Review Detail

I was so excited for this book. After reading Sara Raasch’s other books and falling in love with her writing, I couldn’t wait to dive in. This book was enjoyable but it didn’t become so until it was almost over. The beginning was definitely necessary to set up the world and understand how the tournaments work but it was just so slow. It wasn’t until the last third of the book when it picked up. I really enjoyed the background of the world though but I wish the tension between the Gods were more dived into. While the focus on Ash and Madoc were important, I felt like there was just so much that was missed. The division wasn’t introduced until the end but there was so many other things happening that it didn’t really get the focus it needed. At that, the end just felt rushed. With a slow beginning and then everything happening all at once in the end, it just didn’t feel cohesive with the story. I really enjoyed the ending and it does make me want to continue to the next book, I just wish that energy was throughout the whole book instead of the ending.

The characters were okay. It took me way too long to actually really like them but I do like them. I definitely was rooting for them in their own way. I really enjoyed their progression and how everything ended up was interesting. But they felt almost flat? I’m so used to snarky and funny moments in Sara’s old book and that’s what makes me fall in love with her characters. I know this is a different book and with another author, styles changed but it was really missing from this book. Even though it was a more serious toned story, the characters just didn’t have that flair I’ve come to expect from Sara’s character. I hope that the next book gives us a little more.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch and Kristen Simmons was a decent book. I was expecting something a little more epic than what was delivered. The plot and the world were interesting but the beginning and middle seemed to drag a little too long. It was the ending that really saved the book and made me want to continue. Ash and Madoc were good characters as well but didn’t have that spark that I came to expect from Sara’s book. While I did enjoy it overall and do recommend the book, I wouldn’t rush to make it a priority.