Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

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. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

My Review:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a great start to a high fantasy trilogy.  I look forward to reading the next two books soon.  There is lots of action and characterization that make this book an awesome read.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

When this book starts, Elisa completely lacks confidence.  She feels that she's never really done anything worthwhile, and she doesn't think she ever will.  At her baptism, a Godstone was placed in her belly button by God, but she believes that He made a mistake in selecting her as His chosen one.  But Elisa ends up changing so much over the course of the book.  She has to live through so many bad experiences, and she matures quickly.  She is forced to really grow into her role as the chosen one, and she steps up to the challenge completely.

I liked the romance that developed in this book between Elisa and Humberto.  Humberto does help to kidnap Elisa because he belongs to a group who of people in Elisa's country who need help.  They are suffering, and the king is ignoring their suffering.  Humberto is a sweet guy who likes Elisa for her personality.  He doesn't judge her based on her appearance.  I can't say much more on this romance because it would spoil the book, but something really heartbreaking happens.

I really liked some of the secondary characters, especially Cosme.  Cosme starts off as Elisa's maid, and she doesn't really seem to like Elisa very much.  At that time, neither of them knew that they would become friends and allies.  The friendship that develops between them is done very well.  They care about each other, and they help each other in the troubles that they have to face.  Cosme is Humberto's sister.  There is a great scene between Cosme and Elisa after something happens involving Humberto.  I think you'll know what scene this is when you read it.  It also involves Elisa's Godstone.

If you like YA high fantasy, read this book.

Katie