 | AUTHOR: Rae Carson SERIES: Fire and Thorns, book 1 PUBLISHER: Greenwillow PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2011 ISBN: 9780062026484 PAGES: 423 SOURCE: Overdrive/public library GENRE: fantasy GIVE IT TO: MS, HS |
WHAT I LIKED: Great writing, world-building. Carson's YA fantasy debut takes its time establishing Princess Elisa's politically tumultuous world. Detailed descriptions of elaborate palaces and sweeping landscapes help readers visualize the settings.
Character development. Princess Elisa, King Alejandro, Cosme, Humberto, and Belen are realistically flawed, which I always love. I especially loved Elisa's honesty, intelligence, and personal growth throughout the story. I love Alejandro's laissez-faire attitude, Humberto's simple determination, Cosme's fierce will to evoke change.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Sometimes, a novel has everything going for it, but for whatever reason, I just don't connect with it. Girl of Fire and Thorns was such a novel. It took me forever to get into the story, and even then, my interest fluctuated from one chapter to the next. I wanted to know what happened, but I didn't enjoy the journey of getting there. I cared enough to finish, but not enough to be excited about it.
The religious stuff. Elisa's Godstone and the history of Godstones are central to the story. Elisa prays frequently, consults with priests, studies sacred texts. Nearly every page has something religious on it. I get that the Godstone is a huge part of the story, but for me, it was just too much spirituality.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The writing, world-building, and character development are top-notch, but I didn't really connect with the story and its strong religious overtones.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: We have it, and it has gotten a few checkouts.
READALIKES:Graceling (Cashore); The Demon King (Chima)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
- Overall: 3/5
- Creativity: 5/5
- Characters: 5/5
- Engrossing: 2/5
- Writing: 5/5
- Appeal to teens: 3/5
- Appropriate length to tell the story: 3/5
CONTENT:
- Language: none
- Sexuality: mild; some kissing; references to intercourse (Elisa is married to King Alejandro in the second chapter)
- Violence: medium; several deaths, blood, fire, murder
- Drugs/Alcohol: mild; poisoning/drugging with a local plant
Let's start a discussion! Does serious spirituality in a book cause you to like it less?
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