Reviews - Fire | The StoryGraph

3.96k reviews for:

Fire

Kristin Cashore

4.06 AVERAGE

bspainhower16's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ionejade's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kim_s96's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

alyssagall's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

jocelyn_mateos's review against another edition

3.0

I don't usually have a problem with reading slower-paced books, but after reading Graceling, I had certain expectations. Graceling felt more fast-paced and action based while Fire felt slow-paced and character based. For me, it dragged. I might have even quit reading it a few times if my husband and friends hadn’t already read it. I was mainly motivated by the chance to discuss it with others. I’m actually glad I finished it. The pace never really changed, but it was worth the read.

While I was able to easily accept the fantasy elements in Graceling, I felt like Fire was two clicks toward crazy with the rainbow “monster” animals that wanted to attack Fire, especially when she was menstruating. That was just a bit too wacko for the mood I was in while reading, I guess.

Also, while I found it appropriate to the main character in Graceling to be determined not to marry, having the same theme repeat in Fire (for no apparent reason) just seems like the author has a personal vendetta against marriage and family.

Overall, the book was okay. I liked some of the character development. I did think her character was too weak at times. I’m not saying she had to have the strength of ten warriors, but it seemed like there were too many people who were strong enough to resist her powers. She never got to have a real hero moment. After a killer like Katsa in the first book, I really needed a character who at least had strength in her abilities . . . or even a little more confidence.

Oh, and I think the author’s main fantasy in life must be to find a man who can read her mind. In Graceling, she has a man who can read minds. In Fire, she has a woman who can push her thoughts into her man’s mind. Can I get an amen?

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For those who have read this, I’ll go into a little more detail. I felt like Fire should have been able to save Nash. She should have at least caught some treacherous vibes from the archer before it happened if she was unable to get into Mydogg’s mind. There was no point to having him shot so she could save him after the fact. That was weak. Cashore should have given Fire a chance to be a hero for once.

Also, Fire sleeps with a guy who sleeps around on her, and she has no interest in the idea of marriage. From any indication she has given us, she finds no value in the institution. Then, she abhors the thought of Brocker’s infidelity. Now, I know she idealized him and didn’t see him capable of being good with a little evil included, but why would she think him evil if she cares nothing for marriage? I don’t think Cashore can have it both ways on this one. Either marriage matters or it doesn’t.