We Set the Dark on Fire

By: Tehlor Kay Mejia

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

"We Set the Dark on Fire burns bright. It will light the way for a new generation of rebels and lovers." (NPR)

"Mejia pens a compelling, gripping story that mirrors real world issues of immigration and equality." (Buzzfeed)

In this daring and romantic fantasy debut perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and Latinx authors Zoraida Córdova and Anna-Marie McLemore, society wife-in-training Dani has a great awakening after being recruited by rebel spies and falling for her biggest rival.

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 striven for in pursuit of a free Medio - and a chance at a forbidden love?

©2019 Tehlor Kay Mejia (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Amazing!

Absolutely obsessed with this book! I can’t wait to download the next one. Well written, great details and beautiful read.

“What!?” -Me at the end of this story

The narration was wonderfully expressive. The story itself is...wow! Highly recommend. Will be recommending to every reader/audiobook listener I know. I am SO excited to start the next book!

I would love a third book

I would love to have more backstory for some characters and more time could have been spent on details of the world they live in but I really enjoyed it.

Really wanted to like this

I enjoy young adult and had high expectations. In the end, however, it felt like the author was a beginner and tried to squeeze in a lot of hot topics. The LGBTQ angle seemed manufactured and wasn't remotely necessary to the rebellion plot.

I also found the world building confusing. This is apparently an isolated island nation that is very Latin American where people shop in market places, etc. There is no TV, telephone, internet but they have weapons and automobiles? And I couldn't figure out why the people who live along the shore where they can fish and grow produce were the ones starving.

So in general, this book felt awkward. I imagined it being written by a high school student.

Holy freaking crap!

Omg this was such a good book! I heard it was awesome but I didn't expect it to be THAT awesome!

Great Storyline!

This book reminded me of a cross between the Handmaid's Tale and the Hunger Games. Really cool themes of class warfare, gender inequality, and queerness are addressed as well as beautiful cultural references. I'm upset that it ends on a cliffhanger and now I must immediately purchase the next book!

Great story, cheese writing

The story was very interesting, a good bit predicable, but good. The narrator did a great job with what was given to her. The writing itself was pretty cheesey and at times hard to get through. It's good for exactly what it is, a young adult novel. If had read this as a teenager I'd love. But, reading it as an adult? Not my favorite.

I hope there is a sequel!

Awesome social commentary and a great coming of age queer love story full of wonder and innocence.

delightfully engrossing

perfect for the current political moment, this queer latinx revolutionary spy novel tells a story that weaves together the conflicts of tradition, exploitation, and gendered violence into a story of political intrigue, the struggle to honor the sacrifices of immigrant parents, and love in the most dangerous of places.

Heartfelt

I don’t even know how I stumbled upon this book but I’m so glad I did. From start to finish there wasn’t a moment that I was bored. So much passion and chaos and beauty amongst these pages. It really tells a story of strength against all odds against you. Love the fluidity of the language throughout this book. Excited to read the next to see what happens with my favorite forbidden loves.