FIRE

FIRE (A companion to Graceling) by Kristin Cashore

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Dial; First Edition edition
trong>Language: English
ISBN-10: 0803734611
ISBN-13: 978-0803734616

From Amazon for readers Grade 9 Up — This fantasy, shot through with romance and suspense, is set in the same world as GRACELING, but on the far side of the mountain barrier in the kingdom of the DellS, 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. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

FIRE takes place in the same world as GRACELING, but with very little crossover. It is supposed to be a prequel, set at least a decade before GRACELING, and only one character appears in both books. These two books don't have to be read in order for you to understand Fire, but once you have read FIRE, you will want to immediately read GRACELING.

The Gracelings live over the mountains in kingdoms that are relatively peaceful, living on what the Gods have offered them. But over the mountains live the the kingdoms of the Dells, where many unusually monsters live among the people. The nobels of the Dell work with some of these animals to plan rebellious plot against the young king . In this country, the are monsters, brightly colored, beautiful, and often dangerous from normal animals.

Fire is a human monster, the last of her kind. Fire is an outcast in her society, with her vibrant and unnatural red hair color - a clear indicator she is a monster - and status as a powerful mind controller. She resists using her ability, remembering the terrible example of her brilliant, twisted father. When the king's brother Brigan arrives to ask for her help against the rebel lords, she is pulled against her will into the turmoil enveloping the kingdom.

King Nash is struggling to hold on to his kingdom as enemies from the north and south threaten to overthrow him. Both Nash and his brother, Brigan, distrust Fire at first because of the damage her father did to the kingdom before his death. Brigan would like nothing more than to kill Fire, but they manage to find a way to resolve their differences and work together.

Fire is a strong heroine - tough and fiercely independent - but loyal and kind to others. She is thoughtful, and concerned for the other people she has befriended. She especially struggles to reconcile her own nature and her father's actions, to become the person she wishes to be. Katsa's was a stong heroine in GRACELING, but I think Fire has developed into an even stronger character in the book, FIRE.

Although FIRE is not a happy, warm and fuzzy book all of the time, after all it does deal with death and violence and the cruelties of life. Cashore has a talent with writing optimistic and sensitive material, and inserting rare scenes of romance and humor to keep the story moving along at a fever-pitch. She is definitely a YA fantasy writer to be watching because her writing style and subject matter will attract not only the young adult population, but the adult population (like myself) who enjoy an excellent fantasy story. If readers weren't already in love with Cashore after reading GRACELING, they will be after reading Fire

This complicated and layered story made for the perfect summer read. The characters are amazing and complex, intense and believable and written with great prose and feeling. FIRE (and GRACELING) are excellent books. The characters will satisfy readers who like adventure, intrigue, and romance even the villains are interesting, intelligent people. The twists and turns of the plot are unpredictable and keep you turning the page until the wee hours of the morning.

Hunger Games Ending in Sight

Hunger Games fans have just 8 more months to wait: the as yet untitled third and final book in Suzanne Collins’s dystopian fantasy trilogy will be released in English worldwide on August 24, 2010. Read the entire press release at Publisher's Weekly.

If you have not read the first 2 books in the Hunger Games trilogy, I highly recommend them both. Check out my reviews on The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

Catching Fire

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games Book #2) by Suzanne Collins

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439023491
ISBN-13: 978-0439023498

CATCHING FIRE was as much of a rollercoaster ride as THE HUNGER GAMES. Thinking she is finally free of the hold the Capital has on her and living a life of plenty as winner of the Hunger Games, Katniss thinks her life might actually be getting better.
This book delves more into the relationship between Katniss and Gale, and we start to understand more about them. We also get a glimpse of life in some of the other districts. Many reviewers were not happy with all this backstory, but I thought it added to the overall plot of the story.

Because it is the 75th anniversary of the Hunger Games, it is also time for the Quarter Quell - special games that take place every 25 years. The Capital claims the rules of the Quarter Quell have been predestined by the founders of the games, but when the rules are announced, it becomes apparent these games will be used as a punishment for the residents of all the districts. This year's reaping will only consist of the winners from each district - in Katniss' case, she is the only winner from District 12. She will be heading back into the arena. Still waiting to protect Katniss, Peeta volunteers as the tribute after Haymitch's name is drawn.

Now the Capital will show the people that anyone is expendable - even the much loved winning tributes. 24 winners will go into the arena - only 1 will come out alive.

This book is more about the rising rebellions in the districts. There is a plan in place that the readers - and Katniss and Peeta - are not aware of until the end. Katniss and her mockingjay pin have become the symbol of the rebellion and are therefore a target of the Capital.

Katniss continues to be a strong character and I enjoy seeing her reactions to situations and the maturity she shows when solving problems. She is definitely not a normal 17 year old, but she does have some of the same fears and insecurities of other kids her own age. She is a polarizing character and has the ability to draw people together.

I thought this book was a great stepping stone to bridge book one and book three of the trilogy. I wasn't crazy about the cliff-hanger ending, but in all practicality, it was the obvious way to end the book. Now it makes me anxious for the final book in the trilogy. I hope Ms. Collins has pity on all us rabid fans and hurries with the writing of book three.