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. She 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 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 (goodreads).
Something about writing a 5-star review just makes me giddy. If you haven't read this book yet, SHAME ON YOU. SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME.
I didn't really know what I was getting myself into with this book, I just knew it was a fantasy book about a princess, but it was so much more. So much. The plot is enticing and just well-crafted. It actually tales like a fantasy novel where a character must travel far to defeat the looming evil that is ever present. The pacing is perfection with equal parts action and characterization.
Now this where The Girl of Fire and Thorns shines. Carson's characters are like a piece of art. Young Elisa has so many insecurities that you can easily relate, but she is so strong and dedicated. She is easily one of the best heroines I have had the pleasure to read about. All characters are extremely complex and feel so real. Elisa personal development is what held my attention, she went from quiet, meek, plump chosen child to something to completely different, and it was the most natural development I have seen/read. Rae Carson's world was also just as intoxicating as her characters. In short, Carson has the most imaginative mind and I'm so happy that she has put her thoughts on paper.
The language was phenonomal, not all that but I loved the different languages that Carson incorporated (mostly because I have a language degree and languages turn me on) into the book. Elisa's voice was real and just so engaging and lended itself very well to the overall tale.
This book is all sorts of awesome. Love, loss, insecurities, political battles, enemies then friends. Go read it. Go read it now.
Labels: 5 stars, rae carson, review, the girl of fire and thorns
