This is an incredibly rich, captivating read. The world-building is evocative and beautifully handled--the author has created a magical fantasy experience that is highly detailed and gorgeous, while still managing the pacing; in fact, the scenes were so intense and packed with such high stakes that I couldn't help but stay up late into the night to devour the story. I felt incredibly connected to both Oksana and Pran, their deep and intense love for one another and the nuance within their internal journeys--including the vastly different outlook on how to manage their oppressors. This fierce and fiery fantasy masterfully walks the fine line between action and pacing, gorgeous prose, and strong, crisp characterization. A stunningly powerful read, I can't wait to read what Sam Taylor writes next. Five stars.

Wow, this book was so incredibly vivid and immersive! I loved that it's a story told through the perspective of two characters who in any other book would be faceless soldiers in a villainous regime. But instead we see how they were conscripted as children and made to work for the emperor, wielding fire magic that was forced upon them. I really liked that the romance between Pran and Oksana was already established at the beginning of the book. This gave an interesting and uncommon twist on the usual YA romance arc. I also liked that the romance didn't feel shoehorned in or bog down the action. I think my favorite thing about this book is the magic system, which is so creatively imagined and well crafted. This is a story about finding your own inner strength even when it seems impossible, and nothing is sugarcoated. Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy!

Sadly I wasn't the hugest fan of this one, it felt a bit too YA for my taste but I do like the world and the magic!

I’m not usually a reader of fantasy, but Sam Taylor’s WE ARE THE FIRE sucked me in and never let go. What initially drew me into this story was the gorgeous prose and incredible world building. But what kept me, was its characters: Pran and Oksana. They were so well-developed and REAL that I didn’t want their story to end (I find myself missing them, even now!) I loved so much about them--their conflicts, foibles, and just plain humanness--that I needed to know what would happen to them. If you love good story, pre-order WE ARE THE FIRE. I did—and can’t wait until February to re-enter the world of Vesimaa!

This one has lots to recommend it to avid fantasy readers. An intriguing premise about children chemically altered to become a fire-breathing army. Two protagonists who both face moral dilemmas with no easy outcomes. Strong bonds between friends. High stakes in a world where anyone might be the next to fall. A passionate theme about the need to push back against oppression, no matter the cost. Lots of action as battles unfold and fireballs fly. A complicated world with multiple threats closing in on all sides. Brisk prose that keeps the story rolling forward. It's a contained world, with almost all of the action taking place within or near a military fort, so this is best suited for those who enjoy character studies over epic world building. That said, the world that's within these pages is full of imagination, and of course, fire.

I loved this book so much! The worldbuilding is great and Vesimaa feels fully lived in, the politics make sense, the characters have to make tough calls and don't always succeed, and even when they make what seems like the wrong call, you understand *why*. Pran and Oksana are great leads, and I felt attached to them from the very beginning. A fantastic debut!

It’s so hard to find a great standalone fantasy novel and We Are the Fire delivered in a big way. The story is told from two POVs (Oksana ans Pran) as they try to work towards their freedom as soldiers taken from their homes and forced to fight in a war that isn’t their own. Alchemy, romance, and rebellion. For fans of books like Hunger Games but with more of a fantasy twist.

Power, politics, romance ... this tale of fighting for what you love, for what's right, will resonate with readers who adore action packed fantasy threaded with plenty of heart. I love following Pran and Oksana on their horrific journey to free themselves from the terror of their daily life and readers will, too.

This book was such a fast-paced, fiery adventure! I loved the characters and how they grappled with their trials in different ways. The magic was really cool—it felt almost scientific in a way, which was really different from other fantasy YA books. I could totally see this as a movie—all of the epic fire battles would be incredible on screen. Highly recommend!

This was such a fun and unique fantasy read! I think that the darker fantasy elements felt fresh and the characters and plot were interesting. STory was well paced and had me wanting to continue reading.

In a world where children are ripped away from their families and are "changed"- a painful alchemical experience that gives these kids the power to wield fire elemental magic- two people fight for a better future: our MCs Oksana and Pran.
The children who are taken are brutally trained and punished if they don’t wield their fire powers correctly. In addition, their uniforms involve antlers (yes, ANTLERS!) and eye drops that turn their eyes black (basically turns them into monsters!)
Our two protagonists Pran and Oksana, have been ripped away from their families as children and desire more than anything to be free.
Pran is ambitious, brave, and fiercely loyal to those he loves. He does not let his bad leg bring him down and swears he will bring freedom to all the ones who are trapped at the training camps. Slowly but surely, he assembles a team and makes a plan to bring revolution and freedom. But at what cost?
Oksana is our silent fighter. She wants more than anything for her friends to be safe- especially Pran. Oksana is loyal, caring, empathetic, gentle and fierce. With a rising rebellion, Oksana must decide- fight for her freedom or fight to keep her loved ones alive?
Thus, circumstances lead Pran and Oksana on different sides, Will they choose each other or fight for their different agendas?
Filled with complex world building , political uprising, rebellion, secret kisses, a dual POV, hope, a unique elemental/alchemical magic system, We Are the Fire is perfect for fantasy lovers looking for some HEAT.

*thank you netgalley for sending me an earc in exchange for an honest review*

I was so lucky to get an ARC of this intense, dark YA Fantasy! Fire magic and alchemy - what more do I have to say? Except that I felt for Pran and Oksana and wanted so much for them to find their happiness <3

A riveting fantasy that had me spellbound.

When they were children, Oksana and Pran were stolen from their homes and countries and turned into demons. Fire-wielding Tuliikobrets for Emperor Juhan. Pran will do anything to get their freedom from the fort. Oksana is determined to help her friends, especially Pran get the medicine he needs for his bad leg (from all the transformations and experimenting). They both choose dangerous paths that might tear them apart before the emperor does. Both are trying to hold onto their humanity—but it may be too late.

Told in dual POV, both Oksana and Pran are well-rounded characters with plenty of flaws and morally gray decisions. Their world is unique. Fantasy and science are mixed together in this stand-alone book over a simmering flame: Ready to explode.

A well-paced fantasy steeped in folklore and alchemy. Deeply developed characters and a sharply written plot give WE ARE THE FIRE by Sam Taylor a dramatic intensity that readers will fall in love with. Perfect for fans of CURSED by Thomas Wheeler.