Fire: By Kristin Cashore

Fire
Emily, Period 3

UK Cover

In the magical land of the Dells, monsters are a constant threat to the human population of the country. Startlingly beautiful, and with powers to control human minds, the Dell people’s lives are controlled by the whims of these beasts. The most dangerous of all are the human monsters, monsters with the minds and bodies of humans, but with dangerous beauty that drives almost all, monster and human alike, into frenzy, and whose mind abilities can convince a man to do anything they wish them to. Still, the king of the Dells has always had a monster advisor, and the partnership always worked in favor of the Dells- until Cansrel and King Nax came to power. Cansrel’s influence drove King Nax to almost ruin the Dells entirely while he lived a life of parties, wine, women, and drugs. The Dell’s hatred of Cansreldidn’t stop with his death, two years from were the story begins. For most, it only transfers to his daughter, the half-human monster Fire, the only child Cansrel fathered he didn’t kill. Despite her abilities with the mind and her startling beauty, Fire is a completely different person than her father. Because of her father’s lifestyle, Fire was raised at his home out in the deep country, left alone almost all of the year, and raised by her neighbor Brocker, the former military commander of the Dells who was paralyzed from the waist down after an unknown offense to King Nax. However, Nax is no longer King. His eldest son, young King Nash, is now the ruler of the Dells,and he is ruling a country on the brink of war, with rebel lords plotting to seize the throne. Nash’s younger brother, Prince Brigan, is the commander of his armies, and a much different man from his brother- and he is the only man Fire has ever met whose mind she cannot read. After a chance run in with both brothers, Fire is asked to go to the King’s city, the capitol of the Dells and a place she has never been, to help the king destroy the rebel lords who threaten the countries peace. She accepts, and goes on a fantastic journey into a world of deceit, passion, loyalty, and desire. Fire finds herself falling in love with Brigan, and finding out all the secrets of the royal family- including ones she wishes she didn’t know. As Fire uses her abilities more and more, she discovers the power within her- and discovers that she may be Cansrel’s daughter, but she is someone else entirely. She is Fire.
This book has an intricate and exciting plot, which is very good for reader. It also keeps moments and suspense, and as you find out more about the characters,you celebrate their triumphs and are saddened by their defeats. Fire’s mental ability gives a peek inside the other character’s thoughts and feelings,which brings much more emotional depth to the book. Fires, as well as Brigan,both have great back stories for how they became who they are, andCashore’s ability to create complex but real characters gives the story she tells a realistic feel. Fire’s complex relationship with her father is lovely and heart wrenching.
“My darling monster girl! Has anyone been mean to you while I was gone?”
Mean? Children threw stones at her in the road. She was tripped sometimes, slapped, taunted. People who liked her hugged her too hard and were too free with their hands. And still, Fire had learned very young to answer no to his question- to lie, and to guard her mind from him so he wouldn’t know she was lying. This was the beginning of another one of her confusions,that she would want his visits so much but then fall immediately to lying once he came.”(Cashore, 51)
 I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy, and a strong and realistic heroine. Also, if you enjoy fight scenes and sadistic, magical children. Read the book to find out more.