sicilyjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and War
katielvk's review against another edition
3.0
Not Quite There for Me
"For A Muse of Fire," by Heidi Heilig
I chose this book because the cover is gloriously beautiful, and because I wanted to switch up genres a little bit, having been mostly reading romance. And while there is a touch of romance in this one, it is the slowly unfurling petal of young love.
This book follows the journey of three shadow puppeteers, the Ros Nai: Jetta, the daughter, the puppeteer; Samrin, her father and singer; and Meliss, her mother and accompanist on flute and drums.
Following the Hunger Years, they travel to make money and hopefully play well enough to win the good graces of the king. But around them is war, famine, fear, and racism. And Jetta has a secret.
Never show, never tell.
The format of this book was very interesting, switching between stage direction formatting, telegrams for communication, letters, songs, and poems. The majority of the story was written as a normal book, but I thought the other formats were fun little sprinkles. I liked the story, but it didn't suck me into the world like I wanted it to. I didn't feel connected to Jetta, which could have just been because of the nature of YA post-apocalyptic/war novels, at least for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
"For A Muse of Fire," by Heidi Heilig
I chose this book because the cover is gloriously beautiful, and because I wanted to switch up genres a little bit, having been mostly reading romance. And while there is a touch of romance in this one, it is the slowly unfurling petal of young love.
This book follows the journey of three shadow puppeteers, the Ros Nai: Jetta, the daughter, the puppeteer; Samrin, her father and singer; and Meliss, her mother and accompanist on flute and drums.
Following the Hunger Years, they travel to make money and hopefully play well enough to win the good graces of the king. But around them is war, famine, fear, and racism. And Jetta has a secret.
Never show, never tell.
The format of this book was very interesting, switching between stage direction formatting, telegrams for communication, letters, songs, and poems. The majority of the story was written as a normal book, but I thought the other formats were fun little sprinkles. I liked the story, but it didn't suck me into the world like I wanted it to. I didn't feel connected to Jetta, which could have just been because of the nature of YA post-apocalyptic/war novels, at least for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
ginnikin's review against another edition
Just not grabbing me and has to go back to the library.
mora55's review
it was okay, it was definitely unique, there was a lot going on and the pacing (and focal points of craft in general) seemed different (faster?) from many books i've read at least recently which was both offputting and refreshing. don't think i'm going to read the rest of the series though. definitely personal preference but i saw a lot of places for potential where i was hoping something would happen and then every time it went a different direction which is fine and good for the book but not what i was hoping to get out of it i guess if that makes sense
alexperc_92's review against another edition
4.0
I received an e-ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
Jetta has an extraordinary ability...which must remain hidden if she and her family want to survive. In this world of Empires, conquered cities and full of spies, revolutionaries, and secrets Jetta will discover the extent of her own abilities and struggle with what she considers to be madness.
There were many parts at the beginning of the book that I didn't quite understand but slowly all made sense. There are also breaks between the chapters where from the first POV we go to the third and also the scenes are described like a theatre scenario. The plot is engaging and filled with fantasy and rich history.
Jetta has an extraordinary ability...which must remain hidden if she and her family want to survive. In this world of Empires, conquered cities and full of spies, revolutionaries, and secrets Jetta will discover the extent of her own abilities and struggle with what she considers to be madness.
There were many parts at the beginning of the book that I didn't quite understand but slowly all made sense. There are also breaks between the chapters where from the first POV we go to the third and also the scenes are described like a theatre scenario. The plot is engaging and filled with fantasy and rich history.
lestaslettering's review against another edition
Um...nope...not at all. Sorry. DNF.
storiedadventures's review against another edition
5.0
Full review on my blog, Storied Adventures
I LOVED this book! It has been a while since a book has sucked me in like this. It was very unique and different. I liked that Jetta originally just wanted to find a cure for her sickness (she's bi-polar) but ends up wanted to fight anyway. She had a lot of character growth. I also liked the slow burn romance. I liked that the book was written in first person POV, mini stories, ACTS (as in a play), and letters. I felt as thought it gave the reader a unique experience. Heidi Heilig is officially an autobuy author for me now!
I LOVED this book! It has been a while since a book has sucked me in like this. It was very unique and different. I liked that Jetta originally just wanted to find a cure for her sickness (she's bi-polar) but ends up wanted to fight anyway. She had a lot of character growth. I also liked the slow burn romance. I liked that the book was written in first person POV, mini stories, ACTS (as in a play), and letters. I felt as thought it gave the reader a unique experience. Heidi Heilig is officially an autobuy author for me now!
gameoftomes's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-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
5.0
Awe. That’s the main emotion I feel after finishing this book. It is spec-tac-u-lar!
The sense of humor is so refreshing. Especially in a high fantasy that involves necromancy, guerrilla warfare, and colonialism. Nothing feels disjointed. I never got board.
I loved the inserts of flyers, letters, music pages, etc. that are between some of the chapters. It reminds me of novels like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the heap of epistolary books in the early days of the novel as a literary form. Obsessed.
This novel does get dark though. The main character Jetta is bipolar and so is the author. The colonizing power Aquitan is loosely inspired by French colonialism, and the setting of Chakrana is loosely based on Southeast Asia. A crazy necromancer dictator was defeated by Aquitan, but then they colonized Chakrana. There is a lot of death and some descriptions of blood.
I loved the plot twists and trying to figure out everyone’s motives. I loved that the main character is an entertainer who manipulates puppets for a shadow play. The characters who were performers at Le Perl, so funny and memorable.
This is clearly meant to be a series, so there are loose ends. Some of the words are French-ish and if new jargon annoys you, you might not like this book. Or if a somewhat mixed media approach annoys you. Romance is a very minor plot element. There are some symbols and metaphors that I totally loved, but some readers may not. If you’re looking for political intrigue or a complex magic system, that’s not what this book brings. Even though I’m obsessed, every reader is looking for something different, so those are my trepidations.
I am gobsmacked by this book. This book is insanely underrated, it deserves a frenetic fandom.
10/10 completely hooked.
readwithmeemz's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get into, but this was fascinating! A really cool plot, with so many interesting players, there is a lot that I want Heilig to answer in the next few novels. Fast-paced, and action-packed, I do wish there had been a bit more world building, and a bit more background.
I’m excited to see what’s next in this series!
I’m excited to see what’s next in this series!
ladyofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books of the year, and a new favorite author! I have this review up on my blog, so go check it out! Link in my bio!