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

Title: Tell the Wind and Fire
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: April 5, 2016
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: 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?

Review: I've long been a fan of Sarah Rees Brennan's work. I've read all of her novels and have reviewed her work here before. One of my favorite things about being a long-time reader of an author (any author) is that it allows me to be aware of the way their work has evolved. After reading Tell the Wind and Fire, I can clearly see how Rees Brennan has grown over her years as an author. Which is not to say that I find her earlier work lacking - I don't. It is still clear how she has evolved and improved, as is natural. If you've hesitated to read her work previously, don't hesitate now. 

Initially the book gave me pause because I'd never read A Tale of Two Cities and was afraid I'd be confused. Now I would say that you don't have to have read Dickens' book first to appreciate this one. Your experience may be enhanced if you've read it already, but I wouldn't consider it necessary. I did have some initial confusion, but I would attribute that to the fact that I hadn't read the synopsis rather than to the actual writing.

Tell the Wind and Fire was engaging and exciting and I fell in love with all of the main characters. I absolutely plan on rereading it and wouldn't be surprised if I get even more out of it the second time than I did the first. My only issue with it was that the pacing toward the end felt a bit rushed. I think the book could've stood to be a bit longer, but overall it's still really enjoyable and well-written.