Fire Colour One

Love, lies and redemption lead to a stunning conclusion.

Teenager Iris returns to London from California with her Mother and Stepfather to meet her wealthy terminally ill father Ernest – a man she cannot remember.

Iris’ mother, Hannah, means to get her hands on Ernest's priceless art collection. But Ernest has other ideas.

There are things he wants Iris to know after he's gone. And the truth has more than one way of coming to light.

To post your review and comments about this book, simply click on 'post a comment' below. When posting select 'Anonymous' but please do not forget to include your first name, school and a book rating out of ten in the post. This year we have awards for schools and pupils who write the best reviews and engage with this blog, so it is important to tell us who you are.

97 comments:

  1. Enjoyed this book - wanted to keep turning the pages. Enough likeable characters, good imagery, humour and challenging language but lots of stuff that makes you go away and think, too. Susan Staff GBHS

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  2. ' Fire Colour One ' was the first book I read. At first I did not think I was going to enjoy ' Fire Colour One ' after hearing about it at the book launch at ' Great Baddow High School ' but once I read it, I was amazed at how wonderful it was. I really liked this book and I look forward to reading the other books.
    8*/10*
    By Abhinav.P King Edward the VI Grammar School

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  3. Iris is a teenager and her Mum Hannah returns to England to be with her dying husband, Ernest. Hannah is just after the priceless art collection. Ernest wants to get to know Iris and to tell her some secrets...
    It took me a little longer to get into this book and it wasn't very action packed, although a good story developed throughout. The ending was better than the beginning. It was an ok read but unfortunately not one of my favourites.

    Mrs M - Tendring Technology College - 7/10

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  4. This is a beautifully written novel. If you are ever asked to read a book to help with descriptive writing then this book would fit that bill. Iris is a troubled teenager, perhaps because she does not believe that she is cared for or loved by anyone. Her anxieties lead her to and obsession with fire. She only meets her father when he is already terminally ill and her mother brings her back to England to meet him in the hope of benefiting financially from his death. I loved the characters in this book and the relationships between them. Some characters were intentionally transparent but Iris, Earnest and Thurston were wonderfully complex. I loved the twists and turns, the things left unsaid and the final reveal. I adored this book and feel that it has to be a strong contender for the award.
    Mrs Smy, Librarian, BCHS

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  5. After reading the first few pages of the book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it a lot. It didn't seem like it was going anywhere, but I was so wrong! Every time I turned a page, the story just go better and better. Iris' character was very likeable, despite her rebellious personality. Characters such as Hannah and Lowell, were those kind of characters that you instantly despise. I felt like I didn't get enough of Ernest's story, but what I did get was enough to see me through till the end of the book. Throughout the book, Iris mentioned how much she missed Thurston, and honestly, I wished that there was more mention of him, I probably would have missed him more. Overall, the book had a good plot line, enough likeable characters and some good imagery. I was so intrigued by what was going next I didn't want to stop reading!

    Eloise, Boswells School

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    1. Forgot to put my rating! 8/10*

      Eloise, Year 7, Boswells School

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  6. Grace Lighterness Brentwood County High sCHOOL12 November 2015 at 03:31

    Read this book in a day I enjoyed it so much, it even brought a tear to my eye at one point. The twist and the end regarding the wife's inheritance was so good.

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  7. I'm reading this book now and I'm loving it. It can get confusing at times but I do really enjoy it!

    Ruby, GBHS

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    1. I know what you mean

      Cody - great Baddow high school

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    2. Yes I agree to as one minute shes talking to Ernest and then shes talking to Thurston, theres a lot of flashbacks
      Jenny GBHS

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  8. I have read the book and it is quite confusing and I am not sure what is going on. I am not sure who is who and I wouldn't really recommend it!

    Jayani, Tendering Technology College

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  9. Considering this is quite a short book it is a fantastic one I would give it five out of five. It is quite sad as Ernest, Iris`s father is dying. It is a really engaging read, I got right into the book. Every twenty seven chapters was exhilarating. Also in the story Iris`s friend is on the complete opposite side of the world. Her mother declared war and she means to get her hands on Ernest`s priceless art collection. But Ernest has other ideas. Ernest wants Iris to know things before he is gone. The truth has more then one way of coming to light.
    Sophie
    Tendring Technology College

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  10. A Heart- Warming (get it, warming?) story with twists, turns and the occasional fire. a really engaging read, showing a broken family. I LOVED the ending and how Hannah gets tricked.
    9/10
    William S- KEGS

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  11. This book was quite hard to get started with because I thought it jumped around in time but still reading and started to enjoy and understand the book a bit more. I still can't believe Iris set fire to her own house. I am not really sure about the character of Thurston and his role in the story.

    Louie, GBHS

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  12. At first it took a while to get started and I was confused about where it was going, but it was a great mixture between serious and funny. The ending was very clever and a great payoff. All of the characters were interesting and understandable. Engaging throughout - just not gripping like some of the others. Seven out of ten.

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  13. This book took me a few chapters to realise what was going on. It is a mix between a funny and serious book. This book was very gripping and I would rate this book 5 out of 10. Alina TTC.

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    1. Same with me I didn't really understand the chapters at the beginning and I would probably rate it 5-10 aswell

      Louie - GBHS - Year 7

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  14. Fire colour one is a fascinating book and I would read it again many times I loved how the author Jenny Valentine described Iris it was almost like I could picture her in my mind.
    I also loved the story line and the mums feisty character I would rate this book a 5-5.
    Imogen DFS

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  15. fire colour one is a good book and I liked the bit when they were talking on the phone with Ernest
    Reece
    Tendering technology college

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  16. I've just started reading this book, it looks awesome.Any one agree

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  17. The read was slightly confusing with all the time jumps however it was a nice book to read with something unexpected popping up every chapter. I loved the ending and would rate it a 7/10
    Ben KEGS

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  18. At first it took a while to get started and I was confused about where it was going, but it was a great mixture between serious and funny. The ending was sad as Ernest died but still a great payoff. All of the characters were interesting and understandable. It was a great book but the storyline was quite confusing.I give it seven out of ten.
    Lucy Barnard
    Boswells school

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  19. I liked the story line of the book however I got a little bit confused at the start of the book as you know what has already happened before the story started. I liked the book very much I would definitely reccomend this book to one of my friends. Once the book got started I couldn't stop turning the pages. At one point I could feel some of the emotions the characters were feeling. Just as you thought you knew Ernest and he becomes a character he very sadly passes on. I loved all the characters and when Iris gets reunited with Thurston it was a good part of the book. I loved it!

    Isabel Leslie Plume School 7.5/10

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    1. I totally agree that it was confusing at the start! It was a really emotional sorry, but I really enjoyed it too!

      Safi- Moulsham High School

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  20. Fire colour one is one of my favourite books to read out of the books I have read so far out of all the Essex book awards book. I admired the story line of the book. I would recommend this book to people who love a book where you cant stop reading books where you can feel the characters emotions
    I would rate this book 10/10
    Nevaeh Davenant Foundation School

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  21. This book was a particularly mysterious read. The plot is full of secrets that haven't been uncovered during the 16years of young Iris' life. this book is a heart warming read besides the it being a book on the dangers of arson....
    Sophia
    DFS

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  22. Fire colour one is a very mysterious book, it had me late at night reading until almost 12 o clock! it tells the tale of a girl called Iris with a father very ill and a mother who has more interest in money than her daughter.

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  23. I loved this book! It was very well written and I found it very hard to put down! However, I can see why other people may not like it. There were several elements of the book that may not have appealed to other people. I occasionally found a part funny or sad, but it wasn't one that made me cry or anything, which I liked. It meant I could read it easily without getting distracted. I found it easy to follow, however, the ending was slightly disappointing. I loved it, but it left me guessing- that was probably intended, but I found it frustrating. For example, I would have loved it if it had linked to the beginning more, as it was not very well explained.
    Despite this, I found it a brilliant book and was sad when it finished as I just wanted to keep reading. I will definitely be looking out for other books written by this author!
    I think Thurston was my favourite character, even though he wasn't actually present for much of the book. He had a certain presence to him and was very mysterious, which I liked.
    A very good book!
    9/10
    Charlotte B, the Boswells School

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    1. I agree, I also found they beginning a bit hard to read and confusing, but as I kept reading it I really started to enjoy the book more. I also found it confusing how it kept changing from past to the present. But overall I enjoyed it to ;)

      Safi- Moulsham High School

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  24. I enjoyed this book. It was very interesting with mixed emotions about a 16 year old girl called Iris and a father who was very ill however her mum was more interested in money. A lot of secrets were revealed throughout the book however the ending could have been better I recommend this book to people who want an easy read book that is very mysterious.
    7/10
    Chinna DFS

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  25. Fire colour one was the fourth book I read for EBA 2016. Looking at the cover, I felt that it would be a strange book. My fears were realised... partially. It is a slightly confusing book, but you understand the major details. It is a well written book that draws out your hidden emotions and makes you think. I found it a very good book and would recommend, despite misconceptions from the cover.

    I would give it 8.5/10 , since it made me think and I enjoyed it.

    Adam F-KEGS

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  26. This book was well written and it has been the second book I've read. I didn't really understand this book because I feel like it was more for someone a bit older than me (since I'm only 11.) The only bit I really understood was the end at Ernest's funeral, with the painting. I'm only rating it 7/10 because I'm too young to understand it.

    Summer
    Sweyne Park

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  27. This book was a sad story of how money ruins your life although a slow starter I really enjoyed it. I rate it 8 out of 10.
    Taylor TTC.

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  28. This book is O.K. It had a slow start but delivered the final punch. This book had several elements of the book which is why some people found the story less appealing . this book was also a bit confusing as well . I recommend this book to anyone who likes love and mysterious. Fire color one was my last Essex book award book so I thought it would be nice but it was my 4th favourite book. Thurston was my favourite character because he is the main character and the main person. Some bits are funny and others are sad.
    7/10
    Jesbin Siby-Tendring Technology College

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  29. After reading the book Fire colour one I didn't know if I would like it because the start was slow and it kept on changing from past to present tense. But when I got in to it, wow the story plot was brilliant. Iris' character is likable and adventurous and is addicted to fires.The ending surprise is breath-taking. brilliant book once you get into it. 8/10.

    Quinn Atkins
    TTC

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  30. At first the book was confusing and I didn't understand what was happening but as I kept on reading it got better and better.
    Erin - Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College

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  31. This book was a good read, however it is slow paced and was in my opinion the worst book of the bunch. But towards the end it started getting better and better and really gave the readers something to gorge their mind into. Furthermore it had a good moral to it; money is not everything. In addition I would say that other people may like this mystical book! Well done.

    George DFS

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  32. Fire Colour One is an amazing book. It lets your imagination run wild, it's sad. I found the plot line hard to understand because it kept on switching between past and present. Dispite this the I still enjoyed the book. the introduction of the character Ernest made the story more interesting.
    Georgina - year 8 - BUCHS

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  33. This book wasn't amazing but it wasn't terrible. It is quite a heart-warming tale about a girl and her father. This wasn't my favourite book and I will rate it 3.5 out of 10. saskia TTC

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  34. this is one of the most amazing and inspiring books I've read yet! you'll fall in love with Thurston and root iris on through her adventurous love for fire! her dad may seen weird at first but I swear you'll love him!

    year 10- kealy- moulsham high

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    1. YES!!!! Thurston is one of my favourite characters too!

      Safi- Moulsham High School

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    2. Thurston is such an original character from such a simple concept. A sequel but from Thurston's view would be amazing!!!:)

      Chloe
      Moulsham High School

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  35. I loved this book!! At first you might find it a bit confusing but it gets so much better trust me. I loved all the characters (especially Thurston) and I really liked Iris and her love for fire. We get to see her go on this adventure to see her father and its just an amazing story! I'd give this book 9/10!

    Safi Henry- Moulsham High School

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    1. I agree. This book was incredible :)

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    2. I believe it could be confusing but everything does get cleared up. :)

      Chloe
      Moulsham High School

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  36. i like this book.

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  37. I am only at the start and it has got right into the story straight away
    James, GBHS

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  38. I'm reading fire colour one and I'm finding this book exceptionally boring. it is hard to follow at points and there are some sentences that don't make sense

    Cody - Great Baddow High School

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  39. I didn't enjoy this book, finding it quite boring and difficult to understand

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  40. Fire colour one is the second EBA book I have read this year. Having started very slowly, I gradually got pulled into this book and became very entangled in it. It's a little confusing, but incredibly fun and well-structured. I loved the relationships between certain characters, especially Thurston and Iris, and enjoyed reading the entire book altogether :)

    I would definitely recommend this to other fellow EBA readers.

    9/10

    Thank you, Jenny Valentine. This book was AMAZING! >-<

    Abigail (year 10), Moulsham High School.

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    1. I agree, I loved this book!!!!!!!!!

      Safi- Moulsham High School

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    2. 100% agree. Such a pleasure to read.

      Chloe
      Moulsham High School

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  41. This book is good and we liked it very much. it was fun to read although it was quite hard to understand at first but we loved the book because it was a different genre to what we usually read, and the characters were interesting. one of us would have liked to know what really happens between Thruston and Iris. -Meg and Atisha MHS

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  42. Did I mention that this story is literally an emotional rollercoaster ride cause it is! But I loved the relationship that is developed between Iris and her father even though she doesnt get to spend much time with him. It's a very heart-warming story about love and family.

    Safi-Moulsham High School

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  43. I thought this book was very realistic for children who have parents who are divorced. I really liked how it had characters who all thought and acted differently , for example Iris's mother only likes money but her father cares about his child. I really liked this book because it was very different from most story's I have read .
    Kate
    DFS

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  44. AT first I didn't really like this book but as it went on I gradually started to like this book. I love the relationship between iris and her father even though they are not together a lot. This book is interesting and I like it a lot.
    Caitlin Morris
    Davenant Foundation School

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  45. I found it amazing the way that even though they are not together, there bond is still extremely strong. As the relationship between Iris and her Father grew better and developed more
    I would rate it a 4/10
    I didn't like it at all

    Elise Albiston
    DFS

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  46. Fire Colour One was an interesting book. It was very different to the other EBA books in that it was very slow-paced and there wasn't much action. I loved the ending with Hannah and Lowell getting tricked by Ernst even though he wasn't there. It was heart-warming, but my problem with this book was that it dragged on a bit with Iris talking to Ernst. He told her all these stories about his sister that weren't really relevant to the plot. Despite that, it was quite a good book.
    I would rate it 7/10.

    Oliver C - KEGS

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  47. A good good easy to read with some challenging vocabulary. A glorification of pyromania which could give the wrong ideas to some people ? Good study of relationships, money and love.
    7/10
    Krystel staff- gbhs

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  48. Jenny Valentine’s book Fire Colour One is clever, beautifully written and full of ideas about real life. It tells the story of sixteen-year-old Iris: lonely and desperately unhappy, she finds self-expression and release through starting fires. Her vain, shallow and greedy mother, who seems to be one of the least sympathetic fictional characters ever created, has always told Iris that her father abandoned them when she was a little girl; this is the main reason that Iris is so depressed and unhappy which also later makes Iris feel more betrayed then ever. But this is complete fiction and he has in fact been searching for his daughter all her life. They are reunited, but only because her father is dying. The weeks they have together are spent learning about each other – they share a love of art for example, something that Iris’s father Ernest has been able to indulge. Just as the beauty and truth of her father’s paintings outweigh any value for money, so Iris’s love and growing understanding exceeds their short time together. Daring to examine what is really important, this original novel is full of insight and intelligence with morals that are true to real life too; particularly poignant considering what might have been - how a daughter and father could have enjoyed a relationship if they hadn't been prevented from knowing each other by the manipulative mother.
    By Rosie Chen - year 7 -
    Saffron Walden County High School

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  49. Oh my rating is 10/10
    Rosie Chen - Year 7 -
    Saffron Walden County High School

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  50. I would rate fire colour one 10/10 I really love the emotion.
    Sokari Rufus - Brentwood county high school

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  51. I rate this booki 10/10!
    Brilliant writing style and i wanted to keep turning the pages, this one is bound to win- or nearly win! Definately one of the best and i've read all six now!
    Plume school.
    Molly

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    1. I found this book really slow going and very boring as there was no action or any thing i8nteresting.

      Matthew
      The Boswells school

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  52. This book was not to my taste. I did not warm to the characters, however, it was well written. It had an interesting plot and ending. This book explores love, family and relationships. This is an interesting plot idea, but I didn't like the characters or the smaller details of their personalities and actions.
    Sophie - Year 9 - Hockerill Anglo-European College

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  53. This was book was brilliant and well written. There is an amazing plot and some truly well written characters.This is a very original story and is such a pleasure to read. :)

    Chloe
    Moulsham High School

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  54. This book was amazing! I love the plot and the idea about some one who is addicted to fire was so inventive. The imagery used was excellent, it made me feel as if i was in the story talking to Iris. Some moment made me so scared for the characters as i got closer to Iris and Thurston as the story developed. The language used was also great. It was heart warming and beautiful or sad and emotional making me want to help them all. I really liked how occasionally just had some moment that almost seemed silent and calm where Iris was just in her own world explaining her wonderful imaginative thoughts to me watching the fire flicker.
    The only fault that i could find would be that it was very easy to get distracted from. There was not catching moment that made me want to never stop reading like i have found with some of the other eba books. Some parts were just quite dull which almost let down for the amazing and thrilling parts that i loved.
    I loved it, but it left me guessing- that was probably what the writer mean to do as a cliff hanger, but I found it frustrating. For example, I would have loved it if it had linked to the beginning more, as it was not very well explained.It almost left me just hanging there not really knowing what to do next- searching for the next page that would explain it all but there wasn't one!
    Despite this i still loved the book! It was imaginative, gripping, emotional and exciting. My favorite character was probably Iris. It inst because she's the main character or anything like that. Its because she is so mysterious. She was constantly there in the background but somehow linked to everything in the middle. I found it so inventive how she had this whole background that she didn't know about and was very cleverly never even hinted through out the whole book until the very end.
    This book was amazing and it was definitely one of my favorites!
    8/10
    Grace A
    The Boswells School

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  55. This book has a really good plot line but I couldn't understand any of it. I liked the book and all but its not what I would say 5 star. 2 out of 5 I rate this book.

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  56. I personaly found this book quit slow going a bit boring.

    Matthew
    the Boswells school

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  57. I think this book was interesting and I've never read a book quite like it before. The diversity of the characters and the beautifully descriptive settings made the story come alive in my head. Iris returns to England from America,to meet her (dying) father for the first time in her memory and she is not impressed! I love the way Iris' character develops through the story as she learns more about her father, and indeed her mother. Thurston was an intriguing character too. I didn't always like him; I found his pretend funeral rather odd and disturbing, but Thurston does have an important part to play in the story and he is a good friend to Iris. Iris herself has faults, (her desire to start fires) and is clearly a troubled teen, but that is what makes the characters so convincing
    Fire and art are vivid themes that were woven both figuratively and literally throughout the story.
    Very metaphorical, I found this story unpredictable, even though I knew that revenge was on the cards as we are told this at the very beginning. The actual ending was still a shocking surprise, which had me rooting for Iris and enjoying her parents' reactions.
    I really loved the stunning imagery of this book and I would award this book 9/10.
    Molly, The Sweyne Park School (Year 7)

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  58. I LOVE THE BOOK! at first I only read it because it was there but I love the way iris can calm down completely when she lights a fire. I love the way that Ernest makes iris happy at the end

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  59. The book was an interesting adventure into the world of Iris' world,growing with her throughout the story.

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  60. I liked this book because I really liked the way that a father can have so much care for his daughter even though he has not seen her in years. Even after he passes away he still makes sure that everything in his mansion is Iris' and not Hannah's. The ending was really happy and I enjoyed it. I rate this book 7/10 because I think that more could have happened at the beginning but apart from that it was good.
    Olivia Plume School

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  61. This book is absolutly amazing! I love the instant bond between iris and her father, of which continued to grow as the story went on. I think that iris is a very unique character, who has her own ways of dealing with emotions, which is of course starting fires. I also found that there was a lot of imagery used in this book which made the book feel as if i was playing iris's character! The fact that iris had never met her father before made me feel as if both me and iris were learning the personality of Ernest (her father) , allowing me as the reader to be more engaged and passionate about reading this book! I also found that as the pages turned, we got to know her father more and more, aswell as iris's selfish mother. I also love how both the fires that iris made and Ernest's paintings were closely linked, which could show that Iris and her father were always together, even if they had never met eachother. I will definetly recommend it to others! i love this book and it is definetly a book that will be read again!

    10/10

    Nicole,Tabor Academy (year 9)

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  62. When reading the the first pages I was astounded by the detail to the description and how much it makes me want to read the next page after reading another.The emotion of the makes me really relate to the character and how she feels. I also like the beginning gets strait to the point so I can fully understand what is happening and as you go into the book it speaks more in detail about what happening.I think the way Iris is feeling about her father in the book is described in a very spectacular way. I would recommend this book to other young aspiring reader like me.

    Onari Rufus Brentwood County High School
    Year 7

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  63. After reading 'Fire Colour One' it felt like the pages had reached inside me, taken my heart and put it right in front of a warm fire! This book is beautifully written, and opened up my thoughts and opinions about the way we see and interpret things without thinking too much about it. I really like the way the main character Iris' feelings are described, especially her fierce anger.
    However, for me, the highlight of this book is probably the very end. In the flick of a few pages, the whole story turns on its head, and, just as we think the worse was inevitable, we find out a wonderful secret, denying Hannah and Lowell fame and fortune.
    The story line of this book is thrilling, emotionally educational and a roller coaster ride of twisting thoughts. I did have to read a few parts of the book several times over, however, as it could be slightly confusing or too much to process at one stage.
    However, the positives for this book overwhelmingly outnumber the possible improvements, and Jenny Valentine has indeed created a beautiful piece of art.

    Jamie Wade,
    King Edward VI Grammar School

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  64. I forgot to put the rating! I would give 'Fire Colour One' 9.5/10

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  65. i have to admit, I did judge this book by it's cover. I thought it was going to be a typical teenage girl emotional story with little substance. couldn't have been more wrong, it was brilliant! I love how iris wasn't relatable but understandable and that the characters held there own nicely. the book was also strangely unpredictable as normally with books like these there is a limited amount of ways it can go but by throwing in unexpected things into the plot from an early point there was no telling what would happen next. I particularly liked how iris's and her dads bonding was left to the imagination.
    8/10
    Katherine Maxwell
    moulsham high school

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  66. A great book, though a bit boring at the start. People aged 12-18 should enjoy this book.
    4/6
    Matthew - Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College

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  67. I found Fire Colour One a bit confusing, and I didn't really get it. I managed to get about half way into it, but couldn't finish it. I did like how Iris' mum and step-dad were so determined to get as much money as possible and didn't care how they went about it. I felt a little bit sorry for Iris and her dad, as her mum was using them both.
    I would give this 3/10, because I personally found it too confusing.
    Isabella (Yr 7) The Sweyne Park School

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  68. When I read the blurb of Fire Colour One I was confused. When I read the beginning I was confused but when I contuined reading it I enjoyed it very much. I thought the book would be about fire because of the title but I didn't realise it would be about paintings and about loads of fire. I couldn't believe that Iris's mum and step-dad would want so much money but take away Iris when she three away from Ernest was upsetting. I couldn't believe at the end that when Ernest died he left all of his money and paintings with Iris's mum and step-dad. When I read the ending I couldn't believe that all the paintings were fake and had the name Iris was underneath, when Iris's mum and step-dad thought all the paintings were real. The happy thing in the book was that Iris saw her friend Thurston again and that Ernest tricked Iris's mum and step-dad to believe that all his paintings were real when they were all fake except Fire Colour One that he owned.
    I would rate this book 10/10 because it was enjoyable and execiting to read but a tiny bit sad when Ernest died but also confusing and that is what I like about books about how they are written to make the reader think,feel and confuse them.
    Amber-Year 8- Brentwood County High School

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  69. I thought Fire Colour One was very good at the start. It leads you in and was very "wow" because straight away some children could relate to it, because they might not have their dads around. It connects you in a way and I thought this book was like some people's lives and could be their life story.
    The story was a bit confusing for me so I would give it 5/10.
    Neave, The Sweyne Park School (Year 7)

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  70. I didn't really enjoy Fire Colour One as to me, it was a bit boring and I thought it was going to be a good book by how colourful the front cover was, but when I read it, I was disappointed. I prefer books about animals, sports and adventure. When I saw the front cover, I was excited to read it because it looked really good, but I didn't really enjoy it. I would give this a 5/10.
    Annisha, The Sweyne Park School (Year 7)

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  71. Overall I found Fire Colour One to be an enjoyable read. It has an exciting plot that sets the scene well for the main action of the book and introduces the characters in great detail. The main action of the book is well structured and rather believable in its detail. I do not know if this is just me, however the book appeared to end on a cliff hanger and not fully wrap up the story after Ernest's death. This could possibly be hinting towards a sequel. Overall I would rate this book 8/10
    Benjamin S. KEGS

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  72. I loved the morals in this book even if the plot was quite confusing. It's a classic tale of a self-obsessed couple ignoring their daughter because she's not like them, only for them to be beaten in the end and it's a great retelling. I do, however, agree that there was a lot of jumping around and it got confusing at times. However, there were some really original characters e.g Thurston and the bit with Jesse and Hannah's reaction to what Iris said about him just shows how blind some people can be when they're focused on one thing. 6/10
    Philippa Chelmsford County High School ( year 8 )

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    Replies
    1. I totally agree with you. The story line starts to get really messy but the characters are interesting. However, I thought Iris was a bit basic.

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  73. A girl is nearly loosing her father. Her best friend lives on the other side of the world. They met under a tunnel, that's how, she and her best friend Thurston met.
    The girl's mum doesn't want to let her go to her father, because her mother wants the pictures from her husband. But the girl goes to her father and he gave her one of the pictures that she liked the most.
    Every night she drew an eye with fire eyelashes, dark elbow and that eye followed her everywhere. When she came back to her Dad he told her things she needed to know and after a few days her Dad died. 10/10 St Helena

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  74. ‘Fire Colour One’ introduced us to Iris, a 16 year old pyromaniac. She didn’t remember anything about her father, Ernest, but heard from her mother, Hannah, that he didn’t want her and had abandoned them. When Iris, her mother and stepfather moved back to England from America with no money, Hannah was forced to call Ernest. She wanted to let Ernest see Iris in exchange for money and was delighted to hear he was dying. She believed his huge, expensive art collection would be hers once he died, so couldn’t wait to visit his estate to claim what was ‘hers’. Iris never wanted to leave America and her best friend Thurston and didn’t want her father’s paintings. The trouble was, she knew her mother would stop at nothing to get as much money as she could and was seriously worried.
    I found this story believable as it was set in modern day with relatable, developed characters. As I read more of the book, I felt I got to know each of the characters better as more background information was included. The structure was also interesting because Ernest’s funeral was in chapter 1, then the events before the funeral followed it. I enjoyed that Iris and Ernest had flashbacks in to the past because it was a different, more exciting way to learn about them. As well as this, I was quite curious about Iris as pyromania is not often discussed in books targeted for my age. Although this book is about the death of Ernest, it was not depressing, but could have been more moving with more emotion. There was no action and I could not engage in the book. I felt that the beginning and the middle of the book was just exploration of characters with no real story, which was quite boring and disappointing.
    However, I enjoyed the ending which was well-written, well-thought-through, clever, beautiful and unexpected. I found myself smiling and felt that the ending had saved the book. I was intrigued to find out how it would end and how the author would take the story, and it certainly wasn’t disappointing. I would recommend this book to KS3 and above as there was some strong language. Therefore I rate this book a 6.5/10.

    Lucy HACHS

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  75. I believe this books is only suitable for older teenagers because the author uses more advanced language that younger children wouldn’t necessarily understand which would inhibit their understanding of the plot.

    I personally didn’t like this book because I think the plot was quite complicated, and didn’t have a good flow. This was because instead of a simple story focusing on a rebellious teen and her unlikely relationship with her Dad, but there are parts where it is talking about Iris (the main character) past, which I found slightly irrelevant. The language used was quite comprehensive and sometimes it became too confusing, which I didn’t like because it made the book even harder to understand. I think the style was very metaphorical because it seemed as if the author interpreted metaphors to present her views on life.
    However, I do think the book was quite different to the other novels, mainly due to the main character were not so extreme as in Fire Colour One. I think Iris had a very wild personality because of her desire to set fire to things and the way it gave her pleasure, and she wasn’t afraid like other people might be. The main thing which was nice was her bond with her Dad that she hardly knew.
    Overall, I didn’t like the book as it wasn’t easy to focus on and difficult to read, and I still believe it was partially the language used.

    Erfan, HACHS

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  76. In my opinion, fire Colour One, is an interesting and unique novel. The book is about a sixteen year old girl named Iris, that is determined to rebel against her mother and stepfathers’ stereotypical traits: glamour, fame and money. But when Iris’s biological father, Ernest, begins to reach the end of his time on earth, they meet and Iris encounters many new truths that revolutionise her life.
    I liked this novel, due to the fact that it has an unconventional nature and unusual storyline with plot twists throughout, especially during the last few chapters. Unlike other young adult books, this does not focus on romance, but more on the power of friendship and families with subtle hints of problems that teenagers face when finding themselves as people, in the universal world. This is more relatable for young adults to enjoy, as they are reading about fictional characters that face the same problems as them, instead of fictional characters that do not face the same issues.
    On the other hand, one thing that I did not enjoy about this book is the fact that I felt as if it took a while for me to feel intrigued and hood as the storyline felt slightly basic and predictable in the beginning stages. But, as the book continued it did become more interesting and towards the end I felt more engaged in the book and excited to see what would happen to the storyline and the characters in the end.
    In conclusion, I did enjoy this novel and would read more of Jenny Valentine’s novel in the future, as I felt as if it showcased issues that people face everyday. I would recommend this to year groups 8-1 as I feel it is an older read because of the topics addressed. I gave it 4/5 stars
    E. Cullis HACH

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  77. Book Review
    Fire Colour One
    Isis has never met her father and he is at the end of his life. Her best friend is on the other side of the world and she is stuck with her unfair mum and her vain boyfriend, Lowell, who both like to party and drink. She loves to light fires and when her father calls to meet up with them, her mother is afraid that she will burn the house down with all the valuable paintings inside. Is her mother genuinely worried or is it just on the surface???

    If you do not like books that jump back and forth between past and present, I don’t recommend this book for you, as it is constantly doing so. Another thing I love about this book is the way that in no way is it stereotypical, for instance some people believe that all girls should love their wardrobe, however in this book Isis is not into clothes at all.

    Fire Colour One was slow to start but after a couple of chapters it really drew me in and I wanted to know what would happen? Would Isis see Thurston, her best friend, or would her father die and her mother inherit all the paintings, and sell them all off?? Would Ernest be alright in the end? Once I got into it, I couldn’t stop reading it. I was enthralled. Quick to start off, this book was straight into Isis’s past, so that you could understand what was happening.
    Charlotte Hooker - Year 7 - Gilberd School
    9/10

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  78. Bethan Davies - The Gilberd School9 March 2016 at 06:08

    I loved this book as it focused on a young girl and concentrated on her life. The book was about a young girl called Iris who had an obsession with fire and burning thing to feel warmth in a cold home. Even at the beginning you can tell Iris’s relationship with her mother is not strong and she continually feels alone which stems from her broken home.
    The book concentrates on two things: fire and money. It has once been said that “money can consume the world” and is the “route of all evil” and that is similar for fire. In an ironic way, both Iris and her mother are similar as they each crave one of those things.
    In the beginning you learn that Iris’s father is dying of tuberculosis and her best friend Thurston is half way around the world and it is likely she will never see him again. When she gets to her father’s house and sees his collection of priceless art, Iris vows that no-one should get far in the world out of greed and spite. This roller-coaster ride of emotions and points of view is why the book touches you and makes you feel the emotions you do.
    I love this book and would encourage anyone to read it. I would definitely 10 out of 10.

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  79. My Book Review - Fire Colour One By Jenny Valentine:

    I have seen this book advertised in so many places and I have heard that it has won quite a few awards which is one of the reasons, I was attracted to it in the first place! This book is a one off and cannot be placed in a particular genre as there really isn’t a genre this book fits into! A highly recommendable read especially for people who want to try something new which is out of their comfort zone! Though the beginning is highly confusing and not engaging, something which even now, after I have read the book, I don’t understand!

    This book tells the story of Iris who has been brought up by her mum with her father never playing a part of the picture. That was until a couple of weeks ago when Iris found out that her father, Ernest, was dying and she didn’t even know him. Whilst her best friend - Thurston - has seem to have disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, her mother has other ideas and intends to retrieve Ernest’s invaluable art collection using whatever means necessary. But Ernest isn’t going to go down that easily. There are things that Iris needs to know and time is running out...

    There are few flaws which I, a highly hypocritical reader, can point out! I have to admit I thought this book would be a bore and would lack any interesting content, struggling to keep me reading. I was proven wrong! As Valentine provided information was really fascinating as often she spoke about memories other then Iris’s (the protagonist) as she managed to interpret other people’s stories and weave them into the story without hesitating or it being very jumbled up and unorganized. However, I did find that the majority of the most thrilling sections of the book were towards the end by which time some people might have not been drawn in or engaged. The climax seemed to be squashed into the end of the book and I didn’t feel that it truly reached it’s full potential as it didn’t seem to include as many anticipating events.

    Compared to the other books which I have read out of the Essex Book Awards this was much better, though I have to say that it was very close between Fire Colour One and If You Were Me (another nomination in this book award). Due to this book being irreplaceable as you simply cannot replicate what Valentine has ignited in me... I am going to have to say Fire Colour One had the upper hand and beat If You Were Me after getting an amazing 9.5 out of 10 from me! This not only educated me about art. But, also enticed me and made me want to read on! A powerful combination which is why I have high hopes that Fire Colour One will win!

    By Grace Pashley - Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

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  80. Fire Colour One is a brillient novel which mainly contains a little girl and her father who has priceless pieces of artwork, and her greedy mum wants hands on it.

    I liked this book as it was full of mystery and always surprises you with and mind-blowing ending.The thing I dislike about this book was the fact that the plot line was rather confusing.
    Thomas-Tendring Technology College- 8/10

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