Okay, I didn't finish it, but if 222 pages into it, I'm bored and nearly shaking with rage at Cashore for using a YA story as a thinly veiled piece of propaganda, I doubt the end of the book will redeem itself. YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat I went into this book annoyed with Cashore's anti-marriage, pro-casual-sex message in Graceling, but the book never got interesting enough to overcome those messages.

It wasn't a full production like book one, but the reader did a great job of characterization and tone. As ash rose black against the brilliant sky, Fire's fiddle cried out for the dead, and for the living who stay behind to say goodbye. Really enjoyed it! It was a hurting tune, resigned, a cry of heartache for all in the world that fell apart. Normally, I'm a bit bitter when book two contains no principle characters of book one but I am definitely making an exception in this case. It has some elements from the first book (namely, the Big Bad evil Gracling - the one that controls minds through the sound of his voice) but this novel is set in a completely different country and set several decades before Graceling.

When a mysteriously empty-headed archer attempts an assassination, Fire soon finds herself en route to the king in the company of a very distrustful prince and his guard.įor the first time, she's alone - will she break free of convention or be stuck hiding inside herself forever?Ībsolutely loved this pseudo sequel/prequel/companion novel to Gracling.

She hates how her beauty entrances even herself, how her best friend has grown possessive over her littlest gesture and how despite all she can do, she's constantly shuffled off to the side. Her hair contains the most beautiful shades of reds, auburn and magenta, her beauty is beyond renowned and her mind can ensnare all but the strongest willed humans. Fire is one of those monsters but she's far more deadly, she's a human monster. It's hard to wake from a nightmare when the nightmare is real. That combined with their nearly psychic powers allow for monsters entrance lure their prey to their untimely deaths. Their pelts are mesmerizing - rich hues of midnight blues or forest greens or sunset oranges. They are similar to regular animals only more beautiful and dangerous than any other creature. She made a bad monster, and a worst human.

Fire by Kristin Cashore