For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig

What I drank prior: New Doctor Who with fuckin spiders it was the scariest thing I’ve ever seen. Drank a ton of vodka.

Spoiler-free Overview: Ok, so… Let me see if I can sum this up. Jetta is a shadow puppeteer in a country that was “colonized” by someone. Her and her folks are literally the best shadow puppet show in the business. Why, you ask? Cause you can’t see any lines holding up the puppets! Again… why, you ask? Cause Jetta can harness spirits and put them into something else. So she’s captured these spirits and has them dance around and perform the show. She gotta be all secret about it cause its against the law. Uh oh someone found out and she’s on the run from the law wither her parents and a stranger boy named Leo.

Spoiler-free Thoughts: Oh man, i really wanted to like this. What a unique concept that had so much potential, but unfortunately, the plot left much to be desired, the characters were cookie-cutter, and oh the tropes. All of them.

Characters: The only character I liked was the one chasing them. Jetta was annoying, Leo was BLAH, her folks are #damaged but its really unclear why. just blah.

Plot: Ok so this was the biggest letdown for me. It seems the author tried and failed to create a sense of mystery as well as urgency? It’s weird. Also…. insta-love. UGH.

Writing Style: I actually liked the writing style in this. There are maps/telegrams/etc along with the story. The story is also written two ways, part narrative and the other part written like a play. Kinda neat.

World Building: I WANT TO KNOW MORE I AM SO CONFUSED. Something “bad” happened with a Voldemort-like villain a while back and that’s why Jetta is in hiding. But like, WHY? What did he do? Where do her powers come from? Gimmie more information.

What to pair it with: Miller Lite. The best of the light beers but at the end of the day, once you’ve had one, it’ll be the same every time.

Rating: 2/5 Shots

COMMENT DOWN BELOW: Name an overhyped book that you really didn’t enjoy.

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,
Sam