Review: Fire by Kristin Cashore

Publication Date: Sept. 24th 2009  
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 334
Series: Graceling Realm #2

Source: Purchased

Rating:
 ★★★★★

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.

This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.

Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.

If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.

I waited a while before picking this book up because it's just a companion to Graceling (a different world and different characters) and I was still kind of sad that there were no crossover (Katsa or prince Po) in Fire. Anyway if you want to start on this one before Graceling, it's totally fine, no spoiler for the first book so you don't have to worry. Even though I think it'd be best if you read Graceling before Fire so you can get familiar with the 'graceling' people and what they can do.

After finishing Fire, I can't tell if I love Graceling or Fire more and I think it's unfair to compare those two together. Fire is more grown up than Graceling, the characters are more complex.  This book focus more on loyalty and power and how they affect people and change them. The war is confusing at first because so many things happen at once and it's hard to keep track of who is the enemy to the king. About the romance, I'm not really a fan of the love interest here. Archer, I didn't like from the start because I couldn't understand how he said he loves Fire when he is sleeping around with everyone like that. Prince Brigan, oh this one is even weirder. One minute he hates her to the bone then few chapters later he has feelings for her. And I can see that some people may hate this book because of the causal sex but it didn't bother me much so yeah I let it slide. Besides I think it's the way of the world there. Keep in mind that Fire is a fantasy book so the custom/culture of that world may not follow the same rule as our world.

Overall, it was indeed a good read. Fan of Graceling, you definitely love this book. And if you've not read Graceling yet but fantasy is your thing then for sure check this book out =)