Synopsis:
We Set the Dark on Fire is a dystopian fantasy set in a world other than our own, where people are divided, by a literal wall, by socioeconomic status. The poorer people live outside the wall under poor living conditions, but embrace each other and live by values of love and acceptance. The rich people live inside the walls, and are ruled by order and politics where everything must adhere to traditional protocol.
The story begins with the young woman, Dani, graduating from a school where women go to learn the proper behaviours of becoming a man’s wife. Think of it as a finishing school. Within the school, these young women are divided into two groups – those that will take on a traditional role of wife, and those that end up becoming, essentially, the manager of the household.
Dani, is chosen to be the latter type of wife, the manager of the household, of one of the richest families inside the wall. A classmate named Carmen, someone Dani never befriended, is chosen for the traditional role of wife for the same man.
Shortly after the grand announcement, Dani is also approached by a member of a secret rebellion who asks her to spy on the family because they are suspected of doing harm, using illegal methods to gain what they want, and to make those outside the wall suffer more. The rebellion chooses Dani because they know that she is not who she says she is, that she is actually from the outside of the wall and there illegally. Dani reluctantly agrees to spy but she is often at odds with herself, she knows how much her family sacrificed for her to be there but she knows first hand how awful the living conditions are on the other side so wants to help this rebellion as well.
Carmen and Dani begin their lives with their new husband, though they are often at odds with each other. Dani does her best to hide her secret, be a good manager, and spy, but Carmen knows she’s up to something. But Carmen has secrets which will be exposed.
Themes: Oppression, rebellion, identity, people of colour, LGBTQ+
Review:
Initially, the plot didn’t grab me (girls being trained to be wives? two girls married to the same man?! No!) but it did remind me of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood which I enjoyed, so gave it a chance. I’m glad I did. This story features an interesting plot, has twists and turns, and features two strong female characters that at times, you’re left wondering about their true intentions. I also really liked the cover – which yes, has nothing to do with the quality of the story, but was appealing, and hey, we all judge books by their covers once in a while ;P
We Set the Dark on Fire is available to borrow as an eAudiobook on Hoopla, and as an eBook on Overdrive. The sequel, We Unleash the Merciless Storm, was published in 2020, and is available digitally as well.
Read and reviewed by Melanie Hilchie, Community Librarian
Check out our YouTube channel and watch our Book Binge series – I talk one-on-one with Sam about this title!