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kat_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
laura_mayfair's review against another edition
4.0
Another really great fantasy from Rae Carson. The beginning and middle of the book has a great deal of court intrigue and politics, which I enjoyed very much. Elisa's relationships with friends and loved ones grow ever deeper in this sequel and you can see the progression in her interactions with them. Carson's world-building is excellent and, although this is high fantasy for young adults, the characters have depth far beyond their chronological years.
Carson further develops plots from the first book; there is a definite arc and continuity in her storytelling. The Godstone phenomenon is still not fully explained -- which only makes me more eager for the final book in the trilogy this August.
Carson further develops plots from the first book; there is a definite arc and continuity in her storytelling. The Godstone phenomenon is still not fully explained -- which only makes me more eager for the final book in the trilogy this August.
annatherbook's review against another edition
5.0
Elisa is my hero and exactly the kind of mc I need in my life š
starrywonder's review against another edition
4.0
A Queen in Love and at War
4.2 stars
Much better pace from the beginning. Elisa continues to grow into herself as a queen. There's a big growth at the end of the novel that comes from knowing oneself.
Solid story, a lot of adventure and a little romance.
Excited to see what comes of the conclusion.
4.2 stars
Much better pace from the beginning. Elisa continues to grow into herself as a queen. There's a big growth at the end of the novel that comes from knowing oneself.
Solid story, a lot of adventure and a little romance.
Excited to see what comes of the conclusion.
kkoerth613's review against another edition
4.0
This book was great. Although I don't really like how all the boys she likes ends up dying or captured.
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This trilogy seems to be getting better & better. BRAVO!
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this series a lot. I can't wait for the next book.
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 4.5 stars
SO FREAKING GOOD!
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
Check out my series review here: https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/2017/03/24/series-review-fire-and-thorns-by-rae-carson/
Critically
Plot ā 4.5 out of 5 stars
I am falling in love with this series, really and truly. This book is full of adventure and travel (again). Thereās much more information on the world and the background of it, like how it was created and what led to the setting we see here. It deals with magic, religion, action, drama, politics, war and death. And just to sweeten things up a bit, we have a bit more romance in this one haha.
Writing Style ā 4 out of 5 stars
The writing style is descriptive and detailed. Itās simple but at the same time, really powerful and intense. Thereās a lot of emotion that pours out of the page through the writing style. Itās medium paced but intricate and entertaining, I couldāve read this book in one sitting honestly. Thereās some drama in here but itās such an enjoyable read.
Characters ā 5 out of 5 stars
Iām so obsessed guys! I am officially in love with every single character in this series. They all have a place in my heart, they are my babies and I will protect them with my life!
Elisa astounds me. I loved her character development in the first book, but Iām also super glad that it wasnāt that she had an āeasy fixā to the personality she had. She was still unsure and worried about the things happening around her but sheās determined to be the best Queen she can possibly be to this kingdom she now has control of. Sheās defiant and selfless. Sheās a really strong, smart and honest leader and I think sheās a total badass to be quite honest.
The side characters also continue to grow and astound me. Theyāre each complex and intricate individuals and the relationships they create between them are just as real and powerful. They feel like real people while reading. The romance also makes a more obvious appearance and I loved it! Iām a huge shipper and this romance gave me the most wondrous feels!
Emotionally
Because of this second book, this is quickly becoming a new favorite series. I am so invested in these characters, itās kind of ridiculous.
The plot is character driven. We follow Elisa, now Queen and after having defeated a terrifying army, troubles continue within her kingdom. With enemies on all sides, she goes on a journey to try to find power and to fulfill her destiny as a Godstone bearer. Like the first book, this one has a lot of traveling and a lot of drama. Page after page of beautiful descriptions and small anecdotes just made the book and the setting much more tangible for me. However, Iāve come to find that this series is mostly about the characters and their personal development. Beyond Elisa, each character is an individual who is important to the plot in some way and their growth is an integral part of the telling of this story. Thereās some action and mystery within the plot which was interesting but all the political turmoil going on was much more interesting and engaging for me. There are so many different things happening at the same time and so many different ways of things to go as the story continues and I was incredibly invested in the outcome of all the craziness. There are so many twists and turns and shifts in setting or plans that itās a constant race to see whatās going to happen next and itās easy to be engaged and invested in the story. I couldāve read this book in one sitting like I mentioned for the first book because itās just so good! I loved getting to see much more of the world. Thereās no map in this book or the first one, so to be able to have so much traveling through the landscape definitely helped me picture things a lot better than I wouldāve otherwise. The kingdom weāre in is really huge and it includes all different kinds of land: desert, oceans, jungles, etc. and the descriptions are so rich that it makes it much easier to be able to picture everything. Also, I really liked that religion plays such an important part of the charactersā lives as well as the plot and yet, I never really feel like Iām supposed to believe this is the only way to believe in something. The ending left me completely and totally heartbroken! Iām still not okay and it made me want to cry and to pick up the third book as soon as possible (spoiler: I did!).
Elisa is a downright badass, she just is, but sheās also a flawed character and I love how she challenges the notion that you have to be either or. Sheās determined and smart, she works very hard to keep her people safe. She tries to do everything she can to do the best for her kingdom. But she also doesnāt know how to rule, sheās insecure about her decisions sometimes and she also feels like she might be doing things the wrong way. I love her character development, just when I thought she couldnāt grow more, she kept going and going. I hope this trend continues for her.
Finally, letās talk a bit about the side characters. Hector is a character we get to know a bit more in this book. He was in the first book but more of a background character but he shines so brightly in this book! I absolutely love and adore him and I need him to be safe and sound at all times. Mara is also another character we get to know more in this second book. Sheās introduced in the first but becomes much closer to our main character in this one and I absolutely love seeing their friendship blossom. Bonus, sheās just a super awesome badass girl and I love it! Lastly, Ximena. Sigh. Sheās getting on my nerves. Sheās become a huge pain in the butt when it comes to her relationship with Elisa. Sheās very controlling and feels like her opinions are more important than Elisaās when it comes to ruling which not true because youāre not the queen bitch. Iām glad Elisa had that final scene with her because it was needed! Iām so anxious for the last book, I just want all my faves to be safe and sound!
Overall, this is one of my new favorite series. Each book just got better and better. The characters grew by leaps and bounds in each and every book and the plot continued to get more exciting and entertaining. The writing style worked really well with the story and I just want everyone to read this series and love it and then tell me how much you love it. Please :). (Donāt tell me if you hate it.)
SO FREAKING GOOD!
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
Check out my series review here: https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/2017/03/24/series-review-fire-and-thorns-by-rae-carson/
Critically
Plot ā 4.5 out of 5 stars
I am falling in love with this series, really and truly. This book is full of adventure and travel (again). Thereās much more information on the world and the background of it, like how it was created and what led to the setting we see here. It deals with magic, religion, action, drama, politics, war and death. And just to sweeten things up a bit, we have a bit more romance in this one haha.
Writing Style ā 4 out of 5 stars
The writing style is descriptive and detailed. Itās simple but at the same time, really powerful and intense. Thereās a lot of emotion that pours out of the page through the writing style. Itās medium paced but intricate and entertaining, I couldāve read this book in one sitting honestly. Thereās some drama in here but itās such an enjoyable read.
Characters ā 5 out of 5 stars
Iām so obsessed guys! I am officially in love with every single character in this series. They all have a place in my heart, they are my babies and I will protect them with my life!
Elisa astounds me. I loved her character development in the first book, but Iām also super glad that it wasnāt that she had an āeasy fixā to the personality she had. She was still unsure and worried about the things happening around her but sheās determined to be the best Queen she can possibly be to this kingdom she now has control of. Sheās defiant and selfless. Sheās a really strong, smart and honest leader and I think sheās a total badass to be quite honest.
The side characters also continue to grow and astound me. Theyāre each complex and intricate individuals and the relationships they create between them are just as real and powerful. They feel like real people while reading. The romance also makes a more obvious appearance and I loved it! Iām a huge shipper and this romance gave me the most wondrous feels!
Emotionally
Spoiler
This series has officially become one of the favorites of all time. I was continually enamored with every page turned and every word read and I just want to spread the love forever!Because of this second book, this is quickly becoming a new favorite series. I am so invested in these characters, itās kind of ridiculous.
The plot is character driven. We follow Elisa, now Queen and after having defeated a terrifying army, troubles continue within her kingdom. With enemies on all sides, she goes on a journey to try to find power and to fulfill her destiny as a Godstone bearer. Like the first book, this one has a lot of traveling and a lot of drama. Page after page of beautiful descriptions and small anecdotes just made the book and the setting much more tangible for me. However, Iāve come to find that this series is mostly about the characters and their personal development. Beyond Elisa, each character is an individual who is important to the plot in some way and their growth is an integral part of the telling of this story. Thereās some action and mystery within the plot which was interesting but all the political turmoil going on was much more interesting and engaging for me. There are so many different things happening at the same time and so many different ways of things to go as the story continues and I was incredibly invested in the outcome of all the craziness. There are so many twists and turns and shifts in setting or plans that itās a constant race to see whatās going to happen next and itās easy to be engaged and invested in the story. I couldāve read this book in one sitting like I mentioned for the first book because itās just so good! I loved getting to see much more of the world. Thereās no map in this book or the first one, so to be able to have so much traveling through the landscape definitely helped me picture things a lot better than I wouldāve otherwise. The kingdom weāre in is really huge and it includes all different kinds of land: desert, oceans, jungles, etc. and the descriptions are so rich that it makes it much easier to be able to picture everything. Also, I really liked that religion plays such an important part of the charactersā lives as well as the plot and yet, I never really feel like Iām supposed to believe this is the only way to believe in something. The ending left me completely and totally heartbroken! Iām still not okay and it made me want to cry and to pick up the third book as soon as possible (spoiler: I did!).
Elisa is a downright badass, she just is, but sheās also a flawed character and I love how she challenges the notion that you have to be either or. Sheās determined and smart, she works very hard to keep her people safe. She tries to do everything she can to do the best for her kingdom. But she also doesnāt know how to rule, sheās insecure about her decisions sometimes and she also feels like she might be doing things the wrong way. I love her character development, just when I thought she couldnāt grow more, she kept going and going. I hope this trend continues for her.
Finally, letās talk a bit about the side characters. Hector is a character we get to know a bit more in this book. He was in the first book but more of a background character but he shines so brightly in this book! I absolutely love and adore him and I need him to be safe and sound at all times. Mara is also another character we get to know more in this second book. Sheās introduced in the first but becomes much closer to our main character in this one and I absolutely love seeing their friendship blossom. Bonus, sheās just a super awesome badass girl and I love it! Lastly, Ximena. Sigh. Sheās getting on my nerves. Sheās become a huge pain in the butt when it comes to her relationship with Elisa. Sheās very controlling and feels like her opinions are more important than Elisaās when it comes to ruling which not true because youāre not the queen bitch. Iām glad Elisa had that final scene with her because it was needed! Iām so anxious for the last book, I just want all my faves to be safe and sound!
Overall, this is one of my new favorite series. Each book just got better and better. The characters grew by leaps and bounds in each and every book and the plot continued to get more exciting and entertaining. The writing style worked really well with the story and I just want everyone to read this series and love it and then tell me how much you love it. Please :). (Donāt tell me if you hate it.)