Genres: Fantasy Fiction, Young adult (YA) fiction, Epic Fiction

Ash of Kula is familiar with war. As a descendant in a long line of illustrious gladiators, there is not one day where her life is not somehow affected by it. But some consequences leave invisible wounds, ones that cut deeper than any sword. An unfortunate death proves to be the final straw for Ash, who vows to rebel against her god, whose actions are responsible for tragedies beyond her own.

For Madoc of Deimos, street fighting was a fact of life, a means by which to pay the unreasonable taxes enforced by the Senate’s corrupt tax master. But he has a dangerous secret. One that could throw his own life and the lives of those he loves into peril if discovered by the wrong people.

When a vengeance plot goes wrong, Deimos and Kula are thrown into turmoil with Ash and Madoc caught in the middle. Both are forced to compete in the deadly gladiator games, where conflict is resolved through the spilling of blood. Despite Ash and Madoc’s placement on opposing sides, they find each other in desperate need of the other’s help. But their precarious alliance will be put to the ultimate test when the gods expose Madoc’s secret, resurrecting an ancient conflict with the potential to tear their world apart. Will Ash and Madoc succeed in saving those they love? Or will they too be devoured in the fire that threatens to consume the World of the Gods. 

I found this novel to be an enjoyable read. The historical/mythological element with the addition of different deities as well as elemental powers was creative. As a fan of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, I found this aspect of the novel to be very appealing. The use of dual character perspectives for the narrative was also clever; it gave the plot greater depth and helped to develop the reader’s understanding of the main characters. It helped to obscure a major plot twist towards the end of the story.

One criticism I had was that this novel lacked a true immersive experience. It had all of the elements of a good YA fantasy novel, but was missing that last key element that transported the reader into the realm of the story alongside the characters. Although the first book may have created a disconnect between the reader and the storyline, I’m optimistic that the second installment, Rise Up from the Embers, will fulfill those wanting aspects.

Overall, I felt that Set Fire to the Gods was a good read. I would recommend this novel to teens who enjoy Greco-Roman literature with an element of magic. Similar reads include Lore by Alexandra Bracken and the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan (I enjoyed both of these literary works immensely).