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A review by 1_more_chapter
We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This book was pretty meh. I didn't really enjoy it as it included a lot of things that I don't like in books, but I also managed to finish it.
Minor spoilers of things I didn't like (rant ensues):
- This book begins super abruptly with Dani already on her second to last day of school. This doesn't allow for much understanding of her relationship with other characters (Carmen especially) and makes it even more frustrating when Carmen's relationship with her at school becomes quite important later on in the book
- to follow on, i don't know why it was necessary for Carmen to be a 'bully' only to be like 'sorry, i only bullied you to test you and it was for your own good'. Like, I'm sorry, firstly, bullying shouldn't be used as a tactic to suss someone out and if it is going to be that important, at least show some of it.
- Another element that really annoyed me is the author set up Mateo's character and the job to be super meticulous and demanding with Dani being in charge of all aspects of Mateo's life. But we never see her doing anything, she only ever has one or two breakfasts with him (which were supposedly mandatory) and she clearly has lots of free time.
- My biggest pet peeve in books is when the main character is recruited to spy on someone or gain information and they literally don't do anything but they just happen to be in the right place at the right time and the info just happens to be overheard. The one time she actually did something she got caught in the most forbidden part of the house by the person who banned her and she got away with it. How?!
- Lastly, I don't understand why Dani was so annoyed that Carmen was part of the rebels. I never understand in books when characters are like 'Guess what, I'm on the same side as you!' and the other one gets super piss off. That was literally what you wanted!
Anyway, thank you for reading my rant :)
</spoiler
Minor spoilers of things I didn't like (rant ensues):
- This book begins super abruptly with Dani already on her second to last day of school. This doesn't allow for much understanding of her relationship with other characters (Carmen especially) and makes it even more frustrating when Carmen's relationship with her at school becomes quite important later on in the book
- to follow on, i don't know why it was necessary for Carmen to be a 'bully' only to be like 'sorry, i only bullied you to test you and it was for your own good'. Like, I'm sorry, firstly, bullying shouldn't be used as a tactic to suss someone out and if it is going to be that important, at least show some of it.
- Another element that really annoyed me is the author set up Mateo's character and the job to be super meticulous and demanding with Dani being in charge of all aspects of Mateo's life. But we never see her doing anything, she only ever has one or two breakfasts with him (which were supposedly mandatory) and she clearly has lots of free time.
- My biggest pet peeve in books is when the main character is recruited to spy on someone or gain information and they literally don't do anything but they just happen to be in the right place at the right time and the info just happens to be overheard. The one time she actually did something she got caught in the most forbidden part of the house by the person who banned her and she got away with it. How?!
- Lastly, I don't understand why Dani was so annoyed that Carmen was part of the rebels. I never understand in books when characters are like 'Guess what, I'm on the same side as you!' and the other one gets super piss off. That was literally what you wanted!
Anyway, thank you for reading my rant :)
</spoiler