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iffygeneia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The premise is really good, but this failed to fully live up to it.
It had some pacing issues, part were super slow and then suddenly ten things happened at once - followed by another slow strech.
Also the main characters are just so very dumb so often. If not for plot armor, they would've died within just a few chapters.
It had some pacing issues, part were super slow and then suddenly ten things happened at once - followed by another slow strech.
Also the main characters are just so very dumb so often. If not for plot armor, they would've died within just a few chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Ableism, Hate crime, Death, Blood, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
msmith892's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
mspilesofpaper's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
The day her mother, Char, died in the arena during a manipulated fight, Ash swore to get revenge. On the gladiator from the Earth kingdom but also on her own god whom she blames for the poverty of their own kingdom. During the war, a large event held with multiple gladiator fights to find out the Champion of each kingdom, she meets Madoc. Madoc who just got into the war to pay for his family's debts. Madoc who doesn't even have Earth magic, which will automatically disqualify him if anyone finds out. Getting thrown into Ash's path of starting a rebellion isn't what he wanted for himself. All he wanted was to survive long enough to have the money to pay off his family's debts. Unfortunately, powers are moving in the background that are larger than the two young adults.
Set Fire to the Gods is a YA fantasy inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and Gladiator, which should result in a good book that has the reader hooked from the first few pages. Unfortunately, the execution of the premise falls short. The entire book is extremely lacklustre and boring with one-dimensional characters that lack any characteristics to tell them apart aside from their magic (if they wield the same kind of magic, then it's difficult to remember who is who). I didn't care if Madoc would manage to pay off his family's debt. I didn't care about Ash's revenge scheme. I didn't care about one of the side character's grief and his ultimate suicide. In addition to the lack of interesting characters, the book's pacing is exhausting. Mostly, it just meanders like a slow river and suffers from a writing style that's more "tell than show". I don't know why these two authors decided to collaborate but it's noticeable because their respective chapters don't fit together.
Given the fact that it took me 22 days to finish the book (and having around 450 pages is nothing), it says a lot. Whenever I didn't read the book, I wasn't tempted to pick it up and whenever I read it, I struggled so much with reading it because it didn't grab me. I didn't hate it, it's just ... boring and forgettable.
TW: death of a parent, toxic family relationship (father - son), general violence, class differences (magic-wielder vs. non-magic wielder), poverty and lack of resources.
Set Fire to the Gods is a YA fantasy inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and Gladiator, which should result in a good book that has the reader hooked from the first few pages. Unfortunately, the execution of the premise falls short. The entire book is extremely lacklustre and boring with one-dimensional characters that lack any characteristics to tell them apart aside from their magic (if they wield the same kind of magic, then it's difficult to remember who is who). I didn't care if Madoc would manage to pay off his family's debt. I didn't care about Ash's revenge scheme. I didn't care about one of the side character's grief and his ultimate suicide. In addition to the lack of interesting characters, the book's pacing is exhausting. Mostly, it just meanders like a slow river and suffers from a writing style that's more "tell than show". I don't know why these two authors decided to collaborate but it's noticeable because their respective chapters don't fit together.
Given the fact that it took me 22 days to finish the book (and having around 450 pages is nothing), it says a lot. Whenever I didn't read the book, I wasn't tempted to pick it up and whenever I read it, I struggled so much with reading it because it didn't grab me. I didn't hate it, it's just ... boring and forgettable.
TW: death of a parent, toxic family relationship (father - son), general violence, class differences (magic-wielder vs. non-magic wielder), poverty and lack of resources.
scarlettreader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.5
betharanova's review against another edition
2.0
An unfortunate example of an interesting premise poorly executed.
The world is divided into countries, each ruled by a god. The gods are physically present and absolutely decadent, which is a fun and interesting choice. Children of the gods have the gift of that god's magic, which means about half the population has cool powers. The other half of the population is treated like the lowest dirt. The main two characters, of course, have powers. Ash is our fire girl and wants to overthrow her god; Madoc has an unusual plot-twist power but wants to impress his god. Each of them comes with a supporting cast of interesting side characters.
Not a bad setup, but when the two meet, it all goes downhill from there. The plot hinges on bad or senseless decisions. The plot twists are predictable from the first few chapters. It's all so childish. The writing feels like it might be meant for a younger audience, but there's so much quasi-erotic focus on heaving bosoms and exposed, sweaty flesh, so it can't be that.
Ash and Madoc are unbearable when they're in the same room. Their banter makes me wince. They admire each other and think themselves unworthy in ways that are simply goofy. And unfortunately, those interesting side characters don't get fleshed out enough to improve matters.
Fun world, middling basic plot, bad writing, bad characters. 2/10
The world is divided into countries, each ruled by a god. The gods are physically present and absolutely decadent, which is a fun and interesting choice. Children of the gods have the gift of that god's magic, which means about half the population has cool powers. The other half of the population is treated like the lowest dirt. The main two characters, of course, have powers. Ash is our fire girl and wants to overthrow her god; Madoc has an unusual plot-twist power but wants to impress his god. Each of them comes with a supporting cast of interesting side characters.
Not a bad setup, but when the two meet, it all goes downhill from there. The plot hinges on bad or senseless decisions. The plot twists are predictable from the first few chapters. It's all so childish. The writing feels like it might be meant for a younger audience, but there's so much quasi-erotic focus on heaving bosoms and exposed, sweaty flesh, so it can't be that.
Ash and Madoc are unbearable when they're in the same room. Their banter makes me wince. They admire each other and think themselves unworthy in ways that are simply goofy. And unfortunately, those interesting side characters don't get fleshed out enough to improve matters.
Fun world, middling basic plot, bad writing, bad characters. 2/10
ktklaa45's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
atrailofpages's review against another edition
4.0
So, this book was a pretty anticipated read for me for this year and it did not disappoint!
I love Greek mythology and I love books about gladiators. I’m not entirely sure why, but it may just be because I love reading about these people that are beaten down and who build themselves back up. I think it’s truly inspiring.
And that is what I got from this book. Ash who blames herself basically for everything, and has to learn to accept that a lot of things are not her fault and to handle the consequences. Then Madoc, who I absolutely adored! He reminded me of Elias from An Ember in the Ashes so so much! Like Elias, Madoc is just so good and kind, and would do anything for those he loves and cares about.
The world was interesting, different, having these gods ruling a region per element or thing they control. Then there were Undivine and Divine people, basic play those without powers and those with powers. And then the people in their region had the same powers, if they were Divine.
Although there’s over 400 pages in this book, it felt like a very quick read for me. I really enjoyed it. I will admit that none of the characters really popped out at me, aside from Madoc, but I also didn’t hate any of them, which is good!
If you love mythology, I would recommend it. I enjoyed it personally and if you like fun quick reads, I think you’d enjoy this too
I love Greek mythology and I love books about gladiators. I’m not entirely sure why, but it may just be because I love reading about these people that are beaten down and who build themselves back up. I think it’s truly inspiring.
And that is what I got from this book. Ash who blames herself basically for everything, and has to learn to accept that a lot of things are not her fault and to handle the consequences. Then Madoc, who I absolutely adored! He reminded me of Elias from An Ember in the Ashes so so much! Like Elias, Madoc is just so good and kind, and would do anything for those he loves and cares about.
The world was interesting, different, having these gods ruling a region per element or thing they control. Then there were Undivine and Divine people, basic play those without powers and those with powers. And then the people in their region had the same powers, if they were Divine.
Although there’s over 400 pages in this book, it felt like a very quick read for me. I really enjoyed it. I will admit that none of the characters really popped out at me, aside from Madoc, but I also didn’t hate any of them, which is good!
If you love mythology, I would recommend it. I enjoyed it personally and if you like fun quick reads, I think you’d enjoy this too
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This book has everything I love. Gladiators, gods, elemental magic, slow burn romance, betrayals, twists, and heart-rending moments. And I am addicted.
The story is packed with so many great moments and action pieces, I could go on about them all day. Authors Raasch and Simmons are definitely a force to be reckoned with!
Ash and Madoc are fantastic characters whose differences make them stronger when combined. I could not get enough of them! Every side character and villain was layered and complex. The lore and magic of the world was thrilling and powerful.
This is one of my favourite books this year and a must have for lovers of Roman epics, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and action fantasy. I cannot wait for book two!!
The story is packed with so many great moments and action pieces, I could go on about them all day. Authors Raasch and Simmons are definitely a force to be reckoned with!
Ash and Madoc are fantastic characters whose differences make them stronger when combined. I could not get enough of them! Every side character and villain was layered and complex. The lore and magic of the world was thrilling and powerful.
This is one of my favourite books this year and a must have for lovers of Roman epics, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and action fantasy. I cannot wait for book two!!
sydney_arcuri's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars.
I have mixed feelings about this one. The first half of the book was very well written and the world building was amazing. The characters felt real, and so did their feelings. The pacing during the first half of the book felt a little rushed to me but this book is filled with action, so I could deal with it. However, half way through it felt very little was going on, and if there was it moved very slowly. I felt like I lost that connection with the characters. Ash and Madoc just didn't speak to me as much later on in the book. I guess this is partly due to the fact that this book is co-written, which isn't a bad thing, it just sometimes causes different versions of the characters.
The only other issue type thing I had with this book was the romance element. To me it seemed like it was instantaneous. The build up was not as predominate as I thought it would be, figuring the main plot point involves gladiator fighting. However, if the romance aspect isn't a factor for you, then I would still recommend this.
I have mixed feelings about this one. The first half of the book was very well written and the world building was amazing. The characters felt real, and so did their feelings. The pacing during the first half of the book felt a little rushed to me but this book is filled with action, so I could deal with it. However, half way through it felt very little was going on, and if there was it moved very slowly. I felt like I lost that connection with the characters. Ash and Madoc just didn't speak to me as much later on in the book. I guess this is partly due to the fact that this book is co-written, which isn't a bad thing, it just sometimes causes different versions of the characters.
The only other issue type thing I had with this book was the romance element. To me it seemed like it was instantaneous. The build up was not as predominate as I thought it would be, figuring the main plot point involves gladiator fighting. However, if the romance aspect isn't a factor for you, then I would still recommend this.