have a tendency to “scorch” or sweeten all scents, so we’re apparently very difficult to perfume.
Joyce: Do you have any particular rituals that help you get into the writing frame of mind?
Lana: Always with the smells! I like burning sandalwood incense when I write, and if I’m writing somewhere other than at home, I dab some oil on my wrists. The scent is very light and ethereal, and I’ve conditioned myself to feel that it’s writing time whenever I smell it.
Joyce: What distracts you the most when you’re trying to write?
Lana: I absolutely can’t write if I’m hungry, but I also hate stopping if I’m on a solid tear. If I get up to go eat an actual adult meal, I probably won’t write again that day. So I’ll dip into a jar of peanut butter and nom on that while I write to keep me going. Mm, so salty and delicious. I didn’t actually try peanut butter until I moved to the United States in 2003, and it’s been a real fixture in my life since then. Doritos are pretty awesome, too.
Joyce: Do you have a pet that hangs out with you while you’re working?
Lana and Mimi, the sweetest, cuddliest purrbug of cats.
Lana: My black cat Mimi is likely the closest I’ll ever come to having a pet dragon. She has huge amber eyes, and she’s usually either tucked up next to me while I write, or creepily staring at me from somewhere nearby. She’s the sweetest, cuddliest purrbug of a cat I’ve ever known, and I don’t deserve her. She knows this.
Joyce: Do you write by the seat of your pants, or do you carefully plot your stories?
Lana: I am the pantser queen of pantsers. It’s a glorious dream of mine to one day have an entire plot worked out before I even begin the first page. I can’t even imagine the safety and joy of having that kind a lifeline. Instead, I start every writing stint with a period of overwhelming terror in which I’m totally convinced that nothing will come of this and why oh why am I even doing it when Netflix exists. But something always does, eventually! I do always have certain scenes very vivid in my mind to start, sort of like signal fires in a (dark, dreary) wilderness (filled with wolves). So it’s helpful to have those to look forward to writing.
Joyce: Do you listen to music while you write? What are some tunes on your playlist?
Lana: I like to listen to music right before I start writing, and turn it off once I really get going so I don’t distract myself with the lyrics. I love ethereal instrumentals and powerful, haunting vocals. Currently, my writing playlist features Florence + the Machine’s Seven Devils, Halsey’s Straight to the Castle and MSMR’s Bones, as well as a bunch of Polica — but it changes with each book I write.
Joyce: What do you do in your spare time?
Lana: My partner recently introduced me to Survivor, and now I’m hopelessly addicted. I also think about doing aerial yoga quite a lot and sometimes even do it. And burlesque shows! I adore Boston’s Lipstick Criminals (shout-out to the gorgeous Sugar Dish and Belle Gunz!) and will watch them perform anytime, anywhere. One of the characters in Wicked is actually based on a Lipstick Criminal lady.
Joyce: I don’t suppose you’d want to share a picture of you with your ’80s or ’90s hair or perhaps a prom picture?
Lana with her mom and grandma, rocking serious Eastern Euro hair.
Lana: Why, yes! Please enjoy the hardcore hair game rocked by myself, my mom and my grandma, right before I went to prom (where we all took school-sponsored vodka shots because That Is Bulgarian Life). Three generations of serious Eastern Euro hair in one golden place!
Joyce: What’s coming next?
Lana: The sequel, Fierce Like a Firestorm, is next up! It’ll be told by both sisters, as well as a sinister third voice.
Joyce: Thanks, Lana!
About Wicked Like a Wildfire:
All the women in Iris and Malina’s family are born with a gleam—a unique way of manipulating beauty through magic. Seventeen-year-old Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscopic visions into glasswork; her twin sister Malina interprets moods as music; and their cold, distant mother Jasmina bakes scenery into decadent treats at her confectionery in Old Town Cattaro, Montenegro.
Jasmina forbids Iris and Malina to share their gleams with anyone, and above all, she forbids them to fall in love—being discovered could shatter the quiet lives they’ve built in their tucked-away seaside town. But Iris and Malina are tired of abiding by their mother’s rules and rebel in secret whenever they can.
Yet when a mysterious white-haired woman attacks their mother and leaves her hovering between life and death, the sisters unearth an ancient curse that haunts their line—a wicked bargain that masquerades as a blessing and binds the twins’ lives—and hearts—to a force larger than life. To save each other, they must untangle a thousand years of lies and reveal their own hurtful secrets. But even the deepest sacrifice might not be enough.
Wicked Like a Wildfire is debut author Lana Popovic’s first book in a sumptuous, bewitching duology about the power of love, death, and magic, and the many faces of beauty.
About Lana
Lana Popovic studied psychology and literature at Yale University and law at Boston University. She is a graduate of the Emerson College publishing and writing master’s program and works as a literary agent with Chalberg & Sussman, specializing in YA. Lana was born in Serbia and spent her childhood summers surrounded by the seaside and mountain magic of Montenegro. She lived in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania before moving to the United States, where she now calls Boston home.
Find out more at www.lanapopovicbooks.com.
Wicked Like a Wildfire
Annie Metcalf
BookPage.
(Aug. 2017): p28.
COPYRIGHT 2017 BookPage
http://bookpage.com/
Full Text:
Twins Iris and Malina have a special gift, or "gleam," but it must be hidden from the world. In their small
town on the coast of Montenegro, this means the sisters had to stop using their witchy gifts when they
became too strong. Iris is naturally aware of people's scents and shapes--gleaning important information
from her observations. Malina's gift for hearing emotions as music allows the sisters to evaluate who is to
be trusted, and who to fear. Over the years, Iris' skills have deteriorated with lack of practice, and
unfortunately, so has her relationship with the twins' secretive mother, Jasmina. But when a vicious attack
leaves their mother technically dead--yet mysteriously alive--the sisters must unearth the wild truth of their
heritage.
Though the revelations about the twins' background are somewhat murky, the power of their love--for
themselves, their mother and their respective love interests--is movingly portrayed. A cliffhanger ending
and layered, likable characters will leave readers eager for what's next in this unique new series from debut
author Lana Popovic.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Katherine Tegen
$17.99, 416 pages
ISBN 9780062436832
eBook available
Ages 14 and up
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FANTASY
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Metcalf, Annie. "Wicked Like a Wildfire." BookPage, Aug. 2017, p. 28. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A499345409/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=bd2623ca.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A499345409
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Popovic, Lana. Wicked Like a Wildfire
Jennifer Staller
Voice of Youth Advocates.
40.3 (Aug. 2017): p76.
COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
2Q * 3P * S
Popovic, Lana. Wicked Like a Wildfire. Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins, 2017. 416p. $17.99. 978-0-06-
243683-2.
Iris and Malina are from a long line of women born with unique magic--a gleam they can use to enhance
beauty in the world around them. For Iris, this gleam manifests itself as the ability to create fractals within
objects like flowers, whereas Malina has the power to represent feelings through song. Their mother,
Jasmina, has taught them to hide these gleams for their own safety, and her severity has damaged her
relationship with both daughters. Iris spends her days rebelling against her mother and resenting the fact
that she must hide her gift, until one day Jasmina is attacked and nearly killed. With the help of their two
best friends, Iris and Malina must uncover the truth about what happened to their mother, which will force
them to confront a dark family secret that could tear them apart.
Popovic's novel has a fresh premise and a unique setting: the mountains of Montenegro, which are
described in rich detail. Popovic takes great care with her prose, but the flowery language slows down the
plot, making it difficult for the novel to gain momentum and retain the reader's attention. The supporting
characters feel one dimensional making it difficult for the reader to connect with them. Because this is the
first book in a planned duology, the book ends in a cliffhanger, which might frustrate readers who are
hoping for a tidy resolution. Despite its weaknesses, this book may find an audience among teens who enjoy
romantic fantasy and poetic writing.--Jennifer Staller.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Staller, Jennifer. "Popovic, Lana. Wicked Like a Wildfire." Voice of Youth Advocates, Aug. 2017, p. 76.
General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A502000871/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=96c0a840. Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A502000871
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Popovic, Lana: WICKED LIKE A
WILDFIRE
Kirkus Reviews.
(June 15, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Popovic, Lana WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins (Children's Fiction) $17.99
8, 15 ISBN: 978-0-06-243683-2
Reminiscent of Practical Magic, this sensory-rich debut and series opener highlights the mysteries of life,
death, and love for modern twin witches. Produced from their Eastern European mother and a Japanese
father they've never met, mixed-race fraternal twins Iris and Malina know they are also witches born with
"the gleam," a magical way to bring forth and manipulate beauty. Raised in the medieval town of Cattaro in
the Balkan country of Montenegro and isolated from other witches, abrasive Iris has had less and less
practice with summoning the beauty of fractals, particularly through flowers, and tender Malina, with
eliciting emotions through her beautiful voice. Narrator Iris has resigned herself to making flowers only
through glassworks and helping her gruff mother, Jasmina, in her confectionery until there are strange
occurrences and visitors in town. When Jasmina is the victim of a possible murder attempt and left in a state
between life and death, it's up to Iris and Malina to find the culprit. The real mystery, however, becomes
discovering their complex coven background and connection to generations of strong women with varying
gifts of gleam and breaking a deathly family curse. This deliberate narrative is not for fans of the quick,
adventurous whodunit but for readers who enjoy detailed descriptions, particularly ones that evoke sights,
sounds, and smells. Those looking for fantasy with diversity may find themselves bewitched. (Fantasy. 14-
adult)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Popovic, Lana: WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A495427417/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=f7d712d6.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A495427417
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Wicked like a Wildfire
Maggie Reagan
Booklist.
113.19-20 (June 2017): p100.
COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Wicked like a Wildfire. By Lana Popovic. Aug. 2017.416p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen, $17.99
(9780062436832); e-book, $17.99 (9780062436856). Gr. 10-12.
In a village in Montenegro, 17-year-old Iris lives with her sweet, musical twin sister, Malina, and her harsh,
icy mother, Jasmina. Each possesses a gleam, or unusual magical art: Jasmina bakes confections that bring
to mind specific locations, while Malina works moods and emotions into her music. But Jasmina has
forbidden the sisters to speak of their gleams or to fall in love, for fear of heightening their powers, and Iris'
gift has suffered as a result. Once, she saw the whole world in kaleidoscopic fractals, but now only flowers
are magical for her. When Jasmina is attacked and left all but dead, Iris and Malina come face-to-face with
hidden truths. With the help of their oldest friends--a pair of Romani siblings--the twins delve into the
secrets of the ancient, cursed family they never knew they had. Atmospheric and often sensual, this first in a
duology is a slow-burning fairy tale about the power of love and the bonds between siblings. Patient readers
will find much to savor.--Maggie Reagan
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Reagan, Maggie. "Wicked like a Wildfire." Booklist, June 2017, p. 100. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A498582845/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=3ba48101.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A498582845
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Wicked like a Wildfire
Publishers Weekly.
264.22 (May 29, 2017): p70.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Wicked like a Wildfire
Lana Popovic. HarperCollins/Tegen, $17.99 (416p) ISBN 978-0-06-243683-2
Readers will be immediately impressed by the lush and vivid writing in this debut novel from literary agent
Popovic, which is set in Montenegro. Seventeen-year-old Iris and her twin sister, Malina, were both born
with a supernatural "gleam." Malina can use music to sway others' emotions, and Iris can transform flowers
into mesmerizing fractals: "Petal nested within petal, each level of the pattern cradling tiny versions of
itself, stamen and pistil and vein and leaf swirling in concentric patterns like a nautilus shell." Their mother,
who also has the gleam, long ago forbade them from using their abilities, but the sisters are forced to
embrace their magical heritage after someone attempts to murder their mother, her body somehow trapped
between life and death. Popovic's story charts a somewhat familiar course as the twins discover the true
extent of their powers and some alluring boys enter the picture, but most readers will be captivated by her
entrancing writing, evocative setting, and distinctive supernatural worldbuilding, and will eagerly await the
second book in this planned duology. Ages 14-up. Agent: Taylor H'aggerty, Waxman LeavellLiterary.
(Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Wicked like a Wildfire." Publishers Weekly, 29 May 2017, p. 70. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A494500804/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=16ea09c6.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A494500804
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Popovic, Lana. Wicked Like a Wildfire
Brittney Kosev
School Library Journal.
63.8 (Aug. 2017): p105.
COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
POPOVIC, Lana. Wicked Like a Wildfire. 416p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Aug. 2017. Tr
$17.99. ISBN 9780062436832. POP
Gr 9 Up--In beautiful Montenegro, there are two sisters gifted with powers that can manipulate beauty: Iris
makes glasswork inspired by the flowers around her, while Malina can create music based on the moods she
senses. Jasmina, their cruel and distant mother, can bake scenery into the elaborate confections in her
bakery. The unforgiving Jasmina has forbidden the girls to share their "gleams" with anyone. Kindhearted
Malina continues to believe that their mother is protecting them somehow, but Iris, spirited and defiant,
spends her evenings partying and ignoring her mother's threatening demeanor. However, when Jasmina is
attacked by a stranger at the bakery, Malina and Iris are forced onto a journey that unearths a family curse.
What follows is a wild ride of magic and family secrets leading to a discovery neither girl was expecting.
For fans of Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone, readers will be greatly pleased with this debut
novel. Popovic mingles brilliant prose with sensory details that allows readers to smell the Montenegro
breezes and see the beautiful old streets. The characterization is excellent: both girls are relatable and
blatantly honest in their reactions toward their harsh mother. At the core of this novel is the love that still
exists in a family filled with secrets and years of hurt. Nonetheless, the plot moves slowly in the beginning,
making it hard to keep some readers enticed. If teens can move past this, they will be rewarded with a
roller-coaster ride to the end. VERDICT A must-purchase for YA fantasy collections.--Brittney Kosev,
Honey/Rush Elementary, Lubbock, TX
KEY: * Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or In the same genre | Tr Hardcover trade
binding | lib. ed. Publisher's library binding | Board Board book | pap. Paperback | e eBook original | BL
Bilingual | POP Popular Picks
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Kosev, Brittney. "Popovic, Lana. Wicked Like a Wildfire." School Library Journal, Aug. 2017, p. 105.
General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A499597914/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=81b40844. Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A499597914
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Review: Wicked Like a Wildfire
Posted: August 8, 2017 by Vanessa in Books We Like Tags: Lana Popovic, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Twin sisters Melina and Iris aren’t your typical teenagers. For one, they are half-Japanese (a father they never knew) living in a village in modern-day Montenegro. They’re exceptionally beautiful and talented, Melina with music and Iris with color and art. And they have magic.
Some might call them witches. Their mother calls it the “gleam” and when they do magic together it’s called “eating the moon.” Whatever it is, they are otherworldly women living in a village where they hopefully won’t get too much attention.
However, after accidentally exposing their magic in front of a neighbor their mother Jasmina forbids the girls from doing their magic–especially Iris, whose flashy magic is the most noticeable. And they must never, under any circumstances, fall in love.
But why? Unfortunately Jasmina is tight-lipped, and after a stranger appears in town and someone kills their mother, the girls must use their own wits to search out the real story. Is it true that their grandfather threw Jasmina’s mother and sister over the cliff when he found out about their magic? Why does their mother never talk about their father? They believe that if they find out their mother’s real past, they’ll find her killer. But they never bargain for the truth of where they come from.
Told from Iris’ PoV, WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE tells her what seems at first like the story of an angsty teenager; but the more the reader learns the more we really begin to understand Iris and why she does what she does. Iris tells a story that uses all the senses, because that’s what their magic emphasizes: the beauty of sight, sound, and taste (Jasmina bakes food that makes the eater imagine a place they’ve never been). Since the ability is inherited through their maternal line it makes one wonder what other abilities have come before. Could there be gleams that accentuate scent? What would that be like?
As the girls learn about their past and what it means for their future, along for the ride are their good friends Luka and Niko, whose Roma heritage make them more open to the existence of magic than the general population would be. The girls quickly discover how true these friends are, and how they couldn’t succeed without their help.
This is a book about relationships: about the relationship between mothers and daughters; about the relationship between sisters; about the relationship of friends; and about the relationship between lovers. The primary relationship explored through the story is that of the mother and her two daughters, and even though their mother is absent for the majority of the story, everything she’s taught her daughters hangs over their heads. Some of the stories Jasmina told them dissolve as the girls discover they were lies that covered the truth; while other issues become more weighty as the girls begin to understand their origins. There are a few holes in the story, so by the end of the book I was left with questions, but they’ll hopefully be answered in sequels. Another problem is that I had a hard time feeling connected to Iris, her angsty behavior made me annoyed with her, but her character arc was satisfying.
The novel starts out slow, and the pace never really picks up, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because we need time to absorb the prose’s details. Lana Popovic’s writing is lyrical in a way that mimics the beauty of the magic inherent in the sisters–their magic is beauty realized by the senses on a level deeper than one could ever experience otherwise. It’s also via the prose that we come to know the beautiful setting in Montenegro, in a village on the coast of the Adriatic. We learn about local flavor and surrounding areas; and it’s in the mountains where Iris and Melina learn about where they come from and their destiny.
I wish I could tell you more about the book, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the shocking ending. The incredible revelations makes the story feel like an old-fashioned Grimm’s fairytale: part magical but the other part is a nightmare. It’s a book about what beauty means and who’s meant to witness it, but at the same time it’s about the sacrifices family will make to save their loved ones from suffering.
Recommended Age: 16+ (marketed to 14+, but beware the alcohol use, smoking, and sexuality)
Language: Maybe a dozen instances
Violence: Some death and blood, but not frequent
Sex: A few detailed scenes that lead up to but don’t show the actual act; a F/F relationship
Book Review: Wicked Like a Wildfire
Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1)
By: Lana Popovic
Published By: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: August 15, 2017
Page Count: 416
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound
Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher via Edelweiss
Young Adult - Fantasy
Iris and Malina are twins with amazing magical gifts, but they live in a small seaside town in Montenegro, where they have to keep their gifts a secret. Their neighbors would likely turn on the magical pair and their mother if their true natures become known. Their mother forces the girls to stop practicing their magic which causes a rift. She also forbids the girls from falling in love as it will make their magic shine brighter.
Iris has never truly forgiven her mother, Jasmina, for stopping the magic and their lessons. The pair are constantly at odds with one another; Malina becomes the peace maker and go between. Life is not as pleasant as it could be for the small family, but things take a turn for the worst when Jasmina is brutally attacked at the family's cafe. She is dead by human standards, but a magical thread keeps her clinging to life. Iris and Malina must find out who attacked their mother, but along the way they will learn about the secrets behind their strange and beautiful gifts.
I was fascinated by the magic structure in this novel. It felt different than the typical witch lore and was described in beautiful vivid detail. As a reader who loves lush description and gorgeous prose, I loved this novel, but readers who prefer a more minimal style may find this a bit difficult to wade through.
Lastly, I loved the setting of this novel. I don't know much about Montenegro, but it is now on my travel wish list. It sounds absolutely beautiful; I can almost imagine magic flourishing in such a location. I loved that the author chose to set her novel in an exotic place (at least by YA standards). I can't recall reading a YA novel set in this part of the world prior to this one.
I will certainly be rereading this one to linger longer.
One Last Gripe: This one is a slow burn in the beginning. There is a lot of setup to explain the magic, setting, and the incident with Jasmina.
Favorite Thing About This Book: I can't stress enough how beautiful the writing is in this one.
First Sentence: My sister and I were born all tangled up together, both tiny enough that our unruly descent just narrowly missed killing our mother.
Favorite Character: Malina
Least Favorite Character: I will let you take a guess after reading to avoid spoiling anything.
Summary:
All the women in Iris and Malina’s family have the unique magical ability or “gleam” to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love.
But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother has built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line—but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever?
Labels: 4 Birdies Andrea Book Review Hibiscus Daughter Katherine Tegen Books Lana Popovic Wicked Like a Wildfire
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Fans of Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo will be bewitched by Lana Popovic's debut YA fantasy novel about a bargain that binds the fates --- and hearts --- of twin sisters to a force larger than life.
All the women in Iris and Malina’s family have the unique magical ability or “gleam” to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love.
But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother has built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line --- but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever?
WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE is the first in a two-book series. Readers will be rapt with anticipation for the sequel.
[Buy this book at IndieBound] [Buy this book at Barnes and Noble]
Wicked Like a Wildfire
(Hibiscus Daughter #1)
by Lana Popovic
Publication Date: August 15, 2017
Genres: Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult 14+
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
ISBN-10: 006243683X
ISBN-13: 9780062436832
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Wicked Like A Wildfire Review: Magical, Mystical, and Maybe Not For Me
August 8, 2017 by Aila J. | ARC Reviews, Books
Wicked Like A Wildfire Review: Magical, Mystical, and Maybe Not For MeWicked Like a Wildfire by Lana Popović
Series: Hibiscus Daughter #1
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on August 15th 2017
Source: Publisher, Edelweiss
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy & Magic, Romance, Mystery, Young Adult
Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble
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All the women in Iris and Malina’s family have the unique magical ability or “gleam” to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love.
But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother has built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line—but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever?
While there were parts of Wicked Like a Wildfire that I enjoyed, there are also many parts that just plain didn’t work with me. I can definitely appreciate the pretty writing, magical story, and quaint setting that the book is set in, but at the same time I can’t deny that I found myself bored (mostly within the former half of the book) and a bit uncomfortable with some stuff that happened. Let’s just say that the highlights of the story – including themes of beauty and greed, selfishness and deception – are all wrapped around the love that the sisters Malina and Iris have for each other. With that and the increasingly-complicated plot towards the latter half, I did manage to enjoy parts of this book. I’ll discuss what I appreciated, and then head to what didn’t quite capture me as much.
I divide Wicked Like a Wildfire in two parts. The first half is focused on the mystery that happens when Lina and Iris, gorgeous twins with as much differences as they have similarities, find their mother attacked yet not dead – only trapped in a state where she can’t function. With that, they take clues into their own hands as they explore the charming little town they live in to discover what exactly happened to their mother. The story takes place in a very quaint and atmospheric town located in a small European country called Montenegro. I like the fact that the author uses actual folklore and legends to go along with the mystery that she enshrouds Lina and Iris’s family in. However, I didn’t really find myself captivated by the mystery nor the legends that the sisters discovered. The writing, as lyrical as it was, sometimes got downright grating at times for me. I can only count this as a personal preference, and really hope this particular opinion does not detract readers from picking this one up. The second half of the book is when everything starts picking up, and I found myself enjoying it much more.
The word for ‘witch,’ veštica, meant ‘deft one,’ and that was what we’d been” deft in beauty, versed in its tastes and sounds and textured as it wove like a ribbon through our fingers.
Readers get introduced more into the magical background of Lina and Iris. They have special powers that for some reason their mother discouraged them to use, causing for a rebellious nature to rise up in Iris. I admit, I wasn’t a big fan of Iris in the beginning of the book. She has a bit of a caustic personality and does not have a good relationship with her mother. Since we’re given a first person POV of Iris, we really get to see how edgy and strong-willed she behaves. Lina provides a foil to Iris’s animosity as being the nice, calm one. While Iris’s power contains beauty in fractals and imagery, Lina’s focuses on the beauty of sound and singing. I thought that this magical aspect of the book was quite original and refreshing. After a while, Iris’s personality started growing on me and I could see reasoning behind her behaviors – mistakes and all.
Where Lina was sweet-tempered and tender, I was stark and sharp, fashioned of edges.
An interesting point to note is that two of Iris and Lina’s best friends are these Romani siblings from their small town. I can’t say anything for the representation of them (especially as many books still use “gypsies,” derogatory as it is), but I did appreciate the fact that the author brings their characters to life and addresses certain stereotypes surrounding their lifestyle. Luka and Nikoleta are really sweet and supportive friends of Iris and Lina, especially as their love both continue past friendship. I really hope for more page time with them and developing their relationship with the sisters in the next books, as they were quite pivotal points of this book as well.
One thing I was really disgruntled about was the romance. There are romances happening, but I never really connected to this part of the relationship between characters. There’s one focusing on Lina and her significant other (who the book takes time to reveal, although becomes quite obvious within the first couple of interactions). As this book focuses on Iris’s POV, readers see two potential love interests for her. While I understood why she did the things she did with a certain person, as well as the way this would change the course of the plot, I was rather uncomfortable by it. She does not heed her sister’s warnings and goes against her own gut feeling for this particular greasy person, and I’m not about that life. When she does settle on the caring, compassionate person who’s been by her side since the beginning, I also could not bring myself to care that much. The romances just seemed cold to me and more like a side add-on than anything important going on.
‘Sometimes that’s what real love takes, I guess. A sacrifice on both sides, doing for the other person what they can’t do for themselves.’
The importance placed on the sister relationship, as well as the mystical magic that Iris and Lina discover in their lineage, were the biggest parts of the book that allowed me to continue reading. The author does a good job in feeding information in increments so you have to continue reading to figure out what’s going on – talk about unpredictable! And yet, the mystery part in the former half of the book rather bored me while the latter half started picking up as more magic got involved.
epilogue
Wicked Like a Wildfire is definitely a pretty book. How is it not, when the author stresses how beautiful the sisters are (and their whole family. And most of the characters in the book, for that matter), adds such a charming little town setting with legends to surround it, and has such lyrical writing? And yet, this left me with a bland taste in my mouth. This may have been made up by the flaws of the characters and their growth in relationship (if not characterization themselves), but the absolute focus on it got a bit tired. The ending does leave a great message about being bound and the consequences of selfishness and having freedom and will taken away from a person. With the cliffhanger, I do believe I’ll pick up the sequel to see how the story ends up – especially with the unexpected added dimension by a certain greasy character. Anyhow, although this book did not “wow” me as much as I wanted it to, I would still recommend readers who love magic to perhaps give it a go. Don’t expect much on the romance front, and expect more on the familial dynamics, especially between the two contrasting sisters. I also think many readers will enjoy the writing more than I did, and really appreciate the “wicked wildfire” delivered in the title of the book.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
By the end of Popović’s debut novel, it is clear that this author has the potential to become a big name in YA fiction. This novel has a dreamy, almost visual aesthetic that is compelling and fresh, and the setting — Croatia — might introduce readers to a new, stunning location. The exploration of family relationships is fresh and exciting, as Popović allows the reader to really dwell on the different ways that people can relate to those closest to them, for better or worse. It is frustrating, then, how long it takes for the novel to really draw in the reader. Stick with it, though, for Wicked Like a Wildfire is a novel with so much to offer.
It has always been Iris, her twin sister Malina, their mother and their gleams — the unique power held by each woman in their family to manipulate some aspect of beauty. It has been hard, however, since their mother forbade them to share their gleam with the world, to use it fully while they are alone. Iris’ powers are fading, her relationship with her mother is floundering, and the sisters are finding it harder and harder to not break the other rule their mother insists upon — to never fall in love. When their mother is attacked, however, the sisters must unravel the secrets that have served as a foundation for their lives. (KATHERINE TEGAN, Aug., 416 pp., $17.99, HC, 12 & Up)
Reviewed by:
Meghan Watts
Review: Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1) by Lana Popović
August 15, 2017 Julia Review 0
Review: Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1) by Lana PopovićWicked Like a Wildfire by Lana Popovic
Series: Hibiscus Daughter #1
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on August 1, 2017
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Romantic, Urban Fantasy, YA Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 416
Source: Publisher
Excerpt: Excerpt
Sexual Content: References to sex.
Reviewed by: Julia
4 Stars
All the women in Iris and Malina’s family have the unique magical ability or “gleam” to manipulate beauty. Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, while Malina interprets moods as music. But their mother has strict rules to keep their gifts a secret, even in their secluded sea-side town. Iris and Malina are not allowed to share their magic with anyone, and above all, they are forbidden from falling in love.
But when their mother is mysteriously attacked, the sisters will have to unearth the truth behind the quiet lives their mother has built for them. They will discover a wicked curse that haunts their family line—but will they find that the very magic that bonds them together is destined to tear them apart forever?
WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE is a story about the complexity of relationships, the economy of love and hurt that exists within families. It spins a fairytale without readers realizing, we stare at the magician's right hand while the left builds whole new worlds around us. In the spaces between teenage rebellion and romance, magic blooms and expands.
A magic spun of the senses can be hard to contain on the page, but WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE reflects the awe of its magic into the space between characters. It's impact shows in how they draw toward each other and flinch away. Iris and Malina each deal with their mother's distance in different ways, their magic an organic part of the expectations and disappointments that chafe on both sides of the divide. Iris drinks and smokes and parties her pain away, brandishing each rebellion in her mother's face, but her wildness never entirely masks a clear longing for a return to their happier days.
It is this vulnerable, hidden heart that makes WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE memorable, a notable addition among contemporary, young adult fairy tales. For all her wicked ways, Iris loves and longs for love. For all her meek sweetness, Malina is fierce in her loyalty and love. These sisters have to unravel the heartbreak and deceit of their mother's past, all the while trying to survive their present. And WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE will sweep us all along for the ride.
Series Titles:
Wicked Like a Wildfire
Fierce Like a Firestorm
More Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews - N/A
Elitist Book Reviews - N/A
Similar Titles:
Holly Black and Melissa Marr both write teenagers struggling with magic in a world that doesn't acknowledge it, two of my favorites are Holly Black's THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST and Melissa Marr's WICKED LOVELY.
Tags: 4 bats Julia new adult romance Romantic urban fantasy young adult
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Book Review: Wicked Like A Wildfire – Lana Popovic
Wicked Like A Wildfire
Author: Lana Popovic
Series: Hibiscus Daughter #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: August 15, 2017
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Goodreads | Amazon | TBD
Summary:
All the women in Iris and Malina’s family are born with a gleam – a unique way of manipulating beauty through magic. Seventeen-year-old Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscopic visions into glasswork; her twin sister, Malina, interprets moods as music; and their cold, distant mother, Jasmina, bakes scenery into decadent treats at her confectionery in Old Town Cattaro, Montenegro.
Jasmina forbids Iris and Malina to share their gleams with anyone, and above all, she forbids them to fall in love – being discovered could shatter the quiet lives they’ve built in their tucked-away seaside town. But Iris and Malina are tired of abiding by their mother’s rules and rebel in secret whenever they can.
Yet when a mysterious white-haired woman attacks their mother and leaves her hovering between life and death, the sisters unearth an ancient curse that haunts their line – a wicked bargain that masquerades as a blessing and blinds the twins’ fates – and hearts – to a force larger than life. To save each other, they must untangle a thousand years of lies and reveal their own hurtful secrets. But even the deepest sacrifice might not be enough.
Wicked Like A Wildfire is debut author Lana Popovic’s first book in a sumptuous, bewitching duology about the power of love, death, and magic and the many faces of beauty.
First Sentence: My sister and I were born all tangled up together, both tiny enough that our unruly descent just narrowly missed killing our mother.
My Review:
First of all, please don’t read the summary of the book I provided in my review.
I took the summary of Wicked Like A Wildfire straight from the front cover flap of the finished copy of the book, something I always do when I provide the summary of the book I’m currently reviewing in my reviews. I feel like the summary of Wicked Like A Wildfire just tells you way too much about the book and spoils a lot of things for you. You still don’t discover most of the things the summary of the book reveals until after the halfway point of the book – the summary spoils that much of the book.
“Why…” She shook her head and swallowed. “Why did you have to grow up so strong? Why did you have to make it so hard?” (62)
Right off the bat, I noticed how different Lana Popovic’s writing was from other books I’ve read. Lana Popovic’s writing is gorgeous. Her writing is so smooth and flowery and it just flows. Lana Popovic definitely has an unique way of describing things. However, as I read on, I slowly felt that Lana Popovic’s writing came off as being extremely long-winded. Wicked Like A Wildfire is definitely a book you’ll want to enjoy slowly to fully enjoy the extent of the writing without it becoming long-winded.
I really enjoy the dynamic between the twin sisters, Iris and Malina. Iris and Malina have an extremely complex relationship – being twins, I expected them to be super close and they are close. However, their relationship comes with minor complexities – Iris privately thinks Malina is the purer twin and secretly envies her and her friendships with other people. Despite that, Iris often overcomes her jealousy. Iris and Malina are definitely a solid team.
“Maybe it’s the opposite,” he mused quietly. “Maybe there was too much of everything shared between you, and not merely the bad. Two magnets face-to-face, repelling.” (172)
Another thing I want to note is that Lana Popovic simply EXCELS at writing kissing and straight up sex appeal scenes. I was internally squealing when I read this one particular scene because it was so damn juicy. It gave me all the feels and get this…that scene was only a paragraph long. Yeah. She’s that good.
What ultimately kept me reading on was I WANTED TO KNOW THINGS. What happened to this particular character? Who are all the other characters that suddenly appeared and what roles do they play? How will it all end? The ending of Wicked Like A Wildfire certainly didn’t help as it ended with a cliffhanger.
Overall, I definitely recommend Wicked Like A Wildfire if you’re a fan of slow, gorgeous writing. I personally wouldn’t be reading the sequel as I have no desire to find out what happens next.
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-Kelly
Posted by Kelly on 8-14-17 · 1 Comment