3,406 books
—
18,092 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)” as Want to Read:
The Girl of Fire and Thorns
(Fire and Thorns #1)
by
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 fa ...more
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 fa ...more
Get A Copy
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Girl of Fire and Thorns,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)
Jun 10, 2012
Shannon
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Shannon by:
Elena
Shelves:
ebook,
young-adult,
epic-fantasy,
terrible-writing,
color-brown,
fantasy,
color-blue,
magic,
waste-of-time
If you caught even just a couple of my updates I think it would've been plainly obvious that I didn't enjoy this book. It's disappointing, really, because I think Carson was attempting to create a heroine that many girls could relate to. Elisa is overweight, unsure of herself, overshadowed by her prettier and skinnier sister, and chosen for something she's not sure she's worthy of. It sounds like the beginning of a compelling story, but ultimately Elisa only proves her worthiness by changing eve
...more
Aug 12, 2013
"That's All" Ash
rated it
did not like it
Shelves:
horrible,
i-need-more-synonyms-for-horrible
Running in a 25k marathon.
In 4.8 inch heels.
In the rain.
With an STD.
While hungover.
And getting passed by a 93-year-old man,
Who’s wearing a very form-fitting polyester purple-leopard-print body suit.
Would have been better than this book.
...more
In 4.8 inch heels.
In the rain.
With an STD.
While hungover.
And getting passed by a 93-year-old man,
Who’s wearing a very form-fitting polyester purple-leopard-print body suit.
Would have been better than this book.
...more
May 18, 2018
Val ⚓️ Shameless Non-Snowflake ⚓️
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
0-in-my-library-read,
5-stars
Dude. You guys. Best YA high fantasy I’ve read in, well, a LONG time.
And one of the few 5 star ratings my stingy ass has handed out so far this year.
I did the old, “I’ll just read a couple of chapters before bed” nonsense and....yeah. Read it in one sitting.
The writing was engrossing, the plot moved along at a decent pace, and the characters were all layered and grew/developed throughout the story.
I also loved that the main character - although still a "chosen one" trope character - was not a ...more
And one of the few 5 star ratings my stingy ass has handed out so far this year.
I did the old, “I’ll just read a couple of chapters before bed” nonsense and....yeah. Read it in one sitting.
The writing was engrossing, the plot moved along at a decent pace, and the characters were all layered and grew/developed throughout the story.
I also loved that the main character - although still a "chosen one" trope character - was not a ...more
I feel torn about The Girl of Fire and Thorns.
On the one hand, there's not much room to accuse this book of being slow - the action is constant, zipping along from a bloody battle, to a lusty encounter (PG-13, of course), to another dramatic reveal, to a kidnapping. Elisa's life spins off in a crazy new direction that starts with her marriage to a King of a nearby country in chapter one, and the pacing never slows down after that.
Elisa is a 16-year-old princess and was born the bearer of a Godst ...more
On the one hand, there's not much room to accuse this book of being slow - the action is constant, zipping along from a bloody battle, to a lusty encounter (PG-13, of course), to another dramatic reveal, to a kidnapping. Elisa's life spins off in a crazy new direction that starts with her marriage to a King of a nearby country in chapter one, and the pacing never slows down after that.
Elisa is a 16-year-old princess and was born the bearer of a Godst ...more
May 22, 2011
Tatiana
rated it
it was ok
Recommends it for:
fans of "Divergent," "Matched," "Delirium"
Recommended to Tatiana by:
Paolo Bacigalupi's blurb
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 these adjectives.
Now onto the novel itself. 16-year old princess Elisa has a g ...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 these adjectives.
Now onto the novel itself. 16-year old princess Elisa has a g ...more
“And God raised up for Himself a champion. Yea, once in every four generations He raised him up to bear His mark.”
What better way to take a break from stupid reality things like essays and demanding classes than a YA fantasy book about war, prophecy, an unlikely heroine and mouth-watering food? Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleasantly surprised!
“Lucero-Elisa. Heavenly light, chosen of God. His words suffocate me as surely as his embrace. All my life, I've been reminded that I am...more
1.5 stars. All in all incredibly underwhelming and somewhat both idiotic and infuriating. Trust me, I would love to tell you that my distaste only revolves around personal matters - as a strong case of "it's not the book but me", let's say - but in all honesty, I really don't think that and the problems I had with The Girl of Fire and Thorns were way too numerous to be left ignored.
"You must not lose faith, child. No matter what. Do not doubt God or his choosing of you. He knows infinitely mo...more
Truly honorable death, the only honorable death, is one that enables life.
I enjoyed reading this book but not in the way I expected. The characters were very realistic and the concept of the Godstone was very unique. The story moves at a good pace and I look forward to seeing where Rae Carson takes this story. This book, in my opinion, had enough potential to be left as a standalone but there are 2 more books and I am genuinely interested in seeing how our protagonist grows into the position ...more
I enjoyed reading this book but not in the way I expected. The characters were very realistic and the concept of the Godstone was very unique. The story moves at a good pace and I look forward to seeing where Rae Carson takes this story. This book, in my opinion, had enough potential to be left as a standalone but there are 2 more books and I am genuinely interested in seeing how our protagonist grows into the position ...more
DEAR EVERYBODY: YOU NEED TO READ THIS!!! Seriously, what Rae Carson does with this book is brilliant and extremely refreshing! Everything is so honest and genuine and I loved every moment of it.
I don't know.
I liked some parts of it, but it was weird/draggy/& preachy in parts, too. Guess I'll settle on 3 stars?
First off, the whole stone in the belly button thing was sort of strange...& eventually (when she tried to dig it out) off-putting for me.
I just...ewwww.
Now, supposedly, she was given the stone by God to help her do something special, but the records of the previous Stone Bearers seemed sketchy at best. Some of them accomplished something, some of them died young, and most of them ...more
I liked some parts of it, but it was weird/draggy/& preachy in parts, too. Guess I'll settle on 3 stars?
First off, the whole stone in the belly button thing was sort of strange...& eventually (when she tried to dig it out) off-putting for me.
I just...ewwww.
Now, supposedly, she was given the stone by God to help her do something special, but the records of the previous Stone Bearers seemed sketchy at best. Some of them accomplished something, some of them died young, and most of them ...more
"God's will. How many times have I heard someone declare their understanding of this thing I find so indefinable?"
Sometimes it's fascinating how authors can synthesize their own books in just one sentence strategically hidden in the books themselves. Hats off.
•One of the main complaints readers usually have when it comes to this book is the main character. In all honesty, Elisa may be difficult to stand, especially because, especially at the beginning, her way of thinking is strictly linked to ...more
Sometimes it's fascinating how authors can synthesize their own books in just one sentence strategically hidden in the books themselves. Hats off.
•One of the main complaints readers usually have when it comes to this book is the main character. In all honesty, Elisa may be difficult to stand, especially because, especially at the beginning, her way of thinking is strictly linked to ...more
3.5 stars
This book was weird. It so boring at times yet somewhat enjoyable. The only reason I was able to enjoy this was because of that romance. Seriously, what the fuck happened, I'm still screaming.
Here are some reasons why I liked this book:
◇We don't have a skinny MC. I love how Elisa wasn't a skinny heroine and what she looks like shouldn't matter. She was smart, brave, thought and extremely fucking annoying at times and I loved it.
◇I loved how Humberto treated her. He fell in love with he ...more
This book was weird. It so boring at times yet somewhat enjoyable. The only reason I was able to enjoy this was because of that romance. Seriously, what the fuck happened, I'm still screaming.
Here are some reasons why I liked this book:
◇We don't have a skinny MC. I love how Elisa wasn't a skinny heroine and what she looks like shouldn't matter. She was smart, brave, thought and extremely fucking annoying at times and I loved it.
◇I loved how Humberto treated her. He fell in love with he ...more
10/12/17
Help, I feel… nothing.
You know when you can’t say you hated or loved a book because you can't even remember what went on? That's how I feel right now. I don’t remember half the characters much less the plot because I was so bored and I’ve only finished it just a few hrs ago. 🤦♀️
Pray you don't feel the dread of indifference, my friends because a lack of any emotion towards a book is far worse than hating it. At least then you still feel… something.
However, all’s not doom and gloom becaus ...more
Help, I feel… nothing.
You know when you can’t say you hated or loved a book because you can't even remember what went on? That's how I feel right now. I don’t remember half the characters much less the plot because I was so bored and I’ve only finished it just a few hrs ago. 🤦♀️
Pray you don't feel the dread of indifference, my friends because a lack of any emotion towards a book is far worse than hating it. At least then you still feel… something.
However, all’s not doom and gloom becaus ...more
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING.
This book has a very strong female character.
And guess what??
SHE IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FEMALE CHARACTERS.
Probably one of the first maybe only books that have a girl who isn't that skinny, and perfect little 'ordinary' girl.
No, this book has a wonderful girl who loves sweets AND WILL ACTUALLY EAT THEM DAILY BECUZ SHE LOVES THEM, NOT BECUZ SHE WANTS TO BECOME A SKELETON.
So to all u peoples out there........... u is beautiful
So screw body image, eat all the cake
...more
This book has a very strong female character.
And guess what??
SHE IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FEMALE CHARACTERS.
Probably one of the first
No, this book has a wonderful girl who loves sweets AND WILL ACTUALLY EAT THEM DAILY BECUZ SHE LOVES THEM, NOT BECUZ SHE WANTS TO BECOME A SKELETON.
So to all u peoples out there........... u is beautiful
Oh, my goodness.
A heroine who actually thinks for herself?
A heroine who doesn't get swayed by hot men?
A heroine who overcomes her fears realistically and courageously?
A heroine who is perfect in her imperfections?
A heroine who is flawed yet so real?
A FANTASY STORY WHERE THE ROMANCE IS ACTUALLY NOT CENTRAL???
Ooh. La. Freaking. La.
To say that I enjoyed this book is an understatement.
It's been a while since I finished a book in one sitting. Seriously, recently, it takes me 3-5 days max to finish a ...more
A heroine who actually thinks for herself?
A heroine who doesn't get swayed by hot men?
A heroine who overcomes her fears realistically and courageously?
A heroine who is perfect in her imperfections?
A heroine who is flawed yet so real?
A FANTASY STORY WHERE THE ROMANCE IS ACTUALLY NOT CENTRAL???
Ooh. La. Freaking. La.
To say that I enjoyed this book is an understatement.
It's been a while since I finished a book in one sitting. Seriously, recently, it takes me 3-5 days max to finish a ...more
I am ridiculously in love with this book. I've been gnawing at fantasies like a fiend lately and FINALLY I found this one which is a) unique, and b) feministic, and c) incredibly adorable and charming and heart warming. WELL. Apart from the moments when my heart was breaking. This author does NOT spare her characters. AHHH. WHERE EVEN TO BEGIN?!!
It's an incredible rich fantasy world, which was gorgeous to eat. My only single complaint was that it was a bit hard to pin-point all the countries and ...more
It's an incredible rich fantasy world, which was gorgeous to eat. My only single complaint was that it was a bit hard to pin-point all the countries and ...more
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 daughter ...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 daughter ...more
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.
Reread time with Jessica
*chanting* please hold up, please hold up. please hold up. I loved this series the first time through. So lets do it all again. I'm really hoping it is just as good.
Whew and it did hold up well. I'm going to stick with my 4 star rating and since I knew some of the bigger plot points I was able to focus in a little more on a certain Captain of the Guard. Hector, you are amazing.
Original Review
I will preface that I was a little worried about this book when I started. It se ...more
*chanting* please hold up, please hold up. please hold up. I loved this series the first time through. So lets do it all again. I'm really hoping it is just as good.
Whew and it did hold up well. I'm going to stick with my 4 star rating and since I knew some of the bigger plot points I was able to focus in a little more on a certain Captain of the Guard. Hector, you are amazing.
Original Review
I will preface that I was a little worried about this book when I started. It se ...more
I LOVED THIS BOOK! So freaking epic! Elisa is just one of those characters you fall in love with.
DNF at 50%
I firmly believe a new genre should be carved out just for The Girl of Fire and Thorns: Religious Fantasy. Lord, is it preachy—just ...more
"I understand why it is better to die from my service than never complete it at all. Far, far better. Homer and Damian never profited from their acts of heroism; everyone who followed did. In the same way, I may never reap the benefits of mine, should I complete it. But that doesn't matter, because God placing his stone in my belly was never about me."
I firmly believe a new genre should be carved out just for The Girl of Fire and Thorns: Religious Fantasy. Lord, is it preachy—just ...more
I reeeeeeeeally liked this. This was such a refreshing YA fantasy I didn't realize how much I needed something like this. The premise was interesting and unique and I felt many different feels while reading this story.
I would also like to note that (for me anyway) the synopsis does not do this book justice at all. I really expected this to be more of a fluff fantasy and I ended up putting it off for so long because of it.
Very much looking forward to continuing!
How many fat, introverted, intellectual princesses do we have in YA fantasy lit—-or any fiction, for that matter? I appreciate that Rae Carson went to the effort of writing against type. Despite noble efforts, though, this book is just a pile of fail.
What made me angry with this book? Let me count the ways:
1. Fat hate: I'm sure that overweight readers (especially those who have issues with binging) will identify with Elisa, but I'm really fucking exhausted of every overweight central character i ...more
What made me angry with this book? Let me count the ways:
1. Fat hate: I'm sure that overweight readers (especially those who have issues with binging) will identify with Elisa, but I'm really fucking exhausted of every overweight central character i ...more
3.5 stars
Crappy Review Time - This takes place in a sort of reimagined Spanish country with a big splash of desert terrain mixed in. So you've got the adobe villas along with camels and sand storms. The background is religious: every century, "God" (it seems to be a Catholic-y god, but is also kind of undefined), chooses a "bearer" to wear a magic stone in their belly button. The stone appears in infancy and is attached until death. We aren't really sure what the stone does for awhile, but it h ...more
Crappy Review Time - This takes place in a sort of reimagined Spanish country with a big splash of desert terrain mixed in. So you've got the adobe villas along with camels and sand storms. The background is religious: every century, "God" (it seems to be a Catholic-y god, but is also kind of undefined), chooses a "bearer" to wear a magic stone in their belly button. The stone appears in infancy and is attached until death. We aren't really sure what the stone does for awhile, but it h ...more
May 07, 2014
Lauren
added it
WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS
There is a special place in my heart for fantasy novels. I love getting lost in a world that exists only because one person dreamed it. There’s nothing more exciting than starting a new book that feels different from anything you’ve read before.
Immediately, I knew that The Girl of Fire and Thorns was one such book. As it opens, the protagonist, Elisa, is worried about fitting into her wedding dress, and praying that her husband will be ugly because she’s so worried she’ll d ...more
There is a special place in my heart for fantasy novels. I love getting lost in a world that exists only because one person dreamed it. There’s nothing more exciting than starting a new book that feels different from anything you’ve read before.
Immediately, I knew that The Girl of Fire and Thorns was one such book. As it opens, the protagonist, Elisa, is worried about fitting into her wedding dress, and praying that her husband will be ugly because she’s so worried she’ll d ...more
Oct 11, 2016
Rusty's Ghost Engine (also known as.......... Jinky Spring)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
high-fantasy,
hell-yeah
3.5 stars
SPOILER ALERT...
Well I don't think I've ever read a book where both the heroines love interests die.. who will she spend forever with now?
The storyline of this book is basically about a princess trying to find out what her role is as a bearer and trying to find a way to save her country from inland enemies who want access to the port for whatever reasons and will stop at nothing to get it. It was never answered why the enemy wanted a complete collection of godstones or why they so desp ...more
SPOILER ALERT...
Well I don't think I've ever read a book where both the heroines love interests die.. who will she spend forever with now?
The storyline of this book is basically about a princess trying to find out what her role is as a bearer and trying to find a way to save her country from inland enemies who want access to the port for whatever reasons and will stop at nothing to get it. It was never answered why the enemy wanted a complete collection of godstones or why they so desp ...more
I really enjoyed this one! It didn't pull me in right away but I quite enjoyed the second half of the book! Moving along to COE right away!
DNF at 9%. I really wanted to like this book. It's just sad is I begun reading there was just something missing. I don't know what it was. I just didn't really care that much about what happened. And I know I did not read very far but I just didn't care too. It's not a terrible book persay. From where I got to it she's not particularly interesting. And maybe I can't judge because I didn't get part all but I just didn't care. It wasn't like I hated it or anything. I don't know. I definitely wante
...more
7 out of 10
Ревью в моем блоге/This review on my blog Living A Thousand Lives (please use Chrome/Yandex browser or Android/IOS to see the page; otherwise, spoiler-tags I use to make my post compact may not work)
Short-Soundtrack:
Fyre – Away From Home
Katie Melua – The Flood
Les Friction – Firewall
Genre: high-fantasy, YA
Stuff: ugly duckling, Spanish tune, court intrigues, dessert
Fail: too much religion and fat-talks
WOW: MC's transformation
POV: 1st-person, female
Love-Geometry: seeming, almost zer ...more
Nov 25, 2012
Summer
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
those with very low standards for YA fantasy
Shelves:
fantasy
I have put off this review long enough. It should be telling enough that to this day I preserve a place in my heart that severely abhors this book; it has left that much of an impact on my anger me.
The reason I read this? I wanted to read a high fantasy book that would be reminiscent of Stolen Songbird, a recent favorite of mine, and wanted to relive the experience but in a different book. Actually--screw it--imma go right out and say that the sole reason I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns was b ...more
The reason I read this? I wanted to read a high fantasy book that would be reminiscent of Stolen Songbird, a recent favorite of mine, and wanted to relive the experience but in a different book. Actually--screw it--imma go right out and say that the sole reason I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns was b ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA adventure/fantasy/romance about a princess who was born with a “god stone”. [s] | 3 | 20 | Nov 07, 2019 10:56PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson - Restarting December 5th 2018 | 25 | 167 | Dec 17, 2018 11:55PM | |
| Forgotten YA Gems: Girl of Fire and Thorns: Chapters 31-End General Discussion | 4 | 24 | Jul 11, 2018 11:53AM | |
| Crazy for Young A...: The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns #1), by Rae Carson → Start Date: January 8, 2018 | 13 | 26 | Feb 04, 2018 12:27PM | |
| Forgotten YA Gems: Girl of Fire and Thorns: Chapters 21-30 General Discussion | 2 | 16 | Feb 04, 2018 12:55AM | |
| Forgotten YA Gems: Girl of Fire and Thorns: Discussion Chapters 11-20 | 2 | 17 | Jan 22, 2018 03:42PM | |
| Forgotten YA Gems: Girl of Fire and Thorns ch 1-10 General Discussion | 3 | 25 | Jan 17, 2018 04:52PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Rae Carson was born in 1973 in California and now lives in Arizona. She developed an enthusiasm for storytelling in her earliest childhood. She studied social sciences and worked in various industries after graduating from university before she realized her dream and became a writer. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is her debut novel.
In her own words, she "write[s] books about teens who must do brave ...more
In her own words, she "write[s] books about teens who must do brave ...more
Other books in the series
Fire and Thorns
(4 books)
Related Articles
Pitched for fans of Jane the Virgin and The Kiss Quotient, Alexis Daria’s newest novel,
You Had Me at Hola
, goes behind the scenes of a fiction...
8 likes · 2 comments
3 trivia questions
1 quiz
More quizzes & trivia...
1 quiz
“Honor from death,” I snap, “is a myth. Invented by the war torn to make sense of the horrific. If we die, it will be so that others may live. Truly honorable death, the only honorable death, is one that enables life.”
—
277 likes
“I know you hate me. But don't let that make you stupid.”
—
147 likes
More quotes…
