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We Set the Dark on Fire
by Tehlor Kay Mejia
"Until we are all free, we are none of us free."
We Set the Dark on Fire reminded me a lot of Victoria Lee's The Fever King and the movie Level 16. It's a story of romance and rebellion in a world that resembles our own. I just want to start off by saying that this book is classified as "fantasy," but the fantasy elements are really weak, so if you go into it expecting a true fantasy novel, you're bound to be disappointed. I would sooner consider this dystopia than fantasy.
Every upper-class man must marry two women, raised to fulfill one of two roles: the Primera (the "equal" one who acts basically as a business partner) and the Segunda (the "fun" wife). Dani and her rival, Carmen, must marry a politician named Mateo, but Dani quickly becomes embroiled in the La Voz rebel group, putting her in a precarious position. There isn't much action until the end, and most of the book is filled with political maneuvering, which isn't usually something I enjoy. I also called the main plot twist pretty early on, but I think this reads as a younger YA (with the exception of one scene) and I forgave the predictability because I think it was still subtle.
The main character, Dani, is very pragmatic, which I liked in a main character. I also enjoyed how she recited lines she was taught in "wife school" and slowly learned to find her own way in the world. I thought Carmen was a bit harder to understand, but her carefree manner and her backstory paint an interesting character that I'm hoping to see more of in book two. I did find their romance to be a little abrupt, especially considering Dani forgave Carmen very early on in the rivals-to-lovers arc. For some reason, Sota ended up being my favorite character? I don't have a reason, and he still kind of creeps me out, so I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being evil... I didn't find the rest of the cast particularly appealing, but I did like the dynamics between Dani and Mateo's mothers.
We Set the Dark on Fire is the first book in a duology about the sparks of rebellion and the flames of love, and while I didn't find it to be my favorite, I think that readers expecting less fantasy will enjoy it much more than I did.
3.5/5
We Set the Dark on Fire reminded me a lot of Victoria Lee's The Fever King and the movie Level 16. It's a story of romance and rebellion in a world that resembles our own. I just want to start off by saying that this book is classified as "fantasy," but the fantasy elements are really weak, so if you go into it expecting a true fantasy novel, you're bound to be disappointed. I would sooner consider this dystopia than fantasy.
Every upper-class man must marry two women, raised to fulfill one of two roles: the Primera (the "equal" one who acts basically as a business partner) and the Segunda (the "fun" wife). Dani and her rival, Carmen, must marry a politician named Mateo, but Dani quickly becomes embroiled in the La Voz rebel group, putting her in a precarious position. There isn't much action until the end, and most of the book is filled with political maneuvering, which isn't usually something I enjoy. I also called the main plot twist pretty early on, but I think this reads as a younger YA (with the exception of one scene) and I forgave the predictability because I think it was still subtle.
The main character, Dani, is very pragmatic, which I liked in a main character. I also enjoyed how she recited lines she was taught in "wife school" and slowly learned to find her own way in the world. I thought Carmen was a bit harder to understand, but her carefree manner and her backstory paint an interesting character that I'm hoping to see more of in book two. I did find their romance to be a little abrupt, especially considering Dani forgave Carmen very early on in the rivals-to-lovers arc. For some reason, Sota ended up being my favorite character? I don't have a reason, and he still kind of creeps me out, so I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being evil... I didn't find the rest of the cast particularly appealing, but I did like the dynamics between Dani and Mateo's mothers.
We Set the Dark on Fire is the first book in a duology about the sparks of rebellion and the flames of love, and while I didn't find it to be my favorite, I think that readers expecting less fantasy will enjoy it much more than I did.
3.5/5