Fire - Kristin Cashore

I intended to post this yesterday. But, life got in the way. no excuses, I know. I'm trying to get myself organised in my posts, but life so often gets in the way. I can only apologise. Also, I know reviews are dull, but I really want to get this series review all posted. I have some other stuff planned though.

Fire - Kristin Cashore It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.  This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.  Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.  If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was

So, this book. It took me a while to warm to it. I knew there was something more to all the characters. I held out for them to hook me, but it took me a little while. I did love the story though, I think the story and the world that was created was truly awe inspiring, I may have even preferred over the realms created in Graceling. You could definitely see the development in Casore's writing skill. The frustration I had with the first novel was that the pacing was off at times and parts of the storyline felt rushed through and thrown together. In this second novel everything flowed a lot smoother. At times in Graceling I felt like things were conveniently wrapped up rather than written and developed and wrapped up appropriately. In Fire you didn't have that, the writing was much better and it was well written.

I liked Fire from the start, she was too likeable not to, but I didn't love her. I didn't like Archer, though, and I think that was where the problem lay. You could tell that there was a strong connection between the two. Archer obviously cared about Fire, but he was so controlling. After reading Graceling and the strong independence of Katsa and her continual refusal to be defined by a man, regardless of if she loved him or not, to see Fire so willing to let Archer manipulate and control her at times frustrated me. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike Archer completely, but he was so frustrating because he was so selfish. Through out the book it was obvious, so in the beginning when Fire had not grown into the person she was going to be, her timidity frustrated me.

It was a wonderful story though. I'd recommend it to everyone because the story was so much more magical than the first book for me. I connected with it a lot more in many ways. With Graceling I enjoyed the story, but often felt lost with it as things happened, and I couldn't quite believe it. In Fire I didn't have that as things happened and I understood how everything had developed and happened as they did, even if it frustrated me.

That's all from me. Until next time.