Okay, so when I thought I had gotten The Forest of Hands and Teeth at the library last week, I had actually picked up The Girl of Fire and Thorns (their titles are strangely similar). I am on the wait list for The Forest of Hands and Teeth, so that review will be forthcoming. In the mean time, however ...
The Girl of Fire and Thorns
by Rae Carson
First, let me saw how delightful it is that there is finally a book in which the protagonist is chubby - and her life goal isn't to lose weight. I love how Elisa comforts herself with food, without making herself seem utterly pathetic. This makes her "real" and honest ... and I love her for it. She is young, and you can feel that, yet she is mature when she needs to be and is growing in the book.
April 24th
I began this book last night in honor of World Book Night and I definitely carried on until morning, as Ryan suggested.
This book is an example of why you should read a couple of chapters before deciding a book isn't for you. I always try and give it five (although this rule changes for me periodically). The first couple chapters here were indicating that this isn't the kind of book I love to read. Not that it wasn't great from the beginning, but I just wasn't getting into it.
However, out of nowhere, the book turned from "okay" to "fantastically exciting!" Elisa is a sixteen year old, second princess who is the bearer of the "godstone". According to legend, the bearer is able to do great things ... and they usually die young.
Her father marries her to a widower King from a neighboring land who doesn't want to tell anyone that they are married just yet (ISN'T THAT STRANGE?? Elisa is concerned too) and their journey to his home is full of peril.
Just as the first section is ending and you feel like Elisa might be in a good place, something happens once again to make you wonder what is going on? Who is the "good guy?" Who do you trust? Will Elisa ever be safe and carry out her destiny?
Stay tuned, I'm sure I'll have lots to write about this one tomorrow!!
April 24th Part 2
I can't wait! I was almost late to work today because I had trouble putting the book down! I love how our unperfect heroine still has people falling in love with her, even though she isn't the picture of perfection! Elisa is starting to grow and learn what she is meant to do.
Elisa knows her husband is gorgeous, but doesn't love her ... and doesn't want to tell anyone that they are married. My concern in the second book is that he either hasn't gone looking for her or just hasn't looked hard enough. I won't spoil it, but seriously, does the man care?
Furthermore, I love how characters that seemed bad are becoming good (without changing everything they are) and Elisa is so human. Probably my favorite character I've read in awhile. She is strong without being able to do everything for herself, imperfect without feeling pathetic, beautiful and loved without seeming cliched.
I'm 3/4 of the way through and HAVE to finish a paper. Hopefully I'll be awake enough to finish this before I go to bed tonight!
April 25th
What a thrilling end to this great book! I'm not going to give anything away - but that was exciting, thrilling, wonderful, and kept me on the edge of my seat as I finished the book.
Elisa grows up so much, she experiences real loss that the reader can feel (read between the lines: characters die, it isn't overtly sad, but it does happen a couple times in the book). The mental focus of Elisa at the beginning of the book is so different than the Elisa at the end of the book. Even she notices!
I can't wait for book two to come out ... The Crown of Embers is has a release date of Fall 2012.
I can't wait!
I'll keep you updated when there is a more specific release date ... maybe we will get some previews!!
In the mean time, check out these things for The Girl of Fire and Thorns and go get it from the library today!
April 24th Part 2
I can't wait! I was almost late to work today because I had trouble putting the book down! I love how our unperfect heroine still has people falling in love with her, even though she isn't the picture of perfection! Elisa is starting to grow and learn what she is meant to do.
Elisa knows her husband is gorgeous, but doesn't love her ... and doesn't want to tell anyone that they are married. My concern in the second book is that he either hasn't gone looking for her or just hasn't looked hard enough. I won't spoil it, but seriously, does the man care?
Furthermore, I love how characters that seemed bad are becoming good (without changing everything they are) and Elisa is so human. Probably my favorite character I've read in awhile. She is strong without being able to do everything for herself, imperfect without feeling pathetic, beautiful and loved without seeming cliched.
I'm 3/4 of the way through and HAVE to finish a paper. Hopefully I'll be awake enough to finish this before I go to bed tonight!
April 25th
What a thrilling end to this great book! I'm not going to give anything away - but that was exciting, thrilling, wonderful, and kept me on the edge of my seat as I finished the book.
Elisa grows up so much, she experiences real loss that the reader can feel (read between the lines: characters die, it isn't overtly sad, but it does happen a couple times in the book). The mental focus of Elisa at the beginning of the book is so different than the Elisa at the end of the book. Even she notices!
I can't wait for book two to come out ... The Crown of Embers is has a release date of Fall 2012.
I can't wait!
I'll keep you updated when there is a more specific release date ... maybe we will get some previews!!
In the mean time, check out these things for The Girl of Fire and Thorns and go get it from the library today!
See Rae Carson talking about her book in this video
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