I requested this based on the author and description. And it sounded like a fantastic little story--until the author went way overboard with language. The writing is full of crass, lewd and plain lazy uses of f*cker. Into chapter three and I just got tired of it. It wasn't helping the story, and nothing else much was helping it along either. If it had been a little better prose with less reliance on shock factor to create tone, I may have continued, but as it is, I just couldn't bring myself to waste the time to keep reading.

I've really enjoyed Eoin Colfer's other work, but this story was a bit... strange. The worldbuilding was very specific and local to a part of the world that I don't know much about... the deep south. It was a weird world full of bayous and fishing. As far as the dragon, I know it was a bit of a satire on the normal view of dragons, but I found it a bit disappointing. He could have been a more sympathetic character, as it was I didn't care much about the outcome of his story.

Rating: 8/10

I picked up Highfire due to what I had heard from other readers, which basically can be summed up as such: “It is about a lazy, oft-drunk dragon who has a crude sense of humor. Oh, plus murder or something.” That was about where my expectations were. I was looking forward to a funny, snarky, juvenile book about a dragon with some kind of plot snuck in there, and that is exactly what I got. I would say this book lived up to my expectations.

Having never read any of Eion Colfer’s work before, I came in unfamiliar with the author’s writing style; though, I figure this is very different than any of his other books. Highfire is heavily character-driven, with three main characters getting most of the page space: Vern (the dragon), Everett “Squib” (the teenage boy), and Regence (the cop). Clearly Vern steals the show, cursing and making raunchy jokes from the first pages. A veritable Al Bundy, he never slows down during the entire narrative; no matter the situation, Vern has something brash to say about it. This appeals to the teenage boy who still lives inside my supposed adult body. I laughed early and often. Speaking of teenage boys, Everett is also a great character. Imagine finding a talking dragon at the age of 15? That reaction is what you get from Squib, who actually ends up bringing a lot of balance to the story. He often acts more stable than the actual adults in the room while also trying to keep his own life together. The man trying to take that life apart is Regence Hooke, dirty cop/drug and weapons dealer/murderer. He is completely psychotic, and it is his actions that bring the story along, for the most part. Vern, Squib, et al, would be just happy to let things lie, but Regence is a power hungry psycho and is not content with the status quo.

What ensues is a chaotic mess. The plot at the beginning of the book is a very interesting “what a tangled web we weave” type of thing. I definitely enjoyed how things started. I would not say I did not like the end, but things do unravel in the second half. Honestly, after thinking back on it I feel the author might have just said “I have all these ideas about how dragons function and what they can do… how do I concoct a plot that fits and allows me to show off some cool dragon shit?”, as opposed to the other way around. Which I do not mind, by the way, because Vern does do a lot of cool dragon shit. It is a fun story. Vern is awesome (also, he may have learned a few things along the way and experienced some personal growth). Squib is relatable. Regence is an unstable psycho.

I really liked the setting of Highfire, as well. The story takes place in southern Louisiana, which actually adds a little depth to a story that is razor thin. First of all, everyone speaks with a southern Louisiana accent (except for Vern, who is thousands of years old). It adds some flavor to the dialogue. Also, the author used elements of the setting to make things more interesting. There are swamps and alligators galore and people going up and down the river in boats. I love the way the author used the setting not just as somewhere for the story to take place but as a way of adding dimension to the story.

Overall, Highfire was a fun book. Vern is my guy, and I think I would like to sit down and have a beer with him (or even a martini). This book is not for everyone, though; if you like your dragons to act their age, you may want to skip it. But I smiled the whole way through, so I am recommending this book for anyone who likes that kind of thing.

What's a fire breather to do when he used to fly the skies in all his glory, but now he's reduced to lighting cigarettes with sparks? For centuries, he struck fear in every soul he met. Now? The only thing shivering is the cigarettes. He's resigned to being a burnout, literally. But is this really the life he's meant to lead?

Swamp rat, known as "Squib" does everything in his power just to make it through each day. But on his first night working at his new job, he witnesses his boss being murdered by a cop turned bad.

Regence Hook isn't just a cop running on the wrong side, he's despicable from head to toe, soul included. Squib is in Hook's crosshairs and is saved by, who else? The former fire breather!

Ride along with this unlikely pair as they battle Hooke and all of his counterparts. Who will survive the fire? Read to find out!

This book was provided for review by the author and the kind people at NetGalley. Thank you!

The copy of Highfire reviewed was an Uncorrected Proof provided by NetGalley. Any changes done after distribution were done at the discretion of the author and the publisher.

Being from the state of Louisiana, I am always interested in books (and movies and TV shows) that are set in this state. I almost always find myself comparing the fiction with the truth. Sometimes the two are so far apart as to be laughable and sometimes the two are actually quite close. When this happens, it is always a pleasant surprise.

Highfire is one of those books where fact and fiction are fairly close. At least when it comes to South Louisiana. And while Colfer does take a few small liberties (dancing alligators) for the most part his portrayal of this little corner of the world is pretty accurate.

Thankfully, Colfer sets the scene in the bayou backwaters around the city of New Orleans. It is much easier to fudge things here since the waterways are constantly changing. What doesn’t change is how the people there live and Colfer seems to get this mostly right. He does not try to make any one character sound too ridiculous or have a bizarre accent that no one down here has. There is a certain cadence to South Louisiana speech that Colfer did try to capture in the first part of the novel and it did not feel natural. Thankfully, the prose shifted away from that later on.

The characters that inhabit Highfire are all unique. It is very easy to cheer for Squib and Vern. Likewise, it is very easy to jeer at Sheriff Hooke. There is one particular character I would have liked to see more of before their departure – not named here because of spoilers. They provided a good dose of humor in to what could have become a too heavy story.

I really enjoyed reading Highfire by Eoin Colfer. Because this is a fantasy with a dragon, the action does go over the top in some scenes. Yet it is done in a way that is also kind of believable. The end is also left open with the understanding that we might once again visit the bayous of South Louisiana and a vodka swilling dragon. I certainly hope so.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44890077-highfire" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Highfire" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1569074230l/44890077._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44890077-highfire">Highfire</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10896.Eoin_Colfer">Eoin Colfer</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3053867161">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I like a story with an effective villain, and I think that's what <i>Highfire</i> has going for it most strongly. The sociopathic cop is ruthless, self-aware, and smart enough to figure things out. He fails in the last act by doing something unforgivably stupid, considering all he knows, but up until that moment he was a fascinating foil to Vern the Dragon.
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13229544-erin-boyington">View all my reviews</a>

I wasn't able to review the book but I'm including it in my "I Wish I'd Read That" series for the end of the year. Text below:

I’ve always wanted to read Eoin Colfer’s famous Artemis Fowl series with its epic magical world and the kind of extensive world building that takes a reader through an eight book series. When Highfire popped up as a review option, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, 2020 got the better of me and I was never able to get to it. The premise is compelling, promising dragons and magic amidst modern day rural America. It sounds like a solid mix of humor and dark characters, and I’m still bummed I wasn’t able to get to it in January. I’ll definitely be adding Colfer to my 2021 reading list. Read more about the author and book below, or purchase a copy for yourself. And of course, a big thank you to Harper Perennial for the free review copy!

Having read the Artemis Fowl books, I am familiar with Colfer's ebullient sense of humor. Glad to say Highfire is full of fun and fast paced action. I chuckled the whole time and couldn't put the book down.

Vern, short for Wyvern, once a high and might member of the dragon clan called Highfire is the last of his kind. His clan was killed off by humans, which he dislikes for that reasons. Spending his days hiding in the backwaters of the bayou, guzzling vodka and watching movies from the 80s, Vern is getting bored. He has one friend named Waxman, who is special as well. Due to an unfortunate incident Vern becomes associated with a crooked cop named Hooke and a skinny young Cajun named Squib. This may be too much excitement for a 3000 year old dragon or it could be the kick in the pants Vern needs to wake up from his funk.

I had high hopes for this one. I wanted the magic and witty sarcasm of Artemis Fowl, and it was in here, but it was buried under layers of bad language (since when does having excessive bad language raise a book level from YA to adult?) and lots of ego inflated guys who all thought they were the best bada**es to ever grace the earth. If you don't mind a lot of crass language and bullies who think they're tough, then you can try plowing through it.

It did a good job exploring the idea of a dragon living in hiding in modern day New Orleans. It had a really good setting, giving me a feel for the bleak grimness of life on the swap, but the prose just wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed this book and I absolutely adore Eoin Colfer BUT let me backtrack a bit. When I originally asked to review this book it was a simpler time. This was pre-pandemic and before all of the other ordeals we have found ourselves facing within the span of 2 seasons INCLUDING (but not limited to): the threat of Murder Hornets, square dancing hurricanes, protests, rioting, and Meth alligators (which is somewhat apropos here). Yes, times were easier and a bibliophile was likely to leisurely request, read and review on a whim. Then came Covid-19 and our world was changed overnight and, sadly, with no relief in sight. Couple all of this with the tensions and anxiety such an environment can
trigger and voila, you have the makings of a newly minted agoraphobic hermit sporting a new state of being born of high octane terror and a dollop of hopelessness. The world was not the only thing to change, I fear I changed as well. BUT please excuse my digression... I only wanted to set the stage.

Back to the review at hand...

I will admit that I LOVED Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series (all 7 books plus 2 novellas), they are in my top 5 favorite middle grade reads! So, when I saw that he once again penned another publication, this time with an adult target audience in mind, I HAD to have it. The day I was given the ARC I was ecstatic. I finished the book I was currently reading at record pace and then dove right into Highfire... AND... I was extremely underwhelmed. I thought "this can't be right, I must be in the wrong headspace for this kind of story right now" so I put it down to come back to later and every time I revisited, I promptly put it back down again. Fast forward a (mumble mumble) number of months, plus a broken tablet with the ARC on it, and I felt like squelching on my deal to review this book... weren't these obstacles a sign telling me to let it go and simply bale?? Should I just bury my head under a pillow and wait for this wretched year to end?? Well as it turns out the answer was NO... good thing too because it seems that I just needed to enjoy this one auditorily and thus the Audiobook came to the rescue!

This (audio)book is not your average Colfer tale. It still bares his signature: elaborately luxurious world building plus his beautifully tangible characters, add in his penchant for unique premises and your product is a work of art that is sure to please a wide variety of readers! His characters are so well crafted that you can imagine them perfectly, clear as day, jumping right off the page... errr... speaker(?!?) and landing right smack into your (messy, reclusive) life. You'll either love them or abhor them but either way you'll FEEL something.

The book's namesake Highfire, or simply Vern (Wyvern), is not your run of the mill dragon. He is a Flash Dance tee shirt wearing, oil and Vodka guzzling, ornery recluse of a thing that may or may not be the last of his kind. He has no qualms about blessing some swamp folk (or villages of old) with his fiery breath. After a millennia he is (reluctantly) trying to learn how to coexist and actually care about Humans, or one particular human to be exact. He is trying to stop letting his past horrors, complete with folks always at the ready to wrangle up an angry mob, define Humans as a species. This is especially true with his begrudgingly bequeathed "friend" Everette (Squib) Monroe. I enjoyed Squib's character more than I thought I would and I loved the parts with his mother Elodie in them. I was smitten with Squib's adoration of his mother and the special, unshakable, bond they shared. Oh, then there were the alligators. They don't play a staring role but it is definitely good to have friends/subjects in low places.

True to Colfer form, the characters are the best part of the book although his atypical premise came in a close second. I loathed the antagonist more than I disliked a dastardly villian in a long time and could not wait to see how he, Hook, would meet his demise. Thankfully my question was answered and done so with style.


Overall:
I couldn't believe the 180⁰ my attitude took... From the first time I picked up the book (nearly writing it off altogether) to getting the audiobook and relishing every second with it, my whole perspective and mindset did an abrupt about-face. My advice is: if you are having a hard time getting into this one as well, I highly recommend persevering OR do what I did, get the audiobook... it was well worth the time... you'll laugh, cringe and cheer.

Great book!!

~Enjoy

*** I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***

A small village 0n the bayou in Louisiana is the home to a crooked cop with the hots for the mom of a delinquent kid, a hippie bar owner, a drug dealing mob boss, and Vern -- a trash-talking, TV watching, booze guzzling DRAGON who wears Flashdance t-shirts and cargo pants. YES, you read that right -- a DRAGON, maybe the last of his kind..

I knew Colfer from his Artemis Fowl books and, aside from the amazingly imaginative storyline, this is nothing like those books. This is definitely NOT for kids or young adults. It is, instead, an adult fairy tale filled with laughs and violence and moments that will make you shout "YES!: Suspend your disbelief and fall into this crazy story.

Are you a fan of Christopher Moore's books? This has many of the same elements -- same twisted humor, wonderful characters, and unbelievable (yet somehow...maybe) plot. Definitely not your every-day fiction, but a fun diversion.

This is a really unique take on a dragon story, but I'm struggling to see who the audience for it might be. Colfer draws a younger audience than a lot of YA, but I'm not sure this will appeal to those kids.

Written by Eoin Colfer, Highfire follows a dragon who just wants to live his life and be left alone, and a boy who has witnessed a murder, then had a dragon inform him that he would be eating him.

The writing was face paced and created the setting and tone of the novel, and the idea of a dragon, small enough to wear t-shirts, drinks beer and lives in the swamp is really a cool idea. Not to mention the kid - who skips school, tries to make his mom proud but often falls short, and hates the guy who is constantly trying to go on a date with her, is a really compelling character.

However, the pacing in this story just left me wanting more/not reading it very quickly. It is the kind of book that I can't just sit down and read, but instead could only read about a chapter at a time.

If you enjoy crass humor, and you want something with a dragon who has survived being hunted and is a humorous. If you enjoy Christopher Moore, you may just like this book.

I did receive a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 19%

Highfire was not for me. I’ve never read Colfer before, but I know he wrote the Artemis Fowl books, so he’s familiar with YA. This was an off-color YA fantasy… with a lot of swearing, and over the top humor. I mean, some of it was funny, but most of it I found a little much. While I was initially curious enough to request it, the book didn’t much appeal to me after I finished the intro. After the first few chapters, it still didn’t draw me in. I gave it a little more, but bowed out around the 20% mark. An uninteresting plot with funny but ultimately shallow characters. A colorful setting that really didn’t contain any depth. In my opinion, this was an attempt to get into adult fantasy that may or may not have worked for everyone. It sure didn’t work for me.

I've read some of Eoin Colfer's middle grade books. This is quite possibly one of the more comedic adult fantasies I've read in awhile. I greatly enjoyed the lonely depressed dragon living in the bayou.

This story has comedy, adventure, and intrigue. I recommend it to everyone who would love to read a story with a hilarious amount of wise guys, rising body count, and maybe necessary violence!

The dragon, believing himself the last of his kind, has hidden away in the Louisiana swamps and taken on much of the character of a Cajun swamp rat. A boy discovers him and sparks his re-involvement in the world. The quirky characters and powerful emotion will sweep the reader in.

Posted review to this to my booktube channel on Feb. 5, 2020. Sorry it took me so long to update on NetGalley.

https://youtu.be/c180iphScmQ

Published by Harper Perennial on January 28, 2020

I don’t make a habit of reading books in which dragons play a central role — or any role — but Highfire delivered the offbeat humor that the description promised. It’s hard to take a dragon seriously when he wears a Flashdance t-shirt and cargo shorts.

Vern (a/k/a Wyvern, a/k/a Lord Highfire) is, so far as he knows, the last dragon on Earth. Humans “managed to all but extinctify dragons back the day with nothing but crossbows and malicious intent,” leaving Vern with a serious grudge against the human race. He lays low in a Louisiana swamp, where he is occasionally forced to teach the alligators who’s boss.

Although Vern does his best to stay away from humans, he crosses paths with a teenager named Everett “Squib” Moreau. Squib has taken a summer job running moonshine and untaxed cigarettes for Bodi Irwin. He hopes to pay off his mother’s debts so that he and his mother can move away from the swamp. One motivation for moving is to protect his mother from Regence Hooke, whose duty to enforce the law has been corrupted by the cash he makes running errands for a drug cartel. Hooke has his eye on Squib’s mother but he’s preoccupied with a scheme to advance his career by running guns from Louisiana (where they are cheap and plentiful) to California (where they are regulated and therefore command a higher price).

Squib is transporting moonshine through the swamp when he witnesses Hooke commit a murder. Fleeing before he can be identified, Squib comes upon Vern. He flees again before Vern can toast him. With both Vern and Hooke chasing after him, thinks look bleak for Squib. Circumstances nevertheless conspire to turn Squib into Vern’s employee, as Vern needs someone to make his beer runs, his mogwai buddy Waxman having gone into hibernation.

The plot generally involves Squib’s effort to stay alive as Vern and Hooke go to war against each other. You would think a dragon would have the upper hand, but Vern is getting old and he doesn’t always have the oil in his system that he needs to fuel his fire. Hooke, on the other hand, is heavily armed and can call upon the resources of a cartel for assistance. The novel culminates in a glorious battle of the bayou.

If the plot sounds silly, it isn’t meant to be anything else. The story works because Eoin Colfer writes a laugh or two into every page. Colfer litters the text with jokes, inventive dialog, and commentary that is both irreverent and irrelevant (Vern hates the way dragons are depicted on Game of Thrones but the song “Blue Bayou” brings a tear to his eye).

The novel does have a serious message about prejudice and tolerance — in this case, prejudice against humans, some of whom are admittedly intolerable. “Humans, dragons, mogwai —ain’t no bad species nor good species,” Waxman tells Vern, who sort of agrees by the end of the novel, given the efforts that a few decent humans make to save his dragon skin (before it sheds). Replacing “species” with “races” brings the message closer to home, but Highfire isn’t a preachy novel. It is instead a very funny novel, one that makes me glad I overcame my own prejudice against books that feature dragons.

RECOMMENDED

I was never the right audience for Artemis Fowl, so I had no previous exposure. This wasn't the easiest book to get into, but it was worth the effort to finish.

A definitely unique book with a witty and sarcastic voice that you either love or hate. I personally loved it. I've been reading Colfer's books since I was a high schooler, when he published the Artemis Fowl series, and I am so glad to see him branching into different book styles and genres. This is a dark fantasy that holds up against the different tropes and keeps you on edge to figure out what will happen next.