Tinder was the first book that I read on the shortlist but unfortunately didn't live up to my standards. The gothic illustrations make the book unique but sadly is the only thing that makes the book interesting. Firstly, the plot isn't very interesting and the romance is plain, the setting is well described but isn't the same with the characters. I like to get attached to the characters and interested with the plot but unfortunately this book wasn't.

When I started reading the book I was interested with the idea that he died and that there were werewolves in the plot but it seems that every werewolf book I read doesn't really pull me in. I thought there would be some twist in the plot something original which was the reason I gave it a chance. I would recommend this type of book not for teen fiction but people who like a book where you don't like to get attached to the characters and don't really engage with the plot which is surprising as its first person.

After being wounded in battle, Otto Hundebiss takes refuge in a great forest where he meets a half beast half man who treats his wounds and gives him dice that will help him to find a way out of the forest. While Otto trudges through this dark and strange place, where he least expects it, he meets the love of his life, a fiery haired Saphire. But she is being hunted and soon she disappears as mysteriously as she came in Otto's life. He is determined to find her and this sets him on a adventurous journey.

Tinder is a hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking story of war, love and loss. In this retelling of Tinderbox by Hans Christian Andersen, Sally Gardner tells a dark and atmospheric story filled with werewolves and magic. It has that fairy tale feeling like the old fairy tales had, not happy and cheery like we are used to seeing in Disney movies, but a truly gruesome and violent. This book wouldn't be complete without fantastic illustrations by David Roberts. They accompany the story perfectly and add to the ominous atmosphere.

Don't be fooled, this is NOT a children's book despite the illustrations. It deals with difficult topics, like atrocities of war, rape and violence. At moments, it's difficult to read and hearing about all of the tragedies that happened to these characters, but at the same time you are glued to this book and want to just keep reading.

I don't think this book gets enough recognition as it deserves, at least I got that impression. If it sounds like anything you are interested in, please give it a chance, it's a brilliant dark story with well written characters and an ending you won't see coming.

In the author's note, Sally Gardner says she had a vision her story would be illustrated, and the illustrations are the best part about this book. David Roberts captures and conveys both the surreal and dark undertones of the story through his evocative, and sometimes morbid, drawings. As a result the writing is completely overshadowed, and the book becomes Roberts' interpretation of Anderson's fairy tale instead of Gardner's.The writing propels the plot, but whilst reading I was constantly anticipating the next illustration to help bring the story to life.

I did enjoy this book, but felt that a different format, perhaps a graphic novel, would balance out the different elements of the story equally.

A great retelling of The Spirit in the Candle / Tinderbox.
I really enjoy Sally Gardner's work and always wanted to re-read Tinder as I remembered the very ending, but couldn't remember the story itself. I am glad I stuck to my plan and read it again.

I think the first time I read the book I was MUCH younger and focused on just the romance. I think some of the abusive stuff simply went over my head. Now, being in my 20's I focused on the story as a whole and was fascinated by how differently the story went along after all these years.

Poor Otto - he was simply never meant to have survived that long.

I loved this book so much! I would recommend for fans of fairy tales and spooky stories especially.

The story was intriguing and dark and perfect for this time of year. The sense of atmosphere was great, and it always felt like the stakes were high.

The writing was simple and kept me wanting to keep picking up the book, and it was poetic and lovely to read without being overly wordy. I for some reason thought this was a kids book, I think because there are illustrations it was put into the children’s section of my local book shop, so I was pleasantly surprised by the scariness and dark themes!

The illustrations themselves were gorgeous. They really added to the mood and helped me imagine the creepy setting. I found myself staring at them for ages before continuing with the story!

I enjoyed reading this so much, and I would definitely love to read this again next winter! Can’t wait to check out more of Sally Gardner’s books!