Cast in Firelight

I don’t usually read books dealing with “witches” and “wizards” as they just aren’t typically my thing. But. I’d heard so many good things about this book, and the cover is so stunning, that I snagged a copy when it went on sale, and I’m SO glad I did. The magic system in this world is so intricately constructed! I loved the world building and the creativity behind it. It was such a cool blend of cultures and characters. The main characters absolutely stole the show. Without giving too much away, their differing personalities and their dual roles made for such an intriguing twist of events. Adraa is feisty, compassionate, fierce, and a little insecure. Jatin (I confess, I wasn’t sure I was going to like him at first) is loyal, intelligent, and ends up properly swoon-worthy by the end of the book. This book, while full of grit, action, and budding romance, it’s still “clean” reading. I appreciate that. There are a few curse words, and “oh my gods” is used frequently as well as “blood” as a curse (I’m all for inventive cursing!), but there was nothing I found particularly objectionable, which is rare in a lot of YA books. I’m most definitely looking forward to book two.

Looking for a new magic system in your fantasy books? Here it is! Swift creates a fun new world with a brilliant main character. Adraa was so insanely smart, creating new spells on the go, and it’s a character the YA world has been missing. We have a lot of strong and smart main characters in the genre, but the main thing about Adraa was her ingenuity. Most of the creative, ingenious and brilliant characters in the YA world are male, so this was exciting.

Big props to this book for avoiding the drama so inherent in a lot of these books. For the most part, the characters communicated well and acted like the adults with responsibilities they were, and I loved it! Obviously excluding the big falsehood about their identities, but when it came out neither of them were acting irrational or over the top about it, and they told each other up front what they felt. More of this please!

Cast in Firelight is an action-packed, thrilling adventure! Heirs to their respective thrones, Adraa and Jatin have been betrothed since they were children. Growing up, they are fierce rivals, always trying to one-up each other, especially when it comes to their magical accomplishments. Now adults, Jatin’s return from school means their upcoming marriage and neither is happy about it. Their marriage will strengthen the union between the two kingdoms, but how will these rivals who barely know each other fare when their first and only meeting ended with a slap?

An unlikely meeting brings Adraa and Jatin together. However, they both assume different identities. Trying to unravel a dastardly plot in Adraa’s kingdom while maintaining their secrets proves difficult, especially when fight rings, stolen magic, fierce and murderous villains, and epic destruction is involved. Can Adraa and Jatin, future rulers of their kingdoms and secret vigilantes, work together to find Adraa’s missing firelight and figure out why it’s being stolen? Will they reveal their true identities, and how will they react to the secrets and lies?

There’s so much about this story that I enjoyed. The immersive world, the characters, the relationships, the love story, the cool magic, the mystery behind the missing firelight – there is a lot to love in this richly developed and action-packed story.

Something that I love to see in literature is the depiction of strong family connections. All too often in literature, parents and siblings are convenient additions or barely mentioned. However, in Cast in Firelight, the parents and Adraa’s sister play a pivotal role in the story. I love how this added to the plot and character development, especially in later parts of the story. The more Adraa and Jatin trust their family, and the more they learn about the missing firelight, the more they realize how important, involved, and selfless their family members are.

Adraa is a fantastic protagonist! Independent, fierce, and selfless, Adraa is a fighter. She fights for what she believes in, she fights to define her role in society, and she fights for the rights of others. I love that she is fierce, loyal, creative, inventive, punishing, and calculating. She is dynamic and flawed and fascinating, as is Jatin.

Sent to school at a young age, Jatin feels like an outsider in his family. He longs for a stronger connection with his father but doesn’t know how and fears attaining it. He and Adraa are both searching for direction and purpose throughout the story. They go through incredible growth as they struggle to define themselves as heirs, leaders, lovers, and people. They are very similar in their quest to reconcile their royal roles and expectations with their wants and desires. Can a future Queen cage fight and solve mysteries? Can a future King? Adraa and Jatin struggle with their feelings as they strive to solve the problems of their kingdom.

The rich mythology and vivid world-building are immersive and unique. Inspired by Indian culture, the world is described so well that I felt like I was in the crowds at the fighting rings, and walking through the bustling streets of Adraa’s kingdom. I could feel the heat of the volcano as Adraa and Jatin tried to stop it. I loved the author’s writing, and it pulled me into the story from the first lines where we are introduced to a fierce young protagonist and a unique world of magic.

Now, as much as I love the other parts of the story, what I really want to talk about is the romance! I’m a sucker for a good romance, and I just loved this one! I wouldn’t say it’s an enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s more like a betrothed-to-enemies-to-rivals-to-friends-to-lovers romance. From their first meeting and Adraa’s fiery slap, Adraa and Jatin had a fierce connection. I think it’s because Adraa is the first person to challenge Jatin as much as he challenges her.

The couple spends much of the story not even knowing each other’s true identity, which I think helped them to truly care for each other without all of the expectations. They come to respect, admire, and care for each other without knowing they are each other’s betrothed. It’s the best arranged marriage, almost as if the parents knew how well Adraa and Jatin would compliment each other. The banter between the pair is fabulous, and their slow-building romance is everything!

The messages about family, trusting others, finding love, and selflessness as well as the dynamic characters, vivid world-building, and action-packed plot make this an immersive and fascinating read. I can’t wait to read the next book in the duology and see what other adventures await Adraa and Jatin. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Dana Swift, and Delacorte Press for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.