10 Reasons to Read: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Author: Rae Carson

 

Publication Date: 2011

 

Published by: Greenwillow

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Pages: 423

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 | Amazon 

I decided to try something new, I didn’t write a review for this book, instead I wrote a list of reason why you should read it. I LOVED this book so much, it’s definitely my favorite book I have read this year and I totally recommend it to everyone. Here are the ten reasons:

1.Often in books, and especially in YA fantasy books, the main characters is a “strong” female characters, and most of the time that strength is physical, like she can kick someone’s ass. I love that the main character in this book, Elisa, is a strong female character in a different way. Her strength comes from her determination, her believes, her personality, her intelligence, it comes from within.

2. All the main characters are POC, even if it’s a fantasy world the reader can tell that they are latinxs. I’m latina, so this was incredible important and significant to me. Representation and diversity matter so much!

3. The main character is overweight when the book starts, and there’s a very realistic depiction of body image issues, which we don’t see that often in fantasy books. Also, she loses weight, but she is never skinny, she is just healthier and she learns to love herself.

4. There are so many amazing, complex, unique female characters. It’s heaven!

5. There is a lot of character development through this book, and even if it’s mainly Elisa, the one who grows and changes, it also happens with other characters.

6.Like a lot of characters in YA fantasy books, Elisa is a Chosen One, but what’s different is that she has known her entire life. We get to see how has been growing up knowing she is supposed to accomplish this great mission, we see her doubts and we see the struggle between destiny vs choice.

7. The plot is great as well, there are a lot of surprises and a lot of twists, and it keeps you on edge the entire time. Something else that was nice, it’s that there is no cliffhanger.

8. Religion has a big role in this book, but it’s not preachy, it’s done in a effortless way. And it’s interesting because the reader gets to see the doubts Elisa has and the book kind of questions religion.

9. The book explores the idea that history is told by the winners, which I think it’s more common in YA fantasy books, but I still think it’s a very important lesson to take from this book.

10. Romance is not as important and it takes place in the background of the book. There’s some cute moments, but the book focuses more on Elisa’s journey.

My Rating: 5 stars

Have you read this book? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments!