(Oct. 29)Fire, Graceling's prequel-ish companion book, takes place across the mountains to the east of the seven kingdoms, in a rocky, war-torn land called the Dells.
Beautiful creatures called monsters live in the Dells. Monsters have the shape of normal animals: mountain lions, dragonflies, horses, fish. But the hair or scales or feathers of monsters are gorgeously colored-- fuchsia, turquoise, sparkly bronze, iridescent green-- and their minds have the power to control the minds of humans.
Seventeen-year-old Fire is the last remaining human-shaped monster in the Dells. Gorgeously monstrous in body and mind but with a human appreciation of right and wrong, she is hated and mistrusted by just about everyone, and this book is her story.
Not many storytellers can transport you to a new world, yet Kristin Cashore has succeeded in doing just that...again.
The story was lyrical and filled with wonderful imagery.
The characters were all well-written I felt, except maybe Immiker/King Leck, I don’t know why but he just didn’t seem as terrifying as I imagined him to be. Maybe it’s because he’s around 11, but no, he has this quiet terror about him. I don’t know. He just didn’t do it for me.
There were quite a few bits of the story that I figured out before they were really touched upon by the author, and then there were a few that I didn’t see coming at all.
I can say that I did feel invested in these characters and what was happening to and with them. That never changed, but there were a few nit-picky things on my part that I just can’t not mention...
If, when Bitterblue wants to chop off her hair or not marry and have children I will scream and THROW THE BOOK ACROSS THE ROOM. I will then pick it back up and continue to devour it, but seriuosly. Why can’t you love having long hair and fall in love and desire children and want to be married? Is there an agenda? A point to get across? We got it. Also, the fact that there was so much sharing of people. Really?
That being said, it is such a good story and I am always impressed with her ability to grab you and not let go until the last page is turned.
Really great job, again Ms. Cashore. I will run out and purchase anything you write. You have a lifelong reader in me.
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