See review below
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....8 s Robyn2,041 130

WHY WE PLAY WITH FIRE

Well silly me.. there I was looking at book covers and fell in love with this one's bright and colorful face. Unfortunately for me, the inside was not my cup of tea, and had I even bothered to read the blurp I probably would have passed it up.

So if you LOVE action, hijinks, and magic with a bunch of witches.. then this is going to be a big winner in your reading life. I on the other hand do not any of those things and so offer the warning.... and the excuse for the rating.

2 stars

Happy Reading!2024 fantasy witches-and-magic ...more2 s Briana Busby81 8

!!!!!!!2 s Jamie145 15

Thank you @rowhousepub for the opportunity to read Why We Play with Fire by Giselle Vriesen! It’s a story of magic, belonging, and finding your path that tugged at my heart through the whole book. On her socials, @gisellevriesen has talked about writing parts of her identity into the story — wishing for characters that reflected her diverse background and perspective. If you know me, you know that’s been my journey too as a reader, writer, and teacher, so I knew I’d feel connected to the narrative.

From the beginning of the novel, Thea describes her experience feeling ostracized and disconnected, with the exception of one best friend. Suddenly, a dark magic attack takes over their home and Thea is separated from her mother and nana, the only caretakers she knows. Pushed in a direction by her mother, she ends up in a hidden, magical home of the Malachite, a space where young people who carry the lineage of gods from different traditions learn about their destinies and their powers. But Thea doesn’t get the chance to settle in, as another attack that threatens the safety of this sacred place pulls her into a quest that demands she does the learning along the way.

Vriesen is a vivid and detailed writer, keeping us immersed in detail while building beautiful worlds in this book. As Thea and friends move between magical spaces, I felt grounded in each reality and attuned to Thea’s emotional / social development along the way. Gifted with a hypersensitivity to emotion (feeling a nod to Butler’s Lauren from Parable), Thea’s journey to self discovery feels dynamic and deeply connected to those around her.

From that living between cultures perspective, there’s also something really important & affecting about the way lineage is talked about in this novel, particularly in the acceptance/ rejection of lineage, choosing connecting with ancestors, and the sense and purpose within those identities. I’ll be thinking about this for a while, with gratitude Neil146 9

dnf @ 52%
i really tried to give this book a chance, it looked pretty good but i just can't. is dreadful.

it had a lot of potential, but is not well executed and honestly, it would have been better to just put a character that did know about the world they were in.
it doesn't always work to put a character that know nothing about what they are getting into, and this is one of those cases.

it would have much much better to start this quest with someone that was already on this world. or even thea- but her mom telling her everything she needed to know. literally there was no reason for secretism, and thea's confusion just makes everything awful to read.

also the fact that thea is just.... so powerful, and had two awakenings in such little time? or doesn't get affected by things that should be affecting her? the plot armor and power she has is insane and just makes the experience really tedious.

as a narrator she isn't the greatest either, i couldn't get myself to care about her issues along the journey. because thea herself nor anything on the book made me care about her journey, tiana or teal made more appealing characters if I'm being honest.

also the dialogue in all the book is just awful and uninteresting. and somehow it feels forced.
something similar happens with the scenes, it doesn't feel fluid or natural how everything happens. it just feels everything is happening because there's a script they must follow, not there's really a story.

in general it had potential but is not well executed at all, and the characters are not really appealing. i think that the author just needs more experience and polish more their skills, i thinks this could be a great story, is not boring at all and is pretty interesting. but the way is executed and told is not appealing and feels poorly done. Keeley164 297

5 stars tldr: promising debut author, fun world building, diverse characters, great for YA

Why We Play with Fire is a newly released YA fantasy packed with adventure, self-discovery, a diverse cast of characters, and so much fun. We meet Thea, who finds herself falling into a mystical well with one mission: “retrieve the keys”. What happens next is the adventure and introduction into a magical realm my younger self dreamed of.

The characters in this book are all descendants of gods and goddesses. However, the twist here is the characters are related to higher beings from all different myths and legends around the world. I thought this concept was so cool and loved how the book wove myths from all different cultures into the story. And clearly it is so well researched!

I recommend this for anyone looking for a fun escape and those who can get this into the hands of young people who may not always see themselves in fantasy. As a young reader, I often dreamed of one day slipping into a magical realm, and I know a younger me would have really loved this!

Thank you to @gisellevriesen for the ARC! 1 Angel (Bookn.All.Night)1,558 38

It's been a while since I enjoyed a book so completely. Once I got started reading this I had a hard time putting it down. There is so much to love within these pages:

Mythology ??
Magic ??
Good vs. Evil ??
Enemies to Friends ??
Strong Female Characters ??
Amazing Writing ??


Thea is such a great character, and is so relatable. Paired with Teal, Tiana, the Malachites and yes, even Zero, it makes for an adventure worth getting lost in.

I am desperately hoping there is a follow up to Why We Play With Fire. With that ending..there are so many possibilities and I am here for them all. This is definitely one for fans of YA Fantasy, Mythology, and Magic. Go. Grab. This.

I sincerely appreciate the author for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own. Maria2

Rare does a book excite my imagination so deeply that I hermit in my bed for two days devouring the book cover to cover. This book was that for me! Giselle's storytelling is spell binding, unique, and so richly decorated with adventure that it completely takes you into another world. The other world that Giselle creates is one with relatable characters, intriguing magical plot lines, and myths that are familiar but spun with an edge of brilliance and creativity. Why We Play With Fire is excitement at its finest! Its a story for young and old a. I can't wait for the sequel! 2 s Dawnshaeé Reid66 102

There was a lot of action and mythological layers to the story, I just never found myself truly enveloped by Thea’s journey. I know a HUGE part of that is because I’m not the biggest fantasy reader & I try my best to branch out every once in a while. So with that please take my review with a grain of salt.

The research in her writing and the strength in her details to capture what is happening in the Malachite world is incredible. I foresee those who love deep fantasy and world building, they will eat WHY WE PLAY WITH FIRE up. Luz992 7

In the Malachite home, Thea feels out of place among others who know their powers well. She must quickly learn to control her own abilities to protect this new home from danger. Along the way, she finds friends and faces challenges that help her grow and understand her place in the world. The journey is tough, but it teaches Thea about bravery, friendship, and her own unique strengths. miki larson67

What a diverse and original take on mythology! A Percy Jackson-esque series that manages to do something completely different and fresh that I enjoyed every second of. The characters are interesting and inclusive, the plot is engaging, and I’m so excited for more of this series! Ta'mar Nicole72 3

Delightful and endearing. For fans of Percy Jackson and Ms. Peregrine's Home Tiffanie Fabian10 1 follower

This book started strong but then just got boring, honestly. Dragging on. I really loved the diversity in the characters. 2024 Alexandra JamiesonAuthor 8 books32

Just finished, and am eager for more from this author. Great fantasy and world-building. Loved the characters. Lauren128 1 follower

This was a really exciting book! I'm only mad I've finished it and the next one isn't out yet.
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