My rating:

add to my books

Fire (The Seven Kingdoms #2)

by Kristin Cashore

4.11 · rating details · 22,684 ratings · 3,484 reviews

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. Equ...more

Hardcover, 461 pages

Published 2009 by Dial

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best "Strong Female" Fantasy Novels

9th out of 1,223 books — 2,694 voters

Best Books of 2009

13th out of 1,146 books — 6,050 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 36,489)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 08, 2010

Annalisa rated it

Recommends it for: If you liked Graceling, you'll probably like this

Shelves: fantasy, cover

Granted, I went into this book annoyed with Cashore's anti-marriage, pro-casual-sex message, but the book never got interesting. Okay, I didn't finish it, but if 222 pages into it, I'm bored and nearly shaking with rage at Cashore, I doubt the end of the book will redeem it. This world full of monsters so beautiful people throw themselves at the monsters in lust and the monsters can control everyone's mind to make them do whatever they want was not a world I wanted to believe in. Plus, Fire is w...moreGranted, I went into this book annoyed with Cashore's anti-marriage, pro-casual-sex message, but the book never got interesting. Okay, I didn't finish it, but if 222 pages into it, I'm bored and nearly shaking with rage at Cashore, I doubt the end of the book will redeem it. This world full of monsters so beautiful people throw themselves at the monsters in lust and the monsters can control everyone's mind to make them do whatever they want was not a world I wanted to believe in. Plus, Fire is way too much like Katsa, but less interesting, more whiny, and more slutty. This is young adult and we have: friends with benefits (incidentally an 17-year-old with a guy several years older than her), the royal family sleeping around and fathering illegitimate children all over the place, lots of uncontrolled lust, people and animals throwing themselves at Katsa because she's on her period (what's the point of mentioning that?), rape, murder, that whole village plunder and destroy stuff, and oh yeah, the happy mention of her father saying that just because Katsa is beautiful he would never act out on that because he loves her, so throw a little incest into the mix. And worst of all, these things have nothing to do with the storyline. This is young adult! Does that mean anything anymore? There is nothing young adult about this book. This is high fantasy for adults. Why does everything have to sell as YA these days? And why does Cashore have to force her story around her message instead of letting it grow organically.

The story was so slow developing and the characters one-dimensional that never gained my sympathy. So I'm making up my own ending, which I've hidden under a spoiler tag since apparently it's pretty closer: (view spoiler) It doesn't really matter to me. I don't care. The characters and story didn't grab my attention; it's the messages that did.(less)

like 54 likes

· see review

Jan 31, 2012

Tatiana rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, fantasy, ya, ala-ya-2010, tres-annoying, 2012, rc-a-z-2012, series-dropped-lost-steam

Unlike Graceling, Fire doesn't get better upon rereading.

The core of my issues with it remains the same, specifically Cashore's nontraditional approach to marriage and women's empowerment. I'll elaborate on it later. But besides that, this time this book is just boring. I think I was pretty generous to give Fire 3.5 stars 2 years ago. I now feel it deserves at least 1 star less. Too much navel-gazing, too much contemplating and whining and crying on Fire's part without enough action...moreUnlike Graceling, Fire doesn't get better upon rereading.

The core of my issues with it remains the same, specifically Cashore's nontraditional approach to marriage and women's empowerment. I'll elaborate on it later. But besides that, this time this book is just boring. I think I was pretty generous to give Fire 3.5 stars 2 years ago. I now feel it deserves at least 1 star less. Too much navel-gazing, too much contemplating and whining and crying on Fire's part without enough action and romance to balance things out, too much talk of periods and cramps. Plus, the nature of Fire's power is such that even the most climactic part of the novel comes off as an over-complicated non-event.

I still think there is an improvement in Cashore's writing in terms of world-building. But, after reading Megan Whalen Turner's novels that were, undoubtedly, an inspiration to Cashore, Fire pales in comparison. The intrigues, the politics of it are only weak shadows of those of Attolia.

And now onto the main concerns. I think it's certainly brave of an author to create novels where heroines are different from the so-called norm. Cashore writes young women craving full independence, undesiring of long-term partners and children. That's fine. But I can't help but be disappointed in how all women are portrayed in Fire. They all are not exactly immoral, but definitely lacking in scruples, dignity and caution. They cheat, the sleep with everyone around, they get pregnant when they have resources not to, they don't care if they are cheated on, they, to me, seem to think they don't deserve love, monogamy or at least respect. The men are no better, they are indiscriminately cheaters, philanderers and rapists. I'll be hard-pressed to find even one healthy, committed relationship between a man and a woman in this book, a relationship where participants are equal partners in all decisions, including those concerning procreation. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe a man should have a say in the decisions about child-bearing as well.

As a result, Fire is full to the brim with illegitimate children (literally, almost everyone in the book is a bastard or a result of a rape) and excessive amount of casual, adulterous and forced sex. It's a soap opera!

And it's boring and would have benefited from some tightening up.

I don't think I'll be reading Fire again.(less)

like 37 likes

· see review

Aug 13, 2011

karen rated it

Shelves: why-yes-i-ya, pretty-girls-make-graves

fortunately, jenn awwww yeeaahhhh is literally half my size. go on - look at my shoulders - i am like a mighty moose to her delicate deer:

there is no way she can make good on that threat.

so i am just going to say it: i liked this book less than i liked graceling.

bring it, tiny creature.

and from a critical standpoint, there is nothing wrong with this book. it has a fine story arc, good character development, a good array of both descriptive and ac...more

like 46 likes

· see review

Mar 11, 2011

Lora rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: lib-audiobooks, fantasy

"Dark, dark my light, and darker my desire. My soul, like some heat-maddened summer fly, keeps buzzing at the sill. Which I is I?"---Theodore Roethke, In A Dark Time

I believe that quote reflects Fire's inner turmoil with her ability quite well.

There's a war on the horizon, and Fire's the last remaining human Monster known to the Dellian people, and so, because of her ability to alter and manipulate minds, she's called to interrogate prisoners by the Dellians' le...more

like 10 likes

· see review

Feb 01, 2010

kari rated it

Shelves: 2009, ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like 35 likes

· see review

Nov 09, 2009

Heather rated it

Shelves: 2009, ya, fantasy, ala-s-best-books, faves

Having read and loved Graceling, Fire by Kristin Cashore had a lot to live up to. I should have known that it would exceed my expectations and then some, quite possibly trumping its predecessor.

Fire is the last remaining human monster living in a war torn kingdom called the Dells. Once filled with beauty and wealth, the Dells have fallen into ruin by the hands of her monster father, Cansrel and his human conduit, King Nax. Though both have been dead for several years, the kingdom re...moreHaving read and loved Graceling, Fire by Kristin Cashore had a lot to live up to. I should have known that it would exceed my expectations and then some, quite possibly trumping its predecessor.

Fire is the last remaining human monster living in a war torn kingdom called the Dells. Once filled with beauty and wealth, the Dells have fallen into ruin by the hands of her monster father, Cansrel and his human conduit, King Nax. Though both have been dead for several years, the kingdom remains in a vulnerable state, as neighboring kings are attempting to conquer the lands and steal the crown from young King Nash and his commander brother, Brigan.

As a monster, Fire has the ability to read and control minds; however, due to her fear of becoming the monster her father was, she has spent years denying her power and has attempted to disguise who she is to protect both herself and those around her. When Fire is attacked by a mindless poacher, Fire travels to Queen Roen in search of answers and aid, but a fateful meeting puts her in the direct path of the very two people she has tried her best to avoid, Nash and Brigan. Knowing all the power Fire posses and the potential that power could have in saving his kingdom, Nash calls on her to use her power for the greater good. But when does power become destructive? And who can tell when the lines have become blurred? What follows is a beautiful story about embracing who you are and conquering your fears.

I found Fire’s world to be well drawn, expertly woven and colorfully written. Each character is a delicious shade of gray, possessing both light and dark tendencies; much like we do in life and Cashore does a remarkable job of creating a realistic royal family in a fantastical setting. Fire was an extraordinarily heroine that I found very relatable in spite of her monster nature. A story of love and loss, hope and fear, forgiveness and passion, Fire provides a wondrous journey through a magical land that you won’t soon forget.
(less)

like 7 likes

· see review

May 11, 2009

SheWunders rated it

Shelves: ya-childrens_lit, fantasy, 2009-05, 2009-cybils-finalist

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Set across the mountains from the Seven Kingdom in the Dells Kristin Cashore has created another amazing world with another beautiful set of characters. The Dells do not have Gracelings, but they do have “monsters.” Monsters are brightly colored and extremely beautiful versions of their normal counterparts. They have mental abilities that allow them to communicate with and control non-monsters. ( Think bright green mice, pale blue spotted leopards, and beautiful florescent birds.)

Fir...more

like 20 likes

· see review

Jan 06, 2012

Kira marked it as on-hold

I kind of want to read this book, but I'm almost afraid to. I came out of Graceling in that "Imma cut a bitch" mood, and basically, the sermon-like themes of Radical Not-Really-Feminism-But-Actually-Just-Anger-And-A-Touch-Of-Misandry Is The Best, and Let's Make True Feminists Look Bad By Pretending You Can Only Be A Strong Woman If You're Selfish And Cruel in Cashore's debut made me want to barf. I like equality, and I like that myself and most (if not all) of my True Feminist friends ...moreI kind of want to read this book, but I'm almost afraid to. I came out of Graceling in that "Imma cut a bitch" mood, and basically, the sermon-like themes of Radical Not-Really-Feminism-But-Actually-Just-Anger-And-A-Touch-Of-Misandry Is The Best, and Let's Make True Feminists Look Bad By Pretending You Can Only Be A Strong Woman If You're Selfish And Cruel in Cashore's debut made me want to barf. I like equality, and I like that myself and most (if not all) of my True Feminist friends can be such a way without having to resort to tearing down the opposite gender.

But that's just me. I like to think I'm something of a pacifist.

(Ha. If you've read my current manuscript you might bash me over the head with it and say, "Are you freaking nuts? Look at all the gore! How can you say you hate violence?!" However, I'll reply with, "Never fear. You'll get the message when I'm done editing the dialogue and fixing all those fragments.")

I don't like the sound of Fire. On paper, you'd probably be like, "But this is the perfect book for you! There's no virginity myth bullshit and it's not all pro-marriage and stuff!"

Look, I'm not a simple gal. I like to come up with conundrums that make no sense just to trip people out, and I hate cream soda but LOVE dill pickles. I also have this thing where I really HATE the idea of getting married, but when other people do it who really love each other, wholly believe in the institution of it and want to proclaim their commitment to the world, plus have a great party to celebrate it, it makes me all teary-eyed and lovey-dovey. It's cool. Not for me, but cool for others.

I also have this thing where I HATE the purity myth, hate it so much I want to head-butt a baby bunny rabbit whenever I think about it, but I also believe that flinging your naked body on anything with a pulse just for shits and giggles is kind of not what it's all about. It's not a purity thing; it's a think-about-your-personal-safety and respect-yourself-and-the-feelings-of-others thing. I mean, come on. It's not my place (nor will it ever be) to inject my opinions into other people's bedrooms, but I can't condone cheating and the idea that in order to live a healthy life, you must have sex or die. I also absolutely hate with a burning passion the use of the morning-after pill as contraception, too, and as long as we're having a little Kira's Opinions moment, I'm also reluctant to read this book because word on the street is, it's aggressively pro-Beauty Is The Best Thing Ever.

Cashore has a knack for creating the most infuriating Mary-Sues, and it's my understanding from legions of reviewers (AND THE SUMMARY!) that Fire is no different. A character who is the last of her kind and hated for being beautiful? I sincerely hope you're joking, Kristen.

Look. One of my very loveliest writer friends absolutely ADORES this book, and that's probably the only reason I'm willing to give it a shot: because I trust her. Luckily, it's in at the library (the hip, happenin' place to be!) so if I hate it, then at least I won't have to waste any money.

Peace.(less)

like 4 likes

· see review

Oct 09, 2009

Heather rated it

Shelves: ya

If reviews on goodreads and amazon.com are any indication, this book is a big hit with readers, many of whom were already Cashore fans from Graceling. This was a great story, and like Graceling, its imaginary world is mapped out succinctly and effectively, but for me, I didn't enjoy Fire as much as its companion novel (although I had some reservations about that one too).

Fire's a decently developed character; she's a discordant mix of strength and vulnerability that doesn't work too ...moreIf reviews on goodreads and amazon.com are any indication, this book is a big hit with readers, many of whom were already Cashore fans from Graceling. This was a great story, and like Graceling, its imaginary world is mapped out succinctly and effectively, but for me, I didn't enjoy Fire as much as its companion novel (although I had some reservations about that one too).

Fire's a decently developed character; she's a discordant mix of strength and vulnerability that doesn't work too badly overall, although the beginning chapter sets us up to see her as more of a rogue than the Florence Nightingale figure she ends up being at the end. And that clunked a little for me; Cashore is wise to develop a heroine vastly different than Katsa (there can only be one of her), but I still wished she'd packed a little more punch. But her struggles with loss, violence, and handling her "gift" were well-played; again, not as developed as Graceling, where the coming-of-age elements were some of the novel's strongest points, but solid.

Speaking of Graceling, Leck was as creepy as I hoped he'd be, and depicting him in full creep-mode as a child of 10 or 11 was really well-played. He's a psychopath, for sure, so we're not given any wild and unexpected character development, but his disturbing nature is well-wrought and particularly interesting when brought into contrast with Fire's similar strengths.

The plot lags a bit, especially at the beginning, and I liked her development of Brigan enough that I wish we'd seen more of him, and more of him interacting with Fire. I missed the old 10-page conversations that Katsa and Po were always having, and that worked so well; something was always revealed or developed by those conversations. But here, Fire has many people to interact with, and Cashore handles that well; the royal family manages to be both loveable and volatile, and even members of her guard are unique and interesting. Archer left me scratching my head sometimes, and despite his annoying traits, I would have liked to see more of his actual character, rather than the purported shows of flirtation or jealousy he was always putting on, to better understand his difficult relationship with Fire.

All that said, the novel missed the mark for me in one significant way. I was a little startled to find, in a book marketed so clearly as YA (and YOUNG YA at that -- the font size was much too big to be treated as "adult") so many themes of predatory sexual behavior. The threat of rape that Fire encounters regularly (and which she specifically mentions, so that we can never kid ourselves it's "just" physical violence she's in danger of) was troubling. It was targeted at a 17 year old character who has already been engaged in a very casual sexual relationship despite her fears, and this lust/desire theme is very present in the novel and yet never really tackled as an issue by the author.

Serious issues like this can and should be addressed in any type of novel, YA or not, but if you go for it, you'd better face it head-on, and for me, that never really happened here. It was a looming threat that I only sometimes believed Fire truly took seriously. And sometimes it bordered on ridiculous -- Fire's worries about it sort of hearkened back to the old Victorian female hysterias of "I'm in a roomful of men, and at any minute those monsters could attack me!" -- and maybe it felt like weird paranoia because I had a hard time buying into the "monster" aspects Cashore describes. But whatever it was, it seemed like a very old-fashioned way to address the problem in a novel with so many other present-day realities (sex is such a comfortable idea in the book that Fire's not the only one sleeping with her pal, whom she later rejects; he turns around and impregnates two different women in less than a month's time). Fire grappled very effectively with her fears about losing loved ones, and I wished she'd had the opportunity to face, head-on, these other fears regarding her own personal safety. She gets turned into a punching bag and a target more than a few times, after all, and it would have been good to see her fight back more effectively, instead of always being rescued.

(less)

like 8 likes

· see review

Jul 13, 2010

Ivy rated it

Shelves: young-adult

If a book could be considered a non-event, this would be it. Kristin Cashore writes a long, boring book, about a strange monster human woman that is so unnaturally beautiful, men try to kill each other to get at her.

This prequel to Fire is more of a stand alone book though only one character from Graceling is present. The book starts out promisingly enough but really doesn't go anywhere, as the prologue sets the stage for a promising read, but too soon gets lost in long narratives ...moreIf a book could be considered a non-event, this would be it. Kristin Cashore writes a long, boring book, about a strange monster human woman that is so unnaturally beautiful, men try to kill each other to get at her.

This prequel to Fire is more of a stand alone book though only one character from Graceling is present. The book starts out promisingly enough but really doesn't go anywhere, as the prologue sets the stage for a promising read, but too soon gets lost in long narratives of the strange world Fire lives in. You see, it's not just a place that has people and animals. There are monster-humans, monster-mice, monster cats, and monster-raptors. Yes, there are regular mice, cats and humans as well but why the monster mice haven't done away with the regular mice by now is beyond me.

Fire lives a quiet, hum-drum life until an archer is caught on her property after he nearly kills her. She spends the next 100 pages getting hurt by various animals and people, and I began to worry that Fire was going to be a damsel in distress. Thankfully, that is not the case and things begin to pick up once her injuries have healed. Unfortunately, it goes downhill again when she travels to the kings palace. The king, of course, is bowled over by her beauty and can't control himself around her while his brother, Brigan, stays away from her at all cost because she has the power to control people's thoughts. Fire, feels like a prisoner because her beauty puts her in constant peril of men and monster-raptors who smell her out particularly when she is having her period. Yes, that's just what I said.

There is basically no plot except that the kingdom is under threat of being attacked by upstarts. Brigan is always coming and going, spying to gather information for the king. It seems unlikely, therefore, that Fire will begin a romance with Brigan, but that is just what happens. There is no climax, however, and this story just seems to putter along.

The story picks up its pace when the Graceling character appears, but his quick exit deflates the story once more. The ending was uneventful and you are left wondering what kind of future is in store for Fire and Brigan. The supporting characters' storylines seem to get more of a wrap-up than Fire.

I give this book 2 and a half stars because though Cashore did have some interesting ideas, it seemed to lack clear direction.(less)

like 11 likes

· see review

Feb 07, 2009

edh rated it

If you're a fan of Graceling, this companion novel set over the mountains to the east of the seven kingdoms will satisfy. The main narrative starring Fire (a half-human/half-monster young woman) is framed by the story of a particular young Graceling who has the ability to control others completely... you'll recognize the future King Leck immediately. Fire has a similar talent, but because of her monster blood she can actually sense what people are thinking rather than simply order them around....more

like 27 likes

· see review

Feb 13, 2009

Laura rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: mt-bookpile-2009

When is a sequel not a sequel? When it's a book like Fire, set in the same world as Graceling, but with none of the previous book's characters or plot. I'd call it the second in a series, rather than a sequel.

Anyway, this opens with a brief prologue that introduces us to a character and the new-ish world we're going to explore, then the book proper starts. The first character, Leek, doesn't reappear for quite some time - over halfway through, in fact - which niggled at me more tha...more

like 7 likes

· see review

Feb 16, 2009

Gwen the Librarian rated it

Shelves: teenbooks, fantasy, diverse-characters

I was very nervous to pick up this really early preview edition of Kristin Cashore's newest novel. Graceling was so wonderful, a prequel made me hesitant, just as all second novels and sequels do. Ha! Oh ye of little faith. Kristin Cashore is an absolute gift to our world. Fire is EVEN BETTER than Graceling. I just kept feeling so grateful to even be reading such incredible work. The characters are amazing. The pacing is perfect. Again, I felt like Cashore carefully selected each word s...more

like 15 likes

· see review

Jun 22, 2011

Hirondelle rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, don´t-own, fantasy

I was underwhelmed by Graceling. I did not hate it, but it was both simpler and plainer than what I was expecting. It took me ages to finally decide to read this, and that thanks to a big push from friends.

This is a prequel of sorts, with a tangential link to Graceling (a link which IMO is a weakness for this plot), it stands on its own perfectly. And I liked it much better. The writing seemed just deeper and the story more interesting. Fire, our narrator is one of those supra-huma...moreI was underwhelmed by Graceling. I did not hate it, but it was both simpler and plainer than what I was expecting. It took me ages to finally decide to read this, and that thanks to a big push from friends.

This is a prequel of sorts, with a tangential link to Graceling (a link which IMO is a weakness for this plot), it stands on its own perfectly. And I liked it much better. The writing seemed just deeper and the story more interesting. Fire, our narrator is one of those supra-human characters, and it works, so much that I never thought she was a Mary Sue. I liked the main characters, I liked the secondary characters, I liked they author´s take on women´s attitude to fertility (it depends on character and their situation. Just like in real life. Yes.) and I got enough respect for the plot.

But as usual I do have some quibbles. Slight ones:
- I thought the characterization of Fire´s power was more convincing at first, as if to establish reader belief on it. Towards the ending Fire was often surprised by a few things which surprised me that surprised her (ehehe. You know what I mean, I hope). As for example,(view spoiler)
- For some reason I was expecting a little more backup to the natural history of this magic. "Monstrous" magical creatures, craving each other´s blood and in brilliant colors, I get it. It´s magic. But I was sort of expecting some deeper insight into the whys, or peculiarities of it. Maybe it´s on Graceling and I missed it?
(view spoiler)
But then again, I almost always have quibbles and these are pretty minor, considering. I really enjoyed this. I like it very much when an author´s second book seems *better* for me me than their first, it certainly makes me go out and buy their third. And now I am definitely wishlisting Bitterblue. Which I hope is not too much like Graceling, because I still do not *get* Graceling.(less)

like 4 likes

· see review

Oct 27, 2009

Sandy rated it

Shelves: fantasy, adult, teen, romance, fantasy-classic, sex, girly

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Not bad. Not as good as Graceling, but interesting enough. Probably a 2 1/2 star effort. I had originally given it three, but was so worked up by the time I was done typing the rant below that I had to change it (please consider that when looking at the rating). Will probably appeal just fine to the same crowd that liked Graceling - unless they become bothered by the same things I am. And good Lord, was I bothered. Considering how excited most people seem to be by this book my difficulties...moreNot bad. Not as good as Graceling, but interesting enough. Probably a 2 1/2 star effort. I had originally given it three, but was so worked up by the time I was done typing the rant below that I had to change it (please consider that when looking at the rating). Will probably appeal just fine to the same crowd that liked Graceling - unless they become bothered by the same things I am. And good Lord, was I bothered. Considering how excited most people seem to be by this book my difficulties with the book are probably largely personal.

I've got a lot of beefs with this book. I'm not sure exactly what my expectations were for this one anymore, but this book definitely didn't meet them. And there were a number of problems, described below in no particular order.

First of all: There are WAY too many similarities to be found to Graceling in terms of characterization. Both books feature fairly obnoxious female main characters who a) possess some sort of strange supernatural gift that they really don't want and that stigmatizes them from the rest of society, b) are completely absorbed in thier own problems, c) have refused to marry, and d) have an incredibly convenient connection to the local royal family that they aren't particularly proud of. The difference is that in Graceling, Katsa was fiesty and interesting. Fire, while somewhat interesting (if you like soap operas, see below) just agrivated me. Both books also feature really excellent male romantic interests who are way more engaging from start to finish than the main character and who also happen to be youngest princes who have great fighting skill but no interest in ruling. It really bothers me that when it comes down to it, the two central characters of both books are just variants of each other. Doesn't show a lot of growth at all on Cashore's part.

Speaking of not-so-stellar writing, allow me to complain about Fire's structure. Just as in Graceling, this book takes about 200+ pages to introduce all of the major players and their back stories. Then we break into the main plot. When we finally get to the war that we've been building up to for the first 300+ pages (well, actually just the middle 100 pages since the first 200 were all stupid introduction) it's hardly touched on at all except as a tool for Fire to a) figure out that she really does love Brigan and b) be incredibly, obnoxiously whiny about how awful war is. In Fire, many of the chapters follow a certain pattern: a) Fire recalls some memory of her awful father, which b) somehow relates to something else happening to her in the present, which often leads to, c) a starteling revelation. While not a bad formula to use, it gets old after a few hundred pages.

But back to obnoxious similarities between Fire and Graceling. Despite the ages of the main characters in both books, they aren't really teens. They're adults in their teen years. This didn't bother me so much in Graceling when I first read it, but it's so painful in Fire. Both Katsa and Fire are WAY too knowledgable about the world around them and they're making such adult decisions with such maturity and it never once seems out of place for the setting. Well, at least until the book's final 150 pages or so, when plenty of splendid melodramatic angsty scenes appear in which Fire whines about how awful the world is and then learns her lesson by talking to and/or observing another (more adult!) character who of course knows better. While reading Fire, I wondered if it wasn't for Graceling, if Fire would have been marketed as an adult book - with teen appeal for sure, but its tone and characterization have a much more "adult book" feel.

My biggest problem with this book, and a big part of the reason why I feel it was so adult: I was incredibly bothered by the way that sex was handled in Fire. ALL of the sexual power was given to men and women were their toys who apparently can't say no 9 out of 10 times when a man wants them. It angered to no end that Fire was so victimized because "oh, poor me, I'm so beautiful that men fall all over themselves for me, which I hate, but I'm just a woman so what even can I do about it? It would be different if I was a man..." - over and over and over again. It got old. Just like Katsa and Po, Fire and Archer became lovers the moment their relationship turned romantic. Ditto for Fire and Brigan. Archer did nothing but piss me off with his womanizing, and it angered me to no end that Fire knew about it while she was still sleeping with him, and put up with it. Even Clara, the spymaster-princess and easily the strongest female character in the book, falls for that stupid man's spell and ends up knocked up. Lord. I'm also incredibly peeved that while Fire is 17, every man she sleeps with is a good five years older than her - and they're easily among the youngest of the adult characters. I realize that this is fantasy and such age differences and the maturity level of certain 17-year-old characters is typical of traditional fantasy, but it drives me nuts.

My final rant: The book is a total soap opera. Really, the plot is driven more by characters than by plot, and even then not so much by character growth. It's more about who's really who's father than anything else. Entertaining enough I guess, and probably one of the only reasons I kept reading after 200 pages, but not the tone I wanted after so much immediate action in Graceling.

So yeah...the book's fine if you like soap operas, where pretty much each of my other beefs with this book would be acceptable. A huge disappointment for me though. And it made me dislike Graceling more because of all of the stupid similarities that taint my memories of the first book. Damn.(less)

like 33 likes

· see review

Jun 27, 2010

Anne Osterlund rated it

Fire is dangerous. And terrifyingly beautiful. And broken. The only human monster left in the Dells, she is determined never to repeat the horrors her father committed.

But the Dells are like Fire. They too are dangerous and beautiful and broken. And if the kingdom is to survive, it will need her. And the new king who threatens her with his lust, the former leaders whose lies have yet to be shared, and the young general who has more reason to hate Fire than anyone else in the Dells. ...more

like 14 likes

· see review

Mar 15, 2011

Joyzi rated it

Recommends it for: Older teens especially those who have trouble sleeping

Recommended to Joyzi by: Goodreads

Shelves: ya-books, book-series, e-book, fantasy, fiction, disappointing-books, don-t-judge-me, political-intrigue, reviewed, author-was-possessed, author-american, paranormal-romance

Ray the Sheep Pictures, Images and Photos

~~Baaaaaaaaaaa!~~ Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!

My slightly long intro
***Book Review down there somewhere***

Okay I didn't like it and I just wanna say that I read Graceling before this and I really like Graceling. After I read it in fact I consider reading Fire next but because of the bad reviews I've read here in goodreads I decided to maybe not read it and I'll just wait for Bitterblue, the third book to come out.

However when Graceling became our Mo...more

like 16 likes

· see review

Dec 21, 2010

Dana Cruz rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: kristin-cashore

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like 2 likes

· see review

Oct 20, 2009

Arlene rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-2009, ya-fantasy

I was eagerly anticipating the prequel Gracing by Kristin Cashore, and the book Fire did not disappoint. Cashore does a flawless job of developing her protagonists and coupling them with intriguing secondary characters. The story captured my attention from the beginning and the events were steady paced and carefully presented to keep me captivated the entire time. I am surprised that this book is categorized as YA as some of the content and events push the boundaries, but that didn’t take away...more

like 6 likes

· see review

Aug 24, 2009

Martha added it

Shelves: beloved, books-i-wish-i-edited, fantasy, literary-crushes, ya

If you've talked to me in the last few months, it's probably hard to believe that I could like a book more than I liked GRACELING. But, well, this is it. FIRE, the companion/prequel, is, in my opinion, even better.

So rich and lush and satisfying while also being rather bleak and heartbreaking. This book made me cry on the subway and on the promenade out of both sadness and happiness. The idea of monsters, like the idea of Gracelings, is so interesting and original. Leck is stil...more

like 12 likes

· see review

Oct 20, 2009

Crystal rated it

Shelves: 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When I heard that Kristin Cashore had begun writing a prequel to Graceling I knew I would be the first in line to buy it. Even though I knew Katsa and Po would not male an apperance in Fire I was still excited to revisit the extraordinary world that Cashore had created. I expected the book to center around King Leck and how he came to be the man he was in Graceling. I had so many questions centering around his character and I just knew they would be answered. Well, to put in mildly my precio...more

like 12 likes

· see review

Feb 06, 2009

Kate rated it

Shelves: adventure, fantasy, junior-high, romance, senior-high

Over the mountains from the land of Graceling is the Dells, an equally enchanting land. Fire's life has been very sheltered, and for good reason, she is a monster. With a wild beauty and hair the color of flame, her namesake, Fire has the unique ability to control the minds of humans and animals. But Fire guards her power, afraid to misuse it like her father, Castrel, the monster advisor to the previous King who used his powers to almost destroy the kingdom.

The kingdom is fallin...more

like 3 likes

· see review

Feb 16, 2009

Monica Edinger rated it

Shelves: fantasy

Really enjoyed this one. Great world-building, appealing characters, compelling plot. Now I was one of the rare ones who did not fall madly in love with Graceling so I started this one warily, but quickly became engaged. I found Fire an incredibly appealing character and loved the whole concept of beautiful, colorful monsters --- seemingly "different" creatures (including people). Like Graceling this one is full of political intrigue, complex moral issues, sexuality, family, and more. ...more

like 1 like

· see review

Mar 03, 2009

Jessica Trujillo rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I enjoyed this book quite a bit but not nearly as much as Graceling. I had two problems with the book. First, in Graceling I felt a real connection to the other characters, but in Fire I didn't get the same depth in the secondary characters. I really felt like I knew Po in a way that I never knew Archer and Brigand. Secondly, the bad guys in this book were one note and I think the baddies are what separate the really good books from the okay books. Graceling had that great mystery aspect to i...more

like 5 likes

· see review

Feb 05, 2009

Megan rated it

It has been a while since I've fallen in love with a book this hard. Making time to steal away together, feeling lonely and unhinged when we're apart...

Fire takes place in a world that touches Graceling's, but only tangentially. The protagonist, Fire, is something I've come across rarely in my (admittedly not comprehensive) fantasy reading: a woman who is starkly powerful and whose power is distinctly feminine.

There is plenty of action, but the story is also deeply and r...more

like 5 likes

· see review

Dec 26, 2011

Simcsa rated it

Shelves: supernatural-creatures, read-in-2011, fantasy

I have got a problem. I'm afraid that I will never give any Cashore's book 5 stars.

Her stories are unforgetable, her characters really strong and real, she doesn't let them off the hook easily, her descriptions are truly vivid, but.. it lacks the pull, the need to read on and on, I'm just a bystander, watching as her story unfolds, but I'm not a part of it. That's it. That's the problem. And I can't change a thing about it. It has something to do with her writing, sometimes I read a pa...more

like 1 like

· see review

Dec 22, 2011

Alicia rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, fantasy

I skimmed the last 20% of this book. Why? Because the main character is an insufferable, whiny brat.

Granted, she may have been a brat the entire book, but for much of the time I was blinded by the lovely world the author, Kristin Cashore, created. And toward the end, the main character became irrational, on top of being an insufferable, whiny brat. "No, don't look at me; I'm too beautiful." "I can't look at you because I'm afraid you will die." "No, I cannot ...moreI skimmed the last 20% of this book. Why? Because the main character is an insufferable, whiny brat.

Granted, she may have been a brat the entire book, but for much of the time I was blinded by the lovely world the author, Kristin Cashore, created. And toward the end, the main character became irrational, on top of being an insufferable, whiny brat. "No, don't look at me; I'm too beautiful." "I can't look at you because I'm afraid you will die." "No, I cannot go on! I am too beautiful." Wah, wah, wah.

I enjoyed the introduction to the world toward the beginning of the book. The world contains regular people and animals, and it also contains "monsters." Monsters are beautiful, colorful versions of other animals. They have the power to delve into people's minds to entrance and control them. Fire, the main character, is the only living human monster. Thus, she is beyond lovely, and she senses people's thoughts and feelings.

At the beginning of the book, Fire is on the farm where she was raised. We meet her and her adoptive family. And then she travels to King's City. The journey was tad dull but not so long that I began to pull my hair out. King's city presents some interesting new issues. There, fire has to deal with being around many more people, most of whom have some strong reaction to her monstrousness. Some are immediately smitten. Others want to rape and/or kill her. That was fun and interesting; I liked seeing her getting acclimated to the city.

Then Fire is drawn into a war. There's lots of war-planning going on. Yawn! Fire falls in love. The romance was interesting for about four seconds, until Fire decides that she is too beautiful to love, and that her man is in too much danger for her to love him. That was the last 25% of the book: "No, don't look at me. I'm pretty! You'll die, and then I'll be sad but still really really pretty!" Wah, wah, wah.

I enjoyed Graceling, the first book in this series. I kind of wish I had never started this one. I have so many unread books on my shelves, and this book feels like a black hole into which I just threw my valuable time. I'll think twice, and then again a third time, before I pick up the next book in this series.(less)

like 2 likes

· see review

Oct 03, 2011

Alyssa (Redhead Heroines) rated it

Shelves: magical, sci-fi-fantasy, teen-fiction, will-read-again-and-again, wow-loved-it

Originally posted at Redhead Heroines: Book Review of "Fire" by Kristin Cashore

Fire is described as a companion book to Cashore's Graceling. It's a prequel to the first novel in Cashore's Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, which is to be completed with the publication of Bitterblue in September of 2011.

But in reality, Fire is its own force. It does not rely on the popularity of Graceling. It does not rely on the beautiful cover or the premise of the story. Fire is the stor...more

like 2 likes

· see review

Jan 02, 2011

Book Elf rated it

Fire is a prequel to Graceling but is a second book of the Graceling Series. Because of the reviews that I have read online, I came to believe that Fire was better than Graceling. I thought it really must have superseded the first book, so i bought it.

Nah! I don't think so.

Graceling was fast paced, easy to read and full of action. I never get weary of reading it. Well, I found Fire dreary in between parts where King Leck was mentioned. The narration was boring, mind-numb...moreFire is a prequel to Graceling but is a second book of the Graceling Series. Because of the reviews that I have read online, I came to believe that Fire was better than Graceling. I thought it really must have superseded the first book, so i bought it.

Nah! I don't think so.

Graceling was fast paced, easy to read and full of action. I never get weary of reading it. Well, I found Fire dreary in between parts where King Leck was mentioned. The narration was boring, mind-numbing me to death. (You know the feeling when you are reading history book? That tiresome.)

In the beginning, I was hooked because of King Leck. Then came the nauseous narration pertaining to Fire and the Kingdom….hohuuuummm!!! I dropped my book and just reread the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling and The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud for a breather.

But then again, since I bought the book, I continued reading it and skipped reading some tiresome stuff. (I know somehow it’s relevant to the story but sorry, it did not perk me up really.I just want to get it over with.) Then on Leck’s part again, when he kidnapped Fire I got interested again. It was the climatic part for me. But with the war and all yadah-yadah, I kinda felt I wasted my money buying this book.

The review said that creating Fire, Kristine Cashore has become matured in writing. The matured part they must be pertaining to was the casual sex and infidelity part became pronounced. So, no, I didn't like Fire (that's putting it bluntly). Don’t get me wrong, war has also an appeal to me ~ a war that gives detail of the plots, strategies, betrayal and great battles. Hmm...I guess this book was just not for me. Sorry Kristin, I was not as impressed as your 1st book. I didn’t appreciate a beautiful creature to be called a monster. Perhaps if it was given a name other than monster, it may be a little more catchy. A name that you invented to engrave it in our minds (for example, the word muggle by J.K. Rowling, that pertains to people without magic). Since you are already inventing this creature, why not invent a name for it? Just a thought.

Anyway, let’s see how your third book Bitterblue, will come out. Since it is a sequel to Graceling, I hope it’s better. Really better and not just press releases.
(less)

like 3 likes

· see review

Jan 19, 2011

♫ נєηη - ѕσυℓ σƒ ѕσυη∂ ♫ rated it

Shelves: series, novel

First book of 2011, screw yes. >:D

But what can I say? It was disappointing compared to Graceling. :\ And inexplicably confusing. With all the rapists (no joke) in this book, I can't tell who's related to whom.

My short review: Meh.

My slightly longer, less spoiler-filled review: Fire was not intriguing, nor was it one of those simple pleasures that you speed through even though it’s not good at all, i.e., the Clique. It was so badly revised and executed, because Kr...more

like 2 likes

· see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 1216 1217 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Graceling or Fire?	33	145	9 hours, 28 min ago
Anyone else pissed?	27	162	Feb 07, 2012 02:21pm
Po or Brigan	81	187	Feb 04, 2012 07:49pm
FIRE: Asher or Brigan?	53	152	Jan 30, 2012 04:06am
The Seven Kingdoms : Fire	3	4	Jan 12, 2012 02:19pm
YA Lit Fall '11: Fire	6	9	Oct 04, 2011 07:21am
Book for Bitterblue. How about Hanna?!	14	59	Aug 03, 2011 06:09pm

combine
Other Editions (30)

More editions...

Genres

Fantasy

1,639 users

Young Adult

958 users

Romance

265 users

Young Adult > Teen

124 users

Adventure

118 users

Fantasy > Magic

70 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Fantasy

73 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

48 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

51 users

Action

25 users

See top shelves...

Readers Also Enjoyed

About Kristin Cashore

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

So, here's the short tale of me: I grew up in the countryside of northeastern Pennsylvania in a village with cows and barns and beautiful views from the top of the hill and all that good stuff. I lived in a rickety old house with my parents, three sisters, and a ...moreLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

So, here's the short tale of me: I grew up in the countryside of northeastern Pennsylvania in a village with cows and barns and beautiful views from the top of the hill and all that good stuff. I lived in a rickety old house with my parents, three sisters, and a scattering of cats, and I READ READ READ READ READ. I read while brushing my teeth, I read while chopping parsley, the first thing I reached for when I woke up in the morning was my book; the only two places I didn't read were in the car and in bed. What did I do then? The one thing I liked even more than reading: I daydreamed.

And so, without knowing it, I was planting the seeds. Reading and daydreaming = perfect preparation for writing.

At 18 I went off to college-- thank you, Williams College, for the financial aid that made this possible-- and it almost killed me. College is hard, man, and the Berkshires are cloudy. A (phenomenal) year studying abroad in sunny Sydney revived me. After college I developed a compulsive moving problem: New York City, Boston, Cambridge, Austin, Pennsylvania, Italy, and even a short stint in London, where my showerhead hung from the cutest little stand that was exactly like the cradle of an old-fashioned telephone. The best phone calls are the pretend phone calls made from your telephone tub.

During my stint in Boston, I got an M.A. at the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College. (Thank you, Simmons, for the scholarship that made this possible!) Grad school almost killed me, but I felt a lot more alive than when I was almost being killed in college. The Simmons program is stupendous. It got me thinking and breathing YA books. It got me writing.

Am I getting boring?

Since Simmons, I haven't stopped writing, not once. I've developed a compulsive writing problem that makes my moving problem look like a charming personality quirk. I can't stop! But it's okay, because I don't want to stop. I've been writing full-time-- well, more than full-time, really-- for about 4 years now, first doing educational writing for the K-6 market and now working on my novels. It's a dream job, which is another way of saying that when I shop for work clothes, I go straight to the pajamas section.

Should I say a little bit about what I'm like? I'm fiercely independent. I am sometimes a hermit, but never for very long. I am in search of the perfect cat. I'm a recovering Catholic. I meditate, and when I do, Prince Harry appears in my subconscious and meditates with me. It's a little strange but I don't think there's anything I can do about it. Sometimes he's not the only one; the other day it was me, Prince Harry, the Dalai Lama, Mr. Rogers, Coco the gorilla, and George Clooney. We were all floating above the earth looking down at the continents as they passed. George Clooney suggested I visit Providence, Rhode Island. The Dalai Lama sighed deeply and said he'd really like to visit Tibet.

Poor Dalai Lama.

Today I live in a historic section of Jacksonville, Florida, a beautiful, walkable, riverside community with lots of palm trees and long-legged birds. This is very strange for a Yankee and I don't suppose I'm likely to get used to it. My daily activities include walking to the river and counting the pelicans on the broken-down pilings.

There may be another move in the not-too-distant future. I miss Boston.

And that's my story.(less)

More about Kristin Cashore...

Books by Kristin Cashore

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Pin It

Trivia About Fire

17 trivia questions
1 quiz

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Fire

“Great! He has indigestion, so let's torture him with cake.” — 207 people liked it

“There will be no yelling at people who are bleeding themselves to unconsciousness.” — 172 people liked it

More quotes…

Groups That Shelved Fire

Young Adult Fiction for A...

4509 members

last activity 18 minutes ago

shelf: read

Romance Readers Reading C...

4398 members

last activity 25 minutes ago

shelf: read

Comfort Reads

1131 members

last activity 1 hour, 20 min ago

shelf: read

title link	preview: Fire
avg rating	preview: Fire Goodreads rating: 4.11 (22684 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6001758-fire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1299237884m/6001758.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6001758-fire?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Fire by Kristin Cashore[/url]

Fire (The Seven Kingdoms #2)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Readers Also Enjoyed

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website