We Set the Dark on Fire

Tehlor Kay Mejia's 'We Set the Dark on Fire' is a YA dystopian novel set at a school that trains young people to serve the ruling class, where students are paired to fulfill traditional gendered roles.

The story follows a protagonist who enters the program harboring secrets and soon becomes entangled in political unrest and forbidden romance.

Mejia examines systems of power, class, and identity through sharp social commentary and emotionally resonant character work.

The novel balances suspense with intimate interiority as alliances shift and the protagonist must choose between safety and resistance.

Praised for its worldbuilding and exploration of moral complexity, it has become a staple in contemporary YA speculative fiction.