Fifteen-year-old Yulla prepares for the time when everyone in her village must go below. Should they stay above, Mother Sun would be displeased because this is when she sends her Fire Children out. When Yulla accidentally discovers her village's witch-women conducting spells for Father Sea during the time below, she decides to go above the surface and witnesses a Fire Child being kidnapped. With the help of the Fire Child's brother, Ember, the two must save Mother Sun and her Children.

THE FIRE CHILDREN by Lauren Roy begins with an incredible premise of mythology, fire, and legend. The details about Mother Sun, Father Sea, and the Fire Children are well done, crafting a world easy and fascinating to imagine. The setting is truly stunning, and seeing it through Yulla's eyes, a young girl who has so much to learn but has such a strong heart, is excellent.

As much as I love the premise, the plot does have areas where it drags. Yulla doesn't meet Ember until a good portion of the way into the story. Though it is nice to see Yulla's day-to-day life beforehand, the action could have started much quicker. The delay also makes the minor romance between Yulla and Ember feel rushed and surface-level, not allowing room for the development of the character growth Yulla seems to have randomly found towards the end of the story. However, their interactions are still sweet and have a nice ring of hope.

Though it takes a bit to get there, the climax is well done. Mother Sun and Sister Moon are intriguing and powerful with the perfect amount of mysterious complexity. The story wraps up well, giving the reader plenty of answers, if not completely set up beforehand.

Though THE FIRE CHILDREN has its flaws, Lauren Roy crafts a fantastic and exciting world. Yulla is a kind and brave protagonist sure to be liked by many readers.

Book Summary

Two children escape the darkness of their underground dwellings, to find adventure, magic and terrible danger await anyone who ventures above ground.

Fifteen years have passed since Mother Sun last sent her children to walk the world. When the eclipse comes, the people retreat to the caverns beneath the Kaladim, passing the days in total darkness while the Fire Children explore their world. It's death to even look upon them, the stories say.

Despite the warnings, Yulla gives in to her curiosity and ventures to the surface. There she witnesses the Witch Women — who rumors say worship dead Father Sea, rather than Mother Sun — capturing one of the Children and hauling her away. Yulla isn't the only one who saw the kidnapping; Ember, the last of the Fire Children, reveals himself to Yulla and implores her to help.

Trapped up above and hunted by the witches and the desert wind, Yulla and Ember must find a way free his siblings and put a stop to the Witch Womens' plans, before they can use the Fire Children to bind Mother Sun herself.