We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Meijia
My name is Bria, I am a ski racer, swimmer, and dancer. I love reading in my free time
We Set the Dark on Fire is a captivating dystopian tale set on an island ruled by two brothers: the God of Salt and the God of the Sun. The story unfolds with Constancia, the clever daughter of Medio’s King, whom the Sun God marries. While wandering his Moonlit Garden, the Sun God encounters the Moon Goddess, a beautiful woman, and soon falls in love, leading to his indecision. Torn between Constancia, and the Moon Goddess. He decides to marry both Constancia, his equal, and the Moon Goddess his opposite, sparking a devastating war and resulting in the God of Salt’s banishment and curse.
The narrative follows Daniela, a student at the Medio School for Girls, where young women are groomed to become ideal wives—Premera (the smart one) and Segunda (the beautiful one). As Daniela nears graduation to be a Premera, she grapples with feelings of insecurity due to her family’s illegal immigration status. When faced with a choice to join the rebellious group La Voz or risk exposure, she chooses rebellion.
The book takes readers through Daniela’s journey with La Voz, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I enjoyed this original plot that kept me engaged. Although the first-person perspective is compelling, I would have appreciated hearing from different viewpoints. Overall, this book offers an intriguing, plot-twisting exploration of identity and rebellion in a dystopian setting.
