Fire Becomes Her

December 20, 2021
Thor (Tarnished Are the Stars) delves into politics through the layered plot of this high-stakes fantasy, in which magic—a fiery substance called flare—represents both money and power. Driven to disavow her impoverished childhood and burdened with resentment toward her imprisoned father, ambitious high school senior Ingrid Ellis, who is white, has her future planned: marry handsome, wealthy Linden Holt, also white, and rise above her tarnished past. To win the favor of Linden’s contemptuous senator father, Ingrid concocts a plan to spy on the opposing political campaign, only to find herself embraced and respected by its members and increasingly invested in their altruistic mission. With dangerous rebels attacking both campaigns, Ingrid questions her future, including what, and who, she wants in it. The magic-dominated world of Candesce, with its greed, excess, and defined social classes, is both eerily familiar and intriguingly unique. Thor’s cast, inclusive in socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexuality, shares refreshingly candid perspectives on relationships and acceptance, but inconsistencies in Ingrid’s character—quickly vacillating feelings, fluctuating stances on power and money—muddy this otherwise vividly imagined, pleasantly unpredictable story. Ages 14–up. Agent: Saba Sulaiman, Talcott Notch Literary.

August 12, 2022

Gr 9 Up-As a child of a criminal father, Ingrid has worked hard to create a life separate from him. Now a scholarship student at an exclusive academy in Candesce, Ingrid is living out her dreams by dating a senator's son, Linden Holt. However, Ingrid knows that in order to get what she wants and marry Linden, she is going have to win the senator over. To do so, she goes undercover to get dirt on his rival presidential candidate. There, she meets several new friends who accept her for who she is. Will she be able to betray them and win Linden's hand, or will she have a change of heart? Narrator Shannon Tyo's unique voices bring to life Ingrid and the other complex characters. She does a great job of keeping pace with the different nuances and pacing changes. The plot and worldbuilding are well done. The 1920s-style fantasy elements fit into the story well, but the twist ending is predictable. The cast is diverse, with a mix of socioeconomic statuses, sexualities, and ethnicities. VERDICT Fantasy, mystery, and magic fans will want to pick this one up. Recommended for libraries where fantasy is popular.-Kira Moody

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