We Set The Dark On Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia (Review)

We Set The Dark On Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Format: eBook (eARC)

Source: Publishers via Edelweiss

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publication Date: 26th February 2019

Synopsis/Blurb (Goodreads):

“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 a husband’s household or raise his children, but both 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 cling to the privilege her parents fought to win for her, or to give up everything she’s strived for in pursuit of a free Medio—and a chance at a forbidden love?”

My Thoughts & Review

We Set the Dark on Fire eARC has been on my kindle for a while. I’m finally working my way through my Edelweiss books.

I originally heard about this book on social media and I really wanted to read it. I loved the front cover and couldn’t wait to pick it up. This was really hyped up when it came out and I wasn’t too sure as I haven’t had much luck with hyped up books.

I wasn’t too sure about this book when I first started, as it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

I found the world building and writing interesting and thought it was well done. I also liked the layout of the book, in particular I liked the chapter headings. For those of who haven’t read this book each chapter starts with an excerpts from the Medio School for Girls Handbook.

I loved the complex and well developed character. My favourite was Dani. I found her to be very strong and confident character, while at the same time showing her clever and compassionate side.

I had forgotten that there was a female to female f romance in the plot. I wasn’t a big fan of this. It’s nothing to do with the relationship but it was the fact that I felt it was too rushed. I feel the romance needed to start earlier in the plot. Also, I did find the ending a little predictable as I managed to work out a few things before the book ended.

There are a few things that I thought were missing from this book. The first was I felt it needed a little more action. I was bracing myself for some action to happen especially after the riot scene at the beginning but disappointingly it never came. The second was I would have liked to read more about Dani’s background. Even though we get snippets of her backstory, I think it would have been nice if the book started with her background and then progressed into the story.

Overall, an interesting and entertaining read that I enjoyed. If you haven’t already read it I really do recommend.

I would like to thank the publishers Harper Collins and Edelweiss for my eARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.