Fire discussion

i enjoyed it. it was really imaginative and colorful (forgive the pun when you read it). i think that it's also helpful to get this story if you decide that you want to read bitterblue. not that its necessary - it's just helpful.

Yes it is worth it! Read it. I didn't think the beginning was super interesting but by the end I loved it so much more than Graceling.

I skipped over it and went straight to Bitterblue after Graceling because I was so eager to read more about what happened to Katsa and Po and the future of Monsea. I backtracked to Fire, but gave up about a third of the way through. I picked it back up after a couple of weeks, though, and it was OK. Not great, but OK. IMO, WAY too much side plot that watered down Fire's story. For me, this one does not compare to Graceling.

The main character's biggest struggle was basically how pretty she was. And with the way people treated her, it definitely was a legitimate struggle. But it was also very hard to empathize with. It wasn't something she could change, so she couldn't grow as a person to overcome it. The way she handled it didn't change throughout the book. So not a very interesting conflict and essentially no character development throughout the book...

Yes It's worth it!

I agree with Kate. I read most of the book and really couldn't get into it. I'm not sure if i'm ever going to pick it up again. Was Bitterblue a great read?

Colers wrote: "I agree with Kate. I read most of the book and really couldn't get into it. I'm not sure if i'm ever going to pick it up again. Was Bitterblue a great read?"

If you really liked Graceling, then Bitterblue is not a great read. With the exception of Queen Bitterblue and one other, the characters that developed in Graceling are de-evolved. Partway through, I had to switch my mindset from viewing it as a sequel to reading it as a standalone, but that was not easy. I might have liked it just fine if I went into it without expectations, but as a follow up to Graceling, it disappointed. But if you were left wanting to know more about the history of Monsea and the things that happened during King Leck's reign, it fills in those gaps with shock or two.

I thought the same. I trudged through it only to hit A major "W-w-what! WHY *crying*"! It was WOW!!! + it helps when you read Bitterblue. Trust me, it will be - worth the "Uhhh" parts!

Alicia wrote: "I skipped over it and went straight to Bitterblue after Graceling because I was so eager to read more about what happened to Katsa and Po and the future of Monsea. I backtracked to Fire, but gave ..."

Katsa and Po *sigh* :)

I'd really like to say it is, but it took me forever to read it and honestly I don't know what happened the half of the time. I just wanted to finish it. Anyway, I can't wait to read Bitterblue.

I loved it! It was definitely worth it!

I really liked it, but Graceling was just so great that Fire paled a little in comparison.

I really liked it. But if you want to read Bitterblue, which I enjoyed the most, you should really read Fire.

I loved it and Bitterblue. They're not quite as good as Graceling, but still worth reading.

God, I hated this book. It took me three months to read it (which is FOREVER considering my reading speed). Ugh, I should've given up on it...

I personally thought Fire was much better than Graceling and really enjoyed it. I guess to each his own :)

I really liked ALL the books in the series and though at first I was disappointed that it was not a sequel to Graceling, I enjoyed it for the story it was.

TWO WORDS:HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! (EXCLAMATION POINTS X100). I think Kristin Cashore is an absolutely amazing author. It’s definitely worth reading because a) its a whole new story and b) the characters are absolutely perfect.

This book is AMAZING. It's a very different story than Graceling. It's set in its own world with its own characters. They are wonderfully written and show how talented Kristin Cashore is at creating a captivating story. If you loved Graceling, you will love Fire. The two stories, although set in different kingdoms, are intertwined perfectly. You as a reader know that it is the same world, yet different. I actually preferred Fire, because I loved the main character and the struggle she had to face. If you haven't already finish the story. It is worth your time.

I thought Fire was fantastic.
It was such a refreshing change to have a heroine who knows she is pretty.
It can become tedious reading about teenage girls with low self-esteem, along the lines of; I look in the mirror at my skinny body and brown curls, knowing that no one could ever love me etc.

I also appreciated that although there are two love interests, it isn't a love triangle. It's about growing up and realising the previous man isn't right for her after all.
I also like the way she grows into her power and realised she can help others instead of hiding away afraid she'll turn into her father.

It ws my favourite book out of the series. I just found all the stuff about "monsters" and their effects just fascinating. I love Fire as a character, and reading how she effected others, even if it wasn't her will to. I also love the fact that the book didn't guilt trip you into saving yourself for the one. So many romance books irritates me because the heroine is usually some pure, naiive virgin who's just waiting for her hero to awaken her sexual desires and save her. Fire felt a more refreshing character.

If you keep reading you'll find out what she has already done to protect her kingdom and what she will do to protect it.

I'm gonna say you've already made that decision. I enjoyed it. But if you didn't like it, it's a waste of your time to continue.

There are too many good books available to waste your time reading something you don't enjoy, no matter how much other people enjoyed it.

If you're curious, you might just follow the reviews on the next couple books that follow. The next one is about Bitterblue, and I suspect that at some point Fire will cross paths with Bitterblue, Katsa and Po. That's a story I look forward to reading. So if I didn't enjoy a book, I would just keep reading reviews of the future books until my curiosity gets to be enough to overcome anything I didn't like.

Another thing to look for in future book reviews is whether or not you need to read Fire to understand what's going on in the series. The way the first three book jump around, I suspect it may be one that you can pick up in the middle without much problem. If that's the case, than you can probably skip Fire and still enjoy the rest of the series.

Hannah wrote: "I thought Fire was fantastic.
It was such a refreshing change to have a heroine who knows she is pretty.
It can become tedious reading about teenage girls with low self-esteem, along the lines of; ..."
I absolutely agree. The one thing I absolutely love about the character Fire, is that even though she’s as beautiful as her father and could get anyone, manipulate anyone, she’s still so humble and modest. She knows she’s beautiful but she doesn’t use her beauty to control others...unless its necessary. Honestly, all the characters are refreshing because they differ from the ones in Graceling but in a good way. The romance is also to die for. I loved Po in the first book and in this book, the romance never failed. It was up to my standards and maybe just a bit more. It worth a read. :)

YES yes yes yes yes yes, A million times yes. The Author of this book (Cant remember her name right now x() is definitely a memorable one. The beginning seems boring but trust me that's just because its building up, i think that was the most colourful book of that series! :)

Yes, so worth it! I really enjoy it. Honestly, I was thinking of skipping it since it did't seem to be related to Graceling (which I also enjoy) but, I ended up finishing it very quickly. Fire & Brigan becomes one of my favourite couple.

Purnima wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I thought Fire was fantastic.
It was such a refreshing change to have a heroine who knows she is pretty.
It can become tedious reading about teenage girls with low self-esteem, along..."

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE. Graceling & Fire are so worth it! They're my favourite books by now. So well-written and those characters.. you'll just fall in love! I love it when the main characters aren't weak and stupid persons. That's one of the Points why I loved Graceling and Fire so much. Otherwise the topcis that are mentioned often in Fire like violence against women etc.

I started Bitterblue now and ugh.. till now I'm pretty disappointed :/ Will it get better after the first 50 pages?

no

Okay so a lot of people seem to comment that they liked/loved graceling but started to read fire and did not find it interesting and let me start of by saying: I felt the same way. I have all three books but after finding out the same characters were not in the following book I decided to just pretend it didn't exist. When I looked at it on my shelf I would just think, oh yeah, that book. Then I decided to give it a bit of a try and read the prologue. I put back on my shelf and ignored it's existence for another like 6 months. And then, gloriously, I went back to it when I got sick the yesterday. I started it and the only thing that could stop me from reading it nonstop was my pounding headache and sleepy disposition. I was able to finish it by today and I loved it. I don't know why I was so afraid to fall in love with these new characters and who were so foreign.
I want to end this by saying: You might not like it. Not everyone tastes are the same, which is fine. But I think it be worth a try to read it at least once if you loved the Graceling world and book and characters. They are different though that is for sure.

Fire is one of my favorite books. It is a go-to reread for me when I'm in a slump and just need a literary pick-me-up. I admit, it isn't the best book in the world, but it's entertaining and amusing and complex.

I loved this book! I actually like this book somewhat better than Graceling. I'm just starting

Bitterblue

READ all 3!!!!! So worth it!!!!

Brittany wrote: "Fire is one of my favorite books. It is a go-to reread for me when I'm in a slump and just need a literary pick-me-up. I admit, it isn't the best book in the world, but it's entertaining and amusin..."

After reading it for the first time 5 months ago, I've now reread it at least 3 more times. I just love the story and for some reason, it's not like I forget what is going to happen, but I don't mind reading it again, which is weird for me because typically I have to wait a year or so to enjoy rereading a book so that I don't remember every little detail and then want to skip ahead and such. Not with Graceling and Fire (Started Bitterblue haven't finished it yet though, I'm sure I'll feel the same way though). They are just so amazing and are also my go to reads when I'm in a slump or bored with what I'm currently reading or anything like that. I want to read them again now that I write this, even though I just finished Fire a week ago. Love Kristen's world that she's created so much and the characters as well.

i really dont think that its worth it. either this one or the first or the third. they're not very good. just my opinion.

Kate wrote: "So I have read Graceling and went to give this a try only to give up about half-way because I didn't find it all that interesting. It is worth reading? Or should I just pretend it doesn't exist?"

I definitely loved it, although it starts off kind of slow. It is my favorite out of the 3, and I think you should just give it a chance.