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The Girl of Fire and Thorns 

LibriDilectio

The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Rae Carson
(Gr 7+)
Greenwillow Books, September 20 2011. Review copy provided by publisher.

“Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.


And he’s not the only one who needs her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.


Most of the chosen do.”

My mother always taught me to write thank you notes promptly after receiving a present – so here goes.

Dear Rae Carson~

Thank you for coming along and filling the Tamora Pierce/Kristin Cashore sized hole in my heart. Your heroine was smart, inventive, brave, and caring. Once I got to know her, I couldn’t stop reading her story! Elisa has joined the ranks of Katsa, Alanna, Becka, and Fire for me. I think she’ll fit in nicely.

Thank you for writing a fantasy book that didn’t feel like it was set in England. It didn’t feel even the slightest bit inspired by British history or anything. I love that you have created a world that is inspired by Spain. Your descriptions were so vivid that I could almost feel the heat of the sun in the desert, see the lush greenery of the jungle, or feel lost in a crowded marketplace.

Thank you for creating fully fleshed out secondary characters who felt just as real and important as the main character. You made me love them, you never chose the easy path for them, and yes, you let them break my heart. I love when a secondary character means just as much to me as the main character.

Thank you for writing a book that I couldn’t wait to share with the other librarians, and that I’m even more excited to pass along to the kids at the library. There is one girl in particular who I know will adore your story. In short, thank you for writing my favorite book of 2011.

Very Truly Yours,
Becky the Librarian