Fire by Kristin Cashore
Cashore’s earlier book Graceling is gradually building a fan base. It was reviewed here a few months ago, and this reviewer for one was very happy to see the next book arrive. Be aware, though, this is not a sequel, just another story from the same fantasy world.
If you remember, in this fantasy series children that have two eyes of different colours also have a ‘special’ ability. As soon as the eyes change, the children are to be presented to the king who will then make use of their specialness. But at the start of this book, one boy escapes with his father into the mountains that separate the Seven Kingdoms. On the other side of the mountains there are no Gracelings, only monsters. And every species has it’s share. The monsters can easily be identified by their unusual coloring – purple, pink, orange, red. Humans can also be monsters, and Fire is one.
But the monsters are beautiful, and Fire is no exception. She has learned that with her beauty comes extraordinary influence and power over others. In defence, Fire hides on a farm at the edge of her world. That is until she is needed. The king summons her to question some prisoners in an effort to avoid a war. From that point on, her life changes.
Cashore writes books with strong and powerful female heros. Fire is no different. She may be haunted by the memory of her evil father, but discovers that she is very different. And be warned, there is a strong romantic plot as well. But it isn’t as ‘in your face’ as some romantic fantasies.
