…Fire is a good addition to the young adult bookshelf. It has action, romance and mysterious creatures, and it allows readers to indulge in a primal fantasy: What would it be like to have such powers? Fire may not lessen anyone's desire for transcendent beauty or the ability to read the minds of the lords and ladies of the lunchroom. But by the end, readers will better understand that even these gifts are double-edged.
—The New York Times

This elegantly written prequel to the acclaimed Graceling blazes with the questions of young adulthood: Who am I? How do I stand in relation to my parents? What choices will define my life? Seeing those concerns played out by Fire, Brigan and a host of memorable minor characters proves as compelling as the richly detailed medieval backdrop, the tension between battling lords and the mysterious presence of strange-eyed Leck, the only character common to both novels.
—The Washington Post

This prequel to Graceling, Cashore's smashing debut, may initially frustrate readers wanting more about Katsa and Po. Fire takes place long before Katsa's birth in an adjacent kingdom called the Dells and shares only one character. But its themes—embracing your talents and moving out of your parents' shadow—are similar, as is the absorbing quality of Cashore's prose. The Dells do not have gracelings; they have beautiful creatures called monsters that are like normal animals except for their exquisite coloration. Seventeen-year-old Fire, who can read and control minds, is the last human monster. Her father, a corrupt adviser to a debased king, recognizes the dangers of her powers and exiles her to the hills, where she is raised by an out-of-favor military commander and befriended by his son, Archer. Many twists propel the action, and although astute readers will suspect who the eventual lovers will be from their first hateful meeting, the buildup to their romance provides tension that keeps the pages turning. Cashore's conclusion satisfies, but readers will clamor for a sequel to the prequel—a book bridging the gap between this one and Graceling. Ages 14–up. (Oct.)

Cashore's prose has matured, growing piercing and elegant . . . starred review

. . . vivid storytelling, strongly realized alternate world, well-drawn characters, convincing fantasy elements, gripping adventure scenes and [a] memorable love story. starred review

Gr 9 Up—This fantasy, shot through with romance and suspense, is set in the same world as Graceling (Dial, 2008), but on the far side of the mountain barrier in the kingdom of the Dells. Here there are monsters, enhanced and exceptionally beautiful versions of various animal species. Fire is a human monster, so beautiful that she has to hide her hair for fear of attack by both raptor monsters and human men. She is able to enter other people's minds and exert power over them. It is a tumultuous time in the kingdom, as various lords are preparing to overthrow the king, and Fire is drawn into the fray. With a larger cast and a more complex canvas than Graceling, the story begins slowly and takes its time establishing itself. Fire's path is not immediately clear, and although full of action, her quest is largely internal. While the plotting is well done, there are a few quibbles about Cashore's world-building and about the role of a major character from Graceling, Leck. But, this is Fire's story, and readers will fall in love with her as she struggles with her pivotal role in the war effort as well as her complex relationships with her oldest friend and lover, Archer; with Prince Brigan, whose mind is closed to her and who becomes central to her life; and with her monster father's fearsome legacy. More adult in tone than Graceling, this marvelous prequel will appeal to older teens, who will not only devour it, but will also love talking about it.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

A jewel-toned companion to Graceling (2008) inverts the trope of the exotic, gifted, irresistible fantasy heroine. Every species in the Dells has its impossibly attractive "monster" counterpart. Fire, last of the human monsters, must constantly use her mind-altering abilities to protect herself from the frenzied desire and resentful distrust of man and beast alike. Though her father used his powers to corrupt the kingdom, political tumult leads the ruling family to seek her aid, dispatching the one member strong enough to shield his thoughts. But the subtle intrigues of palace plots and even the sickening horrors of open warfare are vehicles to total immersion into Fire's character, and her experiences of crippling pain, guilt, fear, grief and-even more devastating-the fragile unfurling of trust, friendship and love. For this is a love story, not just a romance (although that as well, surpassingly sweet). As Fire journeys from her isolated home to slowly integrate herself into a wider community, she tentatively, tenderly, passionately falls in love with a family, a city, a kingdom, with the very contradictions that make them human-and, at the last, with her own place among them. Fresh, hopeful, tragic and glorious. (Fantasy. YA)

Praise for Fire

A New York Times bestseller
YALSA, Best Fiction for Young Adults
Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Winner
A Washington Post Best Book of the Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

"Cashore is wonderful, tough and nuanced—everything you could want from a writer." —Junot Díaz, author of The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao

“There are some books that stick with you for years, and Kristen Cashore’s Fire is one of them. Thoughtful, steamy and completely original, Fire is YA fantasy at its absolute best.”—Sabaa Tahir, author of New York Times bestselling Ember in the Ashes

* "There aren't enough words to describe how awesome this book is." —Top Pick, Romantic Times, starred review

* "Piercing and elegant." —The Horn Book, starred review

* "Fresh, hopeful, tragic and glorious." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Shot through with romance and suspense. . .This is Fire's story, and readers will fall in love with her. . .Marvelous." —SLJ, starred review

* "Absorbing." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Elegantly written. . .blazes with the questions of young adulthood. . .Compelling." —Washington Post

"Breathtaking. . .Cashore is that rare gifted writer who can give a fantasy novel real depth." —Los Angeles Times

"As a fantasy writer, Cashore sets herself apart with a passionate descriptive style." —New York Times Book Review

* "Readers can enjoy this novel without having read Graceling. And enjoy it they will, with its vivid characters, convincing fantasy elements, gripping adventure scenes, and memorable love story." —Booklist, starred review

In this companion to GRACELING (2008), the Dells is a fantasy world filled with monster animals. Strikingly beautiful 17-year-old Fire, the last human monster, uses her ability to control minds to save the kingdom from warring factions. Narrator Xanthe Elbrick gives Fire a strong voice, which is softened as Fire gives voice to her conflict over how to control her unique gift and becomes whispery as she uses it to enter the minds of humans. Elbrick consistently individualizes the voice of each member of a large cast of characters and deftly adjusts her pacing as this action-packed, romantic fantasy unfolds. Kristin Cashore builds worlds with words, and Elbrick draws listeners into it. C.R.A. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine