Song of the Fireflies by J.A. Redmerski
Published by Forever on February 4, 2014
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 464
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley, Publisher
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Since they were kids, Elias Kline and Brayelle Bates have been inseparable. When Bray moves to South Carolina, separating the two for the first time, they both at last realize that their innocent childhood friendship has developed into something much more. So when Bray finally returns to Georgia—and to Elias—things between them couldn’t be more perfect…until one fateful night changes everything.

Desperate not to go to prison for a terrible accident, Elias and Bray decide to run. As they try to make the most of their freedom, the two find themselves relying on a rebellious group of people who tempt the duo into a wild and daring new life. But they can’t run from their troubles forever.

As the consequences of their past catch up to them, the couple must finally face reality. Even if they can make it through the unimaginable, Elias knows the truth about Bray’s painful history, and in the end he may not be able to save Bray from herself…

I don’t know why I continue to torture myself by reading J.A. Redmerski’s books.  I didn’t care for her previous book, The Edge of Never, but I figured I’d give Song of the Fireflies a shot.  Needless to say, I feel like I wasted my time with this one.

Elias and Brayelle are two of the dumbest characters that I’ve ever read about (and that’s saying a lot.)  They have what you would call a very unhealthy relationship.  Elias has always been in love with Bray and Bray has always avoided any kind of serious relationship with Elias.  She’ll sleep with him but that is absolutely all she wants from him.  She sees relationships as a way to get hurt and nothing more.  Elias is a clingy guy who wants nothing more than to be with Bray.  You can see how this might not be a good combination.  They do eventually start a relationship and from there it is all downhill.

The whole story is how Bray does something horrible one night at a party and she and Elias go on the run.  They get into some terrible situations while on the run (such as having their car and all their belongings stolen.)  They meet up with some strangers one day and decide to stick with them even though they know that they might not be good people.  Along the way they drink a lot, do some drugs, and have lots of sex.  That’s about the extent of their relationship.  They don’t talk much, they just have sex.  The people that they are with have some secrets that eventually come out but so do Bray and Elias.  I’m pretty sure of the two groups of people, Bray and Elias have the worse secret.  Oh and along the way they have a run in with Camryn and Andrew from The Edge of Never.

Honestly, the only reason I gave this book three stars instead of no stars was that it was entertaining and the writing was actually pretty good.  I wanted to know how Elias and Bray’s story would end and so I didn’t DNF this one even though I thought about it a few times.  There was enough mystery and suspense to keep me reading.

Overall, Song of the Fireflies is not one I’d recommend.  If, for some reason, you decide that you still want to read it, get this one from the library.

What others are saying about Song of the Fireflies:

Nosegraze’s review: “I didn’t like Song of the Fireflies.”

Dark Faerie Tales’ review: “I got about half way through the book and found that I honestly didn’t care about what was going to happen next.”

I’d So Rather B Reading’s review: “Redmerski’s writing is emotional, passionate, and intense.”