Fire by Kristin Cashore

In the Dells, there are animals, and then there are monsters. The only way to distinguish between them is that monsters have unique coloring, impossibly alluring beauty, and sometimes even the ability of mind control. That’s what makes monsters so dangerous, to humans and to each other. That’s why Fire lives such a careful and guarded life; this flame-haired young woman is actually a human monster. The Dells, the land she calls home, is experiencing supreme instability now that rebel lords are attempting to overthrow King Nash. Spies and other suspicious people are everywhere, only increasing the danger. And somehow, Fire fits in the midst of all this, because this beautiful girl can influence the minds of those around her. Wanted as an asset by each opposing side in the brewing war, Fire must determine the path she will follow, to save—or forsake—her land.

Talk about a page turner! Fire, though lengthy, is a fantasy filled with excitement, danger, spy work, brewing plots, and even romance. Cashore’s writing draws the reader easily into her fictional world of monsters and royal court intrigue. Generally, I find the settings in most fantasy stories difficult to adjust to since they generally include new lands and terrain, wording and languages, species, laws of nature, and occasionally magic; however, with Fire, part of the reason why it was so easy for me to get into the story was because the setting and atmosphere were really quite simple. The most unusual aspect of the Dells is the monsters, and those were quite easily explained and able to be understood. It’s amazing to me how Cashore so successfully creates a vivid new world with a realistic cast of characters. Character development is so well done, especially for strong protagonist Fire, that the characters hardly feel like they’re just part of a fictional story. I suppose there are segments of this story that are a little boring, but I feel that fades away next to the excitement that action, drama, and romance bring to the plot.

Fire is by far one of my favorite fantasies yet, and I cannot wait to read Graceling, for which Fire is a prequel. This novel will most definitely be enjoyed by fans of The Abhorsen Chronicles by Garth Nix, Trickster’s Choice and Trickster’s Queen by Tamora Pierce, Foundling by D.M. Cornish, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Rating: 4.75

Review copy from publisher Penguin