Fire becomes her

Thor (Tarnished Are the Stars) delves into politics through the layered plot of this high-stakes fantasy, in which magic--a fiery substance called flare--represents both money and power. Driven to disavow her impoverished childhood and burdened with resentment toward her imprisoned father, ambitious high school senior Ingrid Ellis, who is white, has her future planned: marry handsome, wealthy Linden Holt, also white, and rise above her tarnished past. To win the favor of Linden's contemptuous senator father, Ingrid concocts a plan to spy on the opposing political campaign, only to find herself embraced and respected by its members and increasingly invested in their altruistic mission. With dangerous rebels attacking both campaigns, Ingrid questions her future, including what, and who, she wants in it. The magic-dominated world of Candesce, with its greed, excess, and defined social classes, is both eerily familiar and intriguingly unique. Thor's cast, inclusive in socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexuality, shares refreshingly candid perspectives on relationships and acceptance, but inconsistencies in Ingrid's character--quickly vacillating feelings, fluctuating stances on power and money--muddy this otherwise vividly imagined, pleasantly unpredictable story. Ages 14--up. Agent: Saba Sulaiman, Talcott Notch Literary. (Feb.)

A girl's scorching desire for power threatens to consume her. In a 1920s-inspired fantasy city called Candesce lives teenager Ingrid Ellis. Candesce is powered by flare, a substance that permeates all corners of human life, serving as beverage, fuel, weapon, electoral ballot, and even an aesthetic enhancement. Though Ingrid attends the prestigious Ainsley Academy, she's had to fight for all she has, being the impoverished daughter of a convict and having spent her childhood in an orphanage. Ingrid is dating the handsome and affluent Linden Holt, whose senator father is a candidate in the presidential election. Desperate to elevate her social status, she ingratiates herself with Sen. Holt, becoming a spy for him within his rival candidate's party. There she meets captivating staffer Alex Castille, who makes her question everything she's ever wanted. Thor's sophomore effort refuses to be simply defined, mixing fantasy, romance, and political intrigue. Although it feels a bit uneven in its broad focus and slow worldbuilding, themes of power and inequality are thoughtfully explored through Ingrid's self-actualization: She is at times infuriatingly ruthless, but this makes her journey all the more intriguing. A central relationship is asexual and includes candid discussion of boundaries. Ingrid and Linden are White; Alex has brown skin, and the supporting cast includes ethnic diversity and queer representation. An ambitious genre mashup. (Fantasy. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.