ARC Review: Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan

Tell the Wind and Fire
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Publication: Clarion Books (April 5, 2016)

Description: In a city divided between opulent luxury in the Light and fierce privations in the Dark, a determined young woman survives by guarding her secrets.

Lucie Manette was born in the Dark half of the city, but careful manipulations won her a home in the Light, celebrity status, and a rich, loving boyfriend. Now she just wants to keep her head down, but her boyfriend has a dark secret of his own—one involving an apparent stranger who is destitute and despised. Lucie alone knows the young men’s deadly connection, and even as the knowledge leads her to make a grave mistake, she can trust no one with the truth.

Blood and secrets alike spill out when revolution erupts. With both halves of the city burning, and mercy nowhere to be found, can Lucie save either boy—or herself?

Celebrated author Sarah Rees Brennan weaves a magical tale of romance and revolution, love and loss.

My Thoughts: This story is rather loosely based on Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities but set in a future New York City separated into parts because of the different kinds of magic practiced. Light New York is where the powerful, light magic users live in a life of luxury. The control Dark New York where those who practice blood magic live.

Lucie Manette was born in the Dark half but through careful actions she is now in the Light city. She is a celebrity because of her "escape" from the Dark and is now the girlfriend of Ethan Stryker whose father and uncle are key members of the Light government.

Revolution is brewing. The Dark city has been oppressed and the people abused by the Light government. Lucie would just like to keep her head down and live a happy life with her boyfriend but Ethan has secrets.

When Ethan was a baby, he was very sick. To save him, a doppelganger was created. Besides being despised for not having souls, doppelgangers are against the law. They are condemned to live in the Dark city and most do not live long. Ethan's doppelganger Carwyn has made his escape from the Dark city and complicates the plot nicely.

This is the story of a young woman who is swept into the upcoming revolution as a figurehead for both sides who is feeling very out-of-control until she has to decide what she wants and become strong. It is a love story with a love that grows despite secrets being kept by both lovers.

I really enjoyed this book and really liked Lucie.

Favorite Quote:

I saved my father, and Ethan saved me. Maybe that is the only thing I have ever learned about love; love is when you save someone no matter what the cost.

I got this ARC from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.