The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Find a quote from page 56.
And a review, of sorts, to follow---
Title: We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Book Beginnings:
Friday 56 (This week's quote from page 39):
Summary: Daniela Vargas and her parents came from the wrong side of the island, separated from the other by a high wall. Her parents sacrificed everything to obtain forged papers so that Daniela could have privileges they could not give her if they stayed behind the wall, on the poor side of the island. But no one must know of her humble beginnings, especially the other girls at the Medio School for Girls where Daniela is training to be a Primera, the first wife of a rich and powerful boy who would secure her position in society. But once her marriage to Mateo takes place Daniela is more aware than ever of the inequality that exists on the island and is uncomfortable living in such luxury when her family and others are starving and cannot get medical care. When she is approached by the resistance to help their cause Dani has to decide if she is willing to sacrifece security for herself while others, including her parents perish due to the inequality.
Review: I became aware of We Set the Dark on Fire through the Goodreads Mock Printz reading group. It has earned four or five starred reviews from professional organizations, so I thought the book worthy of my reading time. It is not hard to figure out how this book relates to today's politics around immigration and inequality. The thinly veiled note of a "wall" was a dead give away. Though the book was full of intrigue and action/suspense, I found myself not buying into the drama and how quickly it developed. The book's two main characters, Daniela and Carmen (the 2nd wife), didn't even seem fully flushed out as people, making the suspense even more difficult to accept. It also ends on a cliff-hanger, which in my mind, removes it from Printz consideration, but will likely cause it to have a small fan-base of readers who want to find out how things turn out. I, on the other hand, don't think I care enough to find out so won't hold my breath waiting for the sequel.
Source: Audiobook checked out on Overdrive from the Pierce County Library
