Book Review: For a Muse of Fire

For a Muse of Fire (For a Muse of Fire #1)

By: Heidi Heilig

Published By: Greenwillow Books

Publication Date: September 25, 2018

Page Count: 512

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher via Edelweiss

Young Adult - Fantasy

I was initially attracted to this novel because of its connections to Asian cultures and French colonialism. This was my first experience with Heilig's writing and I was blown away by her talent with world building. The main character, Jetta, works in shadow puppets that are created with blood and the souls of the dead. This entire concept felt new and intriguing to me. As I kept reading and the format of the story changed, I knew that this was a complex narrative structure that stood apart from other YA novels.

Jetta's form of shadow puppetry is different from the others in the land due to its connection to blood. This has to be kept a secret and adds a layer of suspense as the family must also navigate a tricky political current as revolution is brewing. 

For me, this novel was a slow burn as it took a long time for me to settle into the story. The world building is so intricate it felt overwhelming at times, but I still appreciated how much creativity went into the creation process. I wanted to honor that by continuing to read even when it felt slightly tedious. It should also be noted that the novel focuses on serious topics such as mental illness, colonialism, racism, violence, and the mention of suicide. Heilig handles mental illness with finesse and gives representation to others dealing with the same illness.

One Last Gripe: The twists were somewhat predictable.

Favorite Thing About The Book: The magic

First Sentence: Some people say that all the world's a stage.

Favorite Character: Jetta

Least Favorite Character: Captain Le Garde

Summary:

A young woman with a dangerous power she barely understands. A smuggler with secrets of his own. A country torn between a merciless colonial army, a terrifying tyrant, and a feared rebel leader. The first book in a new trilogy from Heidi Heilig. 

 Jetta’s family is famed as the most talented troupe of shadow players in the land. With Jetta behind the scrim, their puppets seem to move without string or stick—a trade secret, they say. In truth, Jetta can see the souls of the recently departed and bind them to the puppets with her blood. But the old ways are forbidden ever since the colonial army conquered their country, so Jetta must never show, never tell. Her skill and fame are her family’s way to earn a spot aboard the royal ship to Aquitan, where shadow plays are the latest rage, and where rumor has it the Mad King has a spring that cures his ills. Because seeing spirits is not the only thing that plagues Jetta. But as rebellion seethes and as Jetta meets a young smuggler, she will face truths and decisions that she never imagined—and safety will never seem so far away. 

 Heidi Heilig creates a world inspired by Asian cultures and French colonialism.