'A lush and ambitious debut . . . An exciting new voice with a prowess for lyricism' ― Publishers Weekly

'Every page is a masterclass in how to wrap a reader inside of a book. Simply put, this book will make you want to re-read it just to spend more time with the writing' ― Debutiful

'A haunting, operatic saga of family, history and place. Where There Was Fire beautifully braids love, lust, magic and the destructive power of man to wondrous and, at times, heartbreaking effect. Arias has created an utterly original, unforgettable tale of family that will sear a place in the reader's soul' ― Xochitl Gonzalez, bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming

An arresting tale of love, regret, and redemption. John Manuel Arias offers a searing look into the legacy of American agribusiness in Costa Rica and masterfully tells the story of a family fighting to put itself back together in the wake of unimaginable loss. As poetic as it is powerful, Where There Was Fire burns with rage and grief, and most of all, hope' ― Jenny Tinghui Zhang, author of Four Treasures of the Sky