Book Review: Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons
I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, courtesy of Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
Book Summary
Ash is descended from a long line of gladiators, and she knows the brutal nature of war firsthand. But after her mother dies in an arena, she vows to avenge her by overthrowing her fire god, whose temper has stripped her country of its resources.
Madoc grew up fighting on the streets to pay his family's taxes. But he hides a dangerous secret: he doesn't have the earth god’s powers like his opponents. His elemental gift is something else—something that hasn't been seen in centuries.
When an attempted revenge plot goes dangerously wrong, Ash inadvertently throws the fire and earth gods into a conflict that can only be settled by deadly, lavish gladiator games. The fights put Madoc in Ash's path, and she realizes that his powers are the weapon her rebellion needs—but Madoc won’t jeopardize his family, regardless of how intrigued he is by the beautiful warrior.
But when the gods force Madoc’s hand, he and Ash uncover an ancient war that will threaten more than one immortal—it will unravel the world.
Book Details
Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons
Set Fire to the Gods #1
Publishes August 4th 2020 by Balzer + Bray
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
Hardcover, 432 pages
My Rating: 3 Stars
Review
SET FIRE TO THE GODS is the first installment in a new YA fantasy duology featuring elemental gladiators, fierce arena battles, and warring gods set in an inspired Greco-Roman world.
Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Gladiator is how the book is described and it has elements of both.
This is a world ruled by mercurial gods who choose elemental-wielding warriors to represent them in lavish, yet deadly, gladiator games.
Ash and Madoc find themselves in the arena on opposite sides, yet when an attempted revenge plot goes dangerously wrong, they join together and uncover an ancient war of the gods that could set the mortal world on fire.
Where this story shines is the epic battles scenes and the god's interaction with their chosen gladiators.
Each god represents an elemental power and readers will find this high-stakes adventure exciting. The plot is very slow-burn though, and I struggled because of this through the first 40 percent of the book.
Despite the intriguing concept of warring gods and elemental battling gladiators, I had trouble connecting emotionally with the characters.
The story is told from both Ash and Madoc’s perspectives and, although I did enjoy their interactions together and even the hint of their romance, but they felt somewhat lackluster.
Overall, an entertaining series opener filled with action and danger. I am curious enough to continue with the next book to find out what happens and hope for more world-building and deeper emotional development.
