“An ambitious, big-souled wonder of a book, For a Muse of Fire cements Heilig as one of YA’s great creators of fascinating fantasy worlds. She spins a tale of rebellion and refugees, beauty and vulnerability, art and ugliness. It’s complicated and soaring, full of magic and pain.” — Melissa Albert, New York Times-bestselling author of The Hazel Wood
“Intensely original, creatively complex—Heilig’s fantastical world is a place like nothing I’ve seen before, and one I am desperate to revisit immediately! I was captivated by Jetta from the start, and I was left stunned and bereft by the end, cursing Heilig for leaving me wanting more. Do not miss this emotionally beautiful fantasy about a complex girl you can’t help but come to love.” — Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy
“For a Muse of Fire is full of magic and danger, heartbreak and love. The book’s playfulness of form deepens the story’s truth, and the characters are complex and compelling. I loved it.” — Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians
“Masterful and daring, Heilig deftly takes this story from a modest family stage to the grand theater of war and rebellion.” — Natalie C. Parker, author of Seafire and Beware the Wild
“This start to a new trilogy is fast-paced and gripping while also offering readers a thoughtful commentary on the long-lasting ramifications of war and colonization. ...This must-have story with an inclusive cast, high stakes, and an intense cliff-hanger will leave readers clamoring for the next installment.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Heilig skillfully mixes francophone-inflected language and South Asian aesthetics...with in-world folk songs, legends, and sections that read like a stage play to present a truly eclectic fantasy narrative of uncanny theatrics.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
“A treacherous, darkly fantastical world...This series starter is action-packed…theatrical elements, rich world building, and loose ties to the French colonization of Southeast Asia add fascinating depth.” — ALA Booklist
“A lush land reminiscent of South Asia is the setting for a thrilling trilogy opener by Heilig. ...Telegrams, letters, and play scenes sprinkled throughout create a strong sense of place, and Jetta’s struggle to accept herself is relatable. Heilig uses intricate prose to animate nuanced characters and action-packed scenes in this immersive, epic fantasy.” — Publishers Weekly
“Following on the heels of Heilig’s delightful debut series, For a Muse of Fire has big shoes to fill. It succeeds in full, while aiming for even greater heights in characterization, worldbuilding, and narrative. It turns a painful and honest gaze on complex issues. Be prepared to stay up late with this one.” — NPR.org
“Evocative and refreshingly unique. ...A nuanced, heartrending story that will leave you shattered and begging for more. ... For a Muse of Fire is the anti-colonial, mental illness #ownvoices, POC-centered, female-led, young adult epic fantasy you never knew you wanted.” — Tor.com