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I loved Graceling, so I was more than eager to jump into Fire-and believe me, it did not disppoint. It was every bit as good as Graceling. Within the first five minutes of reading I had an oh #@%& moment,and was hooked until the end. I love the way Kristin Cashore developes her characters-and to think, this is only her second book. I am already in great anticipation for the realse of Bitterblue. If you are a fan of Graceling, this book will not disppoint and no review will be able to do it justice.
25 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GRACELING was one of my very favorite reads of 2008 and the year's best YA I would venture to say. And before you get all up in arms, let me assure you I enjoyed THE HUNGER GAMES as much as the next person. But GRACELING was just the one, you know? And I have this feeling that Kristin Cashore is something special. I was positively thrumming with anticipation when I heard she had a second book to follow. FIRE is, in point of fact, a prequel to GRACELING and takes place 30 years or so prior to Katsa and Poe's story. It is also set in an entirely different land, though definitely in the same world, and (as I am sure you have already heard) a certain terrifyingly familiar character from GRACELING makes an appearance in FIRE. Otherwise, it is its own story and it stands completely on its own feet.
Fire is a monster. A human monster. And the last of her kind. In her homeland, the Dells, there are all manner of monsters from lizards and mosquitoes to leopards and raptors. But they all have one thing in common--their incomparable beauty. These creatures come in a gorgeous riot of color and texture and are so beautiful they literally impede rational thought in the humans they come into contact with. With the ability to control the minds of those around them, they inspire an uncomfortable (at times deadly) mixture of fear, hatred, and absolute longing in the people of the Dells. And no one is more hated or sought after than Fire. Her father was King Nax's most trusted advisor and closest friend. He was also the one responsible for the king's untimely death and for the current chaotic state of the realm. When Fire's service is requested on behalf of the young King Nash and his brother and war commander Brigan, Fire is thrust out of her quiet life and into a mounting war. Forced to reconcile her questionable abilites with her own demanding conscience, she is immediately caught between right and wrong, a dark past and uncertain present, and a pair of brothers determined to win at all costs.
This book made short work of me. There was just so much hope inside me wrapped around how good it would be and when it turned out to be approximately ten times better than all that wrapped up hope....well....I was a goner. I looked forward all day long to the moment I could crawl back in bed and read more about the Dells and Fire and Brigan and Archer. And the list goes on. These characters are breathtakingly real and the way the gorgeous, understated writing tugs and pulls and builds a complex and lovely world around them makes the whole package irresistable. Best of all, Fire herself struck a chord deep within me and I held my breath as I watched her move through her world, worried she wouldn't meet with enough care, hoping someone in the messy throng of plotting, planning, warring kings and soldiers would recognize her for what she was. Like Katsa before her, she is so very strong, an outcast her entire life, and yet she never turns her back on those who need her. Even when they have no idea how desperately they do. Even when she herself is afraid. FIRE is, wait for it, even better than its predecessor. It's subtle and thoughtful and throbbing with genuine emotion--three qualities I often find lacking in my reading. It is, without a doubt, the most difficult of combinations to achieve, but when the right note is struck....magic.
20 out of 21 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ever since I read that Kristin Cashore was writing two companion novels to Graceling, I couldn't wait to read them. Graceling was a great novel (that I couldn't put down), so I set my hopes very high for Fire.
Characters:
This story focuses on the character, Fire, a half-human, half-monster. She's able to control the minds of people around her, but she's very cautious about using this power unless it's absolutely necessary. Similar to Katsa, Fire is an extremely strong female character, but she's conflicted about her gifts. She's extremely beautiful, due to her half-monster lineage. This may sound like a blessing, but she is forced to hide her dazzling hair under a scarf, because it attracts people to her. To Fire, her monster powers are more of a curse than a gift. It's also because of these powers that she's constantly reminded of her father. He was fiercely protective of her, but cruel to everyone else he encountered.
Plot:
I really enjoyed Fire's story. It seemed like the book delved a lot deeper into who she was. Particularly, what it meant to be part-monster, but feel as humans do. I enjoyed reading Fire's memories of her father, Cansrel. He was a full monster, and had no qualms with manipulating the minds of people around him to do his bidding. Fire's memories seemed to emphasize that, while she hadn't always made the best choices, she had a conscience. She never manipulated the minds of people when it wasn't completely necessary. The romance was very subtle, and built up very nicely over the course of the story. It didn't feel rushed, or forced, and really affirmed the humanity in Fire.
We also got to see the origins of a character from Graceling. I won't give away the name, even though he's introduced in the very early pages of the book. I'll just say this, I hated the character in this book too!
Final Say:
Is it wrong that I want a sequel about Fire? I absolutely loved this book, and can't wait for Bitterblue, Cashore's next book.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fire by Kristin Cashore
Ms. Cashore creates a world parallel to Graceling: The kingdoms are now Pikkia and The Dells.
There is threat of war in The Dells. The young King Nash clings to the throne while to the north: Lord Mydogg and his sister Murgda amass an army with the help of mercenary Pikkians-the kingdom north of Dell. To the south: Lord Gentian and his son Gunner are doing the same-creating an army to unseat King Nash.
Fire, lover of Lord Archer, lives in the north. With a wild, irresistible appearance and the hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Her father.
Lord Cansrel advised King Nash's father, King Nax. Casnrel was cruel and perverted and drew the kingdom almost to destruction, thus the revolts in the North and the South.
Fire killed her father-ending the reign of tyranny-and is now asked by Prince Brigan-King Nash' brother, to go to King's City to help the Royal family uncover a plot against the King. Fire accepts the plea and soon realizes that there is more to her power than she ever dreamed.
Fire helps decipher the treachery, helps kill Lord Gentian and his son Gunner and helps in the war against Lord Mydogg and his sister Murgda, discovering a treachery that saves Brigan and the King from death-and helping with the war wounded. She loses Lord Archer in the process and the only character from the Graceling book-King Leck-is responsible for this loss
The war is won by King Nash and Fire learns to live among the humans and falls in love with Brigan.
This book is a disappointment. Graceling was exciting and thrilling; Fire is boring and fill with people's emotions. Where Graceling was a thriller, Fire is a Romantic Novel. The sexual content makes it not suitable for children, yet, it is a bore to go through all the "feelings" the characters experience time and time again. Boring for adults.
The narrative is also poor. Where as the points of views that were so clearly delineated in Graceling-they are not clear at all in Fire. Thus, sometimes you don't even know who's talking. I was disappointed with Miss. Cashore second book.
3 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fire is an amazing story!! Kristin Cashore is my favorite new writer!! Cashore's debut novel Graceling was wonderful, but she has completely outdone herself with Fire!! As soon as I finished this book, I immediately flipped back to the first page to start again!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I really loved this book. The main character Fire was such an easy character to relate to despite her otherworldly beauty. She was a strong female character, which I love, even though she wasn't physically strong. She was opinionated and independent and I think that girls should be reading books like this. Also, I loved the love story in this book. Usually, I find romance in books (Especially in recent Teen Fiction) very cheesy and unrealistic, but in Fire it wasn't rushed and seemed very believable. There was a mix of everything in this book, plot turns, sad moments, funny moments, everything. I definitely recommend this book.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fire is actually a prequel rather than a sequel to Cashore's break-out début Graceling, however in my opinion it is the better of the two. Written with more character depth, story realization, and better plot pacing; I enjoyed Fire a lot more than Graceling. Fire is a female monster from the Dells whose burden is too be too beautiful. At first this sounds silly, almost superficial, but Cashore uses this to examine the dark nature of beauty and in a way also examine what it means to truly be a monster. This review will make a lot more sense after you've read Fire, so until then all I can really do is recommend that you read this book.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 9, 2011
It's rare to come across a teen novel that is interesting and written beauituflly. I fell in love with the characters, the story, how beautiful weaven the story was, and the art of her writing. Not only did this story SURPASS Graceling, but her writing style is something to admire. If you liked Graceling, you will LOVE Fire. Captivating, dark, and lovely. You don't know if you want to cry to laugh. She gives her characters real emotions and takes a slow pace to a fast-paced story. Non-the-less, it is a page turner and a shocker! This book is one of my newest favorites (just finished reading minutes ago).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I Enjoyed this book! The characters were well written and the love story was great, which i can't help but notice is sort of the same as katsa and po, you new it was going to happen you just has to wait till it did, sort of the same time line. Kristin C is making her mark! I wished that fire wouldn't have taken those herbs, no firelings sniffle sniffle, but it was a great ending and explained a little bit of the story of the Grey eyed red eyed evil king, That horse kicked his butt. Though I am not sure if this book is as good as graceling, it definitely was a great read. CAN'T WAIT FOR BITTERBLUE!!!!!!! P.S. the covers of her book are awesome
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.About three decades before the adventures of Katsa and Po in GRACELING in the Kingdom of the Dells reside the monsters with incredibly delicate beautiful coloring. However, the realm is changing as seventeen year old Fire is the last human monster who has the ability to read minds and more significantly control people mentally.
Her corrupt father served as the prime adviser to the pathetic King Nax until the monarch's recent death, which his advisor caused. The new ruler King Nash and his brother Commander Brigan want Fire on their side of the apparent upcoming civil war for obvious reasons. Meanwhile her sire who exiled her to the countryside does not want to lose his position of affluence and power so will do anything including selling out his country, his king, and his daughter.
Although set before the heroine of Graceling is born and in another country with only one reasonably important tie between the novels, fans will fully appreciate stand alone FIRE, a strong profound thriller starring an incredible lead monster. Fire has psychological issues over using her powers as directed by her father and her king, but understands her dilemma because her mind control would probably lead to less blood flowing, yet free will is a right she believes in. Fans will enjoy this strong drama as security and liberty are debated inside an exciting fast-paced character driven tale that ironically will lead to a demand for a tweener book that ties the female heroines, Fire and Katsa, together.
Harriet Klausner
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 6, 2011
This book was really good. I thought I was going to be reading a Graceling sequel, so I was a little disappointed at first. After I started reading and getting to know the new characters my disappointment quickly faded. I really love the way Kristin Cashore writes and I am looking forward to more work from her!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I was upset at first because I didn't want a companion book to Graceling, I wanted a sequel. But I was totally wrong!! I loved everything about Fire, and hope that the author will bring the two book's characters together somehow.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Red-Dashami
Posted April 30, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This book was BEYOND amazing! I mean, I've seen almost every reviewer say that Fire wasn't as good as Graceling. WHAT?! The relationship between Brigan and Fire was SO intense and just. . .beautiful; the way they came together was just to much. I actually cried at that particular scene. Loved this book and would re-read it which I usually don't do.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 15, 2010
This was definitely up there in my top 5 of the most boring books I've ever read. The main character was hard to like at times, and the romance and action in the book wasn't engaging enough to keep you interested. The majority of the characters and their stories of how they intertwine together was mostly unlikeable so that with the loss of one of the major characters, I found myself not even all that sad. I would definitely not recommend. I felt like I had to trudge through just to get to the end.
1 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 8, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Although I didn't think this book was as good as Graceling, i still think it was very well written. I like how free-spirited her heroine is and the story is well drawn out.
if you loved Graceling you'll love this story as well. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.irisheyes7
Posted March 16, 2010
I have to disagree with the reviews so far. I was not crazy about this book, at all. It got better about 2/3 the way through I suppose. But this book is nothing like Graceling IMO, which I preferred.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Graceling knocked my socks off...and even though this one didn't quite do that, it was still a great book! I found the characters strong and relatable, and the story to be fun and absorbing. I will definitely read anything else this author comes out with!
If you like this author, you might also like Tamora Pierce (teen) and Glenda Larke (adult).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 26, 2010
I Also Recommend:
If you are a fan of Graceling, this one will NOT disappoint. I loved the world of Graceling so went into Fire a bit skeptical seeing as how Katsa and Po would not be present, but the Dells and all they have to offer was amazing and had me hooked from the the first page! I love this series and cannot wait for the next to be released as I'm sure it won't disappoint.
Also if you have not read Graceling it doesn't really matter if you jump into Fire first, but be warned that a major spoiler relating to Graceling is revealed in Fire ;)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This has to be the best book/series I have read in a long long time. I thought Graceling was fantastic and this book equaled it and took it to another level. Before I even had the time to place it in my B&N Library and mark it as the one I'm currently reading I had this book read. The story is so real and the characters are so alive that you feel like you are right there in the story with them. Her style of writing is so easy to read and the story just flows. There are never any slow or boring parts to this book and never any wasted words as a fill in. I love the variety of personalities, all totally believable, even the odd ones. I was actually sad and disappointed when I was done reading this book because I did not want it to end. I can't wait for the next one to come out and would highly recommend this book to any and all.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Fire was such a captivating action/drama/romance novel that I read it in practically one sitting. I would recommend this book to anyone. It was every bit as good as Graceling even though it was not a sequel. The characters were very enticing and relatable but still with their own fictional twists. They complimented eachother very well and just when you thought you had the story figured out... you didnt. This was easily one of my favorite books and possably my favorite series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her. Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next.This ...