Book Club: Review of Fire

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I picked up the second and third books written by Kristin Cashore after reading Graceling, her debut novel. I was intrigued to learn a bit more about the characters first introduced in the first book. Unfortunately, only one character from the Graceling actually had an appearance in Fire, the companion to Graceling. The rest of the characters and the location are new to the second book. The readers are transported to the Dells and meet the citizens ruled over by King Nash.

As this is a companion piece to Graceling, we need to learn lots of new names and locales in Fire. The main character is Fire, one of the last human monsters in the Dells. As a human monster, she has the ability to control people's minds and also by her mere appearance she can influence people. Fire is exceptionally beautiful and men fall immediately in love with her on many occasions. The cast of characters also includes the people that Fire cares about and comes to care about over the course of this novel, written for young adults. Due to Fire's special ability, she is asked to aid the king in finding out more about the plans to overthrow his kingdom. This places her in direct contact with the character from Graceling. 

SPOILER WARNING! 

What Do I Think? 

I was a bit surprised to find that the second book written by Kristin Cashore was not really a sequel to her first novel. The idea of a companion book is not one that crossed my mind when I went to the library to pick it up. I was intrigued when I first read that only one of the characters from Graceling would make an appearance but I was not expecting it to be a young Leck. I admit to having an idea as to how he came to rule Monsea but I didn't really feel the need to know more about his childhood or young adulthood. I did not need to know what happened to Leck's father and I was not pleased to see him become involved with Fire towards the end of the book. 

I almost wish the book had some colorful illustrations to help bring to life the non-human monsters that were interested in attacking Fire. Even though I usually like imagining what characters and creatures look like myself, I would have liked to see the colorful raptors and furry monster kittens. 

I think my favorite parts included those with Brigan and Fire. I loved seeing their relationship grow. It was truly nice to see how much they complemented each other. As the commander of army, Brigan spent a lot of time on the road with the army so there were lots of goodbyes but also many joyous moments when he came back home. 

Young Adult Novel Warning 

If you are looking to share Fire with your teen, you should be aware that the characters engage in physical relationships. One of the characters has relations with more than one woman during the course of the novel. Two of these ladies end up carrying his babies. There is also discussion as to how to end a pregnancy using powders (in fact, Fire uses these powders herself). And as this is a book in which the world is at war, there is torture, murder, death, and more. 

Would I recommend Fire? I am not sure. I think each individual needs to take a look at it to make their own decision. At one time I might not have enough thought a second time about some of the events and actions of the novel, but now as a parent I tend to examine each book differently. Would I want my children to read Fire? Would I want my teen to pick it up and read it without me knowing the content? 

Book Club: Review of Graceling

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Sometimes I go to the library and wander along the Young Adult aisles to find a new series to read. Partly because they are easier books to read quickly and partly because I like to know what is readily available for teens to read. I picked up Graceling, a debut novel from Kristen Cashore, that was published in 2008.

"In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king."

Fantasy Novel Set in the Seven Kingdoms

The majority of the novel takes place in the Middluns, Monsea, and Lienid Kingdoms as we are introduced to numerous characters and learn all about Graces. We meet Katsa as she is taking out guards to help Giddon and Oll rescue the grandfather of the King of Lienid. This elderly, ill man is at the center of a mystery that Katsa and her new friend and comrade, Po (the youngest price of Lienid), must unravel.

I found the idea of individuals born with special Graces that could aid them (or not) in their lives to be interesting. Some are born with more mundane Graces like being a good swimmer while others had Graces that would or could help their kingdoms like fighting, archery, and swordsmanship. Some of the kingdoms seem to make anyone born with a Grace become an automatic servant of the king. Those Graced are unable to hide themselves as their eyes would change once their Grace finalized. Each eye would be a different color. For example, Po had one silver eye and one golden eye.

My Thoughts 

While I found the novel to be fast paced through most of the story, I do not agree with all the choices of the author. This book is shelved in our library's Young Adult section but yet contains several graphic sections describing the sexual relationships between the characters. In fact, the characters make the decision to not marry but continue to carry on a physical relationship. Personally, I would rather my teen not be presented with a topic this weighty in a fantasy novel but that is the world of today, unfortunately.

In addition to the physical relationship between the characters, there is a lot of violence due to the nature of the story. Katsa works for a very harsh and cruel king who requires her to sometimes punish and torture people who disobey him. And even though Katsa has formed a council to combat the evils of the kingdoms, there was still much intrigue and destruction.

Would I recommend Graceling? With reservations, I would say that some might enjoy the novel. There are moments of death, pain, and torture that may upset many. I will continue to read the series to see where else Kristin Cashore takes the reader but I will not be sharing it with our teen.

 

Joining up with The AtoZ Reading Challenge for 2020 with this book review! 

Book Club: Book Review of Mark of the Raven

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in return for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy. Thank you.

Secrets and special powers abound in Mark of the Raven, Book One of The Ravenwood Saga, by Morgan L. Busse. While reading and reviewing this excellent work of fantasy from Bethany House, I was drawn into the world of Lady Selene, her family, and the other houses introduced by Busse. I have read quite a bit of fantasy and I will be adding Busse to the list of authors I regularly read.

The story starts with a special ceremony in which the heir to the House of Ravenwood, Lady Selene, receives a special mark and eventually awakens with her new power – that of a dreamwalker. Sadly Selene is informed by her mother that the Ravenwood women do not use their gifts of entering another person's dreams for good. They actually are hired by others to gather information and sometimes as assassins. This realization – of the dark job that the dreamwalkers perform – does not sit well with Selene.

In the background of Selene's tale is that of the ever-encroaching Dominia Empire which had attacked the Seven Houses hundreds of years ago. While Selene is learning more of the past, representatives from the other Houses meet at the Ravenwood Home, Rook Castle, to discuss an alliance against the Dominia Empire. Not all the Lords and Ladies are in agreement as to how to handle the Empire. The disagreement causes more strife.

From the opening pages to the exciting conclusion of Book One, I could not put Mark of the Raven down. I was unsure what the tale would hold for me after reading the description and was very pleased at how much I enjoyed this work of fiction. The characters are very well-developed and by the end of the book, I felt like I knew Selene and Damien (Grand Lord of the House of Maris) well and wanted to learn more about the others in a future book.

The inclusion of magical-like gifts or abilities may cause concern for some but I found the inclusion of the dreamwalking and ability to control water or fire intriguing and fascinating. I have read a lot of fantasy novels and Busse's use of these gifts or talents was presented in a new way.

I recommend Mark of the Raven to those who enjoy fantasy. It is a well-written novel that poses some thought-provoking questions (which were explored on Instagram in late October and early November 2018). I know I will be keeping an eye out for Book Two of the Ravenwood Saga!

Instagram Discussion Questions from #FantasyReadAlong

Two of the answers I shared on Instagram. 

Week One

Selene's new power brings many challenges...which would be the hardest for you? 

Damien raises the sea boundary...how would you respond in his place?