We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia - OPTIONAL

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia, 384 pages. Katherine Tegen (Harper), 2019. $18

Language: G (7 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG-13 (fighting, murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Since her parents snuck her over the border, Daniela Vargas has set her sights on being the best Primera student and the Medio School for Girls.  On graduation day she is chosen (bought) for a rising star in the government, but her Segunda is Carmen – the girl who betrayed her the moment they set foot in the School.  Even worse, her ruse was only successful because of the help of the mysterious rebels – and now she owes them.  As Daniela learns more about her world and the rebels, she also learns more about Carmen and about the hidden desires of her heart. Can Daniela betray her family, her country, and all that she has worked for all these years?

For readers who enjoy romantic science fiction, Mejia creates a world that will be easy for them to sink into. The romantic tension between Carmen is Daniela is steamy, but not graphic. The pay out of the final twist reveal will have readers scrambling to get their hands on #2.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS