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leweylibrary's review against another edition
- 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
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?? 🔥🔥🔥
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ohmage_resistance's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
I really liked the representation (Ingrid is demiromantic, and there are ace and aro ace side characters) and lack of amatonormativity in the novel though! That was the best part. Ingrid has complicated feelings towards romantic love the entire time, and there's a strong emphasis on other types of love as well. It doesn't bring up her being demi too much—but again, the way the book talks about love is from very aro-spec perpective, which is nice to see.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
wardenred's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Ingrid didn’t want to be happy. She wanted to be important, and she wanted to be valued.
I loved Rosiee Thor's debut novel, Tarnished Are the Stars, so I fully expected to love Fire Becomes Her, as well. Especially since the gorgeous cover and the blurb made that expectation so easy to form. Unfortunately, I was left rather disappointed.
This book has a beautiful first chapter that delivers on so much of what the vibe promises. The Jazz Age speakeasy atmosphere, the free flow of magic, all the character-focused moments hinting at many exciting secrets—I think with a few tweaks and a bit of expansion, this chapter alone could make for a wonderful short story. But the rest of book falls sadly short of this dazzling first impression. The plot is rather predictable and best not examined too closely because there are plenty of plotholes. Ingrid, the MC, is pretty much the only character who feels anywhere close to developed, and even her arc is occasionally swingy and inconsistent. The magic is so important to the plot, but for the life of me I can't explain the magic system after reading the book. There is... magical stuff... and it is used to make things happen by, um, ingesting it, but also by putting it into things, and anyone can achieve the magic effects with enough stuff, but also no, not just anyone? It's confusing. The magic just seems to do whatever would be cool for the plot at any given moment.
I will say that there were a bunch of nice moments that were almost cinematic in how they were written, as well as a lot of witty banter. And I very much appreciated the overall queerness of the cast/world and the inclusion of so many types of love, attraction, and human interaction in general. I just wish all the characters involved in this beautiful web of connections were more three-dimensional.
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny and Transphobia
pastelkerstin's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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
- 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
Moderate: Gaslighting and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Transphobia, and Police brutality
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Minor: Transphobia and Blood
vaniavela's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Police brutality and Murder
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The political side of this story will only matter to those who already have an interest in politics, without knowing too much (because a lot of it is explanation of how politics work). I didn’t learn anything new and the “good” and “bad” sides (which are quite similar to our left and right) we’re established from the get go. Still, it had its moments.
I also figured out the plot twist about 100 pages in, waaaaaaay before the big reveal. It’s pretty obvious if you think about it even a little. I don’t think the book is made to keep you in the dark until then, and it’s fine that way.
To me, the political aspect was mostly just a backdrop for the really interesting thing: the QPR. We need more of those – and of different kinds of relationships in general – in literature.
This is it, the reason I gave this book an easy 4.75 stars. Having a QPR plainly written out, as well as a main character trying to understand her sexual and romantic orientations, is so refreshing. It feels good to have this kind of rep.
Graphic: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Police brutality and Murder