At the Medio School for Girls, distinguished young women are trained for one of two roles in their polarized society. Depending on her specialization, a graduate will one day run her husband’s household or raise his children, but both wives are promised a life of comfort and luxury, far from the frequent political uprisings of the lower class.

Daniela Vargas is the school’s top student, but her bright future depends upon no one discovering her darkest secret- that her pedigree is a lie. Her parents sacrificed everything to obtain forged identification papers so Dani could rise above her station. Now that her marriage to an important politico’s son is fast approaching, she must keep the truth hidden or be sent back to the fringes of society, where famine and poverty rule supreme.

On her graduation night, Dani seems to be in the clear, despite the surprises that unfold. But nothing prepares her for all the difficult choices she must make, especially when she is asked to spy for a resistance group desperately fighting to bring equality to Medio. Will Dani give up everything she’s strives for in pursuit of a free Medio-and a chance at a forbidden love?

The first in a sizzling fantasy duopoly from debut author Tehlor Kay Mejia, We Set The Dark on Fire is a boldly feminist look at freedom, family, and fighting the power.

This book was a roller coaster for me. I liked it, than it dragged, then I liked it, etc. I feel like my enjoyment came mostly from the characters since I’m a character driven person. The plot, to be honest, was lost on me. Like I honestly didn’t really care for the plot. The characters, however, made it feel like I was reading a soap opera. I found myself getting mad, happy, anxious, just all the things.

Daniela Garcia, nee Vargas, is my girl. She reminded me of me with how she kept wavering with her trust. I felt for her throughout the entire book.

Carmen Garcia, nee Santos, is the reason I have trust issues. Authors always get me when they have that one character you want to trust but know you shouldn’t. You find yourself trusting them anyway knowing it will turn out bad. Will I ever learn? Nope

Mateo Garcia literally made me want to punch something. He is one of the few characters I’ve read this year that pissed me off so bad you would think he was real.

Sota is precious to me for reasons unknown lol just something about him makes me happy.

I wish I could give a better review of the plot, but like I said it was more of a soap opera to me. Soaps are better known for their characters and that’s how this was for me. It was not a bad book at all in my opinion. I rated it three stars, and that ending has me needing book 2 ASAP.

Have you read this book? Did you enjoy it? Was it a DNF? Is it on your TBR? Let me know! As always, happy reading 💚