FlumeAward – Fire Discussion page for Fire by Kristin Cashore
Graceling was good, this is okay. It’s similar to Graceling, but after reading Graceling, you wonder why this book was necessary.
– Kelly Budd, KHS
This book was strongly appealing, especially for fans of Graceling. I was enthralled with the relationships portrayed, and Fire, is a very unusual and beautiful creature in this strange world. I think it would be a fantastic addition to the Flume. This one can stand alone and doesn’t rely on Graceling. I loved it, and teens from Rye have raved about it.
Lisa Houde Rye Public Library
I have not read Graceling. This book can definitely be read without reading Graceling. A dark and different fantasy. I think it will pull in both girls and boys who are into fantasy books. It also may appeal to those who like medieval settings as it is similar. Good candidate.
Barb Ballou, Whipple Free. New Boston
Interesting book, apparently inspired by a comment from a character in Graceling that I don’t recall. The identity of the character at the beginning was obvious from the time his eyes settled, but when the story veered away from him to Fire, I was unsure why he was there at all. Of course, he showed up later, and had a decent part, but I wonder how he made it back…. The book does stand on its own, though there are brief mentions of Katsa’s world.
Fire’s story is fascinating, and I enjoyed seeing how she makes conscious decisions to control her "monster"ness, and use her power for good, and not abuse it. The romance was obviously going to happen. But before it did, I was again shocked by the casual sex. The moral of the story seemed to be not to abstain, or even not to get caught, but rather, not to get knocked up. Apparently, I truly am a puritan. The adult situations, as well as what we would label statutory rape, do make this a book for older teens or adults, whether or not the reader is as puritanistic as I am, simply because the characters are adults.
The war and intrigue angle make this a good choice for both boys and girls.
Kirsten, Lane Memorial Library, Hampton
I agree that it is aimed at the older reader, but I don’t think we have too many choices for this segment in this year’s list. The book definitely stands alone and is very well written. Great story for all fantasy fans. The tension builds from the first page and sweeps the reader along. Despite the sex and violence, I do think this is a candidate for the final list.Sally Nelson, Leach Library.