Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan: SERIES Review

TW: Sexual Assault/Abuse, Self - Harm, and Emotional Abuse

These two books (Girls of Paper and Fire, and its sequel, Girls of Storm and Shadow) shattered my heart - overall. Girls of Paper and Fire was a stunning first book to a series. Girls of Storm and Shadow was a solid follow - up. The first book I would rate a 9/10, and the second a 7/10. This averages out to an 8/10, but the overall rating I would give a 7.5/10. The first book was a remarkable first book. Perhaps that's why the second was only 'eh'.

The second book I can't review completely because (of course) it contains spoilers on the first. So, this review will primarily be about the first book, but I will explain my logic for rating the second book lower.

The first book, Girls of Paper and Fire, takes place in long ago and fictional Ikhara - based on Eastern Asian culture (I'm very sorry and I would like to make clear I'm not familiar with specific traditions of the individual countries - and I know they very widely from region to region.) Lei, the main character, is of the Paper caste. She is only human. The other two castes - Moon, made up of by full demons and the rulers/high society of Ikhara and Steel - a mix between human and demon - are treated better. 'Papers' are constantly being crushed under demon rule and treated unfairly by the Demon King, who is really a dictator. A classic story of injustice.

Every year or so, girls from the Paper caste are selected to be the Demon King's concubines. Lei is selected when the book picks up. Of course, this is against her will and the eventual training she receives to become essentially a lady-in-waiting of the court is nothing compared to the emotional torture of being sexually assaulted by the King.

As for the plot: it moves quickly. Lei is subjected to training and the inevitable visit with the King. Unfortunately, Ngan has experience with sexual assault. She explains this and offers hope and resources in an Author's Note in the back of the book. Because of her personal connection to these experiences, it is written beautifully. The experience is authentic, unfortunately. There are Lei's struggles with self-esteem, anxiety, pain, and the inevitable trauma. These elements, combined with other events that move the plot forward, such as rumors of conspiracy to overthrow the King, build up to quite the climax. And you probably guessed - Lei does fall in love. Halfway through the book, I noticed things began to add up. I was shocked and not at all disappointed when I realized who Lei had fallen in love with.

Lei, the main character, is astonishing. She is endlessly strong. That doesn't mean she never cries, but she never stops fighting, ever. She does everything she can for justice, even if it means sacrificing herself. The pain she goes through adds to her character - both 'book' character and moral character. I don't have anything to say about her negatively, at all. She's simply amazing.

Girls of Storm and Shadow was unfortunately disappointing. It was still a good book, but after the first, I was expecting a whirlwind of romance, and battles, and strategy. We did get to know the characters more. It picked up almost exactly where the previous book left off. However, it was even boring at times. The one good thing that this book had that Paper and Fire did not was the more 'shallow' character development - we meet new friends and we can see what Lei and her love are like outside of pain, exhaustion, and everything else. However, it just wasn't the whirlwind I hoped it would be. It is left off on a cliffhanger that leaves no doubt there is the intention to have a third book!

I recommend you read these books! The first book is amazing. The second is good. Hopefully, there will be a third, but since the sequel came out over a year ago and there is no announcement of a third, it is not looking like a third will be released anytime soon. My heart goes out to all who can relate or see themselves in Lei's position. Linked below are resources for survivors of sexual assault.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network):

Call: 1-800-656-HOPE

Chat: online.rainn.org

Info: rainn.org

Love is Respect - National Dating Abuse Hotline for Teens

Call: 1-866-331-9474

Info and chat: loveisrespect.org

Text: Loveis to 22522

National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline:

Call: 1-800-799-SAFE

Info and chat: thehotline.org