Sometimes I read books where the characters have magical abilities, but they use their abilities to do trivial things like have glossy hair. (Okay, I know glossy hair is important, lord knows I've spent enough on argon oil, but it's less important than world peace.) But the characters in The First Bright Thing are working for world peace! Yay! Unfortunately, they bite off more than they can chew. If world peace were easy, we'd have it by now.
Usually I like detailed descriptions, and there are many lovely descriptions in The First Bright Thing. Occasionally the novel seemed long to me. There were many things I liked about it. The misfits because of their magical abilities came together to make a beautiful circus, but they also made a beautiful family who took care of each other. And although the nonmagical public wanted to exterminate those with the "spark," the sparks went out of their way to help troubled people. There are strong women and strong female friendships. Except for the abusive husband that the protagonist Rin is fleeing from, the female and male characters are equal to each other and good friends to one another.
Notice, too, that the first bright thing can stand for more than one thing or person. One bright thing in the story is dreadful and ghastly. while other bright things are helpful and awe-inspiring. Well, the bad bright thing is awe-inspiring but not in a good way. In the long run, the circus performers realize that bringing happiness to the world is their true magic.
A big thank you to Tor and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review The First Bright Thing.
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