Book One of the Fire and Thorns Trilogy | 2012 Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
Written by Rae Carson
For 16 years Princess Elisa has known she was the Godstone bearer, she just has never been sure what that meant. She has read about those who have been bearers before her, one every 100 years, and knows only that her life will be one of service. Some bearers serve, some die; she sincerely hopes she will be one who is able to fulfill her service. She just has been kept in the dark as to what that is. At 16 she is married, secretly, to a neighboring King for political reasons; is kidnapped and drug across the desert; caught by the enemy; fights a sorcerer and in the process learns her true worth as a bearer. I really enjoyed watching Elisa grow. She was a rather large princess who always compared herself to her svelte competent sister and lacked confidence. This book is powerful for young women who think they are unworthy, unable or unimportant. Elisa becomes worthy, powerful and all important and no one is more surprised than she. It affirms that growth comes through pain, loss, and pushing yourself beyond your supposed limits. I highly recommend it.
Review by Kaydean Judy, Granger High Media Center
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: High School
The Girl of Fire and Thorns
Written by Rae Carson
Greenwillow Books
423 pages
Release Date: September 20, 2011
ISBN: 9780062026484 (hardcover)
Publisher’s Description:
Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can’t see how she ever will.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.
Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.
Most of the chosen do.
This sounds like a great book for young girls who need confidence!
I loved this book. It would be a great addition to any Jr High or High School Library.