Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia
emotional
mysterious
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
emotional
hopeful
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First off, I want to state that the cover of this book is so beautiful and 100% prt of what drew me in.
Now onto the story. Initially I struggled to get my head around what flicker and flame were as there wasn’t much introduction into them. However, once I got past that I really started to delve into Ingrid’s storyline.
I found it difficult to keep up with her intentions surrounding Lindon which made it harder for me to like her as a character. I liked the strength of Louise and the absolute vibrancy that was Gwendolyn. But the star for me was Alex. I loved him. From his playful disposition to his deeper thoughts. I also really enjoyed Lindon’s arc.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book and struggled to put it down!
Now onto the story. Initially I struggled to get my head around what flicker and flame were as there wasn’t much introduction into them. However, once I got past that I really started to delve into Ingrid’s storyline.
I found it difficult to keep up with her intentions surrounding Lindon which made it harder for me to like her as a character. I liked the strength of Louise and the absolute vibrancy that was Gwendolyn. But the star for me was Alex. I loved him. From his playful disposition to his deeper thoughts. I also really enjoyed Lindon’s arc.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book and struggled to put it down!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🔥 1920s vibes 🔥 Ace and aro rep 🔥 Burn the rich 🔥
This book first caught my attention because of the ace and aro rep and then I saw the author describe it on Twitter as 'for anyone who ever wanted to set Mitch McConnell on fire' and I was sold.
It lived up to my expectations on both accounts. There are several explicitly ace and/or aro characters (the words aren't used because of the 1920s-style setting, but the author make it clear through the narrative & dialogue), showing us a range of experiences across the spectrums. There was also exploration of what it means to love and the many different ways we can love one and other, beyond romantic love.
Our MC, Ingrid, is a compelling character - clever and driven - and Thor's writing brings her to life. I found myself understanding the decisions she made and why, even whilst not always agreeing with them. In fact, her aim at the beginning of book (to marry a senator's son, therefore making herself secure, rich and influential) is not particularly admirable, but you understand why she wants it. Her character arc throughout the story is well-trodden ground - the lessons and growth she needs to make as a person are fairly obvious from the start - but no less enjoyable for it.
The story is set in Candesce - a fictional world highly influenced by 1920s America - and focuses on a political campaign which reflects real life politics and problems. The magical substance flare - and the hoarding, misuse and waste of - is used to mirror wealth inequality in our own reality.
Overall, this was a great read, which pulled me firmly into Ingrid's world and life from the very beginning and kept me reading.
This book first caught my attention because of the ace and aro rep and then I saw the author describe it on Twitter as 'for anyone who ever wanted to set Mitch McConnell on fire' and I was sold.
It lived up to my expectations on both accounts. There are several explicitly ace and/or aro characters (the words aren't used because of the 1920s-style setting, but the author make it clear through the narrative & dialogue), showing us a range of experiences across the spectrums. There was also exploration of what it means to love and the many different ways we can love one and other, beyond romantic love.
Our MC, Ingrid, is a compelling character - clever and driven - and Thor's writing brings her to life. I found myself understanding the decisions she made and why, even whilst not always agreeing with them. In fact, her aim at the beginning of book (to marry a senator's son, therefore making herself secure, rich and influential) is not particularly admirable, but you understand why she wants it. Her character arc throughout the story is well-trodden ground - the lessons and growth she needs to make as a person are fairly obvious from the start - but no less enjoyable for it.
The story is set in Candesce - a fictional world highly influenced by 1920s America - and focuses on a political campaign which reflects real life politics and problems. The magical substance flare - and the hoarding, misuse and waste of - is used to mirror wealth inequality in our own reality.
Overall, this was a great read, which pulled me firmly into Ingrid's world and life from the very beginning and kept me reading.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
- 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
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol