Force of Fire (Fire Queen #1)
by Sayantani DasGupta (Author)
From New York Times bestselling author Sayantani DasGupta comes Force of Fire – the story of a demon who must embrace her bad to serve the greater good.
Pinki hails from a long line of rakkhosh resisters, demons who have spent years building interspecies relationships, working together to achieve their goal of overthrowing the snakey oppressors and taking back their rights. But she has more important things to worry about, like maintaining her status as the fiercest rakkhosh in her class and looking after her little cousins. There is also the tiny detail of not yet being able to control her fire breathing and accidentally burning up school property.
Then Sesha, the charming son of the Serpentine Governor, calls on Pinki for help in defeating the resistance, promising to give her what she most desires in return -- the ability to control her fire. Of course, first, she'll have to protect the Moon Maiden, pretend to be a human (ick), and survive a family reunion. But it's all worth it for the control of her powers ... right?
The Force of Fire book is a great read for children looking to expand their knowledge of Bengali folklore. DasGupta does a fantastic job of weaving together different stories and characters to create a cohesive narrative. The book is full of beautiful illustrations that only add to the reading experience.
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Kirkus Reviews
Passionate, thought-provoking, and riotously funny.
Booklist
Publishers Weekly
DasGutpa (the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series) brings to life concepts from Bengali folklore through Pinki, a rakkosh—demon—student at the Ghatatkach Academy of Murder and Mayhem, located in the fantastical Kingdom Beyond. Forced to be a "solitary diva-loner type" by other students' taunting her about her full scholarship, Pinki pushes down her angry feelings and focuses on being a star student in her demonic classes—only controlling her fire-breathing powers eludes her. Unlike the rest of her family, she views with pessimism the rakkosh resistance against the Empire of Serpent Overlords, which has colonized the Kingdom Beyond, preventing the rakkosh from enjoying traditional cultural pastimes. Pinki's unconventional first meeting with Prince Sensa, the son of the Serpentine Governor, does not inspire hope, but he offers her a deal: if she steals him a weapon he needs to quash the resistance, he will help her learn to control her fire. Pinki's acceptance leads her into a journey that forces her to reassess her own priorities and loyalties. Though the novel at times leans on dialogue over description, making it difficult to visualize the complex world, its dramatic action and fast-paced plot propel the storyline at breakneck speed, while its engagingly cynical heroine and hints of romance make for an entertaining read. Ages 8-12. Agent: Brent Taylor, TriadaUS. (May)
Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-- DasGupta's latest novel captivates from the very beginning. Pinki is absolutely nothing like her parents--rakkhosh rebels who were part of a coalition of demons, humans, and others fighting to overthrow their serpent overlords. Pinki just wants to make it through Ghatatkach Academy of Murder and Mayhem with her three young cousins, learn to control her powers, and avoid the notice of bullies. But when Pinki meets Sesha, the son of the tyrannical Serpent Governor-General, he promises to help her with her powers in exchange for joining his efforts against the resistance. The more involved Pinki gets, the more she realizes that eventually, she'll have to choose between helping herself and helping everyone else. Despite being a literal fire-breathing demon, Pinki is a relatable protagonist. She is by turns full of confidence and steeped in insecurity. She longs to get out from under the shadow of her parents' heroic deeds and does so by acting selfishly. But as the story progresses, Pinki is changed; her character development and relationship with cousin Deembo form the emotional heart of this novel. DasGupta tackles a variety of serious topics in this fantasy adventure novel, including racism, colonialism, and the violence of cultural erasure. The back matter details the cultural, historical, and sociological inspirations for the book. DasGupta draws from Bengali folklore and children's stories to create an enthralling and vibrant world. VERDICT An enchanting and humorous tale that is sure to please fans of Roshani Chokshi and other "Rick Riordan Presents" authors.--Ness Shortley, Horton M.S., Pittsboro, NC
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV013000 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | General
