Review Detail

First 50 Pages: Initially, The Girl of Fire and Thorns was boring. I found the book interesting. The plot line grabbed me. The characters were well described and very relatable. But it was boring. I couldn’t place my finger on why. I heard everyone loved this book so I decided stick with it.

Characters: Elisa is the main character. Through this story you watch this little girl grow into something amazing. The plot line extends through months. In the beginning of the story, Elisa starts as this chubby little teenage girl content with being sheltered and knowing nothing outside of her little bubble. She has a hard time socializing. She’s daddy’s girl in a very sheltered way. And everything terrifies her.

By the end of the book she grows to become a powerful and respectful queen. She is decisive, still afraid, but not afraid to act. She is understanding of her peoples’ needs. The reader can sense how much she has grown.

There are a slew of other supporting characters along the way such as Cosme’, Lord Hector, and Ximena. Despite their roll and constant attention, everyone else in the book does play more of a supportive roll. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a very first person focused book focusing on Elisa and her journeys and transformations.

My Review: I stated before that this book was initially boring. I couldn’t place my finger on it though. The more I kept reading the more I wanted to see what happened next. I have that kind of curious personality. Once I become invested in something I have to finish it out. A movie or book has to be dreadful for me to not finish it. But this was different somehow. I was hooked but still found the book boring and it was a very odd feeling.

As Elisa’s journey progressed and the plotline moved on I grew even more addicted, but I still found the book boring. I still couldn’t place my finger on it. I began to realize how detailed everything was. Maybe it was the descriptions? But I decided I liked how visual everything was.

Elisa’s journey took a twist with her second trip into the desert (don’t want to give away too much). She began to mature. Her demeanor became stronger. The story grew more interesting and fuller. But there was still this certain something I didn’t like.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns started to wrap up. The climax was almost at its peak. This book grew on me. I couldn’t put it down. I usually read in the parking lot while my wife attends her classes. That is really the only time I get to read. I got down to the last chapter in this book and was tempted to make my wife wait a few more minutes until I finished the book. She won out of course. It is amazing how the wife always manages to do that. But I couldn’t wait to read those last few pages.

And then I realized what was bugging me through the entire story. The writing style is very dry. Every description, although very descript, was bland. The writing was blunt. The entire story is I this and We that. The language just isn’t very colorful. Usually I pinpoint this right away. This writing style turns me off quickly. But something about The Girl of Fire and Thorns just mesmerized me. I knew there was something off right from the start but I couldn’t stop reading it. The story sucked me in like a bad habit.

I have to give kudos to the author though. The entire plot line is very full. I’ve read a lot of books lately where the story was good but thin. Characters are always introduced well and the protagonist and antagonist go at it a bit with some supporting characters pinched in for good taste. The story was always entertaining, but felt thin. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a single book. It managed to fit a story that spanned months feel very full. It was like a good Thanksgiving dinner; it wasn’t overwhelming and very easy to digest but I came away stuffed. No loose ends were left dangling for the reader.

Final Thoughts: Yeah… Why not? I’ll give this book my recommendation. I kid, I kid… (If you imagine that in a Russian accent it becomes more fun.)

In a more serious form of expression, I do recommend this book. I felt the writing style was bland and dry. To play devil’s advocate against myself, that does make the book much easier for all age groups to read and not limit it to adults. Despite the bland writing style, the imagery used is well done and the book is engaging and entertaining.

I always ask myself, “Would this make a cool movie?” Imagine my reaction when I found out that The Hunger Games and Mortal Instruments were being made into movies. I will be the first one on Fandango for my tickets. Should The Girl of Fire and Thorns become a movie, I again shall be the first person reserving my tickets. I believe the full story, descriptive imagery, addicting story line, and character growth would make one heck of a movie that ranks up there with that of Lord of the Rings.