Perfect for fans of:
- 1920s vibes
- Queer platonic friendships
- A magic you can drink
Fire Becomes Her is a lavish fantasy novel that follows young teen Ingrid in a world where a drop of flare—magic you can drink—can light up the whole sky with fireworks or burn everything down to the ground. Ingrid doesn’t have a family fortune and even less magic, but what she has is a plan: rise to the top by marrying Linden Holt, heir to a grand political legacy and the largest fortune of magic in the country. Her only obstacle? Linden’s father who is determined to ignore her attempts at ensnaring his son with love. So when Senator Holt runs for president, Ingrid uses the situation to her advantage. Striking a deal with the Senator, she offers to spy on the opposition in exchange for his approval of her relationship and the approval she craves. Yet the longer Ingrid wears two masks, the more she questions whether she isn’t working for the wrong candidate. Suddenly, Ingrid finds herself caught between the desire to keep climbing the social ladder and the fight against the corruption in a world where magic buys all the votes.
Fire Becomes Her is quite the atmospheric read. Opening in a speakeasy, I was immediately drawn in by the lush descriptions and the exploration of wealth and what it can do to people who think they’ll never lose it. Putting the focus on Ingrid’s relationship with Linden early on, you really get a feel for where Ingrid came from and where she intends to end up, thanks to her relationship with one of the world’s most powerful heirs. Linden is at times adorable and at others insufferable the way he wants to get away from his father’s obligations and expectations, yet too deeply part of the system that makes Ingrid question whether her plans will ever work out the way she wants them to.
The plot is also very straightforward. Though there are twists and turns, you know where everything is headed and if you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to get to the moment when everything blows up. While at times a bit predictable because the reader is reminded of a certain potential plot point (that comes to fruition) every other chapter, the political intrigues and schemes that happen on the campaign trail are quite entrancing. I found myself caught up in the political fight and the back and forth in debates between the contestants definitely reminded me of a certain presidential election we lived through a few years ago. There are many discussions around corrupt governments and people in power making sure that more power is only distributed to those who already have it (imagine making the rich richer but with magic) and I was as captivated as I was enraged by watching some of the less than fair actions politicians take in their plight to come out on top. That’s credited in huge parts to Thor’s engaging writing style that sweeps you off your feet and makes you feel like you have a stake in this election, as if it was your own life (and magic use) up for debate.
Further, Ingrid was a great character to follow. She’s resourceful and extremely smart, but she’s also been boggled down by self-doubt and her father’s criminal history. Determined not to end up in prison like him, every action she takes is premeditated for ultimate success—and social climbing. However, as Ingrid finds herself surrounded with new faces on the campaign trail, she comes to realise that being at the top of society may not be all it’s chalked up to be.
There’s so much personal growth for Ingrid as she wades through the dangerous territory of political schemes and as she learns more about her ambitions to be part of the 1% and just how much that’s shaped by her fear of ending up like her father. I loved how Thor interweaved this growth so naturally into the narrative that it almost felt seamless. In a world that is so boggled down by injustice—and mirroring our own world on more than one occasion—it was great to see Ingrid come into her own and fight against the injustices while also wondering where her own loyalty lies.
Of course, one of my favourite parts of this novel was the queer representation we got. Beyond a lesbian in a power suit (we want more of this, please), there are aroace, trans-nonbinary, and sapphic characters that enrichen the story with their engaging dynamic in a group. Ingrid is also on the asexuality spectrum and I loved the way that was explored. One small complaint I have, though, is that most of the discussions surrounding queerplatonic friendships (which, by the way, is one of the reasons you need to pick this book up!) and demisexuality were held back until the last quarter of the book. Concerning a certain queerplatonic relationship, I would have wished things had developed earlier on instead of being condensed into one conversation toward the very end. That being said, as part of the ace community, that narrative choice didn’t take away from my enjoyment and happiness seeing myself represented in a vibrant fantasy novel such as Fire Becomes Her. I think fellow readers will adore the queerplatonic friendship (and the banter, oh gosh, the banter!) just as much.
A heady mix of luscious fantasy, political scheming and a sweet exploration of queer friendships, Thor’s sophomore novel Fire Becomes Her is a Jazz-Age-inspired story that will burn bright for years to come!
Fire Becomes Her is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of February 1st 2022.
Will you be picking up Fire Becomes Her? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
In Rosiee Thor’s lavish fantasy novel with a Jazz Age spark, a politically savvy teen must weigh her desire to climb the social ladder against her heart in a world where magic buys votes.
Flare is power.
With only a drop of flare, one can light the night sky with fireworks . . . or burn a building to the ground — and seventeen-year-old Ingrid Ellis wants her fair share.
Ingrid doesn’t have a family fortune, monetary or magical, but at least she has a plan: Rise to the top on the arm of Linden Holt, heir to a hefty political legacy and the largest fortune of flare in all of Candesce. Her only obstacle is Linden’s father who refuses to acknowledge her.
So when Senator Holt announces his run for president, Ingrid uses the situation to her advantage. She strikes a deal to spy on the senator’s opposition in exchange for his approval and the status she so desperately craves. But the longer Ingrid wears two masks, the more she questions where her true allegiances lie.
Will she stand with the Holts, or will she forge her own path?
Great review! This one’s a definite TBR for me!