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bibliobrandie's review
5.0
Loved this own voices historical fiction set in 1850s India during British colonization, something that is often left out of history books/classes. Meena is a strong female character who is curious about the world but because she’s a girl, she has many restrictions place on her life. She wants freedom and soon finds out it comes at a cost. The author's note and historical notes are excellent. I booktalked it to 7th graders today since they are learning about India.
stephanieridiculous's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting, quick read. I appreciate the goal of raising awareness of how gritty and loathsome the colonization of modern day India was, as I agree with the author that it's too often romanticized or simply overlooked, or never even talked about at all. I particularly recommend reading through to the historical note for further context. While the nature of colonization is not new to me, there were a lot of specifics that I was unaware of. From the practice of sati to parcheesi being an Indian game brought to the west.
While this is technically Middle Grade, I think I would recommend most readers wait until early high school days, depending on maturity. There are a lot of intense concepts and actions in this book, which I think is very important for young readers to engage with, but I would encourage introducing this book very intentionally to help a younger person navigate the difficulties well. Like I said before, the historical note at the end is very important, so definitely don't skip out on that.
That aside, the writing is pretty solidly okay. I think the author does a good job of making Meera relatable, and I enjoyed the realistic journey she goes on to understand the truth of her situation both individually and as a people. As many others have said, it's very on the nose at times, and I think it gets repetitive here and there. It's already fairly short, but I think some of the middle still could have been cut down.
All in all, a worth while read; I'm glad I stumbled into it.
While this is technically Middle Grade, I think I would recommend most readers wait until early high school days, depending on maturity. There are a lot of intense concepts and actions in this book, which I think is very important for young readers to engage with, but I would encourage introducing this book very intentionally to help a younger person navigate the difficulties well. Like I said before, the historical note at the end is very important, so definitely don't skip out on that.
That aside, the writing is pretty solidly okay. I think the author does a good job of making Meera relatable, and I enjoyed the realistic journey she goes on to understand the truth of her situation both individually and as a people. As many others have said, it's very on the nose at times, and I think it gets repetitive here and there. It's already fairly short, but I think some of the middle still could have been cut down.
All in all, a worth while read; I'm glad I stumbled into it.
shirleytupperfreeman's review
When I was in school (a long time ago), I remember learning about the Dutch and British East India Companies. My impression at the time was that they were positive or neutral entities and I didn't really question it much. I don't know what kids learn today but this novel, told from the point of view of some of the people being colonized, will help round out kid's understanding of the situation. Meera, from a small village in India in 1857, is about to turn 13, which means she will need to join the boy from the next village to whom she has been married since age 4. Both families also believe in sati (which the author emphasizes as an infrequent tradition followed by a small percentage of the population, whereby a widow has to immolate herself on her husband's pyre). Meera's husband becomes ill and dies just before her birthday. Minutes before Meera is expected to follow the tradition, an aunt helps her escape. The rest of the story follows her escape and subsequent employment as a servant for a captain in the British East India Company. Meera comes of age while trying to understand where her loyalties lie - with the captain's family who seems to be taking decent care of her while she saves money for a life on her own or with her friends who are resisting the East India Company and all that it has taken from their lives. Great story!
cboddie's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
6th & up
honkinggoose's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Torture, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Misogyny, and Violence
lalaland_of_books's review
5.0
As an adult I would have given it 2 stars but considering the fact that this is written for middle agers this book might be a good start to understand that time from a layman's point of view. This book can help young minds understand the cruelty done by the colonizers on our motherland and its people without any white washing.
_askthebookbug's review
4.0
// Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame by @supriya.kelkar
I can barely recall a middle grade or a YA historical fiction that's set around the pre-independence era. So when @scholasticindia offered to send across a copy, I was understandably very excited. Set in 1857, this inspiring tale is of a 12 year old girl named Meera. Living with traditional parents who strongly believe in child marriages and even Sati, Meera always understood that the world worked in the favour of men. Married and widowed as a child, Meera flees to escape Sati but ends up in another difficult situation. In order to save money for her own place someday, much to her dislike Meera begins to work for the British colonizers. It is here that she realises how there's a bigger battle in play. One that involves pushing out the colonizers from her native land.
Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame is a female centric book, in which young girls and women fight in their own ways against the British Raj. In the author's note at the end, Kelkar goes on to explain how certain characters are based on real people who risked their lives to contribute for the fight. Kelkar cleverly addresses the Sepoy Mutiny, people's outrage against using the cartridge and how rebels shook the British with their courage. It is applaudable how sensitively Kelkar has managed to touch upon all these significant topics so that the younger crowd doesn't feel too burdened by this unfortunate history. For years, Indians were made to work as slaves, paying taxes for things that rightfully belonged to us. Kelkar also makes a point of throwing some light on how British writers portrayed India in a rather wrongful manner mentioning time and again about how the country was poor and uncivilized. It is impressive how Kelkar has managed to intertwine the life of a young girl who fights for her rights with that of other women who fought for freedom from the invaders.
It is important for us to be aware of our own history, even more so to teach the little ones about what it took for us to gain independence. Gift this to your children so that a part of our history remains with them.
I can barely recall a middle grade or a YA historical fiction that's set around the pre-independence era. So when @scholasticindia offered to send across a copy, I was understandably very excited. Set in 1857, this inspiring tale is of a 12 year old girl named Meera. Living with traditional parents who strongly believe in child marriages and even Sati, Meera always understood that the world worked in the favour of men. Married and widowed as a child, Meera flees to escape Sati but ends up in another difficult situation. In order to save money for her own place someday, much to her dislike Meera begins to work for the British colonizers. It is here that she realises how there's a bigger battle in play. One that involves pushing out the colonizers from her native land.
Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame is a female centric book, in which young girls and women fight in their own ways against the British Raj. In the author's note at the end, Kelkar goes on to explain how certain characters are based on real people who risked their lives to contribute for the fight. Kelkar cleverly addresses the Sepoy Mutiny, people's outrage against using the cartridge and how rebels shook the British with their courage. It is applaudable how sensitively Kelkar has managed to touch upon all these significant topics so that the younger crowd doesn't feel too burdened by this unfortunate history. For years, Indians were made to work as slaves, paying taxes for things that rightfully belonged to us. Kelkar also makes a point of throwing some light on how British writers portrayed India in a rather wrongful manner mentioning time and again about how the country was poor and uncivilized. It is impressive how Kelkar has managed to intertwine the life of a young girl who fights for her rights with that of other women who fought for freedom from the invaders.
It is important for us to be aware of our own history, even more so to teach the little ones about what it took for us to gain independence. Gift this to your children so that a part of our history remains with them.
rollinmygrave's review
4.0
"... Sometimes when life is really tough, all you can do is look forward."
One word: WOMEN.
PLOT TWIST. I didn't see it coming. Of course I didn't see it coming.
One word: WOMEN.
This book... I can felt the anger. How colonizers think they saved us from this ridiculous world. Meera's character development, where she didn't know how to decide because her whole life was prepared to serve her husband and his family.
And hey even though this book was set centuries ago, they still have some relevant things.
PLOT TWIST. I didn't see it coming. Of course I didn't see it coming.
obviouslyjudith's review
4.0
Incredibly impressive to tell a story about things this horrible suitable for children without diminishing the importance of the events
guineapiggirl's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0