Vern! What I love love loved about this book were the grumpy, jaded dragon, the unlikely and endearing friendships, the dragon-life details, and the vivid bayou setting.

I had a really tough time with the purely evil bad guy who showed no possible redemption or depth of character but stooped to increasingly horrifying depths of depravity, torture, and intensely dark impulses. It was difficult to spend so much page time with such a character and in his thoughts.

I thought the ending was nicely open ended and satisfying without being too easy.

I was provided with an advance copy of this book through NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I stepped very far from my reading box on this one and what a great decision it was! Adventure! Bad guys! A young protagonist with challenges! And of course a dragon! Part fantasy, part crime adventure and a hint of coming of age blend together perfectly in this adult offering from Colfer. Lord Highfire is not your Mother of Dragons dragon. Funny, poignant, thrilling and at times frightening, this book really has it all. Enjoyed the ride!

I enjoyed this story. The prose maintained my attention. I wasn't disappointed in any way with the story. The characters were realistic and relatable. The world-building was well done. If you enjoy Eoin's writing....you won't be disappointed.

I'm a native of Louisiana and a long-time Coulfer fan. I was excited to find out about this book and enjoyed it very much, even if (at times) he didn't get the more nuanced grace notes of the deep south quite right.

This is the type of hilarious, insane, ridiculous urban fantasy stories I love to read. It’s the guilty pleasure without the guilt. I enjoyed the Artemis Fowl books as a teen, so I gave Highfire a shot. This was exactly my cup of tea.

Highfire is a rip-roaring comedy with Everett “Squib” Moreau, a smart-ass of a kid who lost half a finger playing with fireworks, and Vern, a vodka-drinking and Flashdance-loving dragon. The story takes place in the Louisiana bayous, which is one of the most ecologically diverse and hauntingly beautiful regions in the country (at least, to a southeastern lady like myself). The events of the book mange to be both exciting and hilarious throughout and I highly recommend this to others who just enjoy a good book.

Original!

Eoin Colfer once again pulls literary magic out of the box! His wicked sense of humor permeates this most unlikely story.
Put together one badass Dragon, last of his kind, formerly Wyvern, Lord Highfire, of the Highfire Eyrie, now just called Vern, and a bayou tatty, wise crackin' Cajun kid with the handle Squib and you have one hugely amusing story of life in the bayou swamps around Louisiana. As Vern our former dragon Lord puts it, now he's "king of jack shit in Mudsville, Louisiana." Vern's living conditions are not the only thing that's changed. Now "Vern was mostly ketogenic, high fat, low carbs, apart from his beloved breakfast cereals...Unfortunately, it meant the beer had to go, but he got by on vodka. Absolut was his preferred brand. A little high on alcohol but easiest on the system." He also practices mindfulness as a way to cope with his down moods.
After a series of setbacks Vern takes on Squib as his general supplier. That's when things become so much more interesting. Squib's mother has caught the eye of the local rogue law enforcement Captain, and that means Squib is under observation as well. One thing of course leads to another.
(The banter between Vern and Squib reminds me a tad of that between Steven Brust's assassin Vlad Taltos, and his small dragon like companion, the jhereg Loiosh.)
With a Dragon lord, New Orleans drug cartels, a crazy ex-marine rogue lawman with the handle Regence Hooke, the story reads like Peter Pan gone feral.
The one liners don't stop coming. The tone is self deprecating. The Dragon Lord has seen better days. His wardrobe is eye catchingly kitsch and includes a Flashdance T-shirt. Squib and his mother are delights.
What more can I say? I was amused the whole way through! In fact I feel a further read coming on to take in and fully appreciate Colfer's wonderful sense of the ridiculous.

A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley

If you've read the Artemis Fowl or Fowl Twin books, then you know that nobody brings fairy physiology and the messy side of myths into the realm of this modern world like Eoin Colfer does. And he's done it again in this earthy, swampy, adult fantasy novel, where Vern, high lord dragon of old, is peacefully hiding out and swilling vodka in the Louisiana bayou. Until Squib, a resourceful swamper in his teens, and a sociopathic constable named Hooke cross his path. Vern can keep the gators in line, but these humans are a huge headache.

While I enjoyed the grumpy dragon and the plucky swamp rat persona of Squib, I was somehow both bored and deeply unsettled by Hooke and genuinely bummed by the death of another character. I also expected a little more sparkling, intellectual wit and found the plot, language, and humor to be a bit murkier, muddier, and swampier than I had anticipated. It reads very much like a YA book (which I generally enjoy but wasn't anticipating) that indulges in so much strong language, substance use and abuse, and death and dismemberment, and sociopathic abuser point of view, that it had to be marketed as adult (although I don't see why, since plenty of YA fantasy includes those elements). Unfortunately that leaves it in a weird spot for finding its audience. I thought I was a shoo-in for that audience, but it just didn't land quite right for me. The writing is good, and the story is unique, but it didn't have the sparkle I look for in fantasy reads.

This book was a lot of fun and not at all what I expected! There is a lot of swamp talk, violence, and flatulence. It is most definitely an adult read.

Highfire is about a dragon, named Vern, most likely the last of his kind. He loves Flashdance, vodka, and is a bit of a curmudgeon. He spends his days in the swamp hiding from humans, which his not too fond of. He ends up becoming friends with Squib, a teenage boy that just can't seem to keep himself out of trouble, proved so by his missing a finger from messing around with explosives. Before he meets Vern, Squib witnesses the town constable, Hooke, doing something illegal and fears for his safety. Hooke is a crooked constable and just overall a bad person. Hooke has always had it out for Squib, even before he realizes that he witnessed this act and learns that there is a dragon living in the swamp. Shenanigans ensue with lots of weapons and explosives with Vern and Squib against Hooke.

This novel is not for those who are sensitive towards dirty jokes, swearing, or violence. The first half of this book, I truly had no idea what it was leading to. The beginning was a lot about Squib and how he just couldn't stay out of trouble, regardless of how much he promises his mama. It also focused a lot around how Hooke really wanted to date Squib's mom, who had no interest in him at all. I think the book really started to pick up about half way through and the second half of the book really flew by; there was a ton of action!

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Squib was really enduring, even though he had a hard time keeping himself out of trouble. He is curious and that sometimes is how he gets himself in trouble, but he was such an enjoyable character. Vern is so grumpy, but also easy to relate to. He wants to hide out in his home watching Netflix, I mean, who doesn't want that? My favorite part of this book was definitely the friendship that blossoms between these two. Hooke was downright evil, so he was a good villain to root against.

I completely recommend this book for those looking for something unique and fun to read.

ARC provided by Publisher via Netgalley.

Reminiscent of Elmore Leonard with a fantasy twist. Some funny moments, but at times read like a children's book with adult content.

For those who like their fantasy stories filled with humor, here is a new adult fantasy series from the author of Artemis Fowl. Set in the bayous of Louisiana, a young fatherless teen named Everett 'Squib' Moreau tries to stay out of trouble and earn some money to help out his mama while protecting her virtue from a psychopathic constable named Regence Hooke who is hot for her body.

That story would be interesting enough, right? But Eoin Colfer has thrown in a 7-foot tall dragon named Lord Highfire, better known as Vern, the last of his species, who hiding in the swamps. There is another creature living there too--a mogwai named Waxman who is the result of interbreeding between humans and dragons at some point centuries ago. What will happen when humans meet creatures? Lots of adventure, danger, horror and excitement mixed with a great deal of humor.

I have to admit that I didn't think this was a book for me at first--I was put off by a lot of gratuitous swearing, for one thing. But I hung in there and found that became less of an issue as I came to appreciate the wit and humor with which Colfer writes his novel. I was in fact quite entertained by these two unlikely friends--Vern and Squib. I'll look forward to more in this series to come.

I received an arc of this new fantasy novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions expressed in this review. Many thanks!

A huge thanks to HarperCollins for giving me this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. HighFire comes out tomorrow Jan 28th!
First of all, I had so much fun doing this photoshoot that I was almost bummed out I didn’t haver a physical copy to make this epic shoot even more epic! This is why I often ask for physical copies. I love reading on my kindle. In fact I prefer ebooks, but it’s so hard to make an ebook standout in a photo. Oh well, the book was amazing.
Synopsis
How do I begin to explain a book that is damn near an LSD trip? Yeah, you read that right. This book is weird quirky and reads like a dream. Very “trance” like. However, it is easy to read and you never feel lost like most fantasies. At least, when I read most fantasies ( I still love them tho!)
The story is about a drunk Flashdance loving dragon named Vern. Living in the swaps of New Orleans. The last of his kind, who takes a liking to an unlikely hero: Squib. Squib, a neighborhood nobody who is trying to make ends meet by working odd jobs to help him and his mother survive. Squib becomes the dragon’s forever servant after he witnessed a crime he accidentally stumbled upon.
Review
Throughout the story one might think superficially that this is a funny almost a satire approach to fantasy novels. However, Eoin was able to add reoccurring themes about how humanity through history has time and time again killed to gain some sort of power. Such as in Vern’s case, being the only left of his kind due to humankind making it this way. Extinction of animals at the hands of humans. Humans are the first predators on earth!
The themes of depression, substance abuse, and suicide are often pondered and in great detail described; so warning my friends.
We see the importance of love and friendship in the most bizarre of ways. Eoin dabbles a lot on military themes and how easy killings come to those who have killed.
Towards the end of the novel, we see action after action with each page turned and the reader becomes immersed in this tale of true friendship.
I enjoyed this book, it had me saying WTF, and I often wondered what am I reading? Eoin has a smooth way of describing scenes that had me zoned into my seat! I gave this one 4 stars. Being the masochist that I am, I was hoping for a more emotional ending. Highly recommend. It will not disappoint. At worst it’s nothing like you’ve ever read before at best it’s an awesome adventure and how love conquers all!
A special shoutout to Eoin Colfer, whom I had the pleasure of speaking to throughout the reading of this book. This is one of the reasons why I love this community. I get to speak with the authors themselves. And it’s so humbling!

A post of this was published today on my IG: @books_and_stilettos
also a blog post was published on my blog @ www.booksandstilettos.com
This review will be on goodreads as well. www.goodreads.com/mcp0y3

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Highfire. All opinions expressed are my own.

I went into this expecting it to be a bit weird and it was, but I expected more. Overall, I found this book to be a bit disappointing. I thought the action was fun and I love the concept. A vodka- drinking dragon? Yes, please! But I had trouble connecting with the characters.

I think part of that was due to the multiple POVs. I truly could have done without the POV of the corrupt Sherrif, Regence Hooke. I found his character to be pretty vile and his POV unnecessary. I would have rather spent more time with Vern and Squib.

Note: I received an advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest review of this book!

As a huge fan of Artemis Fowl, I was profoundly disappointed with this book. I remember reading Colfer's earlier work with such fondness, and so I had really high expectations for Highfire and automatically requested it when I saw it on NetGalley. After eagerly awaiting its revival, I tore into it and then, regrettably, did not finish it. I just felt like the plot did not move at all and so I could not get into it. I never felt any emotional connection to the main characters and I just was not compelled to complete this book. With great sadness, I cannot recommend this book. However, I will still happily read Colfer's next book as long as it is not a sequel to this one!

Very Christopher Moore-esque. Bizarre in many excellent ways, but the plot drags. A ton of action eventually takes place, but dangerously close to the DNF range for me. Glad I finished it but not a essential read for me.
This will have a pretty niche adult audience.

Vern was a dragon, arguably, the last of his kind. "Once upon a time, he had been Wyvern, Lord Highfire of the Highfire Eyrie...now...he spent his days in the bayou blending in with the locals, staying down wind of the swamp tours...". Seven foot tall Vern, watched Netflix and reality shows from the comfort of his La-Z-Boy recliner. His beverage of choice was Absolut Vodka. His wardrobe: "Flashdance" T-shirts.

Vern mistrusted humans, the exception being Waxman, a mogwai. "Mogwais [half human beings] and dragons often buddied up to avoid death by whatever elaborate method the crusading mob favored at the time." Waxman lived on a houseboat on the Pearl River. "Waxman had set up a supply line to the outside world for Vern." How else was a dragon to quench his thirst for Absolut Vodka?

Constable Regence Hooke was a "bent" cop. "There was hardly a crime he hadn't participated in or turned a blind eye to at one point or another." Regence had set his sights on Elodie Moreau, a nurse working at the Petit Bateau Clinic. "...he craved what he couldn't get his mitts on...".

Everett "Squib" Moreau, Elodie Moreau's son, was a fifteen year old swamp-wild, street smart Cajun. "He was doing his best to stay straight, but...straight didn't pay the bills...". Elodie owed
massive amounts of money in gambling debts, those debts amassed by Squib's "fake daddy". Perhaps the debt level could be reduced if Squib spent his summer as a moonshine runner.He dreamed of moving to a mother/son dwelling far from Constable Hooke.

Vern, the ancient dragon was lonely, isolated and virtually friendless. A nighttime explosion from a grenade launcher might prove to be the catalyst for change. A life saving "grab" from an unlikely source could open new doors for Squib. Regence Hooke's malicious, cruel nature cannot be understated. Author Eoin Colfer masterfully fleshes out the "Highfire" protagonists with tongue-in-cheek humor, "colorful" descriptive passages and flights of fancy. Violence is included in this rip roaring magical romp through the Louisiana bayou. There was never a dull moment. What fun!

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers, Harper Perennial and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Highfire".

This book sounded so good, but I felt it fell short. I liked the characters and thought they were well developed, but the plot was lacking. Not a lot happened for the first part of the book and it was a lot of set-up. I just didn't care for it.

Fans of Artemis Fowl who have grown up are going to be thrilled to read Colfer's first adult title. Though almost nothing like Artemis Fowl there is still definitely a lot of appeal. New readers will be drawn in too, I think!

An interesting story of an ancient dragon living in the modern world, trying to live under the radar in a swamp. I'm sure a lot of readers will enjoy this one; it just wasn't my cup of tea. I had trouble getting into this story (too much swearing for my taste), but I wanted to give it to page 50 before I gave up, and of course page 50 is where things start happening. So I got hooked and read to the end. It's a decent story with lots of action. The ending leaves room for more books to follow.

Notes- lots of swearing, alcohol use, drugs, violence, corrupt cops

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars
I reall enjoyed Highfire. It was off beat and snarky and well written. If you're looking for a run of the mill PNR or UF this is not going to be your thing. Yes, there is a dragon, but don't let that fool you. This is a clever, sarcastic and funny book with fantastic characters. A winner for me. .

When I heard the author of the Artemis Fowl series was going to write a book for adults, I was maybe a liiitle too excited. I mean, he has already created some characters that were bordering on not safe for young adult (NSFYD??), so I figured this would be a wild ride. And it is! Colfer jumped across the pond to the bayou in the American South. What safer place for a dragon to hide, than among the other greenish scaly inhabitants of the swamp?

But, a dragon has needs. Vodka, cable TV and cigarettes to name a few. This forces Vern (said dragon) to forge relationships and depend on others, which seriously irritates him. Enter Squib, a local youth teetering on the verge of turning into full blown hoodlum. Pushing him in that direction is the local crooked constable who happens to have the hots for Squib's mom. Throw in the mob, some hidden loot and lots of dynamite and you come up with a rip roaring, bizarre, can't put it down story! Super fun, quick to read, can't pass it up book.