Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Kindling is a multi-POV fantasy which follows seven soldiers who struggle to find themselves after the war ends.

This was a beautifully written book, which approached its characters with such tender kindness, I was enthralled. It's very much a character-driven story, which is something that I personally really enjoyed, but it did leave a bit to be desired in terms of worldbuilding. I did also struggle a bit with the fact that this book is written in the second person. Though I think the idea of making us feel closer as readers to the POV characters was achieved through use of the second person, it was difficult at times -- particularly early on -- to remember which character was which and who I was reading from at that point. But I did adjust eventually, and I did end up loving this little sliver of these characters' lives and seeing them grow and change over the course of this novel.

I think it might be tough for some readers to give this book the chance it deserves, but I'm confident that most who do give it a chance will find a lot to love in this unique and gut wrenching read.

This was such an interesting concept, and it was well done. The POVs are so interesting in that they are from different characters but a lot of it is in the 2nd person. It was a little confusing to catch on to at first, but it really worked.

okay guys im officially on the traci chee fan train now im sat for any novel she wants to write ever, her versatility as a writer is something i am just obsessed with.

thank you to netgalley and harpercollins for providing me with this arc!

kindling is a novel about loss, about war, about grief, but even more so it's about healing. how can one reach inner peace after a lifetime of being bred to fight? this novel answers those questions. set after a war won by "kindlings", magic-wielding warriors, these children must battle the loss of their youth and struggle to find themselves outside of being built as a weapon.

this book was. simply put. incredible. the worldbuilding was easy to understand and incredibly interesting, the plot was there but mainly driven by the characters and the characters, ohhh the characters made this book. every single one was so unique with various personalities and mindsets but all connected in the aspect of being child soldiers. the second-person pov was SUCH a good choice to demonstrate the extent of the losses these characters have felt by forcing the reader to truly absorb and consider every aspect of the story that's told. i loved every single choice that was made in this story, every single one. i truly think this is a story you need to go in blind because it is so so good and god. it gives me everything i love in a fantasy novel., so i am tragically holding all my specific praise for it but please, please if you love fantasy and character-driven novels. read this.

also if anyone cares, is keeping track of the eesha and crying while reading journey, this book ALMOST made me cry as in it edged me emotionally which if you know is much harder than actually making me cry and means i respect this book 10x more

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Traci Chee for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Kindling coming out February 27, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really wanted to love this book. I’m obsessed with the Magnificent Seven, both versions. I think the summary is a little deceiving. It would’ve been nice to know there are only woman characters and that the book is in second person narrative. I realized that I really don’t like second person narrative. I can handle it for parts of the book, but not for the entire book. While I love women power and women warriors and all that, I don’t love it enough for a whole story with no male characters. It was just hard to see how the world worked without any men. I think some of the characters were also similar and blurred together for me. I just don’t really see how it was like Seven Samurai or Magnificent Seven. This wasn’t for me. I probably wouldn’t have requested it if I knew the real plot.

I have read two Traci Chee books that are wildly different in terms of content and tone, and all I want to say is I am officially a big fan of this author. The first book, A Thousand Steps into Night, was a vibrant and fun adventure. But Chee’s newest book, Kindling, contains none of that and is still somehow amazing. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this somber story even though the bad days outweighed the good among our seven leading characters.

The story is inspired by the film Seven Samurai and its American remake, The Magnificent Seven. The plot is similar in that a desperate, small town seeks the aid of trained fighters to help them defeat bandits bent on destroying them. Although I have not seen either film, my (very quick) research does not give me the impression that the Kindling characters are copies of the movie casts, but they do possess elements of the original seven. Chee honored the films that inspired her and altered her characters beautifully to allow the kindlings to take on the same battle but from a new perspective of traumatized children forced into war.

The first thing that will stand out in Kindling is that it’s written in the second person. This was a perfect style choice because it made each character’s thoughts and actions deeply personal. This perspective grounded me in each POV, and it felt like I became the character and their internal monologue was my own self-talk. “Now you wear your sword across your back, for you no longer need it at your side. A less sentimental person would’ve sold it already, but you were always a sap, weren’t you?” When I read passages like that, I could not help but believe I was addressing myself, and I easily slipped into the character’s shoes. It was a profound experience as everyone struggled with their choices, traumas, and doubts. And they spend a lot of time talking to themselves, whether it's to find strength or reminisce on good and bad memories. I cried so much at the climax of the battle hearing their frantic thoughts, fears, and the words shared between comrades. It was an incredibly emotional part of the story thanks to that second-person perspective.

I adored all of the characters and shared in their individual pain and trials. Each one has a different experience in the war and how they’re picking up the pieces now that it’s over. Chee gives everyone space to make mistakes and grow in this group, and the relationships that develop between each person are special. Amity can’t seem to get comfortable in her now peaceful life. As the oldest kindling, she plays the role of a mature general and sets to make preparations for another mission. Leum is a grumpy, rough-around-the-edges type of soldier with an unwavering dedication to her ways and the kindling code. Ket has not stopped moving since the war ended, and she’s left a trail of broken hearts behind. Ben is quiet and introverted, choosing to let her speed and skill with her knives do the talking. Emara, the fun-loving outsider, is a kindling who fought on the other side of the war and has lost her country and culture. Kanver is kind and protective, and they survived the war but seek ways to numb the pain. And lastly, Siddie is a kindling who did not get to complete their training but is desperate to be a part of these warriors and prove herself.

Kindling is a young adult fantasy, but the themes are heavy and intense. The kindlings’ ages range from 14-19, but they don’t act their age because they were forced into war and trained to kill, lead battalions, and win a war. Apart from the ages, this story is full of sorrow and tragedy. Chee painfully details how the kindlings were abandoned after the war, and how seven different children are left to cope. It’s truly heartbreaking. This isn’t an easy book to pick up and breeze through, it’s slow and somber and grounds us in the aftermath of intense violence and loss. The story generates more pain than smiles, but I loved each gut-wrenching moment because it’s truly unique and powerful in its own way.

Kindling is a standout story that gives depth and nuance to young adult fantasy. Traci Chee stole youth from the young and made us confront the complex emotions and fallout of a world failing its children. This book will torch your soul and stay with you forever but don’t be afraid of the heat and go buy this book now.

Rating: Kindling - 8.5/10

Imgur link goes to instagram graphic scheduled for March 2nd
Blog post goes live March 6th
Featured in two Youtube videos coming - February Reads pt 2 & Recent favs video

**TL;DR:** This is a great example of what YA can do. A unique narration style and a heartbreaking story inspired by Seven Samurai. An instant buy for me.

Written in second perspective Kindling is a Seven Samurai inspired story of seven Kindling, former magical child soldiers who are looking for purpose after a war. Much like Seven Samurai, with wandering ronin, these Kindling are all lost in a way. One is struggling with addiction, one is struggling with commitment or purpose, another looking for the home she lost, and so on. Each has a unique struggle - all the results of their time as soldiers. They end up coming together for a seemingly small job, protect a village from raiders. The story is fast paced and gripping as they have to come to term with their struggles and their worries.

I loved this from page one. A well written novel with this narration style is an easy sell for me. Especially with inspiration such as Seven Samurai (a classic imo). The genders in this are flipped, all female and one non-binary character, which adds a lovely touch. The characters flaws are deeply felt and the Grecian chorus style narrators (the ghosts of Kindlings lost to the war) really illustrate and make you feel for the characters.

It has a lot of heavy topics. Death, death of family and friends, addiction (specifically to alcohol), children fighting, being taken from their families, etc. So be kind to yourself, but it’s so worth the read and so fantastic. I cannot wait to reread and revisit this, I adored nearly every moment of my time with it.

5 out of 5 Magical Weapons

A retelling of the Seven Samurai, Kindling follows the tale of seven teenagers who have survived being raised for war and sent to die only to find themselves living on the other side. Each was taken by their states and turned, or begun to turn, into a living weapon with little care about when that magic would win out against their lives. But now it is peace time. Living weapons are no longer needed. And so they wander, figuring out what that means and where they fit now. When a town asks for help finding their own survival, a team is born and new purpose found.

Chee does a wonderful job balancing the hope and joy in possibility with the anger and pain that comes from being cast aside from an empire than built an army to die. The emotion is the strongest point of the book. I did struggle with the choice to place the book in second person. But that is a style choice that is always a struggle for him. However, Chee uses it well just as she uses the narrative of the Seven Samurai.

Special thanks to HarperCollins and Riley at SparkPointStudio for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 balar bright stars!

TL;DR: This book took me on quite an emotional and mental journey! I went from being unsure whether I could get into this due to the narrative being told in the second person to desperately trying not to cry in public when I got to the last 30% to sobbing at home while reading the last 10% of it. This story is tragic and heartbreaking but beautifully written and somehow also hopeful. I loved going on this journey with these seven brave, powerful yet haunted teenage warriors and I have a feeling I'll think of them and their experiences for a while to come.

First of all, I have to mention again that this is told in the second person and I can't remember the last time I read from this perspective so it was rough going at first. I'm glad I persisted though because I would've missed out on a fantastic story otherwise. If you struggle with it at first, I would encourage giving yourself a bit of time to get used to it because the story you get at the end is worth it; at least, IMHO. I loved the significance of the perspective and the narrative voice not only made the story more impactful but also made me more emotional by the end.

As the author writes in her background letter, Kindling is her "homage to The Seven Samurai" a popular movie from the 1950s but one that I'm entirely unfamiliar with (I also haven't seen the remake). It helped to set the stage for what was to come though and it was nice to read her inspiration and passion for the story. I enjoy stories that start with starkly different individuals coming together for a common cause and learning to work together and form a connection despite said differences, and I think the author did this well! These seven child soldiers, most of whom were in their mid to late teens at the time of telling, were such interesting characters and I loved how well-written they were. They have distinct voices and personalities and it was a pleasure to get to know each of them more, even though it was heartbreaking to hear how haunted they were, how they all suffered from PTSD, and how lost they were in the aftermath of the war. It was very sad to read how they were trying so hard to make sense of who they are now that they are no longer the soldiers they were made to be, while simultaneously trying to reconcile their actions from during the war. My heart broke seeing them come to terms with the loss of their childhood and the way society views them as a means to a better future that they won't even get to experience because they will most likely be dead. It's a weighty subject and frankly, a rather depressing read, but Chee uses a frank yet sensitive hand to unpack all of their experiences.

I can't say that I had a favourite character of the seven but I appreciated them all for what they brought to the group. Amity, their leader and the one who brings them all together. Leum, the grumpiest second-in-command who's soft-hearted underneath the disgruntled exterior. Ket, the heartbreaker and runner. Emara, the goofiest and most easy-going "enemy" Kindling. Kanver, the heartbroken drunk who has too big a heart for her good. Ben, the stoic, quiet and sharpest knife. And Siddie, the youngest, clumsiest trainee who longs to be a Kindling. I will admit that I probably struggled with Siddie the most just because her "good intentions" led to some devastating consequences and it was frustrating but also very true to her character. All of them are imperfect and fallible. They are angry, confused, and broken. But they are all looking for a place to belong in this peace and it was so easy to root for them individually as well as the found family they come to be.

I will say that the world-building is rather light. We understand that for a long time, there has been a war and children with the ability to draw on magic, channelled through balar weapons, have been trained as brutal killing machines until the invention of hand cannons turned the tide of war. Exactly how the magic is wielded is not very clear but I didn't mind it as the story focused more on their emotional and mental journeys. Despite despising the enemy in this story, I also kind of wish that we got more of their history to understand what drove them to become who they are now, especially considering what we come to know about them. I think it would've increased the intensity of the final battle and made the ending a bit more satisfying (or maybe not, lol).

Ultimately, I have a feeling that Kindling will stay with me for longer than I expected. I'm so glad that I kept reading despite my initial uncertainty and I'm happy to finally have picked up a book by Traci Chee because she's an author I've been meaning to read for some time. I hope this book will get the attention it deserves! 😃

DNF. Like others, I found the second too jarring. It might work if you don’t mind that sort of thing, but I’m not a fan.

A new fantasy YA where seven teenagers search for their purpose in a world where their type of warfare has been outlawed.

I really liked the premise here and the characters. However, it is written mostly in second person, which made it hard for me with this genre. I’m fine with more experimental styles but for a fantasy YA book I don’t think it worked. It distracted me from the plot and characters and made it harder to follow.

A retelling of Seven Samurais and The Magnificent Seven with magical girls who were child soldiers in a war. The entire story is told in second POV with about 7 different POVS, suffice to say it was a really really hard read. The story itself was hard to get into and follow with the writing style and the second pov made it hard to follow along and remember who's POV was it. If i had known this was a second POV with this many povs, I would not have requested this book at all. The initial premise of the book sounded exactly like a book I would have loved but it was written in a way that completely turned me off from the book. I wanted so badly to like this book but the way it was written made it nearly impossible to find the distinction between one character and the next. The choppy dialogue, the POV being in 2nd person, and overall fashion of the book was just not working together. I think the best way to get into this book would be in audio book with various different voices, otherwise you just get lost in the story.

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperCollins for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

*DNF @ 9%*
This has a great idea of magical girls who were child soldiers in war and what happens after. It's also a retelling of Seven Samurai which means a lot to the author. But sadly the second person POV does not work for me. I read two POV's but when you read the dialogue it was too difficult to understand who was talking when "you" was the label for whoever was talking and not their name. Second person is a rarely used POV option and for me it just doesn't let me see the character. I'm just told everything and it doesn't feel as real. Maybe if it was just an omniscient second person was telling the story instead of several perspectives, maybe it would have worked. I will still try the authors other work but I'm bummed that this was so hard to follow that I didn't want to force myself to keep finishing it.

This book exists in a weird space for me. I LOVED A Thousand Steps into Night, and I was very excited by the premise of Kindling. The concept of an updated Seven Samurai retelling where none of the seven are men is awesome; each character feels distinct in their motivations, personality, and voice, and their growth and relationships to each other truly are the heart of the book. The idea of following the child soldiers after the battle is won is novel and interesting. However, there is a reason that most stories happen during the conflict instead of after it; while there are very important and valuable themes of trauma, healing, and finding purpose after being shoved into a role that was never asked for, it is incredibly dark and somewhat slow-paced. While there is an antagonist in the form of the bandits, the real antagonists are all internal, and while it is well done, it's not necessarily a comfortable or uplifting read (something I would have expected more had I been more familiar with Seven Samurai, I suspect!). All this is to say, I appreciated the craft of this novel, but ultimately found reading through parts of it to be a bit of a slog. However, I would imagine that has more to do with me and what I wanted than the writing. For what it is - a dark, character driven exploration of the trauma that is created by using people as resources - it is quite good, and I appreciated it throughout even when I wasn't fully enjoying it.

Do you ever read a book you kind of want to gatekeep because you just know people aren't going to get it? Yeah, this is one of those books for me.

It's traumatizing, how starkly honest it is about the violence that's put on the shoulders of the young. How that violence shapes them in the most painful ways. It's heavy, most definitely, but it's also such a brilliant told story.

I don't know what to say about this book aside from the fact that it's devastating. I wasn't familiar with Seven Samurai nor The Magnificent Seven, so I didn't know quite what to expect from it. And it hit hard.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kindling has an interesting narrative style and deep, emotional storytelling. It's just that I needed more plot...

Kindling is told in second-person making the story very intimate and very personal. It lets you feel and embrace the story as if it was your own. When people expected the Kindlings to die because it was their job, I wanted to scream and cry! The second-person narration really amplified the emotions the characters experienced, and it was honest yet brutal. I quite enjoyed the narration style! It felt fresh and an excellent choice for this book. It's a multi-POV book, too, but it worked very beautifully. Kudos to the author for making it work!

The reader can feel what the characters feel but also the author's deep love for this story. It's a retelling of the classic films Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven, and whereas I haven't watched them, I felt how much the author cared about this book. It's the kind of genuineness that can't be described and can't be copied. So I really wanted to love this book. I had read the author's We Are Not Free, and it was extraordinary, brilliant and emotionally raw. Kindling is also emotionally raw and brutal, but I needed more plot in the book to keep the suspense.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters, the fresh second-person narration, and the LGBTQIA+ normative world with a f/f romance and a non-binary character. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.

DNF.

I couldn't get into this and it was because of the writing style. I don't think I have read another book like it and I definitely wouldn't pick one up like it in the future. I wish that I could have got into it because the blurb sounded really great. This is really a personal opinion. If you can get through the writing I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy!

I really enjoyed this standalone fantasy novel and surprisingly felt very tied to all of the characters! I typically lean towards one or two, but it was really easy to root for all of them. This was another banger from Traci Chee, and I invite yall to read her backlist! <3

"Kindling" asks the question that very few YA fantasy books tackle: what happens once the war is over? The book follows a group of seven Kindling, former child soldiers that have been left aimless now that the war is over, who group together for one last fight. I’m not usually a fan of second person POV, but Chee uses it thoughtfully, her writing beautiful and atmospheric.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for access to the e-arc.

3.5 rounded up

I had heard this was an all female / non-binary reimagining of The Magnificent Seven and I was sold. I hadn't heard of it before seeing on netgalley, but decided to give it a try once I was approved based on its comps. and I was pleasantly surprised!

I enjoyed this much more than i had expected, and truly grew to love each of the rag-tag members of this kindling family. each are flawed, damaged and traumatized, but still manage to fight for whats right often at the expense of themselves.

I will also never recover from some of the events in the later half of this book. truly devastating.