It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her. Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next.
This edition includes an article by and an interview with Kristin Cashore, as well as a sneak peek at her next book, Bitterblue!
"This is a carefully constructed work, with plots and relationships that are slowly revealed and interwoven. Cashore doesn't shy away from the pain and suffering of war, but it's not tiresomely gritty by any means. Instead, fluid prose guides you through to the - slightly inevitable - end." -- Rhian Drinkwater SFX "I fell in love with Fire at first sight, dazzled by its beautiful prose, its lush world building, its subtle and complex plot lines, and its heady characters. I absolutely loved Fire, and it is one of my favorite reads of the year. Absolutely recommended to all." THE BOOK SMUGGLERS "This wonderful novel is difficult to put down. There's something for everyone: breathtaking descriptions, fast paced plot, believable characters, battles, romance and a main character that ties it all together beautifully." WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY "Fire is fresh, interesting, and fun. And the sort of book that, above all, will make its readers impatient for any stories that may follow." BOOKGEEKS.CO.UK "The setting is rich and beautifully explored and described, the characters all multidimensional, interesting and believable, and the romance is exquisitely drawn out and developed. Cashore has created a world it's a real joy to exist in, populated with characters it's a pleasure to be among." THE BOOK BAG "The relationships between characters are explored to a fairly satisfying degree that may well appeal to some fans of Twilight. Fire is smartly written and well imagined." SCI FI NOW
Description:
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her. Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next.
This edition includes an article by and an interview with Kristin Cashore, as well as a sneak peek at her next book, Bitterblue!
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 9 Up—This fantasy, shot through with romance and suspense, is set in the same world as Graceling (Dial, 2008), but on the far side of the mountain barrier in the kingdom of the Dells. Here there are monsters, enhanced and exceptionally beautiful versions of various animal species. Fire is a human monster, so beautiful that she has to hide her hair for fear of attack by both raptor monsters and human men. She is able to enter other people's minds and exert power over them. It is a tumultuous time in the kingdom, as various lords are preparing to overthrow the king, and Fire is drawn into the fray. With a larger cast and a more complex canvas than Graceling, the story begins slowly and takes its time establishing itself. Fire's path is not immediately clear, and although full of action, her quest is largely internal. While the plotting is well done, there are a few quibbles about Cashore's world-building and about the role of a major character from Graceling, Leck. But, this is Fire's story, and readers will fall in love with her as she struggles with her pivotal role in the war effort as well as her complex relationships with her oldest friend and lover, Archer; with Prince Brigan, whose mind is closed to her and who becomes central to her life; and with her monster father's fearsome legacy. More adult in tone than Graceling, this marvelous prequel will appeal to older teens, who will not only devour it, but will also love talking about it.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
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Review
"This is a carefully constructed work, with plots and relationships that are slowly revealed and interwoven. Cashore doesn't shy away from the pain and suffering of war, but it's not tiresomely gritty by any means. Instead, fluid prose guides you through to the - slightly inevitable - end." -- Rhian Drinkwater SFX "I fell in love with Fire at first sight, dazzled by its beautiful prose, its lush world building, its subtle and complex plot lines, and its heady characters. I absolutely loved Fire, and it is one of my favorite reads of the year. Absolutely recommended to all." THE BOOK SMUGGLERS "This wonderful novel is difficult to put down. There's something for everyone: breathtaking descriptions, fast paced plot, believable characters, battles, romance and a main character that ties it all together beautifully." WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY "Fire is fresh, interesting, and fun. And the sort of book that, above all, will make its readers impatient for any stories that may follow." BOOKGEEKS.CO.UK "The setting is rich and beautifully explored and described, the characters all multidimensional, interesting and believable, and the romance is exquisitely drawn out and developed. Cashore has created a world it's a real joy to exist in, populated with characters it's a pleasure to be among." THE BOOK BAG "The relationships between characters are explored to a fairly satisfying degree that may well appeal to some fans of Twilight. Fire is smartly written and well imagined." SCI FI NOW