The Girl of Fire and Thorns

By: Rae Carson

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

“Rae Carson has proved she’s a master and has shaken up the YA genre.” (USAToday.com)

The first book in Rae Carson’s award-winning and New York Times best-selling trilogy!

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a sweeping journey full of adventure, sorcery, heartbreak, and power. Fans of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones and Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse will devour this fantasy series.

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one. But she has always felt powerless, useless. Now, on her 16th birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king - a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Fierce enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. 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.

William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten Pick

Andre Norton Award Finalist

A Texas Tayshas Selection

Ohioana Book Award YA winner

Don’t miss The Empire of Dreams, Rae Carson’s action-packed return to the world of The Girl of Fire and Thorns!

©2011 Rae Carson (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Unexpected Heroine + Beautiful Writing & Narration

I really enjoyed this story. It was heartwarming, imaginative, emotional and inspirational.

I generally don't gravitate towards fantasy but I was persuaded given that many of the characters are of Hispanic descent, and the heroin is not your average slim figured woman - AND the narrator for the book is Jennifer Ikeda. She's amazing and definitely didn't disappoint.

Shortly after finishing this book, I was on a bit of a high--that ending! I loved it! I took off a star because it took quite a long time for me to get into the story. I really didn't care for the King and his request of his Queen. I couldn't imagine - ever- warming up to him. Alas...it happened.

Can't wait to continue with the story!

lots of slow reading long pauses

I like this story. this character is some thing I can relate to. having kids telling me I am fat. not feeling like i matter but am important to those around me. I do wish the pauses between chapters and sections were not so long where I kept thinking my device was defective. Great story about a girl in difficult situation and and beating the odds. Jennifer is a great narrator

I loved it!

I especially loved that the heroine wasn't perfectly beautiful, thin and perfect like most heroines are.

Decent read.

Jennifer Ikeda has once again saved a book for me. I would have stopped reading if I didn't enjoy her narration so much.

This story had several moments of enjoyable writing as well as several frustrating moments too. The frustration came towards the beginning when the lead character was portrayed as a fat always eating weak individual. It was so one dimensional I almost stopped reading. I don't think the author's intention was to create a world where the "fat" girl was looked down upon until she walked through a desert and became slim. It sends the wrong message to the YA audience this book is geared towards. I also dislike the one dimensional portrayal of the king. He was also a very weak character. I think there is good and bad to the religious references. It can be a bit overwhelming at times.

Now onto the things I did enjoy. The development of Alisa into a much stronger woman was enjoyable to read. I also enjoyed the world building. Overall not the best fantasy book I've ever read, but it had moments of greatness sandwiched between religion and body issues.

Beyond Excellent

I already read this series, but I just bought the Audible version to listen to again. This is absolutely excellent, and the reader does a great job. Usually, I prefer accents from the UK for a lot of royal fantasy books, but it didn't matter here, especially with the pseudo countries presented. I loved everything about this YA book, and the heroine is fabulous. She is clever, fallible, brave and compassionate. I loved the faith message. It isn't heavy handed or preachy and fits the storyline.

Beautiful story

The narrator Jennifer Ikeda did an amazing job. The story is just a masterpiece. Rae Carson gets your attention from the first page.

Incredible Protagonist!!!

Beautiful writing, lovely narration, and a strong female protagonist that avoids YA tropes. A great remodel who makes intelligent decisions rather than succeeding because of luck or beauty.

A good start

I enjoyed the story. it setup the characters well, its society and kingdom. It is funny seeing today's religious conflicts written so well into a fantasy book. The tone is talking a religious book and each social group understanding the reading differently and being defensive in their understanding of their religion. The main character is 16-yrs-old and those she is royal, well educated in history and war she is not as advance socially. I grew patience as I watched her build relationships. I would give it 3.5 stars of these apps would allow it.

I'm hooked

I picked this Book because I love Jennifer's voice. More than that though this story has a great story line I'm hooked I can't get enough I can't wait to see what happens next.

Loved this book!

It's hard not to get frustrated with Elisa at the beginning of the book. You just want to shake her and knock some sense into her! But by the end I was cheering for her! The progression of this character was amazing. I can't wait to read book 2 and see how she grows more.