karensareadsatnight's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
hanrutous's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
x0xgelax0x's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay
Got more exciting after reaching about the halfway mark and took time to get into it. I didn't care for the characters until Alex came into the picture. I liked Ingrid much more after she finally let go of her thoughts for the future and ambitions.
Got more exciting after reaching about the halfway mark and took time to get into it. I didn't care for the characters until Alex came into the picture. I liked Ingrid much more after she finally let go of her thoughts for the future and ambitions.
amalyndb's review against another edition
4.0
This took me a while to get into, as at the beginning, everything felt vapid and glittering and just did not appeal to me - but I am glad I stuck around, skimmed a bit, but got to experience chosen family and the growth and maturation.
nightjar656's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
4.75 stars, rounded up.
I really enjoyed this! Ingrid was such an interesting character and reading her internal struggle throughout different points of her life was really cool. I also loved the author's perspective on different types of love- as an aro person, a story like this one where the happy ending involves a break up and a QPR, and where two characters deciding to be friends is an important milestone for them, a book like this means a lot. I loved the side characters too- Ingrid's complicated relationship with her father, her sometimes rocky friendship with Charlotte, everything developing with Alex, and Linden's internal strife all added so many layers to the book and really enhanced the story. One of the coolest things about this book is that it's set in a different world, but it almost felt like magical realism in a historical setting- the magic in this is pretty much exclusively limited to flare and flicker. That's not a criticism though- the way flare was handled in the world and the systems set up worked wonderfully as both a criticism of our world and as a magic system.
TL;DR: I thought this was really good.
I really enjoyed this! Ingrid was such an interesting character and reading her internal struggle throughout different points of her life was really cool. I also loved the author's perspective on different types of love- as an aro person, a story like this one where the happy ending involves a break up and a QPR, and where two characters deciding to be friends is an important milestone for them, a book like this means a lot. I loved the side characters too- Ingrid's complicated relationship with her father, her sometimes rocky friendship with Charlotte, everything developing with Alex, and Linden's internal strife all added so many layers to the book and really enhanced the story. One of the coolest things about this book is that it's set in a different world, but it almost felt like magical realism in a historical setting- the magic in this is pretty much exclusively limited to flare and flicker. That's not a criticism though- the way flare was handled in the world and the systems set up worked wonderfully as both a criticism of our world and as a magic system.
TL;DR: I thought this was really good.
ple1237's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leweylibrary's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
I GIVE THIS ONE ALL THE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So I don't think I liked it more Iron Widow (which would take a LOT) but it's really, really high up there. Like #2 in recent years spot.
First and foremost I absolutely loved how much and the variety of LGBTQIA+ representation!! I loved that no labels were actually used, just descriptions of the characters' experiences, etc. The found family aspect is also just 🤌🥹💕 I love how the beginning starts out as what seems like a very typical romantic scene and then BAM. From then on, you start to get more clues that this book isn't going to be about romance at all really. And I just adore that turn of the tables.
I love so many of the characters, especially Ingrid and Alex. I adore their relationship and how it develops, how Alex feels comfortable enough to. I even really like Linden Holt and how he develops as a character. Also Gwendolyn Brooks is such a badass my God.
I did see coming who was behind the rebels, but that didn't take away from the story at all for me. I think it also leaves room for a sequel or some kind of companion or follow up which I really hope we get!!
What else can I gush about this book... The pacing was perfect, I think it would make a great movie, OH!! And I just love the entire concept of flare, how it seems to represent a lot of things that mean power but it isn't a direct correlation to money for instance. It's necessary for survival but is also hoarded and used in elections but also flaunted and wasted and treated as alcohol. There's just so much to unpack there. I also love the action scenes and the other scenes that just made me go DAMN!!!! I had to pause my audiobook and just take a moment to freak out lol.
Lastly, CAN WE TALK ABOUT CHAPTER 23??!!! 🔥🥰😍✊🥹😭💕 Gosh. I cried. I laughed. I vigorously fist pumped in the car. It just gave me all the feels.
I really need this book to have more hype, how does it not have more hype?? 🔥🔥🔥
First and foremost I absolutely loved how much and the variety of LGBTQIA+ representation!! I loved that no labels were actually used, just descriptions of the characters' experiences, etc. The found family aspect is also just 🤌🥹💕 I love how the beginning starts out as what seems like a very typical romantic scene and then BAM. From then on, you start to get more clues that this book isn't going to be about romance at all really. And I just adore that turn of the tables.
I love so many of the characters, especially Ingrid and Alex. I adore their relationship and how it develops, how Alex feels comfortable enough to
Spoiler
come out to Ingrid and share intimate details about his life during such a serious scene lolI did see coming who was behind the rebels, but that didn't take away from the story at all for me. I think it also leaves room for a sequel or some kind of companion or follow up which I really hope we get!!
What else can I gush about this book... The pacing was perfect, I think it would make a great movie, OH!! And I just love the entire concept of flare, how it seems to represent a lot of things that mean power but it isn't a direct correlation to money for instance. It's necessary for survival but is also hoarded and used in elections but also flaunted and wasted and treated as alcohol. There's just so much to unpack there. I also love the action scenes and the other scenes that just made me go DAMN!!!! I had to pause my audiobook and just take a moment to freak out lol.
Lastly, CAN WE TALK ABOUT CHAPTER 23??!!! 🔥🥰😍✊🥹😭💕 Gosh. I cried. I laughed. I vigorously fist pumped in the car. It just gave me all the feels.
I really need this book to have more hype, how does it not have more hype?? 🔥🔥🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Classism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Alcohol, and Gore
kaloughl's review against another edition
4.0
There was something truly magical about Thor's 20s inspired young adult fantasy novel. The world and it's political landscape - one where flare, a form of magic, is necessary for everyday life and yet is highly controlled by the rich, including one presidential candidate who's family's political history has helped keep flare from those who need it - is expertly woven. And most importantly, Thor includes highly insightful remarks about love on an asexual, aromatic scale that I have never seen done so smoothly and insightfully before. It gave me major Hunger Games/City of Ember vibes and reminded me of books I loved in my childhood.