Tell the Wind and Fire
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group
April 5, 2016
Hardcover
368
“Sarah Rees Brennan writes with fine control and wit, and I suspect that word of this magical thriller will pass through the populace with the energy of wind, of fire.” —Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and Egg and Spoon
In a city divided between opulent luxury in the Light and fierce privations in the Dark, a determined young woman survives by guarding her secrets.
Lucie Manette was born in the Dark half of the city, but careful manipulations won her a home in the Light, celebrity status, and a rich, loving boyfriend. Now she just wants to keep her head down, but her boyfriend has a dark secret of his own—one involving an apparent stranger who is destitute and despised. Lucie alone knows the young men’s deadly connection, and even as the knowledge leads her to make a grave mistake, she can trust no one with the truth.
Blood and secrets alike spill out when revolution erupts. With both halves of the city burning, and mercy nowhere to be found, can Lucie save either boy—or herself?
Celebrated author Sarah Rees Brennan weaves a magical tale of romance and revolution, love and loss.
Review:
Actual rating would be 3 1/2 stars.
“Tell the Wind and Fire” is a fantasy novel based heavily on “A Tale of Two Cities,” but if you haven’t read that you won’t be lost. I had very mixed feelings on it, ranging from being in love with certain parts to wanting to scream and throw the book at the wall in frustration.
The premise was really good and engaging. The world-building was fantastic, and that is always something that hooks me. Unfortunately, the plot was kind of jerked around. Sometimes it was fast-paced and others it was slow. Perhaps the worst aspect was that at times it felt like a good chunk of information was missing, and the reader was expected to infer what backstory led to the current events. It wasn’t enough to ruin the story, but it was an annoyance.
The main character, Lucie, was a child born in the Dark City who ended up in the Light. For half of the book she was fierce and relatable. Her dialogue with one character, whose details I will keep secret due to spoilers, was absolutely amazing. I loved their dynamic and wish the entire book had been about them. Then there was Ethan, her boyfriend. The term “flowery prose” does not even begin to describe how she thought of him. It felt like an entirely separate book. Think Victorian era romance, which would have been fine had she not been a strong character literally everywhere else. He was given flaws, some pretty serious ones, that were all but ignored in favor of her falling all over herself over his perfection. The over-the-top relationship almost ruined the entire book.
“Tell the Wind and Fire” is worth the read for the good parts, but be sure to be prepared for some frustration. It’s best for high school aged and up.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Mild Gore
