Review of ‘We Set the Dark on Fire’ (We Set the Dark on Fire #1)

Synopsis

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. Both paths promise 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 pedigree is a lie. She must keep the truth hidden or be sent back to the fringes of society.

And school couldn't prepare her for the difficult choices she must make after graduation, 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 will she give up everything she's strived for in pursuit of a free Medio--and a chance at a forbidden love?

Review

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia is an incredible novel. The most impactful aspect of this novel is the powerful allegory. The novel focuses on high society keeping a wall at the border to keep the poor in poverty and rich, well, rich. This wall prevents people from trying to get a better life. It sends a powerful message to the reader regarding the argument about the wall in the United States of America. This wall isolates, it keeps the wealthy blind to the needs of others, and in this high society, the rich have two wives to maintain the household, functioning similarly to A Handmaid’s Tale. This novel challenges the ideas presented in this novel; it opens the readers’ minds with a compelling narrative and argumentative plot.

A Powerful Message

Mejia challenges the reader with her storytelling and plot. Furthermore, by using Dani, the story opens the eyes. Dani’s family saved her from poverty by risking everything and spent everything they had in order to give their daughter the best chance at the best life. However, Dani sees the injustices around her, she stops becoming selfish and opens her eyes, seeing a chance to fight against the hierarchy.

It is a powerful message to readers, inspiring them to think about the world and everything in it. It is an inspiring novel made more exceptional by character development and dynamics. The friendship, the romance, and he LGBTQ representation give the novel depth. To see Dani grow from a scared girl to one willing to fight for others at the risk of her life makes an impact on the reader. Then there is the development in her friendship with Carmen. To see the friendship blossom and grow into something more throughout the progression of the novel is beautiful. We Set the Dark on Fire moves at a beautiful pace and brings to life the struggle these women face in trying to conform to social standards and their inner fight to dismantle the corrupt system.

Final Thoughts

We Set the Dark on Fire is a thoughtful and provoking novel with an incredible message to inspire readers and activists alike.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband and son and their two cats, Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx.