The Girl of Fire and Thorns

2.5 - maybe i wasn't in the right head space but the book felt very underwhelming in the middle parts. I did enjoy the beginning and some aspects but i'm quite skeptical about continuing the series.

really loved this book but WHY DID YOU HAVE TO KILL OFF MY FAV HUHUHUH

okayyyy. this was not bad at all. i was hesitant to start this series because 1. The reviews weren't very nice and 2. I'm not a big fantasy girl so I didn't really go into this book with any expectations. I'm happy to say I really loved this book. I unexpectedly made a connection with the characters. i just really liked this book and I'm so excited for the rest of this series!

This felt like bog-standard fantasy with the exception of the protagonist's magic umbilicus. Yes, see, her navel is a gem that turns hot and cold (and more, but...spoilers, I guess.) Did her umbilical artery run through it? Did it grow once her cord fell off? Is the belly button just decorative in this world? Inquiring minds got too distracted by umbilical anatomy to pay too much attention to the plot, which is good, because again, cliche fantasy + Stockholm syndrome.

OK, to add one more comment: I liked having a heroine who was larger, and the body positivity that went with it. Of course, she lost a ton of weight while being kidnapped and was thrilled with her smaller body...Rae Carson is not exactly svelte herself and this all felt like a very unhealthy weight fantasy situation.

I'm really quite disappointed that I didn't like this book as it came very highly recommended from people I have the same reading tastes as so take notice of their recommendations.

I will say that I liked Carson's writing, it was elegent and simple at the same time which I think is perfect for this type of novel. I also really loved the setting and the Latinx character representation.

Where this fell flat for me was the plot and pacing, I just felt like it was trying to tell an exciting story but it was told far too slowly. At times I was rolling my eyes at the inconsequential details which were added to drive up the word count. Even when there was some action it seemed half baked and a struggle to pull out of the story.

The other thing to mention is the amount of religious references in this book. I get that it's a ‘godstone' and they are a religious people but the sheer amount of religious references was overwhelming and, as an atheist, I simply could not connect with many parts of this story due to this theme.

It's a shame but I won't be continuing with the series and I'm quite disappointed about that, I really wanted to love this!

This was a good book but there was something missing which stops it from being great. I found Elisa to be a relatable character with her lack of confidence, stress eating and unable to bear the burden of being the chosen one. She grows a lot through her journey to come into her own and be able to protect those she loves. I also liked that she is a sort of bookworm and uses all her knowledge to plan the best ways to attack and defend. Alejandro was so indecisive and unsure despite being the King but he is a good person and I liked that he got a chance to prove his bravery.

The strength of this book are the side characters – Ximena, Cosmé, Humberto and Hector. They are all brave and loyal and fierce and I really loved all of them. The whole concept of praying to God for everything and justifying all actions as God's will was a little difficult to get through but I understand it's going to be the main theme throughout this series. I just hope the next book is better and I definitely would like Elisa to overcome her grief and find her true love.

For a lot of personal reasons, I loved this book! I haven't read a lot of YA recently because so many had the same old boring tropes and I couldn't stand them anymore, but The Girl of Fire and Thorns did so much right, that I am so glad I decided to pick it up.
Firstly I really enjoyed the main character Elisa. She is real and sweet and she grows as the story progresses in ways that are inspiring and have nothing to do with a love interest - so refreshing. Not that it's without romance! There is definitely swoon worthy romance, and no love triangle thank goodness.
Elisa's personal journey was actually my favourite part of the book. She struggles with so much that I've personally struggled with, that it really struck a cord. From her weight issues - something I have NEVER seen explored in traditional fantasy, and was pleasantly surprised by - to her growth into a confident young woman. It is truly a treat to see her grow from beginning to end, and quite inspirational.
Her faith was also represented in such a unique and wonderful way. So rare to find a book that shows faith in a God in such a non-negative way, but also not preachy. It is apart of the main characters life, influences her, but she also doubts, questions and prays for understanding, which is a very real representation of faith.
Besides that I also enjoyed the Spanish-type influence on the fantasy world. It was refreshing in place of the usual medieval Western European flavour of a lot of fantasy.
The characters were great, the world and magic system was unique and well formed, a bit of romance, a lot of self-discovery and overall just a really good story.

I really enjoyed this book. The main character is not a typical perfect princess. We get to see her grow and become stronger and better. She is a relate-able heroine. The story is fun an exciting and I had a hard time putting the book down to go to sleep. The ending did feel a little rushed I wish there'd been more “meat” at the end.

3.75 stars, I think.

Hate is a strong word, but I really really really didn't like you.....

WHYYYYYYYY WHY DID THE AUTHOR KILL OFF THE ONE PERSON THAT WAS PERFECT FOR THE MAIN CHARACTERRRR???!!!
Other than that, it was a pretty good book. Maybe I'll read the rest of the series

Ever since I caught a glimpse of this book at my local indie, I knew I would love it. And by glimpse, I mean reading the first chapter and absolutely dying that I couldn't buy it right then. I wanted to know more about this chubby princess who was soon to be known queen in a kingdom she'd never been before. I wanted to read about her new husband who's kind but a bit of a ditz when it comes to actual battles. And most of all, I want to warm to the history of the Godstone and all its previous bearers. All this is introduced in the very first chapter and it was this that kept me in the book's thrall till I could get a copy of my own.

Lucero-Elisa de Riqueza is a known princess in her country, Orovalle, for being chosen soon after birth by God, to fulfill an important service. Unfortunately, due to her country's beliefs, Elisa was kept in the dark of what exactly the service my entail and the true fatality that's more than likely to occur were she to fail completing the service. It's with the help of new friends that Elisa makes in her new home country that she realizes the complexity and enormity of her service unto God. While war is something Elisa enjoy reading about in her Belleza Guerra, she never thought she'd be asked to put her expertise into the real makings of war. The Girl of Fire and Thorns depicts a fantasy world where war is an all to real prospect, and where the identity of the Godstone-bearer is a fundamental element to both sides, where the power it represents could make or break a nation.

Characters: Of course, I must start with Elisa; for she is my favorite character and main heroine in all this. Even though I knew in the very beginning that she was a tad too immature to govern a whole nation because she's been mostly living on sweets and the Godstone to get her by, she had the potential makings for a magnificent ruler.With the help of her nurse, Ximena, and her lady-in-waiting, Aneaxi, Elisa was a well-rounded person capable of compassion and grace with a healthy level of insecurity that throughout the book flourishes into quite the polar opposite. Her development was in part due to the strength she constantly saw in the people making the decisions around her and her own belief that she could be an asset instead of a hindrance. Most of the other important characters had their individualistic roles to play, like Alejandro King of Joya d'Arena, Lord Hector his personal guard, both influential Priest that help guide Elisa, and of course the Malficio. Each person and group of people that Elisa meets, in some way make a difference and enhance the plot with presence. Even the evil dudes, the Invierne, have their own spotlight for a time that illuminates their cataclysmic tendencies.

Plot: The unpredictability of The Girl of Fire and Thorns was my favorite aspect of the whole book. Even more than the characters because I loved how it always kept me on edge and I honestly could not predict what was going to happen with the Godstone until it was all unveiled in the last stint of the book. The flow and pace as which the story progressed was suitable to the constant twists that the author liked to input every two chapters or so. I couldn't fully grasp some of the paths that Ms. Carson took the book in because it took my expectations and incinerated them with an Invierne amulet; I was riveted the whole way through. Unbelievably so, this book will have you thinking about it even after you've finished and have you guessing numerous times as to what book two could entail.

Originality: Seriously, who could up with this stuff? Ms. Carson, you're fan-flipping-amazing. Not only did the characters bring something new to the YA Genre but the settings and vivacity of the change in scenery every quarter of the book kept it alive and refreshing. One moment you're in a desert, the next you're deep in the forest and mountain ranges, and then you circle back to the monstrous palace. It's absolutely incredible what this author can do with words.

Overall: You could not prepare for how epic this book is, so I suggest you just enjoy the escape it provides and thrive in the experience.

Grade: A

So I don't usually read high-fantasy, but I gave this one a shot and I'm certainly glad I did. The Girl of Fire and Thorns really surprised me. Elise, the protagonist, defied the gorgeous-model-like-looks that many YA novels feature, and starts off, in fact, as a rather overweight teenager with a remarkably low self-esteem. That in itself caught my interest and following her story and watching her develop as a character was a real treat. I'll admit that some of the more fantastical elements took a little adjusting, but The Girl of Fire and Thorns surprised me with many-a-plot twist that I definitely didn't see coming (which is a rare thing, I might add) and actually got me to exclaim out loud while reading...twice.

In my book, that means I really enjoyed it, and thusly I recommend it to you.