emilymahar's review
4.0
The Girl of Fire and Thorns had been sitting on my NOOK unread for such a long time, and I have just now finally gotten around to reading it. I'm so glad that I did! Before starting it I had high expectations because I've heard nothing but good things about it, and I'm happy to say that my expectations were met!
It's been a long time since I've read a great fantasy book, and I found myself craving the magic that the genre has to offer. Somewhere I read that The Girl of Fire and Thorns was A Game of Thrones for YA, which really got me interested. After reading it, I can see the similarities.
I really loved the world that the story was set in, as well as the fantastic heroine and amazing action scenes! My favorite part of the book would have to be the main character, Elisa. Unlike many YA books, she wasn't the "perfect" stereotypical girl. In the book she is called fat, and she's the unfavorable one out of her and her sister. Not only did I like that the book incorporated a different type of heroin physically, but she had a strong personality. Elisa didn't let her size get to her, and she was a natural leader. Elisa was just a genuinely likable main character! As for the other characters I really liked Humberto and Cosme. Both have interesting backstories, and I really liked seeing them change over the time that Elisa knows them.
There was a bit of romance in here, but I liked how it wasn't overpowering.It was incorporated into the story in the perfect way, and I really liked it.
Overall, The Girl of Fire and Thorns was a really great fantasy book! I would definitely recommend it to fans of A Game of Thrones.
It's been a long time since I've read a great fantasy book, and I found myself craving the magic that the genre has to offer. Somewhere I read that The Girl of Fire and Thorns was A Game of Thrones for YA, which really got me interested. After reading it, I can see the similarities.
I really loved the world that the story was set in, as well as the fantastic heroine and amazing action scenes! My favorite part of the book would have to be the main character, Elisa. Unlike many YA books, she wasn't the "perfect" stereotypical girl. In the book she is called fat, and she's the unfavorable one out of her and her sister. Not only did I like that the book incorporated a different type of heroin physically, but she had a strong personality. Elisa didn't let her size get to her, and she was a natural leader. Elisa was just a genuinely likable main character! As for the other characters I really liked Humberto and Cosme. Both have interesting backstories, and I really liked seeing them change over the time that Elisa knows them.
There was a bit of romance in here, but I liked how it wasn't overpowering.It was incorporated into the story in the perfect way, and I really liked it.
Overall, The Girl of Fire and Thorns was a really great fantasy book! I would definitely recommend it to fans of A Game of Thrones.
m3l89's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't picture where this was going, but I had the feeling Elisa was a bit of an ugly ducking who, throughout the course of the series would turn into a beautiful swan.
Initially I found this painfully slow and felt that not a lot happened at all, once the plot started moving in part 2 I felt the general pace picked up but not enough. I ploughed my way through to the end but wasn't bothered about what happened. I thought the world building could have been better as there were lots of things I didn't think were explained very well.
Despite this, I can see how some people may consider this the start of an epic series. Politics, Religion and magic all fuse together.
Initially I found this painfully slow and felt that not a lot happened at all, once the plot started moving in part 2 I felt the general pace picked up but not enough. I ploughed my way through to the end but wasn't bothered about what happened. I thought the world building could have been better as there were lots of things I didn't think were explained very well.
Despite this, I can see how some people may consider this the start of an epic series. Politics, Religion and magic all fuse together.
wanderlustlover's review against another edition
5.0
I have to rave about this book, which Laura knew I would. She's been mentioning it off and on since....spring, maybe? And I finally dug into it last week and read it in less than three days, really. I have to say, honestly, that this series is incredibly unique and original in a lot of ways I was blowing off as not entirely possible, because the YA market is so saturated with everything lately.
But it is. Crazy unique. The lay out. The way the main character is. How the characters that circle around her are.
If you haven't read it, you should. There's so much I want to say and can't. Read it. Read it for yourself and love it.
But it is. Crazy unique. The lay out. The way the main character is. How the characters that circle around her are.
If you haven't read it, you should. There's so much I want to say and can't. Read it. Read it for yourself and love it.
annag77's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, this was a good start to a new (to me) series. I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job of portraying the characters and drawing me into the story. I could easily picture the world that Carson created and felt as if I was part of it all, along with the characters. My problem, however, was with the main character herself- Elisa. It seemed as if she was inconsistent. In many ways she was naive, and yet she soon becomes the battle strategists or advisor. I found it difficult to believe this and did not easily accept it. The author also focuses A LOT on her eating habits and her weight, more than I thought she should have in my opinion. I felt this took a bit away from what else was happening in the story. I actually (much) preferred the minor characters in the story opposed to Elisa. With that said, I will be continuing with this series. I am curious to know more about Elisa's gift and to discover how it fits in with her world.
jesticulate's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was really frustrating for me. On the one hand, it was a fun adventure story with a clever, brave female protagonist. On the other hand, it was the most fatphobic book I’ve ever read.
The edition I read had two passages added at the end the from the author talking about her relationship with weight and it’s presence in the book. Both I think we’re added post publication and do not repair the harm of the prior 400 pages fat-shaming.
The book opens with the protagonist describing herself as a pig and a stuffed sausage. Not a chapter in the first half passed without bad self-talk regarding her weight. Worse than that though, half way through the book she starts to get more confident, useful, and powerful. This of course corresponds with her getting thinner - regardless of the authors statements, this book ties the her moral character and worthiness directly to her weight in every chapter. When other people (later, When she’s skinny) say she would be pretty if she got fat again, this is considered ‘kindness’.
I read the whole book partially because I like a fun adventure, partially because I was outraged, and partially because I wanted to leave a fully informed review.
If you have a history of disordered eating, trauma around food, or just are sick of this bullshit - please don’t read this book. It’s not worth it.
The edition I read had two passages added at the end the from the author talking about her relationship with weight and it’s presence in the book. Both I think we’re added post publication and do not repair the harm of the prior 400 pages fat-shaming.
The book opens with the protagonist describing herself as a pig and a stuffed sausage. Not a chapter in the first half passed without bad self-talk regarding her weight. Worse than that though, half way through the book she starts to get more confident, useful, and powerful. This of course corresponds with her getting thinner - regardless of the authors statements, this book ties the her moral character and worthiness directly to her weight in every chapter. When other people (later, When she’s skinny) say she would be pretty if she got fat again, this is considered ‘kindness’.
I read the whole book partially because I like a fun adventure, partially because I was outraged, and partially because I wanted to leave a fully informed review.
If you have a history of disordered eating, trauma around food, or just are sick of this bullshit - please don’t read this book. It’s not worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death, Excrement, Injury/injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Blood
bellatora's review against another edition
2.0
The story of a princess with an arranged marriage to a handsome king is the perfect set up to make me love a book - but the execution faltered.
Princess Elisa gets married to King Alejandro and he whisks her away to his kingdom. After days of travel, when they show up in his capital, he tells her to keep the fact that they’re married a secret. Why did he wait until the last minute to say this? For drama. And then, Elisa has brought no clothes with her except what she was wearing on the road. WHAT THE HELL. IS SHE A PRINCESS OR SOME RANDOM PEASANT THE KING PLUCKED OFF THE STREET?!?
Part of the problem is that it turns out that King Alejandro is not a legitimate love interest at all. Instead, the rebel who kidnaps her (!) is a serious love interest. But then he dies. And so the dashing, brave courtier/soldier is the real, real love interest (I guess). And Alejandro gets killed off for good measure.
The problem with the book was that not only was Elisa annoying and body-obsessed, but also this book was just plain dull. I didn’t care about anyone who died, the action was boring and nonsensical and only there to show how feisty Elisa is (and how less cool everyone else is by comparison), and even the world building was boring. Plus, Elisa succeeds in the end through some deus ex machina from her magical belly Godstone. I’m slightly curious about the real story behind the Godstone, but honesty I don’t even really care.
There is no tension, no romance, no liveliness. There’s growth in only the most basic sense: Elisa is dumpy and passive and then becomes skinny and feisty. Because she was kidnapped by some rebels and becomes a rebel leader. Rebels who are fighting the country’s enemy without the king being bloody aware that his border people are waging battles with his country's greatest enemy. He really is a bad king. And I was SO LOOKING FORWARD to a romantic fantasy about a royal arranged marriage.
Princess Elisa gets married to King Alejandro and he whisks her away to his kingdom. After days of travel, when they show up in his capital, he tells her to keep the fact that they’re married a secret. Why did he wait until the last minute to say this? For drama. And then, Elisa has brought no clothes with her except what she was wearing on the road. WHAT THE HELL. IS SHE A PRINCESS OR SOME RANDOM PEASANT THE KING PLUCKED OFF THE STREET?!?
Part of the problem is that it turns out that King Alejandro is not a legitimate love interest at all. Instead, the rebel who kidnaps her (!) is a serious love interest. But then he dies. And so the dashing, brave courtier/soldier is the real, real love interest (I guess). And Alejandro gets killed off for good measure.
The problem with the book was that not only was Elisa annoying and body-obsessed, but also this book was just plain dull. I didn’t care about anyone who died, the action was boring and nonsensical and only there to show how feisty Elisa is (and how less cool everyone else is by comparison), and even the world building was boring. Plus, Elisa succeeds in the end through some deus ex machina from her magical belly Godstone. I’m slightly curious about the real story behind the Godstone, but honesty I don’t even really care.
There is no tension, no romance, no liveliness. There’s growth in only the most basic sense: Elisa is dumpy and passive and then becomes skinny and feisty. Because she was kidnapped by some rebels and becomes a rebel leader. Rebels who are fighting the country’s enemy without the king being bloody aware that his border people are waging battles with his country's greatest enemy. He really is a bad king. And I was SO LOOKING FORWARD to a romantic fantasy about a royal arranged marriage.
sidneyw_33's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dragontomes2000's review against another edition
3.0
I believe Rae Carson delivered a strong first book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy. I started this book not even a week ago and just flew through it. That's how easy this book was to read and how much I enjoyed it. Her writing style was very fluid and engaging. I never felt that there was a time in the story that was hindering on being to slow (well maybe the first part but that is it). The plot of the chosen one in this book to me just felt unoriginal. Maybe it's because I am late to the ball game with this series. Maybe it is also because I am not religious myself but the whole God's chosen I just wasn't feeling it. Through the entire story Elisa knows she is God's chosen however she doesn't know what for so she spends the entirety of the book searching for an answer and comes up with nothing. I did love Elisa's character though. She was very spunky and did the best she could given her situation. Alas besides Elisa, Ximena, and Rosario; the characters were forgettable at best. Not one character made a lasting impression on me so when characters perished I honestly didn't miss them or feel bad for them in the slightest. Since this is the first book, I was expecting a lot of foundational world building, but it was actually quite light. It was nice to be able to read a book that wasn't so heavy in the world building aspect. Not that those aren't enjoyable because I love me some deep complex worlds. Every once in a while though it is nice just to glide through the world. Granted we only visited like 4 places. I am hoping for more world in the next two books.
sabet_af's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 stars
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson was a an amazing and refreshing change of pace. This book tells the story of a young, 16-year-old girl who carries the Godstone, a stone in her navel that signifies her divine calling. She has been chosen by God... for what? Princess Elisa struggles with coming to terms with who she is, why she has been chosen by God, and learns to stand her ground and be the strong woman she is meant to be. I started this book and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Literally! I read it in one sitting, in one afternoon! Rae Carson takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, from beginning to end. This book has it all, from battles, to prophecies, to kidnappings, to a budding romance, to KINGS, and so much more! This book tied up all of the loose ends (that I cared about) so I'm not sure what the subsequent novels are going to be about, and I'm not entirely sure if I'll read them, but this first installment blew my socks off.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson was a an amazing and refreshing change of pace. This book tells the story of a young, 16-year-old girl who carries the Godstone, a stone in her navel that signifies her divine calling. She has been chosen by God... for what? Princess Elisa struggles with coming to terms with who she is, why she has been chosen by God, and learns to stand her ground and be the strong woman she is meant to be. I started this book and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Literally! I read it in one sitting, in one afternoon! Rae Carson takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster, from beginning to end. This book has it all, from battles, to prophecies, to kidnappings, to a budding romance, to KINGS, and so much more! This book tied up all of the loose ends (that I cared about) so I'm not sure what the subsequent novels are going to be about, and I'm not entirely sure if I'll read them, but this first installment blew my socks off.
barnettbunch's review against another edition
4.0
I loved so much about this book. I loved watching a female character evolve, come into her own and be a strong heroine. I loved that she wasn't perfect, but was trying to find her place and do what was right and good. There was a neat spiritual aspect that was really nice. I enjoyed seeing that spirituality cultivated and encouraged as the story progressed. Great start to a trilogy that I can't wait to continue.