BLAZING ACADEMY: This small story packs a powerful punch! I for one can't wait for the upcoming full book on its own! Avery Song continues to give life to unique, strong female characters. Avery Blaze grew up a sad little girl. Strange things always seemed too happen around her dealing with fire. Matches, lighters, anything related to fire... suddenly incidents occurred forcing she move schools REPEATEDLY. Well over twenty schools and although she has a genius intellect and doesn't provoke anyone, she's constantly bullied by students at every school. Her mum left at a young age and her beloved dad sunk into the bottle with grief. Her mum secretly appeared from time to time, but Alice can't figure out why she left when it's so obvious she adores daddy still and loves her. Eventually Alice lives primarily with her maternal grandparents....yet they refuse to hear her repeated pleas for home schooling to escape the continued bullying. All kinds of odd things start happening around her sixteenth birthday. Is it in her mind? Is she ill? What the heck is going on??? This is part of a paranormal anthology, and I HIGHLY recommend this book and others by the author. I'm also looking forward to the first full book of BLAZING ACADEMY! Though she's slightly broken inside currently I can see a mighty strength within Alice. I can't wait to see her fly like a firebird! ( )