"Engrossing" according to one of my favorite authors - Tamora Pierce. While the tale was a bit long it was indeed engrossing.
I would like to take this opportunity to discuss the appeal of cover arts and discover if what is inside is reflected on the exterior. While I do feel an interest in all of the cover arts to intrigue me to delve farther into the book, some may not depict the story line as well. The best image to reflect the story (in my opinion) would be the middle option.
The tale begins on the characters 16th birthday and her wedding day. (Personally I would prefer to think of her as 17 or 18 because 16 seems a bit young). Elisa sees herself as overweight, unattractive, unintelligent, indvidual - especially compared to her sister. She is 'second best', the second princess but she is the bearer of the Godstone which is something unique. Though it is a blessing that she doesn't want because she doesn't think that she can do it. Elisa is so full of doubts about herself and her place in the world that readers can readily relate to. In the end, Elisa proves to herself and others that she can do it, that she is capable, that she is worthy. This is a powerful message that can hopefully play out in the reader's own life.
One thing that I disliked though was how Elisa in the end fits the ideal image. In the beginning she overate becase she didn't feel worthy and found herself in food. It was her comfort in a world that she felt she had no control over. Over the course of the novel though she ends up nearly starving in the desert and in this time she aquires the 'ideal' body image of beauty (aka skinny). She does discover that she is usefull, she is worhty, and that she has a purpose which does take away her need to compensate with food. But it just goes to show that it is still the pretty girls who are the ones in the 'fairy tales' getting their happy endings. Which is why I think the two outer covers are misguiding. I like just having the vauge face in the stone which gives a feeling of being trapped, yet waitig to shine and burst free. No ideal image of beauty on the front, just the face of a girl who is entrapped by the thorns and consummed by the fires of destiny.
This book does stress a religion which is not expressly defined as Christian (although it does have some similarities). It is a religion that does not exhist on our own world, but the fact that religion is stressed may cause some people to feel upset, uncomforatble, and who knows what else.
Political termoil comes with the terraine of the book leading to an ultimate standdown. This happens in real life, although minus the magic ammunitions that can be used by the enemy. A situation such as this is not too unfamiliar, but it it the reactions of those who decide to take things into their own hands that heat things up and add to the plot.
Of course, what would a 'fairy tale' be without a romance. A wedding happened in the beginning but it ends up being a secret one. Feelings start to stir in the heart of our heroine. Someone sees her for her. Not as the second sister, not as the second best, but for herself and the effort that she puts into things. We all want to be seen for who we are by another.
Even though it is a fictious world and situation, the characters have real issues. Self-esteeme, wanting to be loved, feeling adequate, and many others are fires in the night calling the weary reader to come and join. Within the circle of the fires light; we can all find warmth in a shared struggle.
Book Trailer: Girl of Fire and Thorns
"A well written captivating novel that siezes the soul and won't let go. Just the beginning of a tale that takes the reader to far away lands filled with turmoil and Elisa's efforts to fufill her destiny."
~ Megan Christensen
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