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Fire (Graceling Realm, #2)

Kristin Cashore

Finish date: May 8, 2012

Discussion: 2012 Meetings

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2012 Meetings

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Feb 13, 2012 Britney rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, 2012-reading-list

I started reading FIRE as soon as I finished GRACELING, which means that I was still reeling from the high of Katsa and Po when I was introduced to Fire and Prince Brigan and the land of the Dells. I went into the book feeling a little bad for it because there was no way that I'd love it more than GRACELING. Oh boy was I wrong. Somehow Kristin Cashore made me love FIRE even more than the first book.

Fire is a "Monster" in the land of the war-torn Dells. She's incredibly beautiful with fiery hair I started reading FIRE as soon as I finished GRACELING, which means that I was still reeling from the high of Katsa and Po when I was introduced to Fire and Prince Brigan and the land of the Dells. I went into the book feeling a little bad for it because there was no way that I'd love it more than GRACELING. Oh boy was I wrong. Somehow Kristin Cashore made me love FIRE even more than the first book.

Fire is a "Monster" in the land of the war-torn Dells. She's incredibly beautiful with fiery hair and the ability to make people think and feel how she wishes them to. The Dellian people don't trust her because her father was also a Monster but was cruel with his powers and tortured animals and people. Fire, though, hates the way that her power affects others. When people get near her, they either feel strong feelings of love, jealousy, or hatred. And then there are the Monster animals who crave her blood just as she craves their Monster meat.

Although Fire doesn't want to use her mind-controlling abilities, it might be exactly what is needed to save the kingdom from civil war.

Yeah, crazy awesome plot, right? Fire is equal parts brave and afraid, strong and weak, and strangely relatable. I loved reading her story and learning about her past and how she would do anything to save the land and people she loves. She might not be able to beat Katsa in a hand-to-hand battle but I think she could put up a good fight.

And then there is Prince Brigan who is stubborn, fierce, intelligent and everything that a male leading character should be. He might not be as handsome as other characters but I loved him. Edward Cullen could learn a thing or two from him.

And then there were the other characters that made up the cast of FIRE. They were all believable and lovable and made the story that much more three-dimensional. And the twist of someone from the Seven Kingdoms being in FIRE had me on my toes waiting for the second shoe to drop.

*SPOILER ALERT: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ GRACELING*
I LOVED that Leck was back in FIRE. He's terrifying even as a young boy. And I also loved that the only ones to defeat him were two strong, fierce women. Kristin Cashore is a champion just like Katsa and Fire.
*END OF SPOILER ALERT*

The world-building in FIRE was even better than in GRACELING. I loved the Dells and the monsters and the people. I loved the tunnels and castles and forests. I wanted to push and shove myself in between the words and travel the Dells and see the monsters and the mountains separating it from the Seven Kingdoms.

Kristin Cashore's writing is vivid and entertaining. She knows how to weave words into fantastic stories with heroines that are role models for women and girls of all ages. The young ladies of both GRACELING and FIRE don't bow down to social pressures and are comfortable in their sexualities as well as in their physical and mental prowess. They make being a girl a source of pride and I love that Cashore has created such strong characters.
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Nov 20, 2011 Amy Gideon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: undead-and-unread, young-adult, fantasy

So freakin' awesome! Cashore's writing and world building kept me eagerly turning each page. The world she creates in Fire is so foreign from Graceling's world, but just as fascinating. By page 3 you'll be sucked into this world where colorful and beautiful monsters tempt man into folly a.k.a. being lunch.

She does a superb job with character building. None of her characters are black and white, but shades of gray. Fire, like Katna from Graceling, is a strong heroine who one can't help but admir ...more

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