9780062907943
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We Set the Dark on Fire audiobook

  • By: Tehlor Kay Mejia
  • Narrator: Kyla Garcia
  • Length: 9 hours 54 minutes
  • Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
  • Publish date: February 26, 2019
  • Language: English
  • (13370 ratings)
(13370 ratings)
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We Set the Dark on Fire Audiobook Summary

We Set the Dark on Fire burns bright. It will light the way for a new generation of rebels and lovers.” –NPR

“Mejia pens a compelling, gripping story that mirrors real world issues of immigration and equality.” –Buzzfeed

Five starred reviews!!

In this daring and romantic fantasy debut perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and Latinx authors Zoraida Cordova and Anna-Marie McLemore, society wife-in-training Dani has a great awakening after being recruited by rebel spies and falling for her biggest rival.

At the Medio School for Girls, distinguished young women are trained for one of two roles in their polarized society. Depending on her specialization, a graduate will one day run a husband’s household or raise his children. Both paths promise a life of comfort and luxury, far from the frequent political uprisings of the lower class.

Daniela Vargas is the school’s top student, but her pedigree is a lie. She must keep the truth hidden or be sent back to the fringes of society.

And school couldn’t prepare her for the difficult choices she must make after graduation, especially when she is asked to spy for a resistance group desperately fighting to bring equality to Medio.

Will Dani cling to the privilege her parents fought to win for her, or will she give up everything she’s strived for in pursuit of a free Medio–and a chance at a forbidden love?

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We Set the Dark on Fire Audiobook Narrator

Kyla Garcia is the narrator of We Set the Dark on Fire audiobook that was written by Tehlor Kay Mejia

TEHLOR KAY MEJIA is a bestselling and award winning author of young adult and middle grade fiction.

Her debut young adult novel, We Set the Dark on Fire, received six starred reviews, as well as the Oregon Spirit Book Award for debut fiction, and the Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award runner up honor for debut speculative fiction. It has been featured on Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and O by Oprah Magazine’s best books lists, and was a 2019 book of the year selection by Kirkus and School Library Journal. Its sequel, We Unleash the Merciless Storm, followed to continuing acclaim, while Miss Meteor (co-written with National Book Award Nominee Anna-Marie McLemore) was named to the American Library Association’s 2021 Rainbow List, honoring outstanding contributions in LGBTQIA teen fiction.

Tehlor’s debut middle grade novel, Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, was published by the Rick Riordan Presents imprint at Disney/Hyperion. It received four starred reviews, and was named Amazon’s best book of 2020 in the 9-12 age range. It is currently in development at Disney as a television series to be produced by Eva Longoria.

 

Tehlor lives with her daughter, partner, and two small dogs in Oregon, where she grows heirloom corn and continues her quest to perfect the vegan tamale.

About the Author(s) of We Set the Dark on Fire

Tehlor Kay Mejia is the author of We Set the Dark on Fire

We Set the Dark on Fire Full Details

Narrator Kyla Garcia
Length 9 hours 54 minutes
Author Tehlor Kay Mejia
Publisher Katherine Tegen Books
Release date February 26, 2019
ISBN 9780062907943

Additional info

The publisher of the We Set the Dark on Fire is Katherine Tegen Books. The imprint is Katherine Tegen Books. It is supplied by Katherine Tegen Books. The ISBN-13 is 9780062907943.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Elle

June 09, 2021

Who is attacking, and who is dying? 4 1/2 stars. We Set the Dark on Fire follows Dani, a girl being trained in the art of being a wife. In the inside of the wall, men each have two wives: Primeras run the house, while Segundas are the childbearers. On the outside, people live in poverty. Dani is an interloper, and when a resistance fighter threatens her with this information, she’s forced to use her primera status to spy. All the while, though, she is falling for her home’s segunda, her school enemy Carmen. The novel serves as a fascinating exploration of immigration politics: despite the desperation of those outside the walls to break through, those on the inside see them as beggars, beneath them in some cosmic framework. It’s hard not to draw parallels with America in this era. The novel doesn’t want you not to. The dynamics of classism, racism, sexism, and homophobia are all carefully examined, then carefully subverted. The scene where Mateo harasses Dani is specifically resonant. Men in power can always abuse that power. No matter the intent behind this society, no matter the goals, those in power may always abuse it. The arc between Dani and Carmen is the heart of this book, and it is WONDERFUL For the first 30% of the book or so, the tension between Dani and Carmen almost reads as subtext; there are moments where Dani’s relationship with La Vos member Sota feels as if in any other ya novel, it would be the main pairing. (Meanwhile, Dani is experiencing gay jealousy towards Carmen.) But this relationship build… floored me. The trope of falling for an ex-friend you had a falling out with is an excellent way to build character development, and here is no exception. The tension between them is so vivid and excellent. Dani has to learn to not be alone, to trust Carmen; Carmen has to learn to do the same. Through the ensuing story, they serve as excellent narrative foils to each other. I’ve seen some really excellent discussion of the pervasiveness of the trope of forced marriage, or forced heteronormativity within a society, in f/f romances. This trope is definitely notable and one worth considering when reviewing what f/f gets published. However, on a personal level, I think this book does a good job of expressing and unpacking homophobia, while also focusing on Dani and Carmen as a couple. Dani’s character growth also really worked for me. Dani is at times somewhat of a passive heroine, but she never feels like one: seeing her grow from her passivity, in fact, is at the heart of the story. Also, THE ENDING. When I say I was on the verge of wailing in real life… am I ashamed? Yes. Am I being honest? Also yes. How did you all wait a year? I checked out the sequel and started it twenty minutes after finishing this. I think this is the most upset I’ve been by a book ending all year. The only complaint I had about this novel was an occasional reliance on telling-not-showing, and some overly flowery writing. I… am really really sad to say that in the sequel which I started twenty minutes after finishing this, this seems to have worsened significantly, if only because there was less about the book that I actually liked. I was really disappointed by book two, personally. I have no idea if that’s a popular opinion but I’m putting it out there. But I still do adore this book, and would read it again. We Set the Dark on Fire is a great story and a fantastically compelling romance. Blog | Youtube | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | About |

Madalyn (Novel Ink)

February 23, 2019

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.After following Tehlor Kay Mejia on social media for years and hearing some early buzz about her debut, I was highly anticipating this one. And, friends, let me tell you: it did not disappoint!We Set the Dark on Fire is set in a world that feels uncomfortably close to our own. Medio is a world in which women are expected to conform to prescribed subservient roles, one where a whole nation of people is viewed as “illegal” and is constantly demonized by the oppressive government. I hesitate to use “dystopian” as a descriptor nowadays, because it holds so many seemingly negative connotations to a lot of readers. However, We Set the Dark on Fire is a dystopian novel in the vein of The Handmaid’s Tale and Red Clocks, as opposed to Divergent or The Hunger Games. The entire book feels like very pointed political commentary, and the subject matter was incredibly timely. Like, there’s literally a wall built by the Median government to keep out the “border-crossing illegals” who they blame for all of the country’s problems. Sound familiar?Anyway, we follow Dani, who has just graduated from the esteemed Medio School for Girls, which prepares young women for one of two roles: Primera or Segunda. Basically, every rich, influential dude in Medio has two wives, a Primera and a Segunda, who are trained in different arenas of womanly duties *vomit noises*. At the beginning of We Set the Dark on Fire, Dani graduates at the top of her Primera class and is sold to the wealthiest, most influential family in the country… alongside her nemesis, Carmen, who is to be Mateo’s Segunda.I was enthralled by the world of Medio from the first page. Mejia describes it so vividly, from the food, to the clothing, to the social customs. It’s heavily influenced by Mexican culture, which I loved. As such, almost every character in this book is Latinx, which I also loved. I mean, obviously, it has some flaws (see all of the misogynistic, heteronormative, classist, and xenophobic rhetoric spouted by the country’s elite), but it was fascinating to read about. The chapter headings are excerpts from the Medio School for Girls’ handbook, which I thought was a really clever way to acclimate readers to some of the more nuanced social expectations in Medio. The whole concept of Primeras and Segundas was both fascinating and horrifying. It was such a structured system of oppression, but one that hid behind the facade of valuing women’s vast talents and skills– AKA, the most insidious kind of oppression.Dani herself was a really fun character to follow. She has a huge secret that I constantly feared was going to be discovered and, consequently, ruin her life. Throughout the book, she gets more and more involved with La Voz, the resistance movement in Medio, and I loved seeing her desire to stand up for what’s right eventually eclipse her fear. I love that the resistance was painted as imperfect, but trying. Like I’ve mentioned, everything about Medio and its politics felt uncomfortably close to home.Okay, let’s get to my absolute favorite part of We Set the Dark on Fire: THE. ROMANCE. In such a bleak story, the romance was what gave me hope and made me want to keep reading. It’s one of my favorite f/f romances I’ve read recently. It felt a little instalove-y at first, but I grew to really love and understand the quick bond between Carmen and Dani. There’s something so vindicating about seeing two queer, Latinx ladies basically burn the entire system down. Also, I need their husband to die a painful death in the next book. What a jerk.Overall, We Set the Dark on Fire kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read it. It was missing that special *something* to bump my rating up to a full five stars, but rest assured that it did not disappoint in the slightest. This was a very strong series opener, and I am anxiously awaiting book two in this duology! If you need more queer Latinx rep, as well as some excellent social commentary, in your life, you have to pick this one up.

Iris

June 21, 2019

HI I AM NOT OKAY WHY DID NO ONE WARN ME HOW MUCH THIS WOULD HURT. THE ENDING DESTROYED ME. NEED. SEQUEL. NOW. THIS BOOK WAS SO PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL AND I LOVED IT SO SO SO MUCH. (AND I *MAY* HAVE STAYED UP TIL 3 AM READING IT AND I HAVE NO REGRETS). Dislikes ... nothing. Literally nothing. The fact that it ended. The fact that I have to wait 8 months to read the sequel. Nothing. THINGS THAT WERE PERFECT AND WONDERFUL AND I LOVED - Tehlor Kay Mejia's writing is legit the prettiest thing. Like holy fuck I love her writing so much ahhhhh. It is STUNNING. I've read a few short stories by her, so Iknew this already, but reading a 20 page short story vs reading an entire book... wow. I can't get over how gorgeous her writing is. - The world building was so amazing. It was so richly developed, and she somehow managed to give enough details for me to feel like I'd lived there my whole life, like Dani had, without info-dumping, and that was hella impressive. And the world building coupled with her gorgeous writing? I forgot the real world existed. - The freaking gorgeous cover - DANI. This girl was such a nuanced character and I LOVED HER SO MUCH. She had so much internal struggle and she didn't know who to trust but she always tried to stay string, until it was all too much.

Scarllet ✦ iamlitandwit

March 26, 2019

If we’re not all free, none of us are free.I'm looking forward to writing down my thoughts on the amazingness that is WSTDOF, but for now let me just say that. Ending. was. WILD. I seriously cannot wait for the next book and read what becomes of Dani, Carmen, Sota, & Alex...

kaz.brekkers.future.wife

August 26, 2022

FOUR STARSslay. SLAYYYYY!!!!Review to come

- ̗̀ DANY ̖́-

February 14, 2019

. : ☾⋆ — 5 ★ READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!https://bit.ly/2SxlsQYARC provided from the publisher via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review (thank you Katherine Tegen Books and HarperCollins!!)OOF, if it isn’t one of the most exciting, original, well written and gorgeously set up books I’ve read. it’s a YA The Handmaid’s Tale AND ALSO The Handmaiden all at once: a dark, forbidden sapphic romance with intensely vivd world building?? count me in!! and as if that wasn’t enough to pique your interest—it ALSO introduces a cast entirely made up of latinx characters!! (and I gotta say, I get it now. it’s pretty exciting to find a book that features a character with the same name as you!! I’ve never come across another Daniela, even if her nickname is Dani with an “i” and not Dany with a “y”, it’s still Daniela and it’s still something that caught me by surprise and immediately warmed me up to the book). aside from the main character and I having the same name, though—We Set the Dark on Fire is absolutely captivating in its own right and deserves every piece of buzz you’ve heard about it. it’s beautifully written and gorgeously built. I read it in almost a single sitting and the entire time I was absolutely immersed in every single word. every character and chapter felt unique to anything I’ve ever read before, and the relationship between Dani and Carmen CONSUMED every single one of my thoughts for hours after I’d finished reading. everything about this book was beautiful, and the fact that it’s ALSO Tehlor Kay Mejia’s debut just makes it even better. We Set the Dark on Fire is truly a triumph!!I don’t want to go into a lot of detail because I’m afraid if I get myself going I will literally never stop talking about this book. all I want to say is that this isn’t a book that you should allow to pass by, and I know it’s only February but I’m willing to bet it’s one of the best books I’ll read this year. I’m still reeling from it, to be honest. thanks again to Edelweiss+, Katherine Tegen Books and HarperCollins for providing a free copy!!

Laura

March 03, 2019

uhhh this was SO SO GOOD? I expected it to be really good because so many people I trust have been raving about this book, but it still managed to exceed my expectations. Wow.

Kristi Housman

January 26, 2019

This book made me feel a lot.  Mostly anger.  But not at the book.  Just at some of the similarities to what we're seeing in the world right now.  Dani came illegally over the wall into the legal side of her country.  She still grew up close to the border which is very poor.  Her parents got her papers illegally and did everything they could to get her into the Medio School For Girls.  In this school, the girls are prepared to be married off to prominent boys.  Dani is the top in her class.  She doesn't want to be married, but she goes through it for her parents.  Each boy marries two girls.  One girl is supposed to help her husband with his business and be his partner.  The other is to make the house pretty and to give him babies.  Dani is chosen for Mateo, a boy who may become president.   The girl chosen with her is Carmen, a girl Dani tried to be friends with, but who bullied her through school.There is a resistance group, La Voz, that is trying to help the poor.  They don't like the government and want to find a way to overthrow it.  They have spies everywhere and they blackmail Dani into helping them.  They knew her papers were forged and she was about to be found out by a new detection system.  A boy showed up her last day of school with new papers for her.  But they came with a price.  He shows up at her new home and starts giving her tasks.  The more Dani does, the more she realizes that she sides more with La Voz than her new husband.  Dani risks everything to continue helping them.  Partly out of blackmail, but also because of her own feelings.Dani quickly realizes that her training from school won't help her with Mateo.  He doesn't want an equal.  He wants wives who listen, do what they're told, and obey him.  I hated Mateo.  Usually I can find a positive in a bad character, but there was nothing with him.  I swear my blood pressure went up when I read the parts he was included in."I'll thank you to watch your tone," he said, his own face flushing now though his tone had gone colder still.  "No one likes a mouthy woman."As I mentioned in the beginning, I found many similarities to what we're seeing in the US right now.  It's not to the point of killing, but the way people past the southern border are being treated.  The talk of a wall.  Of how they are somehow lesser people because of where they were born.  Again, blood pressure went up a lot while reading.  I like books that make me feel something and this one definitely did."Who do you think is responsible for the militarization of the border?"  he asked.  "For the shoot-on-sight policy regarding border crossings?"There is a lot of action, betrayal, and some f/f romance in this book.  It's very political.  And the ending had a big twist with a cliffhanger.  Warnings for misogyny, prejudice against the poor and people from across the border,  kidnapping/abduction, and attacks/killing.  I gave this book 4  1/2 stars rounded up to 5 on Goodreads.  Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for my copy for review.  Quotes taken from an arc and may change before final publication.  I cannot wait for book two!

Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany)

May 25, 2019

We Set the Dark on Fire is a lush, Latinx inspired, queer dystopian novel about political revolution, toxic masculinity, and the way we create unnecessary divisions among women. It has fantastic world-building with with a well-constructed mythology, a very intriguing plot, and epigrams at the start of each chapter, which I love as a literary device! In this world, wealthy men take two wives to fulfill different roles in the family. The Primera is smart and logical, intended to be an intellectual equal and partner for the man. The Segunda is more emotional, physically attractive, and is the one who bears the children. Students at the Medio School for Girls are trained to become either a Primera or a Segunda to be purchased with a large dowry by powerful and wealthy families. Daniella is the best Primera in her class, but she has a dangerous secret. She is an illegal immigrant and if her papers are discovered, it will destroy her life and that of her parents. Just before her marriage into one of the most powerful families on the island, she is blackmailed by a revolutionary group into becoming a spy. Oh, and she just might be developing forbidden feelings for her Segunda...Honestly, I think if this had been written for an adult audience, it might have been a contender for a top book of the year for me. As it is, I still really recommend it and think it is an impressive debut. What kept it from being a favorite for me was some annoyance with the main character. Despite being described as logical and having training in critical evaluation and controlling her emotions, she makes SO MANY emotionally driven decisions! I think this probably makes sense given her age, and I probably would have been less bothered by it if we weren't constantly reminded of how she is supposed to be logical, but as it is that brought down my enjoyment of the book somewhat. I do understand that part of this was intended to undercut the idea that emotions and logic can't coexist, but I really felt it was overplayed.That said, I loved pretty much everything else about this book! The world and the mythology were amazing and I loved how seamlessly Latinx culture was woven in. We also get really smart explorations of power, corruption, and violent resistance. This is #ownvoices for the queer representation and Daniella discovering her sexuality was sweet. I also loved the way the f/f romance was handled in terms of clear consent and a slow physical progression being okay. This book doesn't go beyond making out, but boundaries are clearly discussed in a really healthy way. Meanwhile, her husband is the picture of toxic masculinity, privilege, and entitlement. He was awful and sometimes terrifying.I wasn't terribly surprised by the ending, but I am curious to see what happens next. There are some content warnings for political violence, physical intimidation and unspoken threat of sexual violence.

Samm | Sassenach the

June 19, 2019

Ow! My heart! That ending and that f/f romance was so damn good and hit me in the damn feels.I am 100% sure that I have 0 clue what is actually happening in the revolution rebellion. I just know there is one and that Matthieu is garbage. He is the only person I know how I feel about. Everyone else had me flip flopping chapter to chapter. The concept/world structure itself is pretty sexist but it breaks down the women hating women plus the two main females aren't pushovers. They're quite developed, doing a lot of stuff behind their husbands back to undercut everything he does and is trying to do.Also, betrayal for days! FOR DAYS I TELL YOU!

•°• gabs •°•

August 10, 2019

3.5 stars i guess??the beginning was very underwhelming, and then it picked up and i loved carmen and dani's chemistry and then i was SHOOK because they cOmMunICateD and although dani had trust issues and was a lone wolf, she didn't push carmen away like it happens in most books, but instead confided in her and decided to work through her insecurities but then the ending happened and i'm not a big fan so sIGH guess we'll see about the sequel 👀

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