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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
fast-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
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
medium-paced
I was enjoying the book and the world building but was just not in the right mood for a YA book.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantastic opening scene and interesting world/magic. Unfortunately most of the story was flat and predictable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ingrid didn’t want to be happy. She wanted to be important, and she wanted to be valued.
I loved Rosiee Thor's debut novel, Tarnished Are the Stars, so I fully expected to love Fire Becomes Her, as well. Especially since the gorgeous cover and the blurb made that expectation so easy to form. Unfortunately, I was left rather disappointed.
This book has a beautiful first chapter that delivers on so much of what the vibe promises. The Jazz Age speakeasy atmosphere, the free flow of magic, all the character-focused moments hinting at many exciting secrets—I think with a few tweaks and a bit of expansion, this chapter alone could make for a wonderful short story. But the rest of book falls sadly short of this dazzling first impression. The plot is rather predictable and best not examined too closely because there are plenty of plotholes. Ingrid, the MC, is pretty much the only character who feels anywhere close to developed, and even her arc is occasionally swingy and inconsistent. The magic is so important to the plot, but for the life of me I can't explain the magic system after reading the book. There is... magical stuff... and it is used to make things happen by, um, ingesting it, but also by putting it into things, and anyone can achieve the magic effects with enough stuff, but also no, not just anyone? It's confusing. The magic just seems to do whatever would be cool for the plot at any given moment.
I will say that there were a bunch of nice moments that were almost cinematic in how they were written, as well as a lot of witty banter. And I very much appreciated the overall queerness of the cast/world and the inclusion of so many types of love, attraction, and human interaction in general. I just wish all the characters involved in this beautiful web of connections were more three-dimensional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny, Transphobia
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ingrid is sort of a worse Baru Cormorant, but I really enjoyed this book as an exploration of her identity. It was hopeful and heavy handed and kind. I will continue to read Rosiee Thor’s works, especially since Tarnished Are the Stars was one of my faves of the year a couple years ago.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I was thoroughly surprised by Fire Becomes Her. I did not know what to expect going into it, but I found a lush, magical world heavily influenced by the Roarin’ 20s. Ingrid is an incredible character, strong-willed and feisty, trying to find her way into power through romance and political maneuvering. Throughout the novel, she must balance her drive to strive higher with the risks and costs of gaining power. Her thoughts and actions felt incredibly real and I felt myself relating to her over and over again. Fire Becomes Her is a great read that I recommend to everyone, especially if you want great LGBTQ+ rep in books! I read this novel as part of the Aspec Book Club, and I can say that it has not only amazing aspec rep, but also lesbian and trans rep!