ARC Review of The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns
Author: Rae Carson
Publisher: HarperCollins
Expected Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Courtesy of Netgalley
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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. 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.

All I can say is…wow! The Girl of Fire and Thorns is unlike any book I have read in a great while. I was intrigued, anxious, joyous, and heart-broken - all at the same time. An eclectic story of magic, adventure, romance, and conflicting beliefs.

• Lucero-Elisa de Rigqueza – or Elisa, is the youngest Princess of Orovalle. Elisa is awkward, overweight, shy, and young. However, she possesses a power that happens only once a century, making her a much needed asset. On her sixteenth birthday, she is to be married to a man she has never met, someone of importance – a King.
• Juana-Alodia de Rigqueza – or Alodia, is the oldest Princess of Orovalle. Alodia was bread to lead. She has spent much time with her father learning political machinations, etiquette, and grace. Elisa believes that Alodia hates her, though I doubt this is true.
• King Alejandro de Vega – or Alejandro, is the King of Joya d’Arena. He is to be Elisa’s husband in exchange for military help from her father. There is much to learn about Alejandro, his country, his people, and his loyalties.
• Nurse Ximena – is Elisa’s nurse maid. She has taken care of Elisa since she was a baby.
• Lady Aneaxi – is Elisa’s Lady-in-Waiting.
• Lord Hector – is King Alejandro’s personal guard.
• Cosmé – is Condesa Ariña’s Lady-in-Waiting. She has many secrets to hide. I hated her, loved her, and then hated her a little more
• Condesa Ariña – is one part of Joya d’Arena’s Quorum of Five.
• Prince Rosario de Vega – is King Alejandro’s son.
• Humberto – is Cosmé’s brother. I found him to be one of the most intriguing characters in this story.

I have listed the characters that I found to be the most important characters; however, there are many others who play integral roles throughout this book. Many of the descriptions are lacking, but to tell more would be to spoil the story. Something I try very hard not to do. Yet, it is important to remember that each person Elisa interacts with will teach, guide, and affect her experience greatly. Learning who to trust will prove to be most difficult.

Elisa is a young princess who has taken little interest in learning to rule a kingdom. She is blessed with responsibilities outside her grasp. She is tasked to figure out much about herself so she may fulfill her role, whatever that role may be. Her journey is great and not without suffering. She was thrust into a life that she knew little about; finding that many people had kept many secrets from her. She will be confronted with betrayal, loss, failure, anger, kindness, friendship, and accomplishment. The levels of these emotions are deeper and more layered in Elisa’s journey than in any other book I have read in quite a while.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I do not typically read religious based literature, not because I do not have beliefs, but usually because it does not interest me. This journey allowed me to ponder the meaning of life. The meaning of destiny. The meaning of “God’s Will.” Each person bearing the Godstone has been left to interpret the purpose and meaning of this enormous responsibility. Each of the bearer has died, some completing what they believed to be “God’s purpose” and others not knowing if they had completed their intended purpose.

Possibly, the only let down in this book for me was Elisa. Initially, I was annoyed because she was whiny and not accepting of her destiny as either a princess or the bearer of the Godstone. As her journey continued she became quite formidable and definitely a power player. However, in my opinion, she remained fickle and unsure of her purpose.

*This is an Advanced Reader Copy Review. It is an Uncorrected E-Proof meaning changes can still be made to The Girl of Fire and Thorns at this time. I want to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to review this surprisingly intriguing book. Anything quoted or alluded to is subject to change. All opinions are 100% mine. I do not work for any entity that may cause bias nor am I compensated for my reviews in any other way than by my followers who read and comment on my reviews!