We Set the Dark on Fire summary

The Society of Medio

In We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia, we are introduced to the world of Medio, a society divided into two classes. The privileged, wealthy upper class, known as the Primera, and the oppressed, poor lower class, known as the Segunda. The story follows the life of Daniela Vargas, a Primera, who is about to graduate from the prestigious Medio School for Girls, where she has been trained to become a wife to one of the highest-ranking government officials, known as the Garcia.

Daniela has a secret. She is not from a wealthy family, and her parents have gone to great lengths to provide her with a false identity and a forged background. She is a Segunda by birth, but her education and her future have been built on a lie. As she prepares to graduate and marry a powerful Garcia, she is filled with anxiety about the life she is about to lead and the secrets she must keep hidden.

The Rebellion and Forbidden Love

As Daniela's wedding approaches, the simmering tensions between the Primera and Segunda classes begin to boil over. The resistance movement, La Voz, seeks to overthrow the oppressive system and bring equality to Medio. Daniela is unexpectedly drawn into the heart of the rebellion when she is blackmailed by a member of La Voz who knows her true identity. She is forced to become a spy for the resistance, putting her life and her secret in constant danger.

Amidst the chaos, Daniela also finds herself falling in love with her husband's other wife, Carmen. Their unexpected connection and growing feelings for each other bring a new layer of complexity to Daniela's already complicated life. She must navigate her loyalty to the resistance, her growing love for Carmen, and the expectations placed on her as a Primera wife.

Betrayal and Sacrifice

As Daniela delves deeper into her role as a spy, she uncovers shocking truths about the government's oppressive tactics and the lengths they will go to maintain control. She is forced to make difficult choices, balancing her allegiance to La Voz with her desire to protect her family and herself. The lines between right and wrong blur, and Daniela struggles to determine where her true loyalties lie.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Daniela's secret is exposed, leading to her arrest and a public trial. Despite her betrayal, La Voz comes to her aid, launching a daring rescue mission. In the midst of the chaos, Daniela makes a final, sacrificial choice, ensuring the safety of her loved ones and the continuation of the resistance's fight.

The Aftermath

In the aftermath of the rescue, Daniela is forced to flee Medio, leaving behind the life she once knew. Her relationship with Carmen is left in limbo, their love tested by the tumultuous events they have endured. As the first book in a series, We Set the Dark on Fire sets the stage for a larger revolution, promising more action, romance, and political intrigue in the books to come.