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A review by kmartbooks
Kindling by Traci Chee
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
F*CK. This one hurt. In all the best ways, but still. For anyone who longs for a less intense Poppy War - you should check this one out.
This is an INTENSELY dark and haunting young adult fantasy that delves into the lives of young soldiers who have been forged in the fires of war and left to navigate the hollow remnants of peace. It is set in a world where kindlings—magic-wielding teenage warriors whose magic will burn them up—were once the most powerful weapons of war. Now, in peace, they flounder. The story follows seven of these broken child soldiers as they confront the trauma that still haunts them.
What makes Kindling so powerful is its unflinching portrayal of the psychological scars left by war. These characters have seen and done things that no one should ever have to endure, and now, in the absence of battle, they’re left to grapple with the meaning of their existence. It hurts my heart just writing this review. The use of second-person POV is brilliantly executed, adding a layer of intimacy to the narrative, and making the reader feel like they're just over the shoulders of these characters in their turmoil. And I love the reveal of who is narrating the story.
Despite being a young adult novel, Kindling doesn't shy away from the grim realities of war and its aftermath. It's a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it, lingering in your thoughts and pulling at your heartstrings. The last 10% of the book is an emotional gauntlet, and I found myself dreading it, knowing it would be both heartbreaking and inevitable. I STILL find myself thinking about this story and how incredibly sad it is. Often.
This is a story for readers who appreciate dark, introspective fantasy—one that doesn’t sugarcoat the horrors of war but instead explores the deep wounds it leaves behind. It's not for the faint of heart, but for those who can handle the emotional weight, it’s an unforgettable, gut-wrenching experience that exemplifies the best of dark YA fiction.
F*CK. Perfect. Incredible. Heartwrenching. Highly recommend.
This is an INTENSELY dark and haunting young adult fantasy that delves into the lives of young soldiers who have been forged in the fires of war and left to navigate the hollow remnants of peace. It is set in a world where kindlings—magic-wielding teenage warriors whose magic will burn them up—were once the most powerful weapons of war. Now, in peace, they flounder. The story follows seven of these broken child soldiers as they confront the trauma that still haunts them.
What makes Kindling so powerful is its unflinching portrayal of the psychological scars left by war. These characters have seen and done things that no one should ever have to endure, and now, in the absence of battle, they’re left to grapple with the meaning of their existence. It hurts my heart just writing this review. The use of second-person POV is brilliantly executed, adding a layer of intimacy to the narrative, and making the reader feel like they're just over the shoulders of these characters in their turmoil. And I love the reveal of who is narrating the story.
Despite being a young adult novel, Kindling doesn't shy away from the grim realities of war and its aftermath. It's a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it, lingering in your thoughts and pulling at your heartstrings. The last 10% of the book is an emotional gauntlet, and I found myself dreading it, knowing it would be both heartbreaking and inevitable. I STILL find myself thinking about this story and how incredibly sad it is. Often.
This is a story for readers who appreciate dark, introspective fantasy—one that doesn’t sugarcoat the horrors of war but instead explores the deep wounds it leaves behind. It's not for the faint of heart, but for those who can handle the emotional weight, it’s an unforgettable, gut-wrenching experience that exemplifies the best of dark YA fiction.
F*CK. Perfect. Incredible. Heartwrenching. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism