Review: Fire

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.


After reading Graceling, I was screaming for more, when I found out that Fire was set 25 years before Graceling, I was a little disappointed. However Cashore has shown herself to be a creative and imaginative writer and I was still very excited to read this. Once again Cashore proved herself to be a wonderful creator, the Monsters that she created were beautiful, stunning beings in glamorous colours. Amongst all the hate and death the Monsters bring, Cashore created a girl who's biggest fear was to be a Monster like his father.


Fire has the most stunning red hair, her beauty is a gift and a curse, she can never be ugly and will forever remain beautiful, even when injured or maimed. Fire is a Monster like her father, but she does everything possible to not become her father, a brute who did not care about the humans that he lived among. Fire is gifted with something that could be deadly, she is able to read minds and change a person's thoughts. The King of the Dells wants her for her gift, but he also can't resist her beauty and draw.


From Fire's story, we see a determined, strong-willed girl face things she never thought she would have to face. She found love where it seemed she was doomed to be alone forever and she constantly has to prove that she is a Monster that has a heart and won't misuse her powers on innocents. 


I loved Cashore's setting and time period, the powers she gives her characters are fascinating and intriguing. Her way of writing is easy and interesting to read, although I found that this book was not as enjoyable as Graceling, due to its high amounts of romance and very little action. However I like this book a lot, all of Cashore's characters are interesting and while not all of them are like-able, she takes you on a journey so that at the end, you cannot forgive the evil characters but you understand them.

I would recommend this to fantasy lovers who greatly enjoy romance with a teeny bit of action. Also to people who love to read something different and unique.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review: Bitterblue

Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.


When I first picked up this book, I was very weary. I'd been told by a fortunate friend who got to read the book nearly straight after it came out that it wasn't as good as the other two books in this series and that it was a major disappointment. However from the very first page my attention was grabbed and held onto by a giant pink bear that refused to let go, I forgot about my friend's words of the terrible ending and got stuck into the story.


From the very beginning, with the watermelons and the graves, to the very end, when everything came to light and our hearts were broken and yet the sun still shined, I was trapped inside this book, oblivious to the world as I travelled through Bitterblue's journey with her. When I reached the end, I was very satisfied and didn't quite understand the 'unfinished ending' that I was warned of. However I am a very action and mystery centred person so that advice is not to be ignored if you are mainly interested in romance.


Teddy and Saf are the two 'thieves' that steal back what was stolen in the first place. I loved Teddy from the very beginning, he's a funny, loveable person that makes you laugh every time he is present. Saf is more cold but I love him even more for it. Po and Giddon is very involved in this book, I enjoyed their presence very much. Po and Saf have a very funny relationship, the way they meet is hilarious. Fans of Raffin and Bann will be in for a nice surprise, although I had hopes of keeping Raffin as my Prince Charming, he is now officially taken. 


Bitterblue is a story full of adventure and mysteries, from coded messages to the weird watermelon man. Everyone is trying to adjust from Leck's reign, some trying desperately to forget, some trying to bury the past at all costs, in hope that burying it will make it go away and stay away. I loved the mystery of this book, all the riddles that needed to be solved and every question that demanded to be answered. Bursting with love, hurt, passion, betrayal and humour, Cashore had outdone herself with this magnificent tale.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review: Graceling

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.     When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. 

     With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.


Graceling was the first book of the Seven Kingdoms series that I read. I was pleasantly surprised by the awesome characters, exciting plot and unexpected twists. Kristin Cashore created a action packed tale about a fierce yet vulnerable heroine. The idea of a Graceling is new and refreshing, although not unheard of to have special and unique skills in other fantasy books, the different coloured eyes to show their Grace is something I'd never heard of before.


Katsa is one of the best heroines out there, her strength and determination is something to be admired. I loved Cashore's characters, from the mysterious Po to the healer Prince Raffin who has a brute for a father. The mystery that is to be solved in this story is brilliant and not very predictable. While they journeyed to find the answer to their query, Katsa and Po also learn more about their unique Graces.


This book had just the right amount of romance, adventure, action and mystery for me. The ending was bittersweet and broke my heart, yet I can't utter a single complaint. I loved reading this book and will always treasure it. Cashore created a fantasy world that would not soon be forgotten.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars