★ “Morally ambiguous and absolutely magical Black girls take the fate of their world into their own hands in this action-packed, cleverly crafted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring to know what happens next.”
—Booklist, starred review
★ “Via the sisters’ expertly balanced dual POVs, each imbued with a lushly wrought, moving, and action-packed narrative, Cole delivers a raucously enjoyable debut that provides an insightful look into the ways in which violence and colonization can affect a populace long after a war has ended.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“So Let Them Burn is the best young-adult novel I’ve read in ages, and one of the best fantasy novels, full stop.”
—The Washington Post
“With rich storytelling and lushly wrought narratives, Cole’s debut is not only a raucously enjoyable fantasy but also an insightful exploration of the lingering effects of violence and colonization on a populace.… Highly recommended.”
—SLJ
“By turns hopeful and devastating, So Let Them Burn is a masterful debut with a blazing heart. I was captivated from beginning to end.”
—Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief
“Set my soul on fire in the best way possible! Cole weaves an enthralling tale by way of an authentic and complex sibling relationship that swallowed me whole from the first page.”
—Terry J. Benton-Walker, bestselling author of Blood Debts
“Gods, dragons, and mechanoids all war against one another in a deeply imaginative and fantastical twist on colonization and island history.”
—Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of the Gilded Ones trilogy
“Clever and utterly fresh, So Let Them Burn takes the fantasy genre and soars into brilliant new heights, subverting expectations and hitting every mark.”
—Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
“Cole weaves a powerful narrative full of captivating lore, meddling gods, and young women willing to do whatever it takes. A heart-pounding delight.”
—M. K. Lobb, author of Seven Faceless Saints
“So Let Them Burn elevates the game, asking hard questions about the power and agency of a chosen one whose destiny has been seemingly fulfilled. By the time you see the claws, they’re already around your throat.”
—Margaret Owen, New York Times bestselling author of Little Thieves and The Merciful Crow
“A riveting adventure, a deft exploration of colonialism, and a deeply moving tale of a fierce and complex sisterly bond.”
—Ava Reid, award-winning and internationally bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
“Kamilah Cole has crafted a captivating story.… With deft prose and stellar world-building, this is an excellent new addition to YA fantasy.”
—Tara Sim, author of The City of Dusk
“A thrilling epic about family, strength, and the real costs of war.… Truly DAZZLING. I am OBSESSED.”
—Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys
“With characters who will grip you by the throat, a skillful commentary on colonialism, and an immersive world filled with dragons, danger, and deception, So Let Them Burn is a remarkable addition to the fantasy canon, establishing Cole as a powerful new voice in the genre.”
—Adrienne Tooley, author of Sweet & Bitter Magic and The Third Daughter
“Tender, witty, and with a plot that will keep you glued to the page, So Let Them Burn is a beautiful exploration of what happens after becoming the chosen one—and how even when the legend ends, the story doesn’t.”
—Hannah F. Whitten, author of the Wilderwood duology