Fire by Kristin Cashore

Busy busy busy busy busy busy. Why did I decide to start this up again? I realize I start every review with complaining about how stressful my life is. I promise it isn’t for absolutely no reason. I have many projects on the go. What is something exciting that is coming up in my life? Well in March I am travelling to Spain and Austria with my school and we get to stay with host families there, it will be super fun. The night before I go I have decided to go see Billy Talent at the Coliseum in Vancouver, should be a blast! Anyway, back to books.

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.

 

 

 

This is not the type of book where you need to read the first book in the series (Graceling) to get a lot out of the story, even though the first one was what caught my attention and brought me to Fire. Based on the land on the other side of the mountains, a land full of beautiful monsters and kingdom that is trying to fight off rebel armies Fire is an interesting book that includes romance, adventure, medieval politics and tragedy.

The idea of the monsters in the land being beautiful and enchanting was very unique, seeing as that is not what we picture when we think monster. In a way, the beauty of the Fire in the book brings out the monsters in normal people – a concept I haven’t read about before.

The pain that Fire experiences throughout the story after certain events was something I enjoyed, making the story seem more rocky even if you know it will end happy (I would call it more of a ‘bittersweet’ ending though.) Even for escape fiction Cashore’s writing did include realistic things of that time, and what a girl of Fire’s age had to deal with.

I recommend this book, well actually this author. I will read Bitterblue as soon as I can. Lots of books lined up as usual. Visit her website http://kristincashore.blogspot.ca/. I give this book a 3.5 OUT OF 5. Remember guys if you live in Canada to check out the chapters online store, very useful website. I also post my reviews on there.

Toodles for now, I’m currently on hold for 2 books at my library. BAI

MRR

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This one I read quite a while ago, but I think I remember it clearly enough to still share my input on it. So, here we go then a nice review on the adventures of Elizabeth Gilbert.

‘In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want--husband, country home, successful career--but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.’

 

Some people that read this book found the main character (the author) quite annoying. I, on the other hand didn’t find this was the case. Her character is what made the story interesting whether people realize that or not. Because of her flamboyancy and the way she handled things, as well as how she ranted on about things.

I started this book not really having any idea what it would be like, and I found reading Gilbert’s story was very inspiring. Travelling is something I have always wanted to do so learning about the places she went was pretty cool. The fact that it’s divided into three separate parts each for one place and one task – as you can see by the title – sat well in my mind.

Even though I do more eating than praying or loving, each section I felt I could connect with in some way. Because the novel is realistic it was more appealing to me, especially the parts in India where Liz was meditating. Overall it was an interesting life story about a curious woman, who finally got the happiness she wanted in the end. I think I’ll give it a great 4 OUT OF 5. I had fun with the story.

It is just me or am I wrong in thinking this blog is fantastic? Followers, flock to me this instant. Okay. Bye then.

MRR