With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevado
Published by: Harper Teen
Pub Date: May 7th 2019
Pages: 400
Format: hardcover | Source: library
Genres: young adult, contemporary
Rating:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award longlist title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright.

Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions—doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.

Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.

I loved this so very much! I definitely need to buy a copy. The chapters were shockingly short but it worked. I loved Emoni’s voice and how much cooking and food meant to her. It reminded me a little of Chocolat, her magic ability to mix ingredients. I also liked that there were romantic elements but it was more about family and Emoni’s life and personal goals. It was a really lovely book with a lot of flavor and heart and culture- American, Puerto Rican, and everything in between. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Sisters of the Fire by Kim Wilkins
Series: Blood and Gold #2
Published by: Del Rey Books
Pub Date: January 8th 2019
Pages: 448
Format: e-arc | Source: NetGalley
Genres: adult, fantasy
Rating:

In the next chapter of a fantasy series featuring five unforgettable sisters—the warrior, the magician, the lover, the zealot, and the gossip—an insidious threat jeopardizes a fragile peace.

Four years have passed since the five royal sisters—daughters of the king—worked together to restore their father to health and to the throne while fracturing the bonds among themselves almost irreparably. Only Bluebell remains at home, dutifully serving as heir to her father’s kingdom. Rose has been cast aside by her former husband and hides in exile with her aunt, separated forever from her beloved daughter, Rowan. Ash wanders the distant wastes with her teacher, learning magic and hunting dragons, determined that the dread fate she has foreseen for herself and her loved ones never comes to pass. Ivy rules over a prosperous seaport, married to an aged husband she hates yet finding delight in her two young sons and a handsome captain of the guard. And as for Willow, she hides the most dangerous secret of all—one that could destroy all that the sisters once sought to save.

This is such an excellent trilogy, especially for fans of Norse-inspired fantasy, female-driven fantasy, and those looking for something to fill that Game of Thrones shaped hole in their life. I was so surprised, pleasantly so, at how the story unfolded. And I love how different each sister is and that we get POVs from all five of them, seeing them come into their own power. Bluebell and Rose are my favorite but I find Ivy really fascinating. I’m not as connected to Ash, and Willow is kind of their worst, but the various threads makes up a fantastic picture. Plus the supporting characters are so rich! Each storyline is different but inextricably move toward the same focal point, which is the sort of fantasy storytelling I can’t get enough of- that anticipation of characters meeting and moments coming to pass. In some ways the book felt a little fast, a little wish fulfillment even but I really can’t and shouldn’t complain about being so very satisfied by a book’s trajectory! That’s a great thing. The only problem is I need book 3 and there’s no US release date yet.

Have you read either of these books? Do you usually prefer contemporary or fantasy? I enjoy both almost equally and love to switch off. Let me know your thoughts!