Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one w...
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reviews
Jan 09, 2012
Rae
rated it: 
I confess that my 5-star rating may not be wholly objective.
7 comments
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(104 people liked it)
Sep 16, 2011
Tatiana
rated it: 
2.5 stars
My ARC has the old version of the cover and it is super pretty, the blue tones of it are gorgeous:
I am glad the publishers changed it though. At the very least this book will be spared accusations of whitewashing and weightwashing. The heroine of this novel - Princess Elisa of Orovalle - describes herself as "dark," "brown" and also as "a big, bloated sausage" and "pig." Clearly, the cover doesn't quite match th More...
My ARC has the old version of the cover and it is super pretty, the blue tones of it are gorgeous:
I am glad the publishers changed it though. At the very least this book will be spared accusations of whitewashing and weightwashing. The heroine of this novel - Princess Elisa of Orovalle - describes herself as "dark," "brown" and also as "a big, bloated sausage" and "pig." Clearly, the cover doesn't quite match th More...
41 comments
like
(84 people liked it)
Jan 16, 2012
(Updated, now that the book is out)
I don't always gravitate toward high fantasy (although perhaps I just haven't read enough of it), but I really enjoyed this book. First of all, the main character, Elisa, was well-rounded and interesting. She transforms from an uncertain girl with low self-esteem to a strong woman who knows who she is, and I loved watching her change. Sometimes I got annoyed with her, but I think that's the mark of a good character--you don't always like them, just li More...
I don't always gravitate toward high fantasy (although perhaps I just haven't read enough of it), but I really enjoyed this book. First of all, the main character, Elisa, was well-rounded and interesting. She transforms from an uncertain girl with low self-esteem to a strong woman who knows who she is, and I loved watching her change. Sometimes I got annoyed with her, but I think that's the mark of a good character--you don't always like them, just li More...
14 comments
like
(40 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Tonya
rated it: 
This was one of those books I have a hard time rating, simply because some elements were very well done, and others very poorly done.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns is the story of Elisa, princess to the country of Oravalle and bearer of the Godstone, a jewel implanted in her navel that signifies she is marked by god as one who will do a Service. Elisa has no idea what her Service will be, and can't imagine herself ever being useful to her country. She is merely the overweight, shy younger More...
The Girl of Fire and Thorns is the story of Elisa, princess to the country of Oravalle and bearer of the Godstone, a jewel implanted in her navel that signifies she is marked by god as one who will do a Service. Elisa has no idea what her Service will be, and can't imagine herself ever being useful to her country. She is merely the overweight, shy younger More...
5 comments
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(16 people liked it)
Sep 26, 2011
Alexandra
rated it:
Originally posted at: http://alexandrashostak.blogspot.com/201...
THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS is fantasy at its best. The world is rich, wide, and well-imagined, described beautifully and intricately, and woven into the story with such skill you barely realize Carson is building a world around you until it's already been built. Landscapes, clothing, people, and food seem real.
The characters are wonderful balances of strength and weakness, crafted with subtle details that make More...
THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS is fantasy at its best. The world is rich, wide, and well-imagined, described beautifully and intricately, and woven into the story with such skill you barely realize Carson is building a world around you until it's already been built. Landscapes, clothing, people, and food seem real.
The characters are wonderful balances of strength and weakness, crafted with subtle details that make More...
0 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Jul 18, 2011
Isamlq
rated it:
THANK GOSH they opted for the current cover. While the original is undoubtedly attractive, it wouldn't have done this book justice. It's simply too pretty. For one, it does not convey how much magic and adventure play a role in the book. And two, superficial as I may sound, it does not match the image of her that I have. The model looks too attractive, and I'll say it, too soft.
One of Elisa's charms in my eyes is how aware she is of both her appearance and how it affects others rec More...
One of Elisa's charms in my eyes is how aware she is of both her appearance and how it affects others rec More...
6 comments
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(9 people liked it)
Feb 04, 2012
Jo Anne
rated it:
I was disappointed in this YA Divergent wanna be novel. The author tried to make the heroine Elisa different from the other YA novels. She is fat, not physically fit and very pious. She was chosen by God to be a leader and do great things. Her Godstone in her navel is proof of this. The author did a poor job describing the characters in this book. Rather Elisa had to do that for us. This made the characters lack depth and thus seem dull and uninteresting.
We never learn what El More...
Aug 21, 2011
Karen
rated it:
I’m not a book reviewer, but every once in awhile I read a story that I must gush about before I drown in my love for it.
I was swept away by Rae's amazing story telling from the first page to the last. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is masterful.
The main character, Elisa, is beyond likable. She’s the perfect balance of lovable and flawed. In fact, she starts out fat and sweats a lot, but that doesn’t stop her from savoring a couple honey-glazed pistachio buns. :) Elisa ha More...
I was swept away by Rae's amazing story telling from the first page to the last. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is masterful.
The main character, Elisa, is beyond likable. She’s the perfect balance of lovable and flawed. In fact, she starts out fat and sweats a lot, but that doesn’t stop her from savoring a couple honey-glazed pistachio buns. :) Elisa ha More...
3 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I know, you're jealous that I've read this already. And you should be, because it is awesome. I'm totally in love with the main character, Elisa, and with her rich, complex world, and with Rae Carson's deft style. This is one to keep an eye out for!!
10 comments
like
(6 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Jade
rated it:
Original review at http://inkscratchers.blogspot.com/
I have been excited to read this for months and so I was extremely excited to receive an ARC from Orion books in the post last week. I have just finished it and wow, I enjoyed it!
The original reason that I wanted to read this was because I've seen it compared to Tamora Pierce and Kristin Cashore, and I love Cashore's writing. These reviews were right, in a way similar to Cashore, Rae Carson's debut novel really is a t More...
I have been excited to read this for months and so I was extremely excited to receive an ARC from Orion books in the post last week. I have just finished it and wow, I enjoyed it!
The original reason that I wanted to read this was because I've seen it compared to Tamora Pierce and Kristin Cashore, and I love Cashore's writing. These reviews were right, in a way similar to Cashore, Rae Carson's debut novel really is a t More...
0 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Caitlings
rated it:
This book was amazing! I loved it so much!!! I will do up a super duper proper review soon but you all need to know that this book was amazing and you need to put it on your shelves now.
I LOVED the ending! I loved that it wasn't about the guy and the girl but about the girl becoming powerful and confident.
This book was a "Hunger Games" for fantasty fans. I loved it so much!
Here's the full review I posted on whatchYAreading.net:
I loved t More...
I LOVED the ending! I loved that it wasn't about the guy and the girl but about the girl becoming powerful and confident.
This book was a "Hunger Games" for fantasty fans. I loved it so much!
Here's the full review I posted on whatchYAreading.net:
I loved t More...
0 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Sep 19, 2011
Jodi
rated it:
I begged for this ARC.
But the truth is, I was lucky enough to be one of Rae's crit partners for this novel, and I'm immeasurably pleased to see it in its (nearly) final form.
There's nothing about this book I don't love. Rae's writing is gorgeous and lush, but never feels cumbersome or gratuitous; she finds the perfect detail to share with you. The plot is exciting and complicated enough to keep you guessing -- though never so complicated you can't figure out what's going More...
But the truth is, I was lucky enough to be one of Rae's crit partners for this novel, and I'm immeasurably pleased to see it in its (nearly) final form.
There's nothing about this book I don't love. Rae's writing is gorgeous and lush, but never feels cumbersome or gratuitous; she finds the perfect detail to share with you. The plot is exciting and complicated enough to keep you guessing -- though never so complicated you can't figure out what's going More...
2 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Jan 07, 2012
Karyn
rated it: 
Really good. 4.5, I'd say; Elisa is a little unintelligent at putting together various clues towards the end, hence not a 5. Not sure I've ever seen a world like this one before, and I like both the inclusion of religion and faith and the lingering question as to whether the Inviernos are perverting God's will or whether they are also chosen or whether this thing called God is just a construct masking a natural magical something, much less specific or intentional than what we might mean by God.
More...
Dec 23, 2011
FREEBIRD
rated it:
This review can be found at The Drifting Bookworm.
YES! Finally a YA heroine who doesn't make me want to burn her with a torchlight and then get serious mental help! I didn't think it was possible!
"The Girl of Fire and Thorns" is a fantastic, high fantasy novel with all of the fun goodies needed for this genre - a dramatic change in the heroine, a quest/duty to fulfill, royalty, rebels, war, etc. The reader follows Lucero-Elisa, the second princess of the mo More...
YES! Finally a YA heroine who doesn't make me want to burn her with a torchlight and then get serious mental help! I didn't think it was possible!
"The Girl of Fire and Thorns" is a fantastic, high fantasy novel with all of the fun goodies needed for this genre - a dramatic change in the heroine, a quest/duty to fulfill, royalty, rebels, war, etc. The reader follows Lucero-Elisa, the second princess of the mo More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Cinda
rated it:
I recommend this for fans of Tamora Pierce, Kristin Cashore, and my own high fantasy. This is a transformation story that teens and adults can believe in. Never condescending.
7 comments
like
(16 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Zoë
rated it:
The Synopsis:
Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
And he’s not the only one who seeks her. S More...
Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
And he’s not the only one who seeks her. S More...
2 comments
like
(8 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Kassiah
rated it:
I've had a really hard time reviewing this book. Part of me wanted to give this an extremely high rating, while the other part--the part that worries for her daughter and the rest of the impressionable youth throughout the world--wants to forget about the stars all together. When it all comes down to it, though, The Girl of Fire and Thorns is an engaging, well-written story that left me thinking about it long after it was done.
Rae Carson is an amazingly descriptive writer. The wo More...
Rae Carson is an amazingly descriptive writer. The wo More...
6 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 22, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
Ok, having given it some more thought, I give it about 3.5 stars, because despite its various issues, I was so engrossed in the world Carson created it was hard to put the book down.
THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS was overall a good story!
At 16 years old, Princess Elisa has just been married off to the widowed King, Alejandro of a neighboring kingdom, upon an agreement between the king and her father. But, Elisa is not just any ordinary princess, she’s also the Bearer of th More...
THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS was overall a good story!
At 16 years old, Princess Elisa has just been married off to the widowed King, Alejandro of a neighboring kingdom, upon an agreement between the king and her father. But, Elisa is not just any ordinary princess, she’s also the Bearer of th More...
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Sep 23, 2011
Claire
rated it:
This is the kind of book that is really 4 stars for some things (absorbing plot, complex and sympathetic characters, great pacing, tons of fun to read) and 1-2 stars for others. I appreciate that the author attempted a heroine who was not slender/skinny/etc. Such a heroine would indeed be refreshing. However, the way to do this is not to have her obsess about looking like a "sausage," repeatedly declare her hatred for her body, and then rejoice when a kidnapping and a FORCED MARCH THRO
More...
0 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
Eeep!!! I am absolutely in love with this novel! Let me count the ways:
1. Kick-ass heroine. Oh my god, you guys, it was truly a journey with Elisa! Born as the bearer of the Godstone, the chosen one to carry a special purpose, her life is full of expectations and pressure from those around her. But here's the thing: Elisa is lazy, fat, full of insecurities, and she lacks any sort of motivation. It was easy for me to feel skeptical about her character growth when I found myself frustrat More...
1. Kick-ass heroine. Oh my god, you guys, it was truly a journey with Elisa! Born as the bearer of the Godstone, the chosen one to carry a special purpose, her life is full of expectations and pressure from those around her. But here's the thing: Elisa is lazy, fat, full of insecurities, and she lacks any sort of motivation. It was easy for me to feel skeptical about her character growth when I found myself frustrat More...
3 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Jill
rated it:
So I read this one a while back and thought it was amazing. To the point that I sort of harassed a lot of people to read it, and I'm glad they all loved it too.
I do see a lot of commentary about this having a 'Christian' vibe to it, and I wanted to say that I totally didn't feel this was Christian-Lit in the slightest. Rather, I thought it was a fun riff on the whole 'Chosen One' sort of scenario that we are all so familiar with in fantasy. Rae Carson's story is basically, "What More...
I do see a lot of commentary about this having a 'Christian' vibe to it, and I wanted to say that I totally didn't feel this was Christian-Lit in the slightest. Rather, I thought it was a fun riff on the whole 'Chosen One' sort of scenario that we are all so familiar with in fantasy. Rae Carson's story is basically, "What More...
0 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Lydia
rated it:
Originally posted at my blog here.
Elisa is not your typical heroine. She likes to eat, and her figure shows it. She’s the second born girl, with an older sister who has been trained to be a Queen. Elisa loves to read and is incredibly smart, but rarely gets to show that off due to a low self-esteem.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns begins with a wedding. Elisa’s wedding. She is being married to a King and sent away from her family on her 16th birthday, and so begins her adventu More...
Elisa is not your typical heroine. She likes to eat, and her figure shows it. She’s the second born girl, with an older sister who has been trained to be a Queen. Elisa loves to read and is incredibly smart, but rarely gets to show that off due to a low self-esteem.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns begins with a wedding. Elisa’s wedding. She is being married to a King and sent away from her family on her 16th birthday, and so begins her adventu More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Rita
rated it:
A whirlwind fantasy/adventure story with a bit of magic, spirituality, and romance. A lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the strong, realistic voice of the female protagonist. Strongly suggested - I greatly look forward to the next installment.
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Aug 26, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
The parts I enjoyed most about this book were the details of the world. I really liked the way Carson described the geography of the kingdoms, the jungle, the desert. The culture was rich, and the religion, which is central to the story, is well-integrated into the world.
Unfortunately I found a few things a little troubling. Elisa, the heroine, is fat. In the beginning of the book, she constantly disparages herself because of her weight, and when she is married to a handsome king fro More...
Unfortunately I found a few things a little troubling. Elisa, the heroine, is fat. In the beginning of the book, she constantly disparages herself because of her weight, and when she is married to a handsome king fro More...
3 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 03, 2011
Candace
rated it:
Honestly, I'm not sure there are words to portray my love for this book. The awesomeness that is between the pages. It was truly a thing of beauty. Rae Carson is a genius. I felt like everything was exactly, exactly how it should have been. It's not often that through a story I'm thinking the whole time that the author is genius but I was in this one.
Elisa was a character I truly, completely connected with. She had a personality that I loved and she was flawed. She was real. More...
Elisa was a character I truly, completely connected with. She had a personality that I loved and she was flawed. She was real. More...
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Tina
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
3 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
This one has been getting a lot of hype. In fact, I think it got even more hype before the cover change occurred. As someone who really enjoyed Tamora Pierce when I was younger, this book had my name written all over it and I couldn't wait to dive into it.
Elisa is the chosen one -whether she likes it or not. But being the bearer of the Godstone isn't that easy, and it doesn't help that Elisa is a princess. And like most princesses, her first duty is to her country, not her own ha More...
Elisa is the chosen one -whether she likes it or not. But being the bearer of the Godstone isn't that easy, and it doesn't help that Elisa is a princess. And like most princesses, her first duty is to her country, not her own ha More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Lesley (My keeper shelf)
rated it:
The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a downright awesome story of epic proportions. Long after I should have been sleeping I was still turning page after page completely engrossed in the debut novel from Rae Carson.
The growth of Princess Elisa is the backbone of the story. She starts off as a lazy, fat, useless, disappointment (her words) who is being married off at the age of sixteen to a neighbouring King as part of a political deal. However, Elisa is the bearer of the Godstone a living More...
The growth of Princess Elisa is the backbone of the story. She starts off as a lazy, fat, useless, disappointment (her words) who is being married off at the age of sixteen to a neighbouring King as part of a political deal. However, Elisa is the bearer of the Godstone a living More...
0 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Heather
rated it:
I am not gonna lie, that ending sucked.
0 comments
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(7 people liked it)
