REVIEW: The Girl Of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

The Girl Of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Publication Date: August 21, 2012

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming Of Age, Historical

Series: Fire and Thorns, #1

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Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one. But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can't see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she
could be his people's savior. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn't die young. Most of the chosen do.

   The Girl Of Fire and Thorns had my immediate attention when I saw a video review on it. I was drawn to it's cover and the amazingly written summary. But when it came down to reading it, it failed to hold my attention. I think it might be the book I've taken the longest to read (three months).

   Elisa is a sixteen year old princess and she has been arranged to marry King Alejandro of Joya d'Arena to unite their kingdoms. She has been the chosen one to hold the god-stone that only happens for every hundred years. No one really knows much about the stone except that the holder is meant to do great things with it's tremendous power.

   Like I said before, the story was not holding my attention. And a huge problem I had with this book was how much religion there was in it. That was not something I enjoyed reading about. A reviewer had talked about how "it's not constantly at your throat" but that's exactly how it felt for me. Maybe it will feel like a lot or little to some people. But to me, it was too much. And there was also parts that felt like info. dumps. I would have preferred to just skip those parts.

   But weirdly enough, even though I didn't like the religion aspect, I did think it made the world that Rae Carson created more unique in a way. I just wish it was toned down a bit.

   I did love the huge level of diversity we got. Elisa and her people were depicted as people of color. And Elise is an overweight character that constantly struggles walking because of it.

   I wasn't too sure of Elisa in the beginning because after she married Alejandro she became really annoying for me. But I loved seeing how completely changed she went from being a naive princess to a more confident and strong leader. It's one of the main reasons I want to finish the rest of the trilogy to see how she turns out.

   Romance wasn't such a big part of the story even though there was a little bit of it. It was confusing because you think someone is going to be the love interest but then someone else comes in. But don't worry, there's no love triangle!! I only saw a tiny bit of chemistry but maybe there will be growth in the next novel. I think I can potentially love the romance.

   All in all, The Girl Of Fire and Thorns wasn't exactly a favorite book to read but I think the world and the diversity of it all makes up for it.

   There may be a slight chance that I pick up the second book just because of how much I hear that each book gets better and better. But if it happens, it won't be for a while.

2 Sea Stars: It Was Okay