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The Tinder Box
In a kingdom forgotten by history, a legend unfolds . . .
Wounded in his county's endless wars, former soldier Mag Tresti finds work in the home of a reclusive widow, Jannae Mirchella. But Jannae is more than she seems. A witch of great skill and might, she hides her powers and her deep-laid plans behind a mask of harmless respectability.
When a dead demon falls out of the sky, the fates of the soldier and the witch are irrevocably intertwined. On the demon's body Mag finds a tinderbox - an artefact of terrifying magical power that can not only grant his every wish, but also change the fate of nations.
This is a tale of spellcraft and devilry, of witchcraft and trickery - of the wickedness that resides within a few, the goodness that lies deep within us all, and the choices on which our lives turn.
Wounded in his county's endless wars, former soldier Mag Tresti finds work in the home of a reclusive widow, Jannae Mirchella. But Jannae is more than she seems. A witch of great skill and might, she hides her powers and her deep-laid plans behind a mask of harmless respectability.
When a dead demon falls out of the sky, the fates of the soldier and the witch are irrevocably intertwined. On the demon's body Mag finds a tinderbox - an artefact of terrifying magical power that can not only grant his every wish, but also change the fate of nations.
This is a tale of spellcraft and devilry, of witchcraft and trickery - of the wickedness that resides within a few, the goodness that lies deep within us all, and the choices on which our lives turn.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2026
About the author
M.R. Carey
36 books6,924 followersMike Carey is the acclaimed writer of Lucifer and Hellblazer (now filmed as Constantine). He has recently completed a comics adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, and is the current writer on Marvel's X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four. He has also written the screenplay for a movie, Frost Flowers, which is soon to be produced by Hadaly Films and Bluestar Pictures.
Also writes as Mike Carey
Also writes as Mike Carey
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
Did Not Finish
September 22, 2026I own 3 picture books of the Andersen fairy tale that inspired this book, even though it's not anywhere near my favourites. It is by mistake.
“But, Marquise,” you’ll ask, “How do YOU of all people end up with a collection of fairy tales by mistake?
Well, because:
a. Nobody’s perfect,
b. Precisely because it’s me,
c. Fairy Tale Senility.
I've always tended to confuse Hans Christian Andersen’s The Tinderbox with the Grimms’ Bearskin because they have the exact same beginning: a raggedy soldier coming home from war has a crossroads encounter with a shady character that turns out to be either a witch or the Devil, who strikes a bargain with him to do a seemingly simple task for them in exchange for a boon. That’s not the end of the similarities, but the task the soldier in each tale must perform for the evil creature, the motives of the bargainer, the way the soldier meets his mission, and the happy ending complete with a lady love of higher status do vary in each tale.
And, of course, only one of them—the one by the Brothers Grimm—is a story that has Beauty and the Beast elements. Yeah, you can guess what the catnip for me is and how these mistakes happened. I got 3 picture books of the former thinking it was the latter, and I got 2 of the latter thinking it was the former. When you read as many fairy tales as I do, they tend to morph together into a single big blob of motifs sometimes, which I jokingly call Fairy Tale Senility: the propensity to mix fairy tales with others with similar themes. There’s a reason professional folklorists have the Aarne-Thompson-Uther tale category index for a guide, ya know!
Anyway, I got Carey’s retelling due to this mishap during my Summer break, intending to read it alongside Tinder by Sally Gardner (which I also got for mistaking it for a Bearskin retelling, to follow tradition). It didn’t take me long to realise it wasn’t the book for me. Even independently of the tale confusion, because up to where I dropped it there were a host of details that weren’t working for me:
- The abysmally slow pacing. Knowing the source tale, it’s not like I was waiting with bated breath to see what would happen, but it took forever to get to things.
- If I knew what was coming—the tale’s theme is the overthrow of unjust governments that let their military down—then it wasn’t like there was going to be a big surprise for me. It was how the author made Mag arrive there what mattered, and it wasn’t going there at a good pace.
- The suspicious person with supernatural powers, Jennae, was written like a “misunderstood woman everyone calls a witch” trope, and wasn’t well fleshed-out.
- The setting is fantastical and not real Europe so there’s some liberty to allow here compared to if this was pure Historical Fiction, but both Andersen and the Grimms wrote their tales in the context of the Napoleonic Wars, so the soldier in the tale is meant to be a veteran of such wars. Problem is, some British authors tend to play fast and loose with other European countries’ role in the Napoleonic Wars era, a “we saved the continent from Bonny” complex that leads them to lionise Britain and mis-portray or villainise the others, especially the French and German rivals. It’s noticeable here, Carey is a Brit. You can tell it in things like cartoon villain King Frederick, which you can claim is just a generic monarch but it’s so very obvious he’s the Prussian king (you seriously expect me to think he’s just generic when his kingdom is called Königsbrücke, similar to Prussia’s then capital Königsberg?) who arbitrarily decrees decimation as punishment for Mag’s mates refusing a suicidal charge. No army during the Napoleonic Wars on either side practiced decimation, not even Napoleon, and goodness knows he wasn’t into sparing his soldiers’ lives out of moral qualms. And there’s more things that ring untrue that history buff me can’t simply wave away with “it’s fantasy.”
- And don’t even let me started on the absolute lack of care about language and culture that’s not English. Mag is no shortening nor nickname for Magnus. I get the author is monolingual, but still… He could've made this world faux-British, no?
- Above all, though, it was the Paradise Lost-wannabe plot with the pacifist demons what did me in. I guess it’s a great twist and all, but for me it doesn’t work philosophically as the plot is laid out. And I can tell that, for all that this book is said to be dark (and indeed it is), it is going to whitewash the soldier a wee bit. Andersen, the poor dear, was weird and he made the fairy tale more problematic in certain aspects that the more straightforward Grimms (who also have a version of this tale called “The Blue Light”), especially when it comes to women. And by making Magnus gay, Carey is avoiding that, amongst other moral dilemmas this sidesteps.
So I’m out. I know all this is a me thing, though, so if you’re interested in this retelling, by all means do read it. When I elaborate on my reasons for DNFing a book, which I don’t do often, I list the things in it that don’t work for ME, and if other readers share my objections maybe it'll be of help to them too, but I’ve already had comprehension-challenged pedants coming at me with "it's your problem" to ignore this caveat.
“But, Marquise,” you’ll ask, “How do YOU of all people end up with a collection of fairy tales by mistake?
Well, because:
a. Nobody’s perfect,
b. Precisely because it’s me,
c. Fairy Tale Senility.
I've always tended to confuse Hans Christian Andersen’s The Tinderbox with the Grimms’ Bearskin because they have the exact same beginning: a raggedy soldier coming home from war has a crossroads encounter with a shady character that turns out to be either a witch or the Devil, who strikes a bargain with him to do a seemingly simple task for them in exchange for a boon. That’s not the end of the similarities, but the task the soldier in each tale must perform for the evil creature, the motives of the bargainer, the way the soldier meets his mission, and the happy ending complete with a lady love of higher status do vary in each tale.
And, of course, only one of them—the one by the Brothers Grimm—is a story that has Beauty and the Beast elements. Yeah, you can guess what the catnip for me is and how these mistakes happened. I got 3 picture books of the former thinking it was the latter, and I got 2 of the latter thinking it was the former. When you read as many fairy tales as I do, they tend to morph together into a single big blob of motifs sometimes, which I jokingly call Fairy Tale Senility: the propensity to mix fairy tales with others with similar themes. There’s a reason professional folklorists have the Aarne-Thompson-Uther tale category index for a guide, ya know!
Anyway, I got Carey’s retelling due to this mishap during my Summer break, intending to read it alongside Tinder by Sally Gardner (which I also got for mistaking it for a Bearskin retelling, to follow tradition). It didn’t take me long to realise it wasn’t the book for me. Even independently of the tale confusion, because up to where I dropped it there were a host of details that weren’t working for me:
- The abysmally slow pacing. Knowing the source tale, it’s not like I was waiting with bated breath to see what would happen, but it took forever to get to things.
- If I knew what was coming—the tale’s theme is the overthrow of unjust governments that let their military down—then it wasn’t like there was going to be a big surprise for me. It was how the author made Mag arrive there what mattered, and it wasn’t going there at a good pace.
- The suspicious person with supernatural powers, Jennae, was written like a “misunderstood woman everyone calls a witch” trope, and wasn’t well fleshed-out.
- The setting is fantastical and not real Europe so there’s some liberty to allow here compared to if this was pure Historical Fiction, but both Andersen and the Grimms wrote their tales in the context of the Napoleonic Wars, so the soldier in the tale is meant to be a veteran of such wars. Problem is, some British authors tend to play fast and loose with other European countries’ role in the Napoleonic Wars era, a “we saved the continent from Bonny” complex that leads them to lionise Britain and mis-portray or villainise the others, especially the French and German rivals. It’s noticeable here, Carey is a Brit. You can tell it in things like cartoon villain King Frederick, which you can claim is just a generic monarch but it’s so very obvious he’s the Prussian king (you seriously expect me to think he’s just generic when his kingdom is called Königsbrücke, similar to Prussia’s then capital Königsberg?) who arbitrarily decrees decimation as punishment for Mag’s mates refusing a suicidal charge. No army during the Napoleonic Wars on either side practiced decimation, not even Napoleon, and goodness knows he wasn’t into sparing his soldiers’ lives out of moral qualms. And there’s more things that ring untrue that history buff me can’t simply wave away with “it’s fantasy.”
- And don’t even let me started on the absolute lack of care about language and culture that’s not English. Mag is no shortening nor nickname for Magnus. I get the author is monolingual, but still… He could've made this world faux-British, no?
- Above all, though, it was the Paradise Lost-wannabe plot with the pacifist demons what did me in. I guess it’s a great twist and all, but for me it doesn’t work philosophically as the plot is laid out. And I can tell that, for all that this book is said to be dark (and indeed it is), it is going to whitewash the soldier a wee bit. Andersen, the poor dear, was weird and he made the fairy tale more problematic in certain aspects that the more straightforward Grimms (who also have a version of this tale called “The Blue Light”), especially when it comes to women. And by making Magnus gay, Carey is avoiding that, amongst other moral dilemmas this sidesteps.
So I’m out. I know all this is a me thing, though, so if you’re interested in this retelling, by all means do read it. When I elaborate on my reasons for DNFing a book, which I don’t do often, I list the things in it that don’t work for ME, and if other readers share my objections maybe it'll be of help to them too, but I’ve already had comprehension-challenged pedants coming at me with "it's your problem" to ignore this caveat.
June 23, 2026
M.R. Carey has been elevated to T. Kingfisher status in my author hierarchy of “How Excited I Get When I Receive An ARC From This Author”, and that, my friends, is a HUGE deal. I believe this makes my third eARC written by Carey, and he never disappoints.
I initially was a little hesitant when I briefly glanced at how the book was being received by other reviewers, because the subject matter seems to be somewhat polarizing. And that’s fair, because this touches on much more than your typical medieval-yet-somehow-maybe-15th-century-vaguely-alternate-european-tale-with-spellcraft. I cannot say much more about the plot without revealing massive spoilers.
While I enjoyed the story very much, the pacing was plodding at times, and it takes a fair amount of time to get to the real meat of the happenings. Given this, I would suggest that those new to Carey’s work read “Once Was Willem” first, instead.
I do wish that the backstory of Jannae had been fleshed out more. On the other hand, this is still one of the best female characters written by a man that I’ve seen. Carey is able to get inside the widow’s head and reason out WHY she feels the way she does. It’s extremely well-done, especially in an important scene towards the end.
The last third/quarter of the book is fantastic. However, due to the length of the slow burn, I find myself giving this an overall 4.25, rounded down, instead of the 4.5 that the last part earned. It’s still a *very* good story, though!
I’ll note here, again, that Carey has more than earned a spot among my other favorite authors, and I anxiously await his next novel, which I will pounce upon with glee as soon as I see it on NetGalley.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit (I adore Orbit!!) for the eARC. I am writing this review entirely voluntarily.
July 20, 2026
4.5/5
M.R. Carey has done sci-fi western, horror, zombies, epic fantasy, and more. Whatever the setting, though, Carey writes people first and plots second. That's exactly why The Tinder Box works so well.
Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, it follows Mag Tresti, a war-weary former soldier who stumbles across a magical tinder box capable of summoning three powerful demons. At the same time, his path repeatedly crosses that of Jannae Mirchella, a witch hiding her abilities.
Mag won me over. He's a man shaped by years of pointless war, trying to do the decent thing in situations where there rarely is a decent choice. His compassion, especially toward the demons bound by the tinder box, says far more about him than any grand speech ever could.
Jannae is every bit as interesting. She initially appears to be little more than the archetypal witch living on the edge of society, but Carey gradually peels back the layers until she becomes one of the novel's strongest POVs. Her past, regrets, and determination are written remarkably well, and I found myself just as invested in her story as in Mag's.
Both have wonderfully distinctive voices, and perhaps more importantly, they always feel believable. Even when they make questionable decisions, I understood why they made them.
Then there are the demons. They're easily one of the book's highlights. Not terrifying, although they certainly can be. They're not a comic relief, either, even if they're often funny. They're fully realised characters with their own personalities, grievances, loyalties and, not happy with being magically summoned by humans.
The writing, unsurprisingly, is superb. Carey writes dark fantasy without drowning it in misery, philosophical fantasy without becoming preachy, and character-driven fantasy without sacrificing momentum. The whole novel carries the feel of an old folk tale that's been rewritten by a writer with a deep understanding of trauma, power and human weakness.
If I have one criticism, it's that the novel could probably have been shorter. The novel could probably have lost fifty pages without losing much of its impact.
That said, I listened The Tinder Box as an audiobook, and the narration was superb.
I wouldn't call The Tinder Box Carey's best novel, but it's another reminder that he's one of the most consistently interesting writers working in fantasy today. Smart, funny, and with a knack for writing characters I'd happily follow into another story.
It's comfortably one of my favourite reads of 2026.
M.R. Carey has done sci-fi western, horror, zombies, epic fantasy, and more. Whatever the setting, though, Carey writes people first and plots second. That's exactly why The Tinder Box works so well.
Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, it follows Mag Tresti, a war-weary former soldier who stumbles across a magical tinder box capable of summoning three powerful demons. At the same time, his path repeatedly crosses that of Jannae Mirchella, a witch hiding her abilities.
Mag won me over. He's a man shaped by years of pointless war, trying to do the decent thing in situations where there rarely is a decent choice. His compassion, especially toward the demons bound by the tinder box, says far more about him than any grand speech ever could.
Jannae is every bit as interesting. She initially appears to be little more than the archetypal witch living on the edge of society, but Carey gradually peels back the layers until she becomes one of the novel's strongest POVs. Her past, regrets, and determination are written remarkably well, and I found myself just as invested in her story as in Mag's.
Both have wonderfully distinctive voices, and perhaps more importantly, they always feel believable. Even when they make questionable decisions, I understood why they made them.
Then there are the demons. They're easily one of the book's highlights. Not terrifying, although they certainly can be. They're not a comic relief, either, even if they're often funny. They're fully realised characters with their own personalities, grievances, loyalties and, not happy with being magically summoned by humans.
The writing, unsurprisingly, is superb. Carey writes dark fantasy without drowning it in misery, philosophical fantasy without becoming preachy, and character-driven fantasy without sacrificing momentum. The whole novel carries the feel of an old folk tale that's been rewritten by a writer with a deep understanding of trauma, power and human weakness.
If I have one criticism, it's that the novel could probably have been shorter. The novel could probably have lost fifty pages without losing much of its impact.
That said, I listened The Tinder Box as an audiobook, and the narration was superb.
I wouldn't call The Tinder Box Carey's best novel, but it's another reminder that he's one of the most consistently interesting writers working in fantasy today. Smart, funny, and with a knack for writing characters I'd happily follow into another story.
It's comfortably one of my favourite reads of 2026.
July 19, 2026
Mag is a former soldier who finds employment with a witch named Jannae. When a demon falls dead before them, Jannae orders Mag to strip him of all his belongings and give them to her - but Mag makes off with a magical tinder box. Jannae takes off in pursuit.
I did like the plot of this book, but I thought the beginning of the book was very slow, and the book as a whole was longer than it needed to be. However, I stuck with it and finished reading the book and was glad when the pacing picked up towards the end. I wasn’t terribly interested in Jannae’s backstory, probably because I am not a huge fan of witches. Fortunately, the demons were entertaining. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I did like the plot of this book, but I thought the beginning of the book was very slow, and the book as a whole was longer than it needed to be. However, I stuck with it and finished reading the book and was glad when the pacing picked up towards the end. I wasn’t terribly interested in Jannae’s backstory, probably because I am not a huge fan of witches. Fortunately, the demons were entertaining. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
June 23, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
The Tinder Box is a standalone dark fantasy novel written by M. R. Carey, published by Orbit Books. A story that vaguely draws from the eponymous fairytale to deliver a much more nuanced story about power, temptation, and trauma, set in an obscure medieval-world where the barriers between the human and the upper powers are much thinner, delighting the reader with an excellent character work that makes an effort to destroy the weight of appearances.
Former soldier Mag Tresti finds work in the home of a reclusive widow, Jannae Mirchella; a woman of many talents, who hides them under her respectability as a widow. After a demon falls from the sky, the fates of the soldier and the widow become intertwined, all due to an artifact that Mag finds and keeps for himself in the demon's body: a tinderbox that allows to summon three powerful demons. An incident that marks Mag's departure and the start of a big story where their paths will be crossed many times against the background of the kingdom.
One of the elements that makes this book remarkable is the excellent character work made by Carey on his two main characters and some of the secondaries. Mag is not a hero and has lived too much in the war, something that shapes how he sees the world; a broken soldier, aware of how much damage can be done by the people in power just to satiate their desires, a view of the world that will shape his attitude towards certain entities. Jannae is also a twist on the classical witch archetype, a much more human idea that is struggling with guilt, trying to hide her powers, but with an inner fire that will move her towards doing good actions in the end.
Even in the case of the demonic entities, I think Carey's decision of portraying them as mere soldiers of an unwanted war helps the reader to empathize with them; for a former soldier like Mag, we will see how he will find easy to fill the same shoes, trying to help them when possible. My only negative note is regarding the main antagonist, as it lands as a bit plain, especially since we get his own POV, but only during a few chapters, not enough to paint a complete portrait.
Carey's writing tries to mimic the cadence of a fairytale while trying to keep a gritty world as the scenario of the story; at the end, this is a story that revolves around power, how it is exerted and the consequences it might bring to others. The cost of desires plays an important role in the whole plot, opening an interesting debate that is explored through the different characters.
The pacing is relatively slow at the start, but it acts as a way to set all the pieces on the board; once all kicks into action, it doesn't stop until the end.
The Tinder Box is an excellent novel, a memorable story that makes its most of its character work and how well used is the dark medieval atmosphere (similarly to Once Was Willem); another book that goes to the favourite list!
The Tinder Box is a standalone dark fantasy novel written by M. R. Carey, published by Orbit Books. A story that vaguely draws from the eponymous fairytale to deliver a much more nuanced story about power, temptation, and trauma, set in an obscure medieval-world where the barriers between the human and the upper powers are much thinner, delighting the reader with an excellent character work that makes an effort to destroy the weight of appearances.
Former soldier Mag Tresti finds work in the home of a reclusive widow, Jannae Mirchella; a woman of many talents, who hides them under her respectability as a widow. After a demon falls from the sky, the fates of the soldier and the widow become intertwined, all due to an artifact that Mag finds and keeps for himself in the demon's body: a tinderbox that allows to summon three powerful demons. An incident that marks Mag's departure and the start of a big story where their paths will be crossed many times against the background of the kingdom.
One of the elements that makes this book remarkable is the excellent character work made by Carey on his two main characters and some of the secondaries. Mag is not a hero and has lived too much in the war, something that shapes how he sees the world; a broken soldier, aware of how much damage can be done by the people in power just to satiate their desires, a view of the world that will shape his attitude towards certain entities. Jannae is also a twist on the classical witch archetype, a much more human idea that is struggling with guilt, trying to hide her powers, but with an inner fire that will move her towards doing good actions in the end.
Even in the case of the demonic entities, I think Carey's decision of portraying them as mere soldiers of an unwanted war helps the reader to empathize with them; for a former soldier like Mag, we will see how he will find easy to fill the same shoes, trying to help them when possible. My only negative note is regarding the main antagonist, as it lands as a bit plain, especially since we get his own POV, but only during a few chapters, not enough to paint a complete portrait.
Carey's writing tries to mimic the cadence of a fairytale while trying to keep a gritty world as the scenario of the story; at the end, this is a story that revolves around power, how it is exerted and the consequences it might bring to others. The cost of desires plays an important role in the whole plot, opening an interesting debate that is explored through the different characters.
The pacing is relatively slow at the start, but it acts as a way to set all the pieces on the board; once all kicks into action, it doesn't stop until the end.
The Tinder Box is an excellent novel, a memorable story that makes its most of its character work and how well used is the dark medieval atmosphere (similarly to Once Was Willem); another book that goes to the favourite list!
July 20, 2026
The spiel introducing my edition calls Mike Carey ‘a master storyteller’. That sums up my experience with his books, and this one adds to the truth of it.
It starts with us finding out about Mag, a discharged, partly disabled, soldier from a continuing conflict involving an alternative version of a medieval Holy Roman Empire. It has a fairy tale vibe, in the original dark European tradition, as he and we meet witches and even demons. It is a magic rich tale though one to my taste where it doesn’t swamp the fine characters that the author includes.
I especially liked his portrayal of Jannae, a bitter character but with every reason to be so from her experiences in life. Yet another example of a character who isn’t likeable (at least initially) but you find sympathy for - I’ve bumped into a couple of these in recent reads.
Stirred into the magical side is a strong dose of the sentiments expressed by the demons in Milton’s “Paradise Lost”. Except the author uses the frustration felt by the demons as an opportunity to put the boot into a postulated view of Heaven and Hell, and their relationships, at least as presented in medieval Christianity!
So an easy reading magical tale that covers a lot of ground, with interesting characters. Maybe a little predictable plot wise, as I could sort of see how various tensions and conflicts were likely to be resolved, but fun all the same. 4*.
It starts with us finding out about Mag, a discharged, partly disabled, soldier from a continuing conflict involving an alternative version of a medieval Holy Roman Empire. It has a fairy tale vibe, in the original dark European tradition, as he and we meet witches and even demons. It is a magic rich tale though one to my taste where it doesn’t swamp the fine characters that the author includes.
I especially liked his portrayal of Jannae, a bitter character but with every reason to be so from her experiences in life. Yet another example of a character who isn’t likeable (at least initially) but you find sympathy for - I’ve bumped into a couple of these in recent reads.
Stirred into the magical side is a strong dose of the sentiments expressed by the demons in Milton’s “Paradise Lost”. Except the author uses the frustration felt by the demons as an opportunity to put the boot into a postulated view of Heaven and Hell, and their relationships, at least as presented in medieval Christianity!
So an easy reading magical tale that covers a lot of ground, with interesting characters. Maybe a little predictable plot wise, as I could sort of see how various tensions and conflicts were likely to be resolved, but fun all the same. 4*.
August 14, 2026
Another new MR Carey book, another new piece of evidence the man has some kind of Faustian deal going because every damn book is just. so. damn. GOOD.
June 23, 2026
The Tinder Box was a highly anticipated read for me, having loved M.R Carey’s The Girl With All The Gifts my expectations were fairly high for something new from this author, especially a dark fantasy.
That being said, the pacing of this book was a little too slow. I frequently considered setting the book down and walking away. Nothing was really happening, even after the tinder box was discovered the plot seemed to move at a glacial pace.
Try as I might, I just could not for the life of me feel any sort of investment in the characters. Their affect was so bland which was such a surprise to me considering I've loved the character development in M. R Carey's previous novels.
Slow pacing, beautiful writing, characters and plot I wish had been fleshed out earlier, I don't mind if a book is slow if it keeps me engaged, but The Tinder Box ended up not being the book for me.
That being said, the pacing of this book was a little too slow. I frequently considered setting the book down and walking away. Nothing was really happening, even after the tinder box was discovered the plot seemed to move at a glacial pace.
Try as I might, I just could not for the life of me feel any sort of investment in the characters. Their affect was so bland which was such a surprise to me considering I've loved the character development in M. R Carey's previous novels.
Slow pacing, beautiful writing, characters and plot I wish had been fleshed out earlier, I don't mind if a book is slow if it keeps me engaged, but The Tinder Box ended up not being the book for me.
May 27, 2026
This book f$cked me up.
Thank you to the author, Orbit Books and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have read some dark books but this book really messed me up. It just hit differently. It is definitely metaphorical which you will understand once reading the book.It touches on war, religion, good vs evil and other very sensitive topics. The last 20% of the book, I did not expect. Major character development. Multiple POVs. The blurb does not set up the reader for what they are about to encounter. It is very misleading.
Thank you to the author, Orbit Books and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have read some dark books but this book really messed me up. It just hit differently. It is definitely metaphorical which you will understand once reading the book.It touches on war, religion, good vs evil and other very sensitive topics. The last 20% of the book, I did not expect. Major character development. Multiple POVs. The blurb does not set up the reader for what they are about to encounter. It is very misleading.
June 27, 2026
One of my anticipated new releases for this year, since I've always had a soft spot for fairytale retellings. In The Tinder Box, soldier Mag Tresti is middle aged, washed up, and cashiered from a pointless war due to an injury to his leg. Desperate and starving, he accepts work doing odd jobs for a witch—but when Mag impulsively steals a tinderbox, he gets into far more trouble than he bargained for.
This is actually the second retelling of Andersen's The Tinder Box I've read in the last few months (the other being Hellisen's Thief Mage Beggar Mage), so perhaps the story is having a bit of a vogue. Carey's take is a relatively straightforward retelling, or as as straightforward as you can get when the story it's based on is about a page long. Of course, Carey chooses to soften the edges of the original text, removing the bits about murdering witches and kidnapping princesses. His Mag is still a bit hapless—with the immense power of a tinderbox that summons three demons, he leaves a trail of chaos that's probably visible from space and quickly draws the attention of powerful and dangerous magicians. SURELY you can think up something better to do with the infinite wish-box than acquire a bunch of conspicuous gold coinage and suspiciously sign yourself into a hotel for aristocrats...
For a relatively straightforward story, the plot runs longish. Part of the length is due to giving the witch, Jannae Mirchella, her own extended point of view sections, including flashbacks to her past. Her bitterness and slow mastery of the magical arts is more interesting than Mag, even if she uses them as an excuse for deliberate cruelty. Still, I think the book ran a bit longer than necessary for the simplicity of the plot. The length certainly isn't used for lavishing attention on the worldbuilding—the plot is set in a thinly veiled Alternate Germanic State, and what we see of the politics is notably shallow. On the other hand, the world of the three demons trapped in the tinderbox is intriguing, but almost entirely offpage.
A serviceable and straightforward retelling that fails to sparkle. Solid, but not a standout.
This is actually the second retelling of Andersen's The Tinder Box I've read in the last few months (the other being Hellisen's Thief Mage Beggar Mage), so perhaps the story is having a bit of a vogue. Carey's take is a relatively straightforward retelling, or as as straightforward as you can get when the story it's based on is about a page long. Of course, Carey chooses to soften the edges of the original text, removing the bits about murdering witches and kidnapping princesses. His Mag is still a bit hapless—with the immense power of a tinderbox that summons three demons, he leaves a trail of chaos that's probably visible from space and quickly draws the attention of powerful and dangerous magicians. SURELY you can think up something better to do with the infinite wish-box than acquire a bunch of conspicuous gold coinage and suspiciously sign yourself into a hotel for aristocrats...
For a relatively straightforward story, the plot runs longish. Part of the length is due to giving the witch, Jannae Mirchella, her own extended point of view sections, including flashbacks to her past. Her bitterness and slow mastery of the magical arts is more interesting than Mag, even if she uses them as an excuse for deliberate cruelty. Still, I think the book ran a bit longer than necessary for the simplicity of the plot. The length certainly isn't used for lavishing attention on the worldbuilding—the plot is set in a thinly veiled Alternate Germanic State, and what we see of the politics is notably shallow. On the other hand, the world of the three demons trapped in the tinderbox is intriguing, but almost entirely offpage.
A serviceable and straightforward retelling that fails to sparkle. Solid, but not a standout.
June 26, 2026
My rating is 4.25
This was a very fun read!
Trickery is right...everyone is lying! To themselves, to each other, at all times.
Mag's is a great character. He tried to do right but doesn't start out well. Once the story gets going, he starts to have thoughts of a better nature and then we're off to the races. That's when he really starts to shine as a human.
Jannae is one of my favourite characters of the book. She's a witch, she's clever, and she puts just about everyone in their place. She is also tenacious and full of feminine rage. The way she manipulates those she encounters is a masterclass in action. Jannae never let's them see her sweat.
The tinder box is so central to the story, yet what' it can do is the real treasure. Demon's you say...yes please!
While nothing is perfect, this story does a good job of covering it's faults in wit and heart. I'm all for that!
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to read and review. My thoughts are my own!
This was a very fun read!
Trickery is right...everyone is lying! To themselves, to each other, at all times.
Mag's is a great character. He tried to do right but doesn't start out well. Once the story gets going, he starts to have thoughts of a better nature and then we're off to the races. That's when he really starts to shine as a human.
Jannae is one of my favourite characters of the book. She's a witch, she's clever, and she puts just about everyone in their place. She is also tenacious and full of feminine rage. The way she manipulates those she encounters is a masterclass in action. Jannae never let's them see her sweat.
The tinder box is so central to the story, yet what' it can do is the real treasure. Demon's you say...yes please!
While nothing is perfect, this story does a good job of covering it's faults in wit and heart. I'm all for that!
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to read and review. My thoughts are my own!
July 31, 2026
3.75 rounded up
October 19, 2026
This was a really fun and surprising adventure! The Tinder Box follows Mag, a veteran, who accidentally becomes the owner of a magic genie lamp-like tinder box that can grant his every command, and, therefore, is pursued by a couple of greedy, powerful witches. I enjoyed the characters of Mag and the three devils the most. I would've liked more from them because I didn't care too much about the other povs, so it took me a while to get through those parts. Overall though, I thought this was written well, and I will be checking out more from this author!
May 17, 2026
In this story we follow different povs, in particular one of a witch and one of an ex-soldier. When Mag comes back home from war, he finds shelter at Jannae’s house a window who’s hiding the fact she’s a witch. One day a body falls from the sky and Mag retrieves a tinder box from it. The tinder box however is not as innocuous as it looks and soon Mag and Jannae find themselves one opposite sides from one another.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the overall concept. I didn’t really like the switches between povs, but I still appreciated the insight in the characters’ backstory. The ending was good and I enjoyed the demons. My biggest issue with this was the pacing as it was extremely slow in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the overall concept. I didn’t really like the switches between povs, but I still appreciated the insight in the characters’ backstory. The ending was good and I enjoyed the demons. My biggest issue with this was the pacing as it was extremely slow in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC
For lovers of T Kingfisher's fantasy novels and The Devils by Joe Abercrombie, this is a dark but lovely fairytale re-telling.
While there is action and violence, this is a slow-paced story, and I mean that in the best of ways. It may be the fairytale inspiration, but it just felt so comforting to read. I was enjoying taking my time with it and looking forward to picking it up each time.
I really appreciated the way it addressed themes around war, trauma, and abuse of power. It really doesn't shy away from representing some real evil, but in true fairytale style it also demonstrates a lot of the goodness, kindness, and best parts of humanity. The use of devils and angels amongst all of the witches and magic spells was also really well done. I've seen depictions of devils and angels as complex and multilayered beings before, where good and bad aren't clearcut, but I really like the way it was done throughout this story.
The characters overall are well written and feel well realised, even if we don't get the most character development for more than a couple of the characters. The villains in particular, we don't dive into too deeply, and again this might be the fairytale of it all, but this wasn't something that stood out to me as a negative or something glaringly missing within the context of the story. The main characters of Mag, Jannae and the trio of devils are all endearing even in their imperfect moments, and there is some twists and subversion to some common fantasy archetypes that are really fascinating.
Overall, an excellent book and I'm really looking forward to re-reading it again in future when I'm looking for a comfort read.
For lovers of T Kingfisher's fantasy novels and The Devils by Joe Abercrombie, this is a dark but lovely fairytale re-telling.
While there is action and violence, this is a slow-paced story, and I mean that in the best of ways. It may be the fairytale inspiration, but it just felt so comforting to read. I was enjoying taking my time with it and looking forward to picking it up each time.
I really appreciated the way it addressed themes around war, trauma, and abuse of power. It really doesn't shy away from representing some real evil, but in true fairytale style it also demonstrates a lot of the goodness, kindness, and best parts of humanity. The use of devils and angels amongst all of the witches and magic spells was also really well done. I've seen depictions of devils and angels as complex and multilayered beings before, where good and bad aren't clearcut, but I really like the way it was done throughout this story.
The characters overall are well written and feel well realised, even if we don't get the most character development for more than a couple of the characters. The villains in particular, we don't dive into too deeply, and again this might be the fairytale of it all, but this wasn't something that stood out to me as a negative or something glaringly missing within the context of the story. The main characters of Mag, Jannae and the trio of devils are all endearing even in their imperfect moments, and there is some twists and subversion to some common fantasy archetypes that are really fascinating.
Overall, an excellent book and I'm really looking forward to re-reading it again in future when I'm looking for a comfort read.
June 12, 2026
Demons, Desire, and the Price of Power
The Tinder Box by M. R. Carey
M. R. Carey’s The Tinder Box offers a captivating and richly imagined retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale. It beautifully transforms a familiar story into a deeper, more nuanced exploration of themes like power, temptation, and the choices that shape who we are.
The story follows Mag (Magnus) Tresti, a former soldier coming home after many years of war and injury. As he works to rebuild his life, Mag takes on a task: repairing the ageing house of Jannae Mirchella, a mysterious widow who seems like an ordinary woman but is hiding a more dangerous secret: she is a powerful witch.
Everything shifts when a dead demon falls from the sky onto Jannae’s land. Mag soon learns that the demon was carrying a magical tinderbox, an item capable of summoning three demons and granting its owner extraordinary power. Tempted by its potential, Mag decides to take the tinderbox, setting off a perilous conflict between him and Jannae.
As Mag uncovers more about the tinderbox and its powers, he becomes embroiled in an even larger struggle involving magic, demons, war, and the battle for forces beyond his understanding. The story thoughtfully explores whether unlimited power can truly bring happiness, and whether past mistakes need to define who we become.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is its memorable characters. Mag Tresti is a multi-faceted but empathetic hero, a man scarred by war who yearns for a better life but must resist the allure of power. Jannae Mirchella is a compelling character: smart, secretive, and far more complex than the typical fairy-tale witch. She isn’t just an antagonist but a person with her own motives and regrets. Even the demons inside the tinderbox feel real, each with their own personality, histories, and perspectives, making them more than just monsters.
What makes The Tinder Box stand out is Carey’s skill in taking a classic fairy tale and giving it a darker, more mature tone. It’s a story about resilience, ambition, morality, and the tricky consequences of getting exactly what you wish for.
A wonderful choice if you enjoy dark fantasy, inventive retellings, and morally layered characters.
The Tinder Box by M. R. Carey
M. R. Carey’s The Tinder Box offers a captivating and richly imagined retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale. It beautifully transforms a familiar story into a deeper, more nuanced exploration of themes like power, temptation, and the choices that shape who we are.
The story follows Mag (Magnus) Tresti, a former soldier coming home after many years of war and injury. As he works to rebuild his life, Mag takes on a task: repairing the ageing house of Jannae Mirchella, a mysterious widow who seems like an ordinary woman but is hiding a more dangerous secret: she is a powerful witch.
Everything shifts when a dead demon falls from the sky onto Jannae’s land. Mag soon learns that the demon was carrying a magical tinderbox, an item capable of summoning three demons and granting its owner extraordinary power. Tempted by its potential, Mag decides to take the tinderbox, setting off a perilous conflict between him and Jannae.
As Mag uncovers more about the tinderbox and its powers, he becomes embroiled in an even larger struggle involving magic, demons, war, and the battle for forces beyond his understanding. The story thoughtfully explores whether unlimited power can truly bring happiness, and whether past mistakes need to define who we become.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is its memorable characters. Mag Tresti is a multi-faceted but empathetic hero, a man scarred by war who yearns for a better life but must resist the allure of power. Jannae Mirchella is a compelling character: smart, secretive, and far more complex than the typical fairy-tale witch. She isn’t just an antagonist but a person with her own motives and regrets. Even the demons inside the tinderbox feel real, each with their own personality, histories, and perspectives, making them more than just monsters.
What makes The Tinder Box stand out is Carey’s skill in taking a classic fairy tale and giving it a darker, more mature tone. It’s a story about resilience, ambition, morality, and the tricky consequences of getting exactly what you wish for.
A wonderful choice if you enjoy dark fantasy, inventive retellings, and morally layered characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2026
⭐️ 4 Stars ⭐️
Having enjoyed all of M. R. Carey's previous novels that I've read thus far, I stuck with The Tinder Box despite its slow start. As I wasn't familiar with the original folk tale it was based on, I trusted that the lengthy set-up would be important, and I was glad to see it pay off in the latter half of the novel.
Former soldier Mag Tresti survives his country's endless war only to find himself working for the mysterious widow Jannae Mirchella. When a dead demon falls from the sky carrying a magical tinderbox capable of granting wishes and changing the fate of nations, the pair are drawn into a conflict that reaches far beyond the battlefield.
My favourite aspect of the book was its exploration of the consequences of war for ordinary soldiers. The desire for camaraderie between those who have fought together, and the difficulty of reintegrating into society after being discharged, is handled particularly well, especially given that the wider conflict is still ongoing.
I also liked the novel's exploration of consent and the use of language by those in positions of power. The demons are compelled to obey the commands of anyone who owns the Tinder Box. The different characters who control them each take their own approach to issuing those commands. Carey uses those differences in language to reveal each character's understanding of power, authority, and responsibility.
You should read this book if you like:
- Stories about belonging 🏕️
- Character-driven adventures with thoughtful magic 📖
- Folklore retellings with a fresh twist 🔥
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚
(Also, I'm the hundredth rating! How nice!)
Having enjoyed all of M. R. Carey's previous novels that I've read thus far, I stuck with The Tinder Box despite its slow start. As I wasn't familiar with the original folk tale it was based on, I trusted that the lengthy set-up would be important, and I was glad to see it pay off in the latter half of the novel.
Former soldier Mag Tresti survives his country's endless war only to find himself working for the mysterious widow Jannae Mirchella. When a dead demon falls from the sky carrying a magical tinderbox capable of granting wishes and changing the fate of nations, the pair are drawn into a conflict that reaches far beyond the battlefield.
My favourite aspect of the book was its exploration of the consequences of war for ordinary soldiers. The desire for camaraderie between those who have fought together, and the difficulty of reintegrating into society after being discharged, is handled particularly well, especially given that the wider conflict is still ongoing.
I also liked the novel's exploration of consent and the use of language by those in positions of power. The demons are compelled to obey the commands of anyone who owns the Tinder Box. The different characters who control them each take their own approach to issuing those commands. Carey uses those differences in language to reveal each character's understanding of power, authority, and responsibility.
You should read this book if you like:
- Stories about belonging 🏕️
- Character-driven adventures with thoughtful magic 📖
- Folklore retellings with a fresh twist 🔥
I received an advance review copy for free via NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily 📚
(Also, I'm the hundredth rating! How nice!)
July 5, 2026
This is a retelling of the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen with some interesting changes. I love retellings/reimaginings but this was very long and quite slow. The writing was excellent per the usual with this author but I will not be rereading this one.
October 26, 2026
This is an amusing story although it is very loosely based on Andersen's fairy tale. I don't mind adding political intrigue to a fantasy novel, but the social justice + pacifism angle felt disjointed from the rest of the story.
November 3, 2026
Good enough for most authors… a bit of a disappointment from Carey. I just expect more from them.
Reminded me a bit of Brom’s stories in that characters are all very grey in morality.
Full review to come…
Reminded me a bit of Brom’s stories in that characters are all very grey in morality.
Full review to come…
July 13, 2026
Thank you Orbit for the gifted copy.
I really liked the central idea of the tinderbox and the way Carey handled its magic. It felt both practical and unsettling, especially with the three demons, which I thought were a really interesting aspect of the story.
I did struggle with the pacing, especially in the first half. This is definitely a slower, more deliberate fantasy, and it took me a while to feel fully invested in where the story was going. I also think the story could have been told with about a third cut out. Once things finally picked up, I enjoyed it more, but it took longer than I would have liked to get there.
I really liked the central idea of the tinderbox and the way Carey handled its magic. It felt both practical and unsettling, especially with the three demons, which I thought were a really interesting aspect of the story.
I did struggle with the pacing, especially in the first half. This is definitely a slower, more deliberate fantasy, and it took me a while to feel fully invested in where the story was going. I also think the story could have been told with about a third cut out. Once things finally picked up, I enjoyed it more, but it took longer than I would have liked to get there.
July 2, 2026
M.R. Carey is becoming one of my favorite authors. I think this is probably the fifth book by him this year. This one just came out.
There is a middle-aged soldier named Mag, who was discharged from the army due to injury. He is looking for any sort of work, and ends up being a handyman for a mysterious widow. He finds out that she's a witch, and then the body of a demon falls from the sky. The widow makes him take things from the demon's body, and he discovers an ordinary tinder box that has an extraordinary secret.
Once the tinder box hits the scene, the pace of the novel is page-turning.
There is a middle-aged soldier named Mag, who was discharged from the army due to injury. He is looking for any sort of work, and ends up being a handyman for a mysterious widow. He finds out that she's a witch, and then the body of a demon falls from the sky. The widow makes him take things from the demon's body, and he discovers an ordinary tinder box that has an extraordinary secret.
Once the tinder box hits the scene, the pace of the novel is page-turning.
August 14, 2026
4.5 stars. It's always such a pleasure to read books by authors who have done a really good job of honing their craft, and this book is a great example of that. There are a lot of fairy tale retellings in the world, but I was pleased to discover one that's a retelling of a less common story. M.R. Carey uses the basis of the original fairy tale The Tinder Box to build out a larger story that fleshes out characters from the original tale in interesting ways and actually explains why the magic is happening the way it is. I especially loved how the three magical servants in the tinder box are demons in this version, and full characters in their own right with backstories, personalities, and opinions about being stuck as magical slaves. The main narrators are also both very well-explored in their own right, with Mag being a world-weary soldier just trying to make his way in the world, and Jannae a clever witch who's excellent at holding grudges and is deeply haunted by her past. I also appreciated that Mag is a gay disabled man in a way that feels neither extraneous to his character nor shoehorned awkwardly in the narrative for diversity points, but rather just two aspects of him that inform who he is. I think the pacing dragged a little in the middle, but the conclusion was very satisfying, and this book proves you can still get something fresh and interesting from a fairy tale retelling.
October 31, 2026
I love a good fairy tale reimagining, but this completely blows the original concept out of the water. It is dark, gritty, and way more morally complex than I expected.
Carey does a fantastic job of taking a familiar premise and grounding it in a world filled with heavy political tension, war-torn grit, and deep questions about power. The atmosphere is thick and immersive from the very first page, and the characters feel incredibly layered and real.
What I loved most is how Carey handles the magical elements; nothing is simple, and every bit of power comes with a major cost. The pacing is fast, the writing is sharp, and it keeps you totally locked in without ever taking the predictable route.
If you want a dark, smart fantasy that you can devour in a couple of sittings, add this to your shelf immediately.
Thank you netgalley, the publisher & M.R. Carey for the opportunity to ARC read this story
Carey does a fantastic job of taking a familiar premise and grounding it in a world filled with heavy political tension, war-torn grit, and deep questions about power. The atmosphere is thick and immersive from the very first page, and the characters feel incredibly layered and real.
What I loved most is how Carey handles the magical elements; nothing is simple, and every bit of power comes with a major cost. The pacing is fast, the writing is sharp, and it keeps you totally locked in without ever taking the predictable route.
If you want a dark, smart fantasy that you can devour in a couple of sittings, add this to your shelf immediately.
Thank you netgalley, the publisher & M.R. Carey for the opportunity to ARC read this story
October 26, 2026
This was entertaining and fun, but it did go on a bit at times. I'm not sure the sense of humour was quite to my taste. But I did enjoy some of the ideas about morality it explored in the second half of the book, and I enjoyed how the different stories came together.s
As for it being a Tinder Box retelling, I was sad that the talking dogs were replaced with devils!
As for it being a Tinder Box retelling, I was sad that the talking dogs were replaced with devils!
August 28, 2026
Well, that was fun. Something a little different I haven’t read about Demons in a while. Certainly not ones like these then to be combined with witches in warlocks no wizards though. But again, I thought it was funny and I enjoyed it.
Did Not Finish
August 16, 2026May circle back to this one at some point. The writing just isn't working for me. It isn't badly written. I just find it easy to forget to pick up. It could just be I'm not in the mood.
July 4, 2026
Thank you to Orbit Books and M.R. Carey for the earc in exchange for my review! All opinions that follow are honest and my own!
This was absolutely fascinating!
The Tinder Box follows former soldier Mag Tresti who struggles with finding work after being wounded in the war, that is until he meets the widow, Jannae Mirchella. It's here that Mag discovers there is more to his world than he previously thought, especially when a demon falls from the sky and sets Mag on a path he never could've imagined. Tinderbox in hand that can grant his every wish, Mag and Jannae's futures are entwined and when dealing with demons, one can never be sure of the outcome.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel! Written like a fairytale with some hard hitting quotes about grief and religion and life in general, this truly kept me captivated even when the pacing was lacking.
Each of the characters brought something unique to the story and I found myself drawn to the demons attached to the tinderbox. Mag's bravery and overall scheming was definitely entertaining and seeing how it all came together in the end was so satisfying.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for something a little different!
This was absolutely fascinating!
The Tinder Box follows former soldier Mag Tresti who struggles with finding work after being wounded in the war, that is until he meets the widow, Jannae Mirchella. It's here that Mag discovers there is more to his world than he previously thought, especially when a demon falls from the sky and sets Mag on a path he never could've imagined. Tinderbox in hand that can grant his every wish, Mag and Jannae's futures are entwined and when dealing with demons, one can never be sure of the outcome.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel! Written like a fairytale with some hard hitting quotes about grief and religion and life in general, this truly kept me captivated even when the pacing was lacking.
Each of the characters brought something unique to the story and I found myself drawn to the demons attached to the tinderbox. Mag's bravery and overall scheming was definitely entertaining and seeing how it all came together in the end was so satisfying.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for something a little different!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25)
I loved how this took the bones of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and transformed it into something much bigger without losing that dark folkloric atmosphere. What starts as the story of a discarded soldier searching for work becomes a layered tale about war, power, belonging, and the people society pushes to the margins.
What I liked:
The multiple perspectives added so much depth to the story.
Magnus and Janae both felt fully realized, and I loved watching their journeys unfold alongside each other.
The parallels between the soldier, the devils bound to the tinderbox, and the larger cycle of endless war were incredibly effective.
The fairy-tale voice remains present throughout, even as the story expands into something that feels almost epic in scope.
Themes of survival, autonomy, found purpose, and refusing systems that demand endless sacrifice really resonated with me.
What didn't work:
At nearly 500 pages, it occasionally felt longer than it needed to be.
The pacing is measured rather than fast, though I remained engaged throughout.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, dark fairy-tale retelling that uses magic, folklore, and multiple character perspectives to explore war, power, and what it means to find a place in a world that doesn't want you. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings with strong character work, darker themes, and a touch of epic fantasy.
I loved how this took the bones of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and transformed it into something much bigger without losing that dark folkloric atmosphere. What starts as the story of a discarded soldier searching for work becomes a layered tale about war, power, belonging, and the people society pushes to the margins.
What I liked:
The multiple perspectives added so much depth to the story.
Magnus and Janae both felt fully realized, and I loved watching their journeys unfold alongside each other.
The parallels between the soldier, the devils bound to the tinderbox, and the larger cycle of endless war were incredibly effective.
The fairy-tale voice remains present throughout, even as the story expands into something that feels almost epic in scope.
Themes of survival, autonomy, found purpose, and refusing systems that demand endless sacrifice really resonated with me.
What didn't work:
At nearly 500 pages, it occasionally felt longer than it needed to be.
The pacing is measured rather than fast, though I remained engaged throughout.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, dark fairy-tale retelling that uses magic, folklore, and multiple character perspectives to explore war, power, and what it means to find a place in a world that doesn't want you. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy fairy-tale retellings with strong character work, darker themes, and a touch of epic fantasy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everyone wants this troublesome little tinderbox and why not? Whoever possesses it basically holds the key to invincibility. Both Mag and Jannae are sympathetic characters and yet are the causes of their own problems, which was intriguing for their arcs. I liked that Jannae's magic has limits; that's always a good thing. The three tinderbox devils—wry soldier Keal, gentle berserker-type Borrigor, and Dorsa, healer and mistress of a hellish menagerie—were uniquely interesting and entertaining.
This book is a multi-POV third person narrative. Normally, I love a multi-POV, but I kind of struggled to care about Mag, Jannae, or Gluck sometimes. The prose and writing style was good on a technical level although I couldn't figure out the tone Carey was going for. The Tinder Box has a sort of a slice-of-life-ish vibe yet it was also kind of serious and doing a lot with its thoughtful themes on religious scrutiny, anti-war, anti-slavery, choice matters, pro-choice, and feminist.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the eARC.
This book is a multi-POV third person narrative. Normally, I love a multi-POV, but I kind of struggled to care about Mag, Jannae, or Gluck sometimes. The prose and writing style was good on a technical level although I couldn't figure out the tone Carey was going for. The Tinder Box has a sort of a slice-of-life-ish vibe yet it was also kind of serious and doing a lot with its thoughtful themes on religious scrutiny, anti-war, anti-slavery, choice matters, pro-choice, and feminist.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the eARC.
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