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theintrovertsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Classism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, and War
leweylibrary's review against another edition
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 come out to Ingrid and share intimate details about his life during such a serious scene lol . 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
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?? 🔥🔥🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
smartie_chan's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Misogyny and Violence
pastelkerstin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Drags a bit, is fairly predictable and not as radical as the blurb would have you believe, but the QPR rep is nice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Transphobia and Dysphoria
sophiesmallhands's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Transphobia, and Police brutality
vaniavela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Police brutality and Murder
freyja_books's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Transphobia
anniereads221's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
[I won an ARC in a giveaway. This doesn’t affect my opinion/review.]
I didn’t know much about this book or what to expect from it when I started, but was, ultimately, pleasantly surprised by Fire Becomes Her.
Thor created an intriguing world with Jazz Age vibes and magic unlike any I’d seen before, fraught with political turmoil. While I did find the politics interesting to an extent, I feel a little too much emphasis was placed on them and not enough of one on other aspects of Candesce. I would’ve liked to learn more about the history and culture of this world.
Thor’s strong suit is definitely their characters. Each one is a star of the show, shining in their own way. I will say, though, I found myself more attached to the side characters than the protagonist. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Ingrid, only that I didn’t care as much about her as I did others. I loved Alex the most, and Louise and Charlotte also grew on me.
My favorite parts of the story, though, were the found family and abundance of queer representation, especially the exploration of identities I haven’t seen much of on page prior, like aromanticism and asexuality. The latter in particular made me happy, as I’m also ace and found it very relatable.
Instead of an emphasis on romantic love, one is placed on platonic love, resulting in a queer platonic partnership, which isn’t something I’ve ever seen before in a book. I really liked the discussions of how love takes multiple forms, and different people love in different ways, and romantic love isn’t the only sort that’s valid.
Though not a favorite, I did quite like this book, and would recommend it to fans of slow-burn fantasy and political world-building, as well as queers taking on the world. Literally a power move for the gays; I love to see it. I can’t wait to read more of Rosiee Thor’s work.
Representation
I didn’t know much about this book or what to expect from it when I started, but was, ultimately, pleasantly surprised by Fire Becomes Her.
Thor created an intriguing world with Jazz Age vibes and magic unlike any I’d seen before, fraught with political turmoil. While I did find the politics interesting to an extent, I feel a little too much emphasis was placed on them and not enough of one on other aspects of Candesce. I would’ve liked to learn more about the history and culture of this world.
Thor’s strong suit is definitely their characters. Each one is a star of the show, shining in their own way. I will say, though, I found myself more attached to the side characters than the protagonist. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Ingrid, only that I didn’t care as much about her as I did others. I loved Alex the most, and Louise and Charlotte also grew on me.
My favorite parts of the story, though, were the found family and abundance of queer representation, especially the exploration of identities I haven’t seen much of on page prior, like aromanticism and asexuality. The latter in particular made me happy, as I’m also ace and found it very relatable.
Instead of an emphasis on romantic love, one is placed on platonic love, resulting in a queer platonic partnership, which isn’t something I’ve ever seen before in a book. I really liked the discussions of how love takes multiple forms, and different people love in different ways, and romantic love isn’t the only sort that’s valid.
Though not a favorite, I did quite like this book, and would recommend it to fans of slow-burn fantasy and political world-building, as well as queers taking on the world. Literally a power move for the gays; I love to see it. I can’t wait to read more of Rosiee Thor’s work.
Representation
- aromantic bisexual protagonist
- transmasc nonbinary asexual side character
- aromantic asexual side character
- sapphic side couple
- side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
Thanks to Scholastic for the free advance copy of this book.
- Looking for a clever, beautiful YA fantasy filled with fantastic imagery, fight scenes, and queer identities not often seen on the page? Look no further than FIRE BECOMES HER.
- I loved that Ingrid was allowed to be a complicated work in progress. Power hungry and still figuring out what she wants from her life and her relationships.
- I am pretty sure this is the first book I've read that has multiple aromantic/asexual characters, and also definitely the first to feature a queerplatonic relationship. I love that a book for young people is openly discussing that love and relationships can take many forms. Also, that socialist policies help everyone.
- Looking for a clever, beautiful YA fantasy filled with fantastic imagery, fight scenes, and queer identities not often seen on the page? Look no further than FIRE BECOMES HER.
- I loved that Ingrid was allowed to be a complicated work in progress. Power hungry and still figuring out what she wants from her life and her relationships.
- I am pretty sure this is the first book I've read that has multiple aromantic/asexual characters, and also definitely the first to feature a queerplatonic relationship. I love that a book for young people is openly discussing that love and relationships can take many forms. Also, that socialist policies help everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Transphobia