I'll admit that I can't quite always feel connected to novellas, as I often think there's not enough time to build the characters to be of much significance. The beauty of this novella is that it tells a familiar story in a magical, fantasy world with political intrigue in which the reader can place themselves through the power of human experience.

The story follows Thanh after she has escaped a relationship with a narcissist, only to find herself love-bombed back into it with disastrous results. As one may expect, Thanh makes excuses, as she's been primed by being made to feel insignificant her whole life and the attention/significance her partner bestows is addictive. Eventually, quickly, the narcissist's true colors pervade and Thanh must decide between her soul or a lifetime of abuse that will likely slowly kill her despite the significance she may gain. I feel the fire elemental is an allegory of her spirit and in the end she chooses to shut out the destructive anger and heal it and to love herself. 

I feel this story may fall flat for those who have not been through similar experiences in life, but that's okay--stories don't have to be universally loved or experienced. In that way, this novella packs more of a punch than most, because the right reader can imbue themselves and their experiences into the protagonist's and make it all the more meaningful. 

Suggested reading for a similar, contemporary sapphic graphic novel: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki