Wow! What a volume! Can't believe this is already the third book discussion since I've been on this wiki. That's like three years! Been a fan of Amulet since 2011, but I can hardly imagine what it's been like for the people who've been in on the series since it began in 2008. To any of you out there who have: BRAVO! That's a decade-long commitment! Two more books to go; two more years or thereabouts. Not entirely sure where I'll be in two years, but it's a two years I look forward to immensely!
DISCUSSION MAY CONTAIN MAJOR SPOILERS!!!
First, my thoughts on "Firelight":
- An all-around amazing installment. Liked it a lot better than "Escape From Lucien", which I felt was more of a way-point book. The stakes are definitely getting higher here; although they always have been with this series.
- Gabilan is back! That was one thing I mentioned wanting to see in the previous discussion. I'm glad he's been given a necessary role in the story.
- That callback to the very first scene in the series was intense. I loved how that plot point was made relevant again and addressed finally after the six books since "The Stonekeeper". Also gave us a deeper look into Emily's emotions, particularly toward her father. This was really cleverly tied together; Kazu is a good writer, to be sure.
- Did that one guy attempt suicide? Who am I kidding? Of course he did! Anyone else notice what appears to be family portraits in his house? Almost makes me want to know whatever happened in this guy's life to make him feel so incompetent? Very depressing. Pretty selfish of him, though, to jeopardize someone else's life for the sake of his own broken self-esteem. I'm wondering if there's more to this part of the story?
- No big robot battle, unfortunately. Last one we got was Luger VS Charnon House. Everything else since than has been travel, war strategy, talking, exploration of the Void and character memories. BUT! Big reveal: The Voice is serving the "Shadows" and Alledia is an actual planet that said Shadows intend to populate! SPACE TRAVEL! Wonder if Kazu plans to let all Hell loose and go full, galaxy-sized Gurren Lagann for the finale? (A man can dream!) Might just go as far as pint-sized Star Wars though. Maybe Star Trek.
NOW! What I want to see in Book 8:
- MECHA ACTION!
- The Elf King defeated. Kazu confirmed nine books, right? With all the high-stakes reveals pertaining to The Voice and the Shadows; the Elf King seems like little more than an obstacle. Plus, we all know he's being reanimated by The Voice. Time for the biggest of The Voice's pawns to throw in the towel. I really can see him suffering a premature/anticlimactic defeat. He's practically dead; even deader than Max.
- Thinking. Will add more!