A review by foreverinastory
Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor

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. 

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