Following the success of the superb Graceling (which stayed at the top of the Science Fiction & Fantasy bestseller lists from November 08 - January 09, holding its own alongside Stephanie you-know-who) comes Fire, another astonishing title from very talented Kristin Cashore...
Fire is an even better book (yes, I said it) than Graceling with a new set of loveable characters. Fire is a more mature book, with stronger writing and stronger themes. Fire is amazing. Powerful, beautiful, independent, headstrong, feisty, sexyself-aware and confident. A female living in a decidedly male world who stands up for herself and her beliefs. And, she is a monster. A monster who has the power to read minds and control them.
Fire is aware of her powers, and her ability to do good (and harm) with them. Her fear of her powers, and her internal struggle to keep them under control, gives the novel depth. Add to this a colourful cast of characters, good and evil, and a world in which humans still pose the greatest threat to the society they live in, and you have a modern fantasy novel that will appeal to younger and older readers alike.
FIRE
KRISTIN CASHORE
Sometimes beauty is the most deadly danger of all...
In a world of stunningly beautiful and exceptionally deadly monsters, Fire is one of the most dangerous monsters of all - a human one. Marked out by her flame red hair, she's more than attractive; Fire is mesmerising.
But with this extraordinary beauty comes influence and power. People who are susceptible to her appeal will do anything for her attention and for her affection, neglecting their kingdoms and abusing their power along the way.
Aware of her influence and yet afraid of it, Fire lives in a corner of the world away from people - and from temptation - until the day comes when she is needed; a day when, for her king, she has to stand against not only his enemies, but also against herself...
A must-read title for all fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Trudi Canavan, Fire is an exceptional fantasy novel. From the deft characterisation to the gripping story, the fast paced action to the evocative prose, this is one of the strongest fantasy novels of the year.
Kristin Cashore is the author of Graceling and is an exceptional new voice in the fantasy genre. She has an MA in Children's Literature and has lived in Pennsylvania, Sydney, Boston, Cambridge, Austin, Italy and London, before moving settling, for the moment, in Flordia.
Fire
Hachette Australia
Author: Kristin Cashore
ISBN: 9780575085121
RRP: $32.99
Praise for Graceling:
"A fantastic fantasy debut."-Antipodean, issue
"Graceling has a lot of charm. Enthralling."-Townsville Bulletin
"The quality of the characterisations makes this fantasy novel stand out from the crowd."-The Cairns Post
"Cashore manages to give new twists to old stock fantasy charactersÂ… [Graceling] is one of the best 'coming-of-age' novels I've ever read."-The Specusphere
"Katsa is a very approachable character and it's wonderful to see such a strong feminine lead ably supported by Prince Po and many other credible characters."-Good Reading
"A well-written fantasy novel. It has enough violence and harrowing ordeal to set it apart from the typical adventure/romance of the genre, while still providing enough of these traditional aspects to engage the fantasy fan."-Ticonderoga
"Cashore has produced a terrific story of difference and power. With robust, well rounded characters, Graceling is elegantly written with strong themes and a story that is new and outside the usual high fantasy fare, taking the genre to a new level."-ASIF
"An enjoyable story with a young, strong female lead. Cashore has developed a complex world with a well thought-out history and satisfying charactersÂ… An excellent debut."-Aurealis
"A great line-up of convincing, imperfect heroes will have you rapt until the end. A grand, heart-pumping adventure."-Manly Daily
"I loved Katsa as a character. She was strong and caught in a violent profession, but somehow she maintains her humanity. Captivating."-The Buzz
