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We Are the Fire
In the cold, treacherous land of Vesimaa, children are stolen from their families by a cruel emperor, forced to undergo a horrific transformative procedure, and serve in the army as magical fire-wielding soldiers. Pran and Oksana―both taken from their homeland at a young age―only have each other to hold onto in this heartless place.
Pran dreams of one day rebelling against their oppressors and destroying the empire; Oksana only dreams of returning home and creating a peaceful life for them both.
When they discover the emperor has a new, more terrible mission than ever for their kind, Pran and Oksana vow to escape his tyranny once and for all. But their methods and ideals differ drastically, driving a wedge between them. Worse still, they both soon find that the only way to defeat the monsters that subjugated them may be to become monsters themselves.
Pran dreams of one day rebelling against their oppressors and destroying the empire; Oksana only dreams of returning home and creating a peaceful life for them both.
When they discover the emperor has a new, more terrible mission than ever for their kind, Pran and Oksana vow to escape his tyranny once and for all. But their methods and ideals differ drastically, driving a wedge between them. Worse still, they both soon find that the only way to defeat the monsters that subjugated them may be to become monsters themselves.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published February 16, 2021
32 people are currently reading
6690 people want to read
About the author
Sam Taylor
1 book116 followersSam Taylor grew up in Arizona's deserts and now lives among Connecticut's trees. She spends her days writing, being mom to the world's cutest boys, whirling through dance workouts, and baking too many cakes.
She does not possess fire magic, but does have one fire-colored cat. We Are the Fire is her debut novel.
She does not possess fire magic, but does have one fire-colored cat. We Are the Fire is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
February 15, 2021
well, this got progressively better as I read
but still *sobs* it felt like torture😭🤚
so happy I'm done.
Okay, it wasn't that bad, but it was unbelievably slow. It got much better in the 2nd half, but there were still many parts that would just drag onand I was dying.
While I didn't love An Ember in the Ashes , I did thoroughly enjoy it so I was pretty excited for this book when I saw that it for fans of that series.
It is very unfortunate that I was disappointed.💀
But I do see how the two are similar -- the way the commanders/rulers in both books treat their soldiers/slaves is very cruel and there's a rebellion plot to overthrow said rulers.oh how i've grown to despise that plot
Also, I'd like to say that I loved Pran and Oksana, but I didn't. It was definitely interesting seeing the two main characters already in love with each other from the beginning but ehhhhh I don't like them and I don't like their romance.😕
Although I will say—and yes, I know something's wrong with me—that I started liking Pran a lot more when I saw him kill others for the good of the rebellion.
I mean, at least he knew when to make hard decisions even if it made him feel like a monster. I applaud him for that.don't question my sanity
Oh, and even though I didn't like the romance at all, it was interesting to see the author have Oksana and Pran struggle with their relationship throughout the novel, since both had different ideas of freedom.
How far would they go to get what they wanted? Would they have to become the monsters they very much despised to get their freedom? Many questions were raised along the way -- it was nice to see the complexity of the situation they were in.
So yea, even though this definitely felt like torture forcing my way through this book, it wasn't totally badmaybe just for me.
And I was actually in a cursed slump before this and I think I've been cured??? Like I was so bored with this book that I now I really feel like reading a super good book. (*cough* ACOSF) So THANK YOU for saving me.
(2.5⭐)
Buddy read with amazing friends, Katie @ Whispering Pages and Alex @ The Scribe Owl <33
---
Thank you Xpresso Book Tours for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
but still *sobs* it felt like torture😭🤚
so happy I'm done.
Okay, it wasn't that bad, but it was unbelievably slow. It got much better in the 2nd half, but there were still many parts that would just drag on
While I didn't love An Ember in the Ashes , I did thoroughly enjoy it so I was pretty excited for this book when I saw that it for fans of that series.
It is very unfortunate that I was disappointed.💀
But I do see how the two are similar -- the way the commanders/rulers in both books treat their soldiers/slaves is very cruel and there's a rebellion plot to overthrow said rulers.
Also, I'd like to say that I loved Pran and Oksana, but I didn't. It was definitely interesting seeing the two main characters already in love with each other from the beginning but ehhhhh I don't like them and I don't like their romance.😕
Although I will say—and yes, I know something's wrong with me—that I started liking Pran a lot more when I saw him kill others for the good of the rebellion.
I mean, at least he knew when to make hard decisions even if it made him feel like a monster. I applaud him for that.
Oh, and even though I didn't like the romance at all, it was interesting to see the author have Oksana and Pran struggle with their relationship throughout the novel, since both had different ideas of freedom.
How far would they go to get what they wanted? Would they have to become the monsters they very much despised to get their freedom? Many questions were raised along the way -- it was nice to see the complexity of the situation they were in.
So yea, even though this definitely felt like torture forcing my way through this book, it wasn't totally bad
And I was actually in a cursed slump before this and I think I've been cured??? Like I was so bored with this book that I now I really feel like reading a super good book. (*cough* ACOSF) So THANK YOU for saving me.
(2.5⭐)
Buddy read with amazing friends, Katie @ Whispering Pages and Alex @ The Scribe Owl <33
---
Thank you Xpresso Book Tours for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
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September 28, 2020ya authors: here is a character that has done an atrocity you are supposed to hate him.
me: he's a shitty wizard adjacent and he coughs up blood so i love him, actually.
me: he's a shitty wizard adjacent and he coughs up blood so i love him, actually.
January 27, 2021
I received this complimentary ARC from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
"Not everything that comes from fire is terrible and ugly."
I'm not entirely certain that I'd agree with the An Ember in the Ashes comparison as it was pitched to me, but I would say that the reference to the Legend of Spartacus was fairly accurate! Obviously, anything with any mention to mythology or Greco-Roman history is an instant add to my TBR, and this book was no different!
"It's Fire Night, your majesty. I've come to give you a show."
We Are the Fire revolves around the Vesimaan Empire, in which a cruel emperor steals young children to experiment on (complete with a mad scientist à la Dr Mengele) and train into fire warriors, known as the Tulikobrets. From the Ancient Roman-ish, yet also folklore-esque vibe, to the pyromancy and alchemy, I really enjoyed the world building!
"That fire beneath them seemed as wide as the sea, yet they kept flying across it, fingers entwined, rising higher and higher like they might join the stars."
Pran and Oksana, both taken at such young ages, have only had each other to rely on for the past seven years, resulting in a very sweet romance. While they both envision another future - free from the emperor's tyranny - they also have very different methods and goals. Should they aim for as little bloodshed as possible or do what they must to survive? Should they strive to return home to their families or attain their revenge against the empire? Ultimately, Pran and Oksana's differing ideals drive them apart, which put me through the EMOTIONAL RINGER.
"She was two sides of the same coin - the gentlest soul he knew, yet also the fiercest. Maybe one didn't exist without the other."
Oksana Artemivna has such a sweet and nurturing personality, constantly risking herself to save the ones she loves, forever longing to return home to her family...without sacrificing her morals in order to get there. She's also quite a smart, little thing, with a brain for chemistry and science.
"He hated how often the pains overtook him, that they always came at the worst times, that they made Oksana worry...Most of all, he hated that it kept him from being able to help her when she needed it."
Pran Nayar suffers from chronic pain in his leg, due to horrible experiments forced upon him, and is determined to make the world better for Oksana, himself and the rest of the Tulikobrets, no matter the price. He's very driven to prove himself, perhaps even stubborn, not wanting to seem weak or sickly in comparison to his peers.
All in all, this was a phenomenal debut. If I had to pitch this to anyone, I'd call it an Ancient Roman faery tale, complete with pyromancy, alchemy, sweet romances and strong friendships. I hope that you'll all give this a go in February upon its release!
"Not everything that comes from fire is terrible and ugly."
I'm not entirely certain that I'd agree with the An Ember in the Ashes comparison as it was pitched to me, but I would say that the reference to the Legend of Spartacus was fairly accurate! Obviously, anything with any mention to mythology or Greco-Roman history is an instant add to my TBR, and this book was no different!
"It's Fire Night, your majesty. I've come to give you a show."
We Are the Fire revolves around the Vesimaan Empire, in which a cruel emperor steals young children to experiment on (complete with a mad scientist à la Dr Mengele) and train into fire warriors, known as the Tulikobrets. From the Ancient Roman-ish, yet also folklore-esque vibe, to the pyromancy and alchemy, I really enjoyed the world building!
"That fire beneath them seemed as wide as the sea, yet they kept flying across it, fingers entwined, rising higher and higher like they might join the stars."
Pran and Oksana, both taken at such young ages, have only had each other to rely on for the past seven years, resulting in a very sweet romance. While they both envision another future - free from the emperor's tyranny - they also have very different methods and goals. Should they aim for as little bloodshed as possible or do what they must to survive? Should they strive to return home to their families or attain their revenge against the empire? Ultimately, Pran and Oksana's differing ideals drive them apart, which put me through the EMOTIONAL RINGER.
"She was two sides of the same coin - the gentlest soul he knew, yet also the fiercest. Maybe one didn't exist without the other."
Oksana Artemivna has such a sweet and nurturing personality, constantly risking herself to save the ones she loves, forever longing to return home to her family...without sacrificing her morals in order to get there. She's also quite a smart, little thing, with a brain for chemistry and science.
"He hated how often the pains overtook him, that they always came at the worst times, that they made Oksana worry...Most of all, he hated that it kept him from being able to help her when she needed it."
Pran Nayar suffers from chronic pain in his leg, due to horrible experiments forced upon him, and is determined to make the world better for Oksana, himself and the rest of the Tulikobrets, no matter the price. He's very driven to prove himself, perhaps even stubborn, not wanting to seem weak or sickly in comparison to his peers.
All in all, this was a phenomenal debut. If I had to pitch this to anyone, I'd call it an Ancient Roman faery tale, complete with pyromancy, alchemy, sweet romances and strong friendships. I hope that you'll all give this a go in February upon its release!
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February 8, 2021Fire magic. Twisted alchemy. Lovers at odds. Strong friendships. Fantasy folklore. A bit of kissing.
Eh, I guess it sounds all right.
We Are the Fire contains dark themes and events, so content warnings are available on my website.
Eh, I guess it sounds all right.
We Are the Fire contains dark themes and events, so content warnings are available on my website.
February 23, 2021
— find this this review and more on my blog
We Are the Fire follows Pran and Oksana, two of many who were taken from their families to serve in the army of Vesimaa. As their goals get in the way of their love for each other, they get tangled up in a web of lies, deaths, and corruption.
Oksana is an alchemist who fiercely cares for those she loves, but blames herself for everything, even the things that are out of her control. Pran is the self-appointed ‘leader’ of the secret rebellion. Though he was a complex character to read about, he annoyed me at times. There was a character arc for both of them, but my lack of investment in both Oksana and Pran just slowed it down.
I felt disjointed from the romance, to say the least. Pran and Oksana already had an established connection when the book starts off, which didn’t allow much room for development and time for the two to get to know each other. However, it was captivating to see them in the ups and downs of their relationship, and how their hopes for their futures lead them farther away from each other.
The writing was rich and evocative, but some scenes felt so short, while others seemed to drag on forever. Although things got more interesting in the second half, the beginning was a bit too slow for my liking.
Overall, We Are the Fire was a solid debut and had an interesting concept, but it had so much more potential and I personally thought it was lacking in many aspects.
═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══
[2.5] i ended up forcing my way through this, and ngl, it was painful. the first disappointment of the year!! rtc.
thank you to xpresso book tours & netgalley for providing an eARC of We Are the Fire in exchange for a spot on the blog tour!
We Are the Fire follows Pran and Oksana, two of many who were taken from their families to serve in the army of Vesimaa. As their goals get in the way of their love for each other, they get tangled up in a web of lies, deaths, and corruption.
You’ve seen how quickly sparks can become a bonfire. And bonfires show little discretion in what, or whom, they devour–even the hands that made them.
Oksana is an alchemist who fiercely cares for those she loves, but blames herself for everything, even the things that are out of her control. Pran is the self-appointed ‘leader’ of the secret rebellion. Though he was a complex character to read about, he annoyed me at times. There was a character arc for both of them, but my lack of investment in both Oksana and Pran just slowed it down.
I felt disjointed from the romance, to say the least. Pran and Oksana already had an established connection when the book starts off, which didn’t allow much room for development and time for the two to get to know each other. However, it was captivating to see them in the ups and downs of their relationship, and how their hopes for their futures lead them farther away from each other.
Rebel with flame, and you die by flame.
The writing was rich and evocative, but some scenes felt so short, while others seemed to drag on forever. Although things got more interesting in the second half, the beginning was a bit too slow for my liking.
Overall, We Are the Fire was a solid debut and had an interesting concept, but it had so much more potential and I personally thought it was lacking in many aspects.
═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══
[2.5] i ended up forcing my way through this, and ngl, it was painful. the first disappointment of the year!! rtc.
thank you to xpresso book tours & netgalley for providing an eARC of We Are the Fire in exchange for a spot on the blog tour!
Want to read
October 25, 2019
'Oksana and Pran weren’t born fire-breathing monsters.'
Want to read
April 23, 2021And they say don't judge a book by its cover.
February 14, 2021
See this review and more at my blog, The Scribe Owl!
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a buddy read with two of my favorite people, Katie @ Whispering Pages and Lia @ Chain of Novels!
3.5/5 stars
We Are the Fire was one of my most anticipated reads this month! Unfortunately, it did not meet those lofty standards. That said, it wasn't a bad book. It wasn't the stuff of a favorite, but I did have a good time for most of the book!
In the cold, treacherous land of Vesimaa, children are stolen from their families by a cruel emperor, forced to undergo a horrific transformative procedure, and serve in the army as magical fire-wielding soldiers. Pran and Oksana―both taken from their homeland at a young age―only have each other to hold onto in this heartless place.
Pran dreams of one day rebelling against their oppressors and destroying the empire; Oksana only dreams of returning home and creating a peaceful life for them both.
When they discover the emperor has a new, more terrible mission than ever for their kind, Pran and Oksana vow to escape his tyranny once and for all. But their methods and ideals differ drastically, driving a wedge between them. Worse still, they both soon find that the only way to defeat the monsters that subjugated them may be to become monsters themselves.
The blurb of We Are the Fire compared it to An Ember in the Ashes and the legend of Spartacus. I know nothing about the legend of Spartacus, so I don't know about that part. Maybe. But, while it wasn't the closest match, it wasn't that far off the mark of An Ember in the Ashes. The way they were trained and the way their captors acted were similar. I've heard other people say the opposite, but I still think it was pretty close. I've only read the first book of An Ember in the Ashes, so maybe it deviates past the point of my reading.
What made this book new and interesting for me was the way the main romantic relationship was structured. Oksana (which is a really pretty name, I'll remember that one) and Pran already had a relationship when we started reading. Instead of seeing them start their relationship, we got to see all that comes next. No matter how true your love, people fight, opinions deviate, and life becomes a bog of hard choices.
Oksana and Pran themselves were pretty good characters, but nothing that really stands out. I will say that they aren't your stereotypical YA MCs. Pran is trying to lead a rebellion, but he seems to be doing it all wrong. Oksana is a kind soul who only wants to go home, but everything she does seems to backfire. While I doubt I'll think about them night and day or anything, I did like reading about them.
What really knocked the book down a peg was the pacing. While it got interesting and faster-paced in the second half, it was pretty slow at the beginning. I wasn't enjoying it all that much. Again, it picked up later in the story, but the first half dragged on forever.
All in all, this was a pretty good book. But just think--this is just a debut novel! I will very likely be keeping an eye out for this author.
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a buddy read with two of my favorite people, Katie @ Whispering Pages and Lia @ Chain of Novels!
3.5/5 stars
We Are the Fire was one of my most anticipated reads this month! Unfortunately, it did not meet those lofty standards. That said, it wasn't a bad book. It wasn't the stuff of a favorite, but I did have a good time for most of the book!
In the cold, treacherous land of Vesimaa, children are stolen from their families by a cruel emperor, forced to undergo a horrific transformative procedure, and serve in the army as magical fire-wielding soldiers. Pran and Oksana―both taken from their homeland at a young age―only have each other to hold onto in this heartless place.
Pran dreams of one day rebelling against their oppressors and destroying the empire; Oksana only dreams of returning home and creating a peaceful life for them both.
When they discover the emperor has a new, more terrible mission than ever for their kind, Pran and Oksana vow to escape his tyranny once and for all. But their methods and ideals differ drastically, driving a wedge between them. Worse still, they both soon find that the only way to defeat the monsters that subjugated them may be to become monsters themselves.
The blurb of We Are the Fire compared it to An Ember in the Ashes and the legend of Spartacus. I know nothing about the legend of Spartacus, so I don't know about that part. Maybe. But, while it wasn't the closest match, it wasn't that far off the mark of An Ember in the Ashes. The way they were trained and the way their captors acted were similar. I've heard other people say the opposite, but I still think it was pretty close. I've only read the first book of An Ember in the Ashes, so maybe it deviates past the point of my reading.
What made this book new and interesting for me was the way the main romantic relationship was structured. Oksana (which is a really pretty name, I'll remember that one) and Pran already had a relationship when we started reading. Instead of seeing them start their relationship, we got to see all that comes next. No matter how true your love, people fight, opinions deviate, and life becomes a bog of hard choices.
Oksana and Pran themselves were pretty good characters, but nothing that really stands out. I will say that they aren't your stereotypical YA MCs. Pran is trying to lead a rebellion, but he seems to be doing it all wrong. Oksana is a kind soul who only wants to go home, but everything she does seems to backfire. While I doubt I'll think about them night and day or anything, I did like reading about them.
What really knocked the book down a peg was the pacing. While it got interesting and faster-paced in the second half, it was pretty slow at the beginning. I wasn't enjoying it all that much. Again, it picked up later in the story, but the first half dragged on forever.
All in all, this was a pretty good book. But just think--this is just a debut novel! I will very likely be keeping an eye out for this author.
Want to read
April 18, 2021I GOT AN ARC! I'm literally so excited because this is one of my most anticipated releases! NOW I SHALL IGNORE ALL MY TASKS AND DROP EVERYTHING TO READ THIS. Excuse me while I peacefully procrastinate!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are my own.
instagram | goodreads
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are my own.
instagram | goodreads
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February 23, 2021“The sooner they finished this fight, the sooner they would no longer have to burn their souls to stay alive.”
After being stolen by the brutal Vesimaan empire as children, Oksana and Pran are forced to undergo a terrifying transformation into fire-wielding soldiers. Both are desperate to protect one another and keep their relationship a secret from those who would surely use it against them. So when fellow soldiers start acting strangely and dangerous schemes come to light, no cost is too great for Pran in the fight against tyranny, even if Oksana has different plans in mind. Difficult choices lie ahead, and threaten to drive them apart, as they realize that freedom is not so easily won in a land where cruelty reigns. With overwhelming odds against them, the spark they light in search of a future together may just consume everything in its path…even themselves.
Morally grey protagonists and dangerous magic abound in Sam Taylor’s thrilling debut We Are the Fire. Set in an expansive fantasy world, this book kept us reading until the early hours of the morning, eager to find out what happened next. Alternating between the perspectives of Oksana and Pran, readers are propelled through an intense fire-fight for freedom à la An Ember in the Ashes. With a smoldering romance and characters that leap off the page, this book is a fiery new addition to the young adult fantasy world. As the two protagonists find themselves winding down an ever-darkening path, themes of home, fierce friendship, and fighting for a better tomorrow shine through as crackling embers of hope. We Are the Fire is perfect for those who enjoy detailed world-building, lovers at odds, and heart-wrenching twists.
Content Warnings: Murder (burning alive), fire, moderately strong language, death of a loved one, graphic descriptions, violence, syringes and injections
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
After being stolen by the brutal Vesimaan empire as children, Oksana and Pran are forced to undergo a terrifying transformation into fire-wielding soldiers. Both are desperate to protect one another and keep their relationship a secret from those who would surely use it against them. So when fellow soldiers start acting strangely and dangerous schemes come to light, no cost is too great for Pran in the fight against tyranny, even if Oksana has different plans in mind. Difficult choices lie ahead, and threaten to drive them apart, as they realize that freedom is not so easily won in a land where cruelty reigns. With overwhelming odds against them, the spark they light in search of a future together may just consume everything in its path…even themselves.
Morally grey protagonists and dangerous magic abound in Sam Taylor’s thrilling debut We Are the Fire. Set in an expansive fantasy world, this book kept us reading until the early hours of the morning, eager to find out what happened next. Alternating between the perspectives of Oksana and Pran, readers are propelled through an intense fire-fight for freedom à la An Ember in the Ashes. With a smoldering romance and characters that leap off the page, this book is a fiery new addition to the young adult fantasy world. As the two protagonists find themselves winding down an ever-darkening path, themes of home, fierce friendship, and fighting for a better tomorrow shine through as crackling embers of hope. We Are the Fire is perfect for those who enjoy detailed world-building, lovers at odds, and heart-wrenching twists.
Content Warnings: Murder (burning alive), fire, moderately strong language, death of a loved one, graphic descriptions, violence, syringes and injections
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
January 17, 2022
I'm glad I'm done with this audiobook. We are the fire was disappointed and I can't even point my finger on why it didn't work but I was never engaged in the story. I think one of the issue is that I felt like I was being thrown into a story that had already begun a while ago. The main characters were already in love, I didn't care for the romance or anything that happened. Overall, I don't recommend it but go ahead if you wanna try it.
December 29, 2020
This one has lots to recommend it to avid fantasy readers. An intriguing premise about children chemically altered to become a fire-breathing army. Two protagonists who both face moral dilemmas with no easy outcomes. Strong bonds between friends. High stakes in a world where anyone might be the next to fall. A passionate theme about the need to push back against oppression, no matter the cost. Lots of action as battles unfold and fireballs fly. A complicated world with multiple threats closing in on all sides. Brisk prose that keeps the story rolling forward. It's a contained world, with almost all of the action taking place within or near a military fort, so this is best suited for those who enjoy character studies over epic world building. That said, the world that's within these pages is full of imagination, and of course, fire.
June 13, 2021
update: rating changed to 1 star :/
｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
blog | instagram | amazon wishlist 📚
｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
blog | instagram | amazon wishlist 📚
February 12, 2021
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
I was excited when I received this ARC and saw that almost all of the reviews were positive. This year has been light on good fantasy for me, and I was ready for this book to be great. Maybe that set my expectations too high. Unfortunately, not only was this book not great, I found it downright boring. Something was just missing. Maybe it was worldbuilding. Maybe it was characterization. Maybe it was an emotional connection. Maybe it was all three. Though this book had a great premise, the pieces just didn't fall into place for me. Though not the worst book I have read this year, this may be my most disappointing read of 2021 because it had so much missed potential.
My full review will be published in March 2021. It will be available here: https://gatewaybookreviews.blogspot.c...
I was excited when I received this ARC and saw that almost all of the reviews were positive. This year has been light on good fantasy for me, and I was ready for this book to be great. Maybe that set my expectations too high. Unfortunately, not only was this book not great, I found it downright boring. Something was just missing. Maybe it was worldbuilding. Maybe it was characterization. Maybe it was an emotional connection. Maybe it was all three. Though this book had a great premise, the pieces just didn't fall into place for me. Though not the worst book I have read this year, this may be my most disappointing read of 2021 because it had so much missed potential.
My full review will be published in March 2021. It will be available here: https://gatewaybookreviews.blogspot.c...
November 10, 2020
I’m not usually a reader of fantasy, but Sam Taylor’s WE ARE THE FIRE sucked me in and never let go. What initially drew me into this story was the gorgeous prose and incredible world building. But what kept me, was its characters: Pran and Oksana. They were so well-developed and REAL that I didn’t want their story to end (I find myself missing them, even now!) I loved so much about them--their conflicts, foibles, and just plain humanness--that I needed to know what would happen to them. If you love good story, pre-order WE ARE THE FIRE. I did—and can’t wait until February to re-enter the world of Vesimaa!
Want to read
June 9, 2020The author said this has an Ace romance so... 💸💸💸
September 28, 2021
2.5 stars//Vague spoilers
I hate to give this book a lower rating, but it failed to resonate for me. While the story stays centered and focused, with developed writing and themes, it’s a simple, familiar tale—one that has been told before.
Pran and Oskana were stolen from their respective homelands as children by an encroaching empire. Forced to become soldiers that breathe fire as a result of alchemical experiments, they are forever subjected to their cruel captors. When an opportunity to break free from the empire’s thrall, they both seize it, but the ways in which they respond diverge, threatening to tear a rift between them.
We are the Fire is a tale that is decidedly narrow in scope. The characters remain in the same place for almost the entire duration of the book, and there is little-to-no exploration of the outside world. Themes center around rebellion, morality(?), and belonging. Everything revolves around the characters, and there’s little outside plot, besides Rootare’s.
Pran and Oskana are defined by their beliefs and limits. I felt similarly to them as I did to Vivienna in Warbreaker—not easy to love, mildly interesting to study due to their unique viewpoints. Nothing else really drew me in. Judging from the synopsis, I expected the story to be twisted and twisty. Nope—the plot is predictable, with only one main development. The ending is what anyone would expect it to be.
I also gleaned from the synopsis that this book probably wouldn’t be similar to An Ember in the Ashes. While that may sound contradictory because a direct comparison is made to it in the blurb, I rarely find those to be accurate, especially when An Ember in the Ashes is mentioned in the pitch for every other YA high fantasy book. I was actually wrong here, the books are a bit similar. The world doesn’t feel quite as ruthless, but at least the romance doesn’t barge in at inopportune moments. The supporting characters are refined renditions of the AEITA cast (The Warden, Izzy, Helene if just in appearance, Marcus if I stretch); there’s a torture scene that bore a resemblance to a chapter in A Reaper at the Gates.
This author has potential; this book just wasn’t for me. The plot did not feel fresh, so much so that I felt as though I no longer needed to hang on to every word as I was nearing its climax and conclusion to know what was going on. It wasn’t bad; only somewhat prolonged and predictable.
......................................................................
I admit that I skimmed the last 15%, and I haven't skimmed books in years...RTC
I hate to give this book a lower rating, but it failed to resonate for me. While the story stays centered and focused, with developed writing and themes, it’s a simple, familiar tale—one that has been told before.
Pran and Oskana were stolen from their respective homelands as children by an encroaching empire. Forced to become soldiers that breathe fire as a result of alchemical experiments, they are forever subjected to their cruel captors. When an opportunity to break free from the empire’s thrall, they both seize it, but the ways in which they respond diverge, threatening to tear a rift between them.
We are the Fire is a tale that is decidedly narrow in scope. The characters remain in the same place for almost the entire duration of the book, and there is little-to-no exploration of the outside world. Themes center around rebellion, morality(?), and belonging. Everything revolves around the characters, and there’s little outside plot, besides Rootare’s.
Pran and Oskana are defined by their beliefs and limits. I felt similarly to them as I did to Vivienna in Warbreaker—not easy to love, mildly interesting to study due to their unique viewpoints. Nothing else really drew me in. Judging from the synopsis, I expected the story to be twisted and twisty. Nope—the plot is predictable, with only one main development. The ending is what anyone would expect it to be.
I also gleaned from the synopsis that this book probably wouldn’t be similar to An Ember in the Ashes. While that may sound contradictory because a direct comparison is made to it in the blurb, I rarely find those to be accurate, especially when An Ember in the Ashes is mentioned in the pitch for every other YA high fantasy book. I was actually wrong here, the books are a bit similar. The world doesn’t feel quite as ruthless, but at least the romance doesn’t barge in at inopportune moments. The supporting characters are refined renditions of the AEITA cast (The Warden, Izzy, Helene if just in appearance, Marcus if I stretch); there’s a torture scene that bore a resemblance to a chapter in A Reaper at the Gates.
This author has potential; this book just wasn’t for me. The plot did not feel fresh, so much so that I felt as though I no longer needed to hang on to every word as I was nearing its climax and conclusion to know what was going on. It wasn’t bad; only somewhat prolonged and predictable.
......................................................................
I admit that I skimmed the last 15%, and I haven't skimmed books in years...RTC
April 25, 2021
If you’ve already binged Shadow and Bone and reread Six of Crows, look no further than WE ARE THE FIRE to quench your epic YA fantasy thirst. The novel follows Pran and Oksana, teens who were kidnapped as children to be “transformed” into fire-wielding soldiers in an army they never asked to be a part of. Just as they’ve mastered their fire magic, an opportunity arises for rebellion—but Pran and Oksana, who have always been inseparable—are divided on what form that rebellion should take, and what they’re willing to do to ensure the freedom of their fellow soldiers. This novel is PERFECTLY plotted, with each new scene touching a nerve for both Pran and Oksana that push them further on their separate journeys. The world-building is meticulous without feeling overwhelming; this story leads with the emotions of its characters, and the world around them adds texture and heart-pounding stakes. The themes are explored with a lot of empathy, asking questions without easy answers: How do we reconcile the two sides of ourselves, before and after trauma? Can we blame people for violence when it stems from having been abused themselves? How do we find a sense of belonging when alienated from home? Sam Taylor has written a heartfelt, exciting, propulsive, can’t-look-away fantasy with characters you’d die to protect. (And on another note, in a book revolving around fire magic, I am extremely impressed with how many ways Sam Taylor found to describe the fires without ever delving into cliche or repetition.)
Read
February 22, 2023It pains me to walk away from a book that I looked forward to reading. Even after taking a break from this for a couple days I DNF’ed it at 40%.
I guess my beef with it so far is the story’s failure to hold my attention. I feel like the world building is lacking something but I can’t put my finger on what that something is. The character diversity is practically nonexistent, which is a massive bummer because there’s so much potential there to explore more of these characters from different parts of this fantasy world. And none of them were all that interesting to me.
Pran and Oksana are both wonderful characters. I have nothing against friends-to-lovers and what these two go through is horribly tragic and I’m rooting for their happy ending. What put me off about them though is the fact their relationship is already established. Which usually doesn’t leave much room for development other than working to attain their freedom so they can be together without living under the Emperor’s thumb.
Overall, I wish I could’ve enjoyed this story more. I might come back to it again later and see if my opinion of it changes any.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I guess my beef with it so far is the story’s failure to hold my attention. I feel like the world building is lacking something but I can’t put my finger on what that something is. The character diversity is practically nonexistent, which is a massive bummer because there’s so much potential there to explore more of these characters from different parts of this fantasy world. And none of them were all that interesting to me.
Pran and Oksana are both wonderful characters. I have nothing against friends-to-lovers and what these two go through is horribly tragic and I’m rooting for their happy ending. What put me off about them though is the fact their relationship is already established. Which usually doesn’t leave much room for development other than working to attain their freedom so they can be together without living under the Emperor’s thumb.
Overall, I wish I could’ve enjoyed this story more. I might come back to it again later and see if my opinion of it changes any.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Read
October 4, 2021Pran and Oksana's tale is not one that I will easily forget. I was completely immersed in this dark world that was ultimately filled with hope that Sam Taylor created.
April 12, 2021
We Are the Fire is an electrifying debut to behold. Pran and Oksana are Tulliiobrets, humans transformed into demons who were taken from their family by the Emperor to protect their country. In a world where their freedom is taken away time and time again, Pran and Oksana cling to each other as they dream of a future where they can be free of the Emperor and the fire magic that runs through their veins. When their fellow Tulliis begin losing control of their powers and rising against their oppressors, Pran and Oksana become the leaders of a rebellion that could change everything for their people, but when they find their purposes at odds and suffer horrendous loss, Pran and Oksana risk endangering the very love that inspired them to dream of a better life. Will Pran and Oksana win freedom for the Tulliis? Or will rebellion rip them apart at the seams?
We Are the Fire was a really solid fantasy debut that stands out as unique because of its characters and its magic system. What I really liked about Pran and Oksana was that they start out as a committed couple and remain together throughout the novel, albeit their love tested in unimaginable ways. That isn't something you see often in both YA and Adult fantasies nowadays, so that was a refreshing change of pace. I also really liked how both of them had to grapple with the great responsibility of leading a rebellion and the morally grey decisions they must make. This book is paced pretty well. From the start, Taylor kicks off this story with explosive action that instantly gives the reader a clue of to the projectory of the entire novel and what is at stakes. The only thing I have to say that isn't as glowing is that I felt that the world building needed a little bit of fleshing out. There were things explained, but other elements of their world felt discordant from the rest of it, and I had a hard time picturing it. Also, the ending felt a bit abrupt. But We Are the Fire is a fantastic debut novel that should no be missed, filled to the brim with intrigue, sacrifice, and two characters who would go to the ends of the earth for their people and for each other.
We Are the Fire was a really solid fantasy debut that stands out as unique because of its characters and its magic system. What I really liked about Pran and Oksana was that they start out as a committed couple and remain together throughout the novel, albeit their love tested in unimaginable ways. That isn't something you see often in both YA and Adult fantasies nowadays, so that was a refreshing change of pace. I also really liked how both of them had to grapple with the great responsibility of leading a rebellion and the morally grey decisions they must make. This book is paced pretty well. From the start, Taylor kicks off this story with explosive action that instantly gives the reader a clue of to the projectory of the entire novel and what is at stakes. The only thing I have to say that isn't as glowing is that I felt that the world building needed a little bit of fleshing out. There were things explained, but other elements of their world felt discordant from the rest of it, and I had a hard time picturing it. Also, the ending felt a bit abrupt. But We Are the Fire is a fantastic debut novel that should no be missed, filled to the brim with intrigue, sacrifice, and two characters who would go to the ends of the earth for their people and for each other.
February 24, 2021
Press-ganged and forcibly magically-altered children form the basis of the Vesimaa Empire's army. Cruelly brutalized and trained to obedience as they grow up, the Tuliikobrets are a dangerous and volatile group of pyrokinetics, from the youngest ranks of Imps, through Goblins and Hellions, to the fearsome Nightmares.
Pran and Oksana have survived by leaning on each other and have risen through the ranks of the Tuliis, but as they try to fight their cruel commanders, their methods diverge and they come into conflict that could cost them everything.
This is an angst-filled trauma-fest with people being burned alive left and right, with even the survivors of this horrible system being broken people. It's a harrowing read, or it would be if I had developed any attachment to the two major characters. Ultimately they're just too broken, with all their choices being horrible even though it does end up with a HFN-type ending. It's all very similar to the Hunger Games, but not quite as deftly done here as with Katniss. There's even a Rue-like character in this one. (Ha! Not falling for that one again.)
It's a very cliche review trope that I just have to use here: if this is the sort of thing you like, then you'll like this one.
Pran and Oksana have survived by leaning on each other and have risen through the ranks of the Tuliis, but as they try to fight their cruel commanders, their methods diverge and they come into conflict that could cost them everything.
This is an angst-filled trauma-fest with people being burned alive left and right, with even the survivors of this horrible system being broken people. It's a harrowing read, or it would be if I had developed any attachment to the two major characters. Ultimately they're just too broken, with all their choices being horrible even though it does end up with a HFN-type ending. It's all very similar to the Hunger Games, but not quite as deftly done here as with Katniss. There's even a Rue-like character in this one. (Ha! Not falling for that one again.)
It's a very cliche review trope that I just have to use here: if this is the sort of thing you like, then you'll like this one.
February 19, 2021
We Are the Fire by Sam Taylor is perfect for all YA fantasy fans. The plot is well done, the world building intricate, the characters are compelling, and the writing lush and absorbing. The bond between Oksana and Pran is powerful and the stakes are high. I couldn't put it down because I had to know what happened next. I so enjoyed this debut and can't wait to read more stories by Taylor!
February 12, 2021
I do not have the words to explain how much I enjoyed this book.
We Are the Fire centers around Oksana and Pran, who were stolen from their families as children 7 years before. They were injected with dangerous serums that could kill, but if you survived you would awake with great power.
Sick of their lives being controlled by the very people that stole them from their homes, all of the stolen children band together to overthrow the commanders and the ruler. Relationships are tested and changed forever. Morals are questioned, just because someone shares your goal, doesn't mean they are an ally.
This book was incredibly well written. From the world building to the characters, this book felt real.I felt the anger and anguish that these characters went through.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing this eARC.
We Are the Fire centers around Oksana and Pran, who were stolen from their families as children 7 years before. They were injected with dangerous serums that could kill, but if you survived you would awake with great power.
Sick of their lives being controlled by the very people that stole them from their homes, all of the stolen children band together to overthrow the commanders and the ruler. Relationships are tested and changed forever. Morals are questioned, just because someone shares your goal, doesn't mean they are an ally.
This book was incredibly well written. From the world building to the characters, this book felt real.I felt the anger and anguish that these characters went through.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing this eARC.
April 15, 2021
TW:
child soldiers/kidnapped children, forced medical procedures, implied whipping, death by fire
3
Stolen from their families and taken from their villages at children, the Tuliikobrets are genetically modified soldiers who can wield fire. Pran and Oksana are Tuliikobrets who have helped each other survive, and who, after witnessing an inexplicable rage grip a younger troop and cause them to revolt, are promoted to a rank they never wanted, and watched even more closely. Pran is determined to form his own rebellion, even though Oksana warns him against it, and the two are lead into their own places of revolution and danger.
I was so excited for this book because I was promised children forced into becoming monsters. Monsters is, sadly, not what I got here.
This book is a l0t less dark than I expected. That isn't to say there isn't physical punishment of minors, and people being experimented on against their will. But let's just say, those cool horns on the cover aren't actually a part of their bodies.
This is more a "war makes you a monster" type of story, mixed with imprisonment and some messed up injections. It doesn't go far enough into fantasy or into darkness for me to be interested in either.
I also felt like the things we're meant to be invested in were worth getting invested in. For one thing- Pran's motivation behind basically everything in his life goes back to his older brother calling him weak. Seven years ago. Not to mention the fact that he only said anything like that to try to save Pran from being kidnapped and forced into this hellish life. But Pran just won't stop brining it up every two seconds. Honestly, had this been darker and turned into Pran's villain origin story I'd kind of buy it, but if all it does is make him make really dumb choices and have too much pride then it's just exhausting.
The romance is the other main thing I know I was supposed to care about and didn't. I will say, I like that Pran and Oksana had already been together for awhile before the story starts. There's no getting together story here, just people in an established relationship trying to deal with their lives and difference in opinion. However, that only gets you so far when the romance itself is weak and fairly uninteresting. Even their arguing felt uninteresting. Where's the tension? Where's the drama?
The biggest thing that made this story impossible for me to truly care about is that it's all about politics without making me care about the world. So instead it's a slow moving, dry war story mixed with some relationship troubles. It spends so much time talking about the war and political history in the first half I could barely pay attention.
There are a few other things I disliked, like Sepp's addition in the story feeling like a substitute friend, and the fact that Pran refers to him and his family twice as having "brown skin" and yet he's a pale emo boy on the cover, but those are smaller details.
Okay, so, what did I like?
I like the concept. Again, I came for genetically modified monster soldiers and though it didn't give m what I wanted, I do like the idea that this book stemmed from.
And though there isn't much darkness, there's enough gray morality involved to have kept me reading. I mean, had Pran not been quite to upset about his morally gray choices I probably would have liked them even better, but, still, gray is gray.
I like Oksana, as a concept. Though I don't really care about her in the context of this story, I think she has the makings of a really interesting character. She's a beginner chemist with a close family relationship, who is equal parts ready to throw down and make smoke bombs as she is to be a source of comfort for those who are in the position she was once in. Also, she transforms into a berserker by the end of this book, and that alone makes her awesome.
The only other character I like is the doctor, who is actually interesting enough for me to care about (though I can't remember his name because I think my brain sort of turned off at random points while reading this). Here is my chaotic morally-gray character! Does he suck, like, from a narrative perspective? Yes, obviously. But is he more interesting than a cardboard cut out? YES. I wish he had been one of the main characters instead.
I can see places where this story would have really worked for me, and there are choices I really liked, but this was definitely not a book I had a pleasant reading experiences with and wasn't one I managed to get invested in.
3
Stolen from their families and taken from their villages at children, the Tuliikobrets are genetically modified soldiers who can wield fire. Pran and Oksana are Tuliikobrets who have helped each other survive, and who, after witnessing an inexplicable rage grip a younger troop and cause them to revolt, are promoted to a rank they never wanted, and watched even more closely. Pran is determined to form his own rebellion, even though Oksana warns him against it, and the two are lead into their own places of revolution and danger.
I was so excited for this book because I was promised children forced into becoming monsters. Monsters is, sadly, not what I got here.
This book is a l0t less dark than I expected. That isn't to say there isn't physical punishment of minors, and people being experimented on against their will. But let's just say, those cool horns on the cover aren't actually a part of their bodies.
This is more a "war makes you a monster" type of story, mixed with imprisonment and some messed up injections. It doesn't go far enough into fantasy or into darkness for me to be interested in either.
I also felt like the things we're meant to be invested in were worth getting invested in. For one thing- Pran's motivation behind basically everything in his life goes back to his older brother calling him weak. Seven years ago. Not to mention the fact that he only said anything like that to try to save Pran from being kidnapped and forced into this hellish life. But Pran just won't stop brining it up every two seconds. Honestly, had this been darker and turned into Pran's villain origin story I'd kind of buy it, but if all it does is make him make really dumb choices and have too much pride then it's just exhausting.
The romance is the other main thing I know I was supposed to care about and didn't. I will say, I like that Pran and Oksana had already been together for awhile before the story starts. There's no getting together story here, just people in an established relationship trying to deal with their lives and difference in opinion. However, that only gets you so far when the romance itself is weak and fairly uninteresting. Even their arguing felt uninteresting. Where's the tension? Where's the drama?
The biggest thing that made this story impossible for me to truly care about is that it's all about politics without making me care about the world. So instead it's a slow moving, dry war story mixed with some relationship troubles. It spends so much time talking about the war and political history in the first half I could barely pay attention.
There are a few other things I disliked, like Sepp's addition in the story feeling like a substitute friend, and the fact that Pran refers to him and his family twice as having "brown skin" and yet he's a pale emo boy on the cover, but those are smaller details.
Okay, so, what did I like?
I like the concept. Again, I came for genetically modified monster soldiers and though it didn't give m what I wanted, I do like the idea that this book stemmed from.
And though there isn't much darkness, there's enough gray morality involved to have kept me reading. I mean, had Pran not been quite to upset about his morally gray choices I probably would have liked them even better, but, still, gray is gray.
I like Oksana, as a concept. Though I don't really care about her in the context of this story, I think she has the makings of a really interesting character. She's a beginner chemist with a close family relationship, who is equal parts ready to throw down and make smoke bombs as she is to be a source of comfort for those who are in the position she was once in. Also, she transforms into a berserker by the end of this book, and that alone makes her awesome.
The only other character I like is the doctor, who is actually interesting enough for me to care about (though I can't remember his name because I think my brain sort of turned off at random points while reading this). Here is my chaotic morally-gray character! Does he suck, like, from a narrative perspective? Yes, obviously. But is he more interesting than a cardboard cut out? YES. I wish he had been one of the main characters instead.
I can see places where this story would have really worked for me, and there are choices I really liked, but this was definitely not a book I had a pleasant reading experiences with and wasn't one I managed to get invested in.
December 5, 2020
This book was such a fast-paced, fiery adventure! I loved the characters and how they grappled with their trials in different ways. The magic was really cool—it felt almost scientific in a way, which was really different from other fantasy YA books. I could totally see this as a movie—all of the epic fire battles would be incredible on screen. Highly recommend!
June 25, 2021
We Are The Fire by Sam Taylor takes an interesting twist on the fantasy genre but fails to really hit its highest potential. For someone looking for a lovers fantasy romance that revolves around rebellion against oppressive overlords, this book is for you. If you’re looking for something shocks you with twists and turns and interesting politics and plots, you may be disappointed.
As many reviewers have commented, the pacing is really slow in the first half and ultimately suffers by internal dialogue that feels incredible repetitive over the course of the story, especially from Oksana’s perspective. The story does pick up in the second half, but otherwise still feels slow and suffers from a lack of urgency until the very end, which in many ways also feels a little slow.
Beyond the pacing, I felt it really didn’t hit its potential. They establish pretty early on how oppressed these fire mages are by their commanders, having been forced into service at a young age. This was done to make them a villain, sure, but anyone who knows anything about war and armies knows that morale is a stronger incentive than fear. This reminds me greatly of The Master Chief from the halo series, given that he too was abducted as a child and inducted into an army and physically altered to be a super soldier. The army wasn’t right to do it, but the similarities are definitely there and I feel that Halo did a better job ultimately, even though I understand that the villain was more internal than external.
When it comes to the fire mage army, it’s maddening at times as it feels that there was no considerable thought put into this army and how it operates. This results in a villain that is horrible for the sake of being horrible so they could be defeated. Beyond that, the characters have problems with killing…and yet they’re soldiers. Soldiers being taught by evil commanders. You don’t think that, I don’t know, they’d introduce these soldiers to the idea of killing early on? Also what are they doing all this time? Training? They talk about how previous generations brought greatness to their empire, but this generation is just…training and being mean to their greatest soldiers? I just don’t see how it makes sense in any functional way.
Also, when Pran is being interrogated, he literally tells the Commanders to check the Alchemist’s book, which is on his person while he is standing in front of the commanders. You’re asking Pran for info on the rebels, and he gives it to you, and YOU DO NOT CHECK IF ITS TRUE?!? I mean come on, I get that narratively the author was trying to get Oksana’s friend to take the fall, but this moment just screamed incompetence on the part of the army and makes me wonder how anyone could think these ‘Commanders’ are in any way fit to lead. Just came off as lazy.
There is a point in the story where the commanders are being offered council member seats, which to me meant that Pran was going to play the Commanders off one another, making them suspect that each other is the rebel and allowing them to take each other down while Pran secretly pulls the strings from the shadows. Sadly, what we ended up getting was a rebellion that was so obvious the Commanders would have been blind not to notice. But given they didn’t even check the Alchemist’s notebook, I suppose that tracks. The problem with this is that it felt like the big moments had no twists and turns, sure there were some troubles, but everything ultimately worked out in the end. The author played it safe with the characters and events, never really letting things get too out of hand for either of them. The result is a decent book that plods along toward an inevitable conclusion, leaving a reader like me wishing for something more.
As many reviewers have commented, the pacing is really slow in the first half and ultimately suffers by internal dialogue that feels incredible repetitive over the course of the story, especially from Oksana’s perspective. The story does pick up in the second half, but otherwise still feels slow and suffers from a lack of urgency until the very end, which in many ways also feels a little slow.
Beyond the pacing, I felt it really didn’t hit its potential. They establish pretty early on how oppressed these fire mages are by their commanders, having been forced into service at a young age. This was done to make them a villain, sure, but anyone who knows anything about war and armies knows that morale is a stronger incentive than fear. This reminds me greatly of The Master Chief from the halo series, given that he too was abducted as a child and inducted into an army and physically altered to be a super soldier. The army wasn’t right to do it, but the similarities are definitely there and I feel that Halo did a better job ultimately, even though I understand that the villain was more internal than external.
When it comes to the fire mage army, it’s maddening at times as it feels that there was no considerable thought put into this army and how it operates. This results in a villain that is horrible for the sake of being horrible so they could be defeated. Beyond that, the characters have problems with killing…and yet they’re soldiers. Soldiers being taught by evil commanders. You don’t think that, I don’t know, they’d introduce these soldiers to the idea of killing early on? Also what are they doing all this time? Training? They talk about how previous generations brought greatness to their empire, but this generation is just…training and being mean to their greatest soldiers? I just don’t see how it makes sense in any functional way.
Also, when Pran is being interrogated, he literally tells the Commanders to check the Alchemist’s book, which is on his person while he is standing in front of the commanders. You’re asking Pran for info on the rebels, and he gives it to you, and YOU DO NOT CHECK IF ITS TRUE?!? I mean come on, I get that narratively the author was trying to get Oksana’s friend to take the fall, but this moment just screamed incompetence on the part of the army and makes me wonder how anyone could think these ‘Commanders’ are in any way fit to lead. Just came off as lazy.
There is a point in the story where the commanders are being offered council member seats, which to me meant that Pran was going to play the Commanders off one another, making them suspect that each other is the rebel and allowing them to take each other down while Pran secretly pulls the strings from the shadows. Sadly, what we ended up getting was a rebellion that was so obvious the Commanders would have been blind not to notice. But given they didn’t even check the Alchemist’s notebook, I suppose that tracks. The problem with this is that it felt like the big moments had no twists and turns, sure there were some troubles, but everything ultimately worked out in the end. The author played it safe with the characters and events, never really letting things get too out of hand for either of them. The result is a decent book that plods along toward an inevitable conclusion, leaving a reader like me wishing for something more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2020
In a world where children are ripped away from their families and are "changed"- a painful alchemical experience that gives these kids the power to wield fire elemental magic- two people fight for a better future: our MCs Oksana and Pran.
The children who are taken are brutally trained and punished if they don’t wield their fire powers correctly. In addition, their uniforms involve antlers (yes, ANTLERS!) and eye drops that turn their eyes black (basically turns them into monsters!)
Our two protagonists Pran and Oksana, have been ripped away from their families as children and desire more than anything to be free.
Pran is ambitious, brave, and fiercely loyal to those he loves. He does not let his bad leg bring him down and swears he will bring freedom to all the ones who are trapped at the training camps. Slowly but surely, he assembles a team and makes a plan to bring revolution and freedom. But at what cost?
Oksana is our silent fighter. She wants more than anything for her friends to be safe- especially Pran. Oksana is loyal, caring, empathetic, gentle and fierce. With a rising rebellion, Oksana must decide- fight for her freedom or fight to keep her loved ones alive?
Thus, circumstances lead Pran and Oksana on different sides, Will they choose each other or fight for their different agendas?
Filled with complex world building , political uprising, rebellion, secret kisses, a dual POV, hope, a unique elemental/alchemical magic system, We Are the Fire is perfect for fantasy lovers looking for some HEAT.
3.5/5 stars from me
*Thank you Netgalley for sending me an earc in exchange for an honest review*
The children who are taken are brutally trained and punished if they don’t wield their fire powers correctly. In addition, their uniforms involve antlers (yes, ANTLERS!) and eye drops that turn their eyes black (basically turns them into monsters!)
Our two protagonists Pran and Oksana, have been ripped away from their families as children and desire more than anything to be free.
Pran is ambitious, brave, and fiercely loyal to those he loves. He does not let his bad leg bring him down and swears he will bring freedom to all the ones who are trapped at the training camps. Slowly but surely, he assembles a team and makes a plan to bring revolution and freedom. But at what cost?
Oksana is our silent fighter. She wants more than anything for her friends to be safe- especially Pran. Oksana is loyal, caring, empathetic, gentle and fierce. With a rising rebellion, Oksana must decide- fight for her freedom or fight to keep her loved ones alive?
Thus, circumstances lead Pran and Oksana on different sides, Will they choose each other or fight for their different agendas?
Filled with complex world building , political uprising, rebellion, secret kisses, a dual POV, hope, a unique elemental/alchemical magic system, We Are the Fire is perfect for fantasy lovers looking for some HEAT.
3.5/5 stars from me
*Thank you Netgalley for sending me an earc in exchange for an honest review*
February 18, 2021
I was provided with an ARC from Fierce Reads to review!
I’d be lying if I said the epilogue didn’t make me tear up. That’s when you know it was a good read for me!
We are the Fire by Sam Taylor had such a unique kind of fantasy twist to it, that I just couldn’t seem to put it down. Following Oksana and Pran, just two of many children stolen from their families, they were forced at a young age to be chemically mutated to be part of a fire wielding elite army for the sovereign of their lands. For years, they looked after each other until they discovered an even more sinister plan that would be happening to their kind. Now, they plan for rebellion but what happens when their ideas and morals are on different levels?
This has been one of the most fast paced fantasy reads I’ve read in a long while. The entire book felt like it just kept moving on for me and never once did it drag and the best part? These characters truly felt like flesh and bone. They suffer so many dilemmas, heartaches and most definitely mistakes but all of that is what made them feel REAL.
The ending also left me satisfied, especially after that epilogue (which I’m still tearing up thinking about lol).
Perfect for fans of flushed out characters, who refuse to give up but are definitely flawed. We are the Fire is action packed and full of nasty characters, fierce characters, loving and loyal characters and everything in between.
I’d be lying if I said the epilogue didn’t make me tear up. That’s when you know it was a good read for me!
We are the Fire by Sam Taylor had such a unique kind of fantasy twist to it, that I just couldn’t seem to put it down. Following Oksana and Pran, just two of many children stolen from their families, they were forced at a young age to be chemically mutated to be part of a fire wielding elite army for the sovereign of their lands. For years, they looked after each other until they discovered an even more sinister plan that would be happening to their kind. Now, they plan for rebellion but what happens when their ideas and morals are on different levels?
This has been one of the most fast paced fantasy reads I’ve read in a long while. The entire book felt like it just kept moving on for me and never once did it drag and the best part? These characters truly felt like flesh and bone. They suffer so many dilemmas, heartaches and most definitely mistakes but all of that is what made them feel REAL.
The ending also left me satisfied, especially after that epilogue (which I’m still tearing up thinking about lol).
Perfect for fans of flushed out characters, who refuse to give up but are definitely flawed. We are the Fire is action packed and full of nasty characters, fierce characters, loving and loyal characters and everything in between.
August 10, 2020
A riveting fantasy that had me spellbound.
When they were children, Oksana and Pran were stolen from their homes and countries and turned into demons. Fire-wielding Tuliikobrets for Emperor Juhan. Pran will do anything to get their freedom from the fort. Oksana is determined to help her friends, especially Pran get the medicine he needs for his bad leg (from all the transformations and experimenting). They both choose dangerous paths that might tear them apart before the emperor does. Both are trying to hold onto their humanity—but it may be too late.
Told in dual POV, both Oksana and Pran are well-rounded characters with plenty of flaws and morally gray decisions. Their world is unique. Fantasy and science are mixed together in this stand-alone book over a simmering flame: Ready to explode.
When they were children, Oksana and Pran were stolen from their homes and countries and turned into demons. Fire-wielding Tuliikobrets for Emperor Juhan. Pran will do anything to get their freedom from the fort. Oksana is determined to help her friends, especially Pran get the medicine he needs for his bad leg (from all the transformations and experimenting). They both choose dangerous paths that might tear them apart before the emperor does. Both are trying to hold onto their humanity—but it may be too late.
Told in dual POV, both Oksana and Pran are well-rounded characters with plenty of flaws and morally gray decisions. Their world is unique. Fantasy and science are mixed together in this stand-alone book over a simmering flame: Ready to explode.
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