Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - Fire Becomes Her

- lgbtqiap+, ya, fantasy, magic, political intrigue, women in politics, fire magic, ‘eat the rich’, queer platonic relationships (qpr)
- qpr, side f|f
arospec bisexual mc, nonbinary ace sc, aroace brown sc, wLw couple

”..power wasn’t about who she could tear down in a ruin of flame. It was about who she could lift up, and she didn’t need magic to do that.”

- FIRE MAGIC!!
- i wish there was more of louise!! bc i read her as a very chaotic character so i need her backstory and her generally blowing stuff up!! 😂🤌
- the AROSPEC REP!! for me that has to be the main highlight of the story, especially chapter 23 which made me tear up!! 😭😭 as an aro person myself, i cant believe i got to read such beautiful and affirming words written on page; GAH it has to be the most awesome feeling ever!! and i absolutely love what alex and ingrid have!!
- lastly, a lot of us aros feel bothered by the ‘’love is love” slogan used in queer spaces bc of obvious reasons, right? so i really loved the way the author reclaimed the phrase!! 😌

- cw: violence, fire, vandalism, abandonment, misogyny, sexism, on-page death, murder, injury in detail, alcohol, gaslighting

Content Warnings

plumpaperbacks's review

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

[I won an ARC in a giveaway. This doesn’t affect my opinion/review.]

I didn’t know much about this book or what to expect from it when I started, but was, ultimately, pleasantly surprised by Fire Becomes Her.

Thor created an intriguing world with Jazz Age vibes and magic unlike any I’d seen before, fraught with political turmoil. While I did find the politics interesting to an extent, I feel a little too much emphasis was placed on them and not enough of one on other aspects of Candesce. I would’ve liked to learn more about the history and culture of this world.

Thor’s strong suit is definitely their characters. Each one is a star of the show, shining in their own way. I will say, though, I found myself more attached to the side characters than the protagonist. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Ingrid, only that I didn’t care as much about her as I did others. I loved Alex the most, and Louise and Charlotte also grew on me.

My favorite parts of the story, though, were the found family and abundance of queer representation, especially the exploration of identities I haven’t seen much of on page prior, like aromanticism and asexuality. The latter in particular made me happy, as I’m also ace and found it very relatable.

Instead of an emphasis on romantic love, one is placed on platonic love, resulting in a queer platonic partnership, which isn’t something I’ve ever seen before in a book. I really liked the discussions of how love takes multiple forms, and different people love in different ways, and romantic love isn’t the only sort that’s valid.

Though not a favorite, I did quite like this book, and would recommend it to fans of slow-burn fantasy and political world-building, as well as queers taking on the world. Literally a power move for the gays; I love to see it. I can’t wait to read more of Rosiee Thor’s work.

Representation

aromantic bisexual protagonist
transmasc nonbinary asexual side character
aromantic asexual side character
sapphic side couple
side characters of color

Content Warnings

caseythereader's review

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emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thanks to Scholastic for the free advance copy of this book.

- Looking for a clever, beautiful YA fantasy filled with fantastic imagery, fight scenes, and queer identities not often seen on the page? Look no further than FIRE BECOMES HER.
- I loved that Ingrid was allowed to be a complicated work in progress. Power hungry and still figuring out what she wants from her life and her relationships.
- I am pretty sure this is the first book I've read that has multiple aromantic/asexual characters, and also definitely the first to feature a queerplatonic relationship. I love that a book for young people is openly discussing that love and relationships can take many forms. Also, that socialist policies help everyone.

Content Warnings

foreverinastory's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I didn't know this was going to have a political campaign but I lived for it!! Loved this so much. Okay I just now saw that the author pitched this as "If you've ever thought about lighting Mitch McConnell on fire, this book is for you". I am laughing so hard. This is the energy I want from 2022.

Fire Becomes Her is a Jazz Age fantasy where people can ingest a substance called flare and become a firebender. Ingrid Ellis doesn't have the family connections or wealth to get what she wants, but she has a plan. She'll ride to the top on the arm of Linden Holt, the son of the largest flare fortune in Candesce. But Senator Holt is the only thing in her way because he refuses to acknowledge her.

When the President announces he is leaving office, both Senator Holt and the famous celebrity Gwendolyn Meyers announce their campaigns for office. Ingrid manages to snag a place on Holt's team, but is quickly overlooked as an intern. Until she offers to spy on Holt's competitor and report back. But as Ingrid learns more about the Meyers campaign, the more she is torn about her real loyalties.

I was a goner for this book when it opened in a magical speakeasy. I don't even have enough words to tell you how much I absolutely loved this book. The campaign parts actually reminded me a bit of Red, White & Royal Blue, but in a fantasy world instead of the USA.

Honestly, what do I even say about this book that doesn't have spoilers? I just want to yell about how much I loved this book and all of the characters. Also there are lesbians in power suits. I need more of that.

Ingrid was such a great character. She's cunning and resourceful but also a bit lost in this world where she sees so much injustice and doesn't know how to solve it. There's so much great commentary in this book about how many institutions are corrupt and how you can't fight them without systemic change. Then there was a scene where Meyers dispels "trickle down magic" and literally shows people at a debate how it never works. I had so many heart eyes while reading this.

I absolutely enjoyed Tarnished Are the Stars, but this one elevated Rosiee to one of my fave authors ever. I loved this book so freaking much!

Rep: Bi aro-spec (demiromantic) female MC, BIPOC aspec trans-nonbinary love interest, aromantic asexual female side character, WLW side couple, queer-normative world.

CWs: Abandonment, alcohol consumption, blood, death, fire/fire injury, gaslighting/manipulation, injury/injury detail, misogyny, sexism, violence.

Content Warnings

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