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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I love the idea of a fantasy YA novel with an overweight female protagonist. There's so much potential for important lessons about loving one's body indiscriminately and finding self-worth without losing weight to do it. Strong, heavy ladies are a scarce (if not invisible) character, which--much like in the fashion industry--for some reason tries to convince us that we're the exception and not the standard. A YA novel with a great story that embraces the diversity of human size is a welcome addition to the genre.
Unfortunately, this is not that book. It begins that way, though. Elisa carries the Godstone and is this generation's "chosen". Every 100 years a child is chosen on its naming day and destined for greatness, marked by a blue gem that's embedded in their navel like a treasure troll. Elisa is fat. Her sister is thin and beautiful, and she's constantly comparing herself to her. People whisper about her. When she travels to another kingdom, the maid deliberately brings her clothes that are far too small for Elisa out of spite. Every one of Elisa's thoughts is something that us fat ladies think. She hates being fat, and feels conflicted about being chosen by God but somehow being fat, as though it's a punishment or something, and mutually exclusive.
This is all great, because anyone raised in this media-saturated world knows that we're supposed to feel ashamed if our bodies aren't exactly how we're told they should be. It's easy to say "just love yourself" if you aren't warring with a canyon of difference between what you look like and what you're "supposed" to look like. If Elisa can achieve these great things for which she's destined, and do it without having to lose weight, it'll be a huge win and first example in a book I've ever read where the whole "just love yourself" and "who you are doesn't depend on your weight" will actually be put into practice!
Uh. Nope. She loses weight. Now, there are several ways Elisa could have lost weight that would empower readers struggling with the same issue. But, instead of being mindful about eating and exercising, instead of committing to a drastically different lifestyle, instead of trying to break her habits, instead of finding impossible willpower every moment of every day, Elisa is kidnapped and starved. Two things wrong with this: First, the relatable Elisa from the first half of the book is now inaccessible, since readers can't (or shouldn't) lose weight the same way as this character they previously identified with. Second, for those same readers, kidnapping and starvation has the potential to be a remarkable diet. This is super dangerous. In case you did read this book and cheered at her weight loss from the desert trek, there's something you need to know: KIDNAPPING AND STARVATION IS TRAGEDY, NOT TRANSFORMATION.
I say this not because I think the people reading this are stupid. It isn't about being able to intelligently say "Oh my, she lost weight but that is SO not healthy, I should definitely not try that!". It's about all of us being impressionable. Even as an adult, it makes an impression on me.
The focus on her being overweight continues for, I want to say, half the book? After she arrives at her kidnapper's destination, it's only mentioned...fewer than five times between the middle and end of the book, since she lost the weight. Whereas it was mentioned (it felt like) five times per page before she lost the weight. As though the focus of her struggle in the first half actually has nothing to do with the story being told...but if that's the case, why spend so much time on it in the beginning? As I read, I kept waiting for it to come up again, a reason why she was fat, but there was nothing.
I know I make it sound like this is all the book is about, and possibly for the first half of the book this is what 90% of the book is about. While this focus on Elisa's weight/weight loss is my main problem with the story, a secondary fear arose as I read: I feared that I had been tricked into reading Chri-Fi.
As I've said in previous comments, I have no problem with main characters being devout, or being part of a very religious culture. I don't even have that much of a problem with being "chosen", although that always opens comparison to the Christ story. What I dislike about religious fiction is the heavy-handed (pun intended) use of deus ex machina: if God is responsible for everything, what's the story? Why bother rooting for the characters who can't make decisions themselves? How can I invest in a clever character if all she has to do to stop the army is pray? I can accept up to one instance of deus ex machina per story, and even then, it can't be for any major plot points. So this story goes on, with Elisa praying, and you know what? No deus ex machina. Elisa is smart and observant, and she figures out what to do on her own. Her Godstone warns her of danger, but that's a small device that's used in other stories by other means. But while I eventually learned I had nothing to worry about, that it's possibly just YA fantasy with a devout, monotheistic main character, I still spent too much time worrying if her faith was going to be a crutch for lazy storytelling. I'm very glad it wasn't, because that means that my only problem is with the depiction of her weight issues.
If you'll let me forget that she was ever fat, for a moment, the rest of the story is great. It's clever and engaging and imaginative and unique. I loved characters and hated others. The animagi were terrifying. And Elisa finds purpose by becoming the leader of the Malficio. The ending was rushed, after the battle with the five animagi, but I'm assuming that's because there's more to the story to be explored in the rest of the series.
So the crux of my review is this: either her fatness mattered greatly or not at all. If it mattered greatly, it shouldn't have basically disappeared from conversation and description halfway through the book when she lost weight, and there should have been some indication as to HOW it mattered. If it mattered not at all, why bother focusing on it so intensely for so long?
Perhaps the answers are in the next books in the series, but I don't see myself continuing.
2.5 stars. Rounded down to 2 because I really, really wanted to be able to root for a young woman who didn't have to lose weight to gain confidence or fulfill her destiny.
Unfortunately, this is not that book. It begins that way, though. Elisa carries the Godstone and is this generation's "chosen". Every 100 years a child is chosen on its naming day and destined for greatness, marked by a blue gem that's embedded in their navel like a treasure troll. Elisa is fat. Her sister is thin and beautiful, and she's constantly comparing herself to her. People whisper about her. When she travels to another kingdom, the maid deliberately brings her clothes that are far too small for Elisa out of spite. Every one of Elisa's thoughts is something that us fat ladies think. She hates being fat, and feels conflicted about being chosen by God but somehow being fat, as though it's a punishment or something, and mutually exclusive.
This is all great, because anyone raised in this media-saturated world knows that we're supposed to feel ashamed if our bodies aren't exactly how we're told they should be. It's easy to say "just love yourself" if you aren't warring with a canyon of difference between what you look like and what you're "supposed" to look like. If Elisa can achieve these great things for which she's destined, and do it without having to lose weight, it'll be a huge win and first example in a book I've ever read where the whole "just love yourself" and "who you are doesn't depend on your weight" will actually be put into practice!
Uh. Nope. She loses weight. Now, there are several ways Elisa could have lost weight that would empower readers struggling with the same issue. But, instead of being mindful about eating and exercising, instead of committing to a drastically different lifestyle, instead of trying to break her habits, instead of finding impossible willpower every moment of every day, Elisa is kidnapped and starved. Two things wrong with this: First, the relatable Elisa from the first half of the book is now inaccessible, since readers can't (or shouldn't) lose weight the same way as this character they previously identified with. Second, for those same readers, kidnapping and starvation has the potential to be a remarkable diet. This is super dangerous. In case you did read this book and cheered at her weight loss from the desert trek, there's something you need to know: KIDNAPPING AND STARVATION IS TRAGEDY, NOT TRANSFORMATION.
I say this not because I think the people reading this are stupid. It isn't about being able to intelligently say "Oh my, she lost weight but that is SO not healthy, I should definitely not try that!". It's about all of us being impressionable. Even as an adult, it makes an impression on me.
The focus on her being overweight continues for, I want to say, half the book? After she arrives at her kidnapper's destination, it's only mentioned...fewer than five times between the middle and end of the book, since she lost the weight. Whereas it was mentioned (it felt like) five times per page before she lost the weight. As though the focus of her struggle in the first half actually has nothing to do with the story being told...but if that's the case, why spend so much time on it in the beginning? As I read, I kept waiting for it to come up again, a reason why she was fat, but there was nothing.
I know I make it sound like this is all the book is about, and possibly for the first half of the book this is what 90% of the book is about. While this focus on Elisa's weight/weight loss is my main problem with the story, a secondary fear arose as I read: I feared that I had been tricked into reading Chri-Fi.
As I've said in previous comments, I have no problem with main characters being devout, or being part of a very religious culture. I don't even have that much of a problem with being "chosen", although that always opens comparison to the Christ story. What I dislike about religious fiction is the heavy-handed (pun intended) use of deus ex machina: if God is responsible for everything, what's the story? Why bother rooting for the characters who can't make decisions themselves? How can I invest in a clever character if all she has to do to stop the army is pray? I can accept up to one instance of deus ex machina per story, and even then, it can't be for any major plot points. So this story goes on, with Elisa praying, and you know what? No deus ex machina. Elisa is smart and observant, and she figures out what to do on her own. Her Godstone warns her of danger, but that's a small device that's used in other stories by other means. But while I eventually learned I had nothing to worry about, that it's possibly just YA fantasy with a devout, monotheistic main character, I still spent too much time worrying if her faith was going to be a crutch for lazy storytelling. I'm very glad it wasn't, because that means that my only problem is with the depiction of her weight issues.
If you'll let me forget that she was ever fat, for a moment, the rest of the story is great. It's clever and engaging and imaginative and unique. I loved characters and hated others. The animagi were terrifying. And Elisa finds purpose by becoming the leader of the Malficio. The ending was rushed, after the battle with the five animagi, but I'm assuming that's because there's more to the story to be explored in the rest of the series.
So the crux of my review is this: either her fatness mattered greatly or not at all. If it mattered greatly, it shouldn't have basically disappeared from conversation and description halfway through the book when she lost weight, and there should have been some indication as to HOW it mattered. If it mattered not at all, why bother focusing on it so intensely for so long?
Perhaps the answers are in the next books in the series, but I don't see myself continuing.
2.5 stars. Rounded down to 2 because I really, really wanted to be able to root for a young woman who didn't have to lose weight to gain confidence or fulfill her destiny.
I had heard a lot of good things about this book and had been watching out for a copy for a long time as I always seemed to find the second/third but never the first! I was very happy to have found one and now am very happy to have read, finished and enjoyed it.
The world reminded me a lot of Graceling with the various kings, lands and politics of the whole matter but Elisa was a whole different sort of person. She's overweight, in a high fantasy novel and yet it WORKS. The supporting characters were also interesting, promising even further development in later volumes. I was a bit sad with Alejandro, I wanted him to stick around longer as I liked the dynamic the two of them would have had, but alas twas not to be. My one iffy point would be the age of the characters as they read as older, much older in fact. It's not a bit thing, but it always surprised me a bit when they mentioned the age because I had forgotten it.
I look forward to finding the rest of the books and reading them just as quickly! A super spiffy fast paced YA fantasy. Good stuff
The world reminded me a lot of Graceling with the various kings, lands and politics of the whole matter but Elisa was a whole different sort of person. She's overweight, in a high fantasy novel and yet it WORKS. The supporting characters were also interesting, promising even further development in later volumes. I was a bit sad with Alejandro, I wanted him to stick around longer as I liked the dynamic the two of them would have had, but alas twas not to be. My one iffy point would be the age of the characters as they read as older, much older in fact. It's not a bit thing, but it always surprised me a bit when they mentioned the age because I had forgotten it.
I look forward to finding the rest of the books and reading them just as quickly! A super spiffy fast paced YA fantasy. Good stuff
This book WAS very good, don't get me wrong, it just didn't seem like everything was all there to make this book amazing.
Finally....
I'm not a big fantasy reader, but this book somehow attracted me. I do not give 5 stars easily, but this book definately deserves it.
To be honest I was getting tired of girls from small towns that no ones ever heard -or gives a rats ass- about. These girls are all exiled to some foreign unknown community. Now, this does happen to Elisa, but she is a princess. Not only that, but she's fat. This makes the book interesting- we see how she gets out of breath on a long walk or how she eats too much food. But this is how REAL people are, not just some pretty petite girl that everyone falls in love with from the start.
Elisa has to make a name for herself, and is often not trusted by the people closest to her, and has to deal with some verbal conflict before other characters understand her. She has an actual relationship with Alejandro and Humberto. Not an "instant inexplicable connection" that defies all odds, and let's face it- reality. She does seem to have an intrest in both of them, but she chooses and does not agonize over the decision for half the book-YAY!!!!
This book has religion as a big part of it, which you'll either love or hate. I personally love it, because too often we read about girls who don't really care or are too lazy to commit to a religion, but in this book Elisa prays often, as she is the bearer of the Godstone. It adds a mystery to the book, like any religion, and makes the reader question this God and see what role he plays in the book. It adds depth, because Elisa is not always gushing over a hot guy, nor complaining about how fat she is. She has interests and an actual character. I find too often in books we read today the sole purpose of a character is to meet their "other half" or "soulmate", and because of this, we don't really get to know the character. Elisa has a personality that is comprehensible and realistic.
This book combines magic, religion, young adult, romance, fantasy, adventure, and action into one well-written book that I absolutely love for it's originality and crisp new breath of fresh air.
I'm not a big fantasy reader, but this book somehow attracted me. I do not give 5 stars easily, but this book definately deserves it.
To be honest I was getting tired of girls from small towns that no ones ever heard -or gives a rats ass- about. These girls are all exiled to some foreign unknown community. Now, this does happen to Elisa, but she is a princess. Not only that, but she's fat. This makes the book interesting- we see how she gets out of breath on a long walk or how she eats too much food. But this is how REAL people are, not just some pretty petite girl that everyone falls in love with from the start.
Elisa has to make a name for herself, and is often not trusted by the people closest to her, and has to deal with some verbal conflict before other characters understand her. She has an actual relationship with Alejandro and Humberto. Not an "instant inexplicable connection" that defies all odds, and let's face it- reality. She does seem to have an intrest in both of them, but she chooses and does not agonize over the decision for half the book-YAY!!!!
This book has religion as a big part of it, which you'll either love or hate. I personally love it, because too often we read about girls who don't really care or are too lazy to commit to a religion, but in this book Elisa prays often, as she is the bearer of the Godstone. It adds a mystery to the book, like any religion, and makes the reader question this God and see what role he plays in the book. It adds depth, because Elisa is not always gushing over a hot guy, nor complaining about how fat she is. She has interests and an actual character. I find too often in books we read today the sole purpose of a character is to meet their "other half" or "soulmate", and because of this, we don't really get to know the character. Elisa has a personality that is comprehensible and realistic.
This book combines magic, religion, young adult, romance, fantasy, adventure, and action into one well-written book that I absolutely love for it's originality and crisp new breath of fresh air.
Original review: https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2017/12/fire-and-thorns-trilogy-by-rae-carson.html
Damn, so many good trilogies recently and this one was no exception. I fell in love with the characters, the plot and everything, pretty much. I loved how realistic the characters were and how relatable they were. The plot was also incredibly rich in detail and full of intrigue and suspense as well. The pacing was perfect for all of the books and I never felt that it dragged or rushed.
I definitely enjoyed reading about Elisa – she was such a relatable character with her weight issues, sibling rivalry, and her personal conflict with her future and what is expected of her. It was easy to see and empathize with her struggles to be herself yet also be the person everyone else expected her to be with that god stone in her. Time and time again, she was thrust into difficult situations with no idea on what to do since she was consistently shielded growing up yet somehow was resourceful and intelligent to ultimately overcome each obstacle. There were so many incidences when I honestly thought she would not get out of it then somehow she would and I never thought it was unlikely or unrealistic because the way the author portrayed it made it seem entirely possible. And she grew so much throughout the books – from a sheltered princess with a big destiny to a queen who more than exceeded all expectations from everyone around her. I found her resourceful, intelligent, merciful yet ruthless when needed, and incredibly strong. There were so many times when she had to choose the difficult path because of the circumstances or because she was trying to protect someone she cared about.
The other characters were amazing as well and I loved reading about all of them. I was a bit bummed when things happened and someone that I honestly thought would last to the end didn’t yet at the very end, I was extremely glad that things worked out the way they did. Hector, Alejandro, Ximena, Cosme, Humberto, Alodia, Storm, Mara, Belen, etc. – there were so many fantastic secondary characters. I loved the interaction between Storm and Elisa because it was so legit on how their relationship went from reluctant allies to trusted friends. And the romantic relationship between Elisa and her man came so naturally that it only made sense that they would end up together. I thought that everyone’s role fell in line really realistically and didn’t feel forced or awkward.
The plot was also really intense too. There were a lot of ups and downs to balance each other out. There were a few times when Elisa or someone else would somehow do the impossible and I would be so relieved that they made it out from some craziness but then the next scene would bring it all back down when something tragic happens. It was definitely a crazy ride for my nerves. But because of this up and down, it didn’t feel too unrealistic because real life is full of ups and downs – you win some then you lose some so I thought that these books really portrayed that accurately and realistically.
What I’m most interested in right now is Storm and his future. I’m really hoping that the author would do a spinoff with him in mind but considering the fact that the trilogy ended 4 years ago, somehow I doubt it… Overall though, amazing books – I loved every second of it. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy with tons of action and romance.
Damn, so many good trilogies recently and this one was no exception. I fell in love with the characters, the plot and everything, pretty much. I loved how realistic the characters were and how relatable they were. The plot was also incredibly rich in detail and full of intrigue and suspense as well. The pacing was perfect for all of the books and I never felt that it dragged or rushed.
I definitely enjoyed reading about Elisa – she was such a relatable character with her weight issues, sibling rivalry, and her personal conflict with her future and what is expected of her. It was easy to see and empathize with her struggles to be herself yet also be the person everyone else expected her to be with that god stone in her. Time and time again, she was thrust into difficult situations with no idea on what to do since she was consistently shielded growing up yet somehow was resourceful and intelligent to ultimately overcome each obstacle. There were so many incidences when I honestly thought she would not get out of it then somehow she would and I never thought it was unlikely or unrealistic because the way the author portrayed it made it seem entirely possible. And she grew so much throughout the books – from a sheltered princess with a big destiny to a queen who more than exceeded all expectations from everyone around her. I found her resourceful, intelligent, merciful yet ruthless when needed, and incredibly strong. There were so many times when she had to choose the difficult path because of the circumstances or because she was trying to protect someone she cared about.
The other characters were amazing as well and I loved reading about all of them. I was a bit bummed when things happened and someone that I honestly thought would last to the end didn’t yet at the very end, I was extremely glad that things worked out the way they did. Hector, Alejandro, Ximena, Cosme, Humberto, Alodia, Storm, Mara, Belen, etc. – there were so many fantastic secondary characters. I loved the interaction between Storm and Elisa because it was so legit on how their relationship went from reluctant allies to trusted friends. And the romantic relationship between Elisa and her man came so naturally that it only made sense that they would end up together. I thought that everyone’s role fell in line really realistically and didn’t feel forced or awkward.
The plot was also really intense too. There were a lot of ups and downs to balance each other out. There were a few times when Elisa or someone else would somehow do the impossible and I would be so relieved that they made it out from some craziness but then the next scene would bring it all back down when something tragic happens. It was definitely a crazy ride for my nerves. But because of this up and down, it didn’t feel too unrealistic because real life is full of ups and downs – you win some then you lose some so I thought that these books really portrayed that accurately and realistically.
What I’m most interested in right now is Storm and his future. I’m really hoping that the author would do a spinoff with him in mind but considering the fact that the trilogy ended 4 years ago, somehow I doubt it… Overall though, amazing books – I loved every second of it. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy with tons of action and romance.
Really 4.5 starts. Well-written fantasy with ideas about religion which make great discussion fodder and several unexpected plot twists (and I usually can see them a mile coming).
The first pure fantasy I've read in a while and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heroine Alisa, has been born with a godstone in her belly and this is supposed to mean that she is destined for some great task, but as she is sixteen, overweight and a pampered princess, she doesn't actually feel up to the challenge.
I enjoyed her journey from pampered princess to leader of the revolution but of course on the way she must lose all the weight because fat people can't be heroes. That was the only miff I had with this book which was an otherwise solid read
I enjoyed her journey from pampered princess to leader of the revolution but of course on the way she must lose all the weight because fat people can't be heroes. That was the only miff I had with this book which was an otherwise solid read
Lento al inicio pero después se pone más interesante.
Espero que el siguiente libro nos explique un poco mejor el mundo y que exploren un poco más la religión, me gustaría saber más sobre los antecedentes.
Algo en particular que me molestó mucho fue el uso de las palabras en español y los nombres, no se si la autora lo hizo a apropósito o no investigó bien el significado de las palabras.
Aparte de eso un buen inicio de historia.
Espero que el siguiente libro nos explique un poco mejor el mundo y que exploren un poco más la religión, me gustaría saber más sobre los antecedentes.
Algo en particular que me molestó mucho fue el uso de las palabras en español y los nombres, no se si la autora lo hizo a apropósito o no investigó bien el significado de las palabras.
Aparte de eso un buen inicio de historia.
I was given a copy of this title, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.
Elisa is the second daughter of the king. She loves food and has no interest in courtly affairs. Except she is also the bearer of the godstone, a jewel embedded in her belly since her naming day. At sixteen she is mysteriously and quickly married off to Alejandro, the king of a country that is nothing like her own. This is the beginning of her story and of a journey that will take her to the lands of her enemy and into the path of people that will come to matter to her deeply. The country is on the brink of war, the king and Elisa’s husband appears unable to act, unable to make a decision. Soon Elisa is thrown into a destiny that will cause her to dig deeper than she’s ever had to before and become a person that people depend on to become a hero.
I really wish that I had read this when I originally received it for review. I thoroughly, and unexpectedly, love this story. Though other people can see a strength in her, she slowly realizes that she is stronger than she ever thought that she could be.
One of the main reasons that I love this book is that Elisa is not your typical princess. She is fat, loves food and is not afraid to say so. She is very much aware of her flaws, but she doesn’t let that keep her from doing what she believes needs to be done. While everyone else is sure that they are doing god’s will, she is honest about not knowing what that is for her and for her band of friends. She overcomes her fear and impossible situations by seeking out the truth and history of the godstones.
When she is kidnapped by people who are only trying to save themselves, she does something extraordinary. She forgives them and joins their cause. It isn’t because she feels sorry or that she suffers from Stockholm syndrome or anything like that. She does so because she believes that it’s the right thing to do. Again,and again Elisa is put in positions that are dangerous and well out of her comfort. And each time when it would be so much easier to give up and surrender, she leans on her faith and stands up to the obstacle. This story is peppered with characters who are impressively strong, passionate and more than capable. I could go on and on about how amazing this book is, and I would still not do it justice. If you are looking for a story that has a more realistic character pulling you through, a story with a nice blend of mystery and adventure, I cannot recommend this one enough. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.
This was a good book but there was something missing which stops it from being great. I found Elisa to be a relatable character with her lack of confidence, stress eating and unable to bear the burden of being the chosen one. She grows a lot through her journey to come into her own and be able to protect those she loves. I also liked that she is a sort of bookworm and uses all her knowledge to plan the best ways to attack and defend. Alejandro was so indecisive and unsure despite being the King but he is a good person and I liked that he got a chance to prove his bravery.
The strength of this book are the side characters – Ximena, Cosmé, Humberto and Hector. They are all brave and loyal and fierce and I really loved all of them. The whole concept of praying to God for everything and justifying all actions as God’s will was a little difficult to get through but I understand it’s going to be the main theme throughout this series. I just hope the next book is better and I definitely would like Elisa to overcome her grief and find her true love.
The strength of this book are the side characters – Ximena, Cosmé, Humberto and Hector. They are all brave and loyal and fierce and I really loved all of them. The whole concept of praying to God for everything and justifying all actions as God’s will was a little difficult to get through but I understand it’s going to be the main theme throughout this series. I just hope the next book is better and I definitely would like Elisa to overcome her grief and find her true love.