Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Author: Rae Carson
Series: Fire and Thorns, Book One
Publisher: Greenwillow
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: Hardcover, 423 pages
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Source: Mid-Columbia Libraries
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Synopsis from Goodreads: 

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. She 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 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. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. 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.


My Review: 
 
I used to read Tamora Pierce when I was in middle school. I loved her books so when I saw that she recommended this book, I had to read it. Rae Carson has brought her high fantasy novel to life in a way that was reminiscient of Tamora Pierce's work, yet utterly unique.

I was immediately sucked into the world that Carson has created. A world full of princesses, arranged marriages, and best of all, magic. It reminded me of Game of Thrones in a way with the monarchy and various kingdoms. Rae Carson is not afraid to kill her characters off, so be prepared.

A young girl, Elisa, was blessed with the Godstone at birth, a small stone lodged in her stomach that pulses whenever she prays. Elisa begins as a terrified girl being married off to a man she has never met. Not only is she terrified of being married to him, she is also petrified of ruling a kingdom, as her new husband is king of a vast land. Elisa has always stayed in the shadows, never taking much initiative as princess of her own kingdom. Her older sister, Alodia, has always been the more diplomatic of the two. So I understood why she was scared. But she takes each new experience with patience and dignity and, lucky for her, her new husband is a super sweet (and handsome) guy.

I couldn't believe the transformation Elisa made throughout this book. She proves that she is both kind and cunning enough to one day be queen. Elisa is of strong faith, being the bearer of the Godstone, but even she has her doubts about God and his purpose for allowing certain things to happen. This made her character so realistic to me because I believe everybody (who is religious) has doubts at times. Although her faith is shaken, she continues to trust in God's will even when it seems everybody is out to kill her. 

I know many nonreligious people may be tentative about picking up this book, but I encourage you to try it. Does God play a large role in the book? Yes, but the story is more about Elisa's transformation from a young scared girl to a self-assured woman ready to rule. Carson certainly does not shove religion down her readers' throats. It is present, but not pushy.

This book broke my heart many times and nearly brought me to tears, but it was so beautifully written and intriguing, I couldn't put it down. It didn't end on a huge cliffhanger, but I love the characters so much that I can't wait to read the next one. I don't know what else to say about it except that I loved it! Happy reading all!