Dnf @38% (page 129)

I’m sad to say this book wasn’t for me. I found the storytelling too sterile and BORING. The premise of a Black female fire chief with magical realism + environmental message + finding a lost sibling interested me. But the execution couldn’t keep my attention. Maybe this would work better as a screenplay? Also, the story is set in the year 2042, but you didn’t see any technological advances or changes in society at a macro level. It felt like 2024, to be honest.

Syrah, the main character, had a traumatic event take place as a child that sent her to foster care and bred her desire to firefight and love of botany. She had some issues with stifling her emotions and appearing unemotional to others. I don’t think she was a bad character necessarily, but I wasn’t compelled to see her development/follow her journey.

Also, the love interest felt shoe-horned in. A clear HR violation too. Go girl, give us nothing.

I can’t verify if Alvaro was really married or not because I don’t care enough to read on. In hindsight, syrah was probably just latching on to the one person who showed her kindness. It looks like she maybe a Tree Love Interest (Giant) too(?)