I got an advanced reading copy of this book through NetGalley(dot)com. This was a spectacular book, a really phenomenal fantasy read. I was drawn into the story right away and enjoyed practically every moment of it. This is the first book in a planned trilogy.

Elisa is the Chosen One, she bears the God Stone in her navel. She is also the youngest daughter and is pampered, kind but a bit lazy and overweight. When her marriage to a King of the neighboring kingdom is planned, she doesn't know what to expect. She doesn't want to rule and she doesn't want to love her husband; but she wants to finally live up to her title as the Chosen One and wants her husband to love her. When Elisa is kidnapped shortly after arriving in the new kingdom everything she knows changes. She will embark on a forced quest to find what it really means to be the Chosen One.

The world in this book is a desert world, which was fun to read about. You don't see many fantasy books set in the desert. The world is intricate and well built and I really enjoyed it.

Elisa is an inspiring character. In the beginning she is kind and smart, but lazy and untried. She changes so much over the course of the book, her struggle to become something more really captured my attention and my heart. The fact that she partakes in this struggle even knowing that most of the Chosen Ones fail and die, just made her all the more courageous. Elisa's attitude is awesome; she never despairs and always makes the best of what she is given.

All of the side characters are so well done, they are all so well filled out and have complex lives of their own. I wished we could have spent a bit more time getting to know them all and hopefully we will in future books.

The descriptions are wonderful, making the world and the characters easy to picture. The action scenes incredibly well done and the pacing perfect. I was impressed at the breadth of the story and at how well the main story line is tied up in this book, but still eager to see what Elisa does next.

There were a couple things about this book that bothered me. Firstly I wasn't a big fan of Elisa's husband, the King. After all Elisa went through I just wanted so much more for her than this King. It's not that he was evil or even mean, he just wasn't enough for her. I am hoping in future books they will grow more as a couple and her husband will be able to learn from his weaknesses.

Secondly religion and God are extremely prominent in this book. I am not saying this is good or bad; although I am not usually a fan of books that rely heavily on religion as a plot device. Religion was the driving factor for a lot of the characters' decisions. Just something to mention. The religion was actually a necessary component of this world and really seemed to be story driven (some of this story seems a bit based on the Crusades); it's not like the author was trying to lecture readers or force religion on readers. But it was definitely there, Elisa's main form of combating her opponents in by praying and there is a ton of it in this book.

Overall this was just a fantastic adventure fantasy of sorts. There was political intrigue, a wonderful world, action, adventure, romance, and a coming of age tale that will capture every-one's heart. If you are a fantasy fan you have to read this book. I adored it and cannot wait to read what the next book has in store for Elisa.

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After a rocky start, Rae Carsons debut novel, THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS, quickly grew into a YA fantasy tour de force, with an admirable complexity and characterization that makes it worthy of consideration from every high fantasy fan.

Admittedly, approximately the first third of THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS was difficult for me to get into. I found it hard to connect with Elisa and her predicament of being the plain and passive princess who is supposed to have a big role.

The more I read, however, the more I respectedand then eventually lovedElisa, her world, and the story. Elisa turned out to be a supremely capable protagonist of the highest caliber, who seemed to blossom with every page I eagerly absorbed. Her lifetime of dullness and dissatisfaction is what gives her clarity in her new role as a princess and Godstone-bearer that everyone looks to for inspiration and guidance. This is one heroine whose future, beyond the confines of this particular story, is quite clear: she will make a remarkable queen, mother, and wife, even if, happily, the first book in this trilogy leaves her future appealingly wide open.

At first I wasnt quite convinced that Carsons fantastical world was on par with those of fantasy masters such as Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley, but as THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS unfolded, I was happily proven wrong. Elisas world is every bit as complex, logical, and entwined in tradition and lore as a fantasy world should be. As Elisa extends her horizons and understandings, so does the scope of the story and the fictional world.

THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS is one of those rare few YA speculative fiction books published nowadays that proves that writing and world-building can still be complex and intriguing without being completely overwhelmed by an underwhelming romantic plotline. I wasnt sure at the beginning, but Rae Carson fully won me over, and I now eagerly await the next installment in Elisas adventures!

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