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kari's Reviews > Fire
Fire (Graceling Realm, #2)
by
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** spoiler alert **
Disappointing.
Having read and loved Graceling, I was greatly anticipating Fire and was unfortunately very let down. Fire never gripped me, I never came to care about her, or even like her much.
There are a lot of things about this book that bothered me. The character of Archer, the friend with benefits, seems out of place in a YA novel. There was an awful lot of casual sex and making babies and confused parentage.
And, seriously, she has to walk around with an armed guard because she's having her period? All of that info went nowhere, it didn't add to the story and wasn't neccessary to the plot.
Fire's relationship with Brigan didn't ring true. It didn't have anything to base it on other than he was kind to her and she couldn't get in his head. Where have I read that before?
I didn't quite understand the whole monster world. Where did they come from?
There wasn't any real tension to the book, nothing she was striving toward or away from, it all just sort of sits there, nothing really memorable about the whole story. It seems like a lot of lead up to nothing.
The whole plot with the archers coming after her and Leck kidnapping her fizzled.
I can't even recommend this one to fans of Graceling, sorry to say.
Having read and loved Graceling, I was greatly anticipating Fire and was unfortunately very let down. Fire never gripped me, I never came to care about her, or even like her much.
There are a lot of things about this book that bothered me. The character of Archer, the friend with benefits, seems out of place in a YA novel. There was an awful lot of casual sex and making babies and confused parentage.
And, seriously, she has to walk around with an armed guard because she's having her period? All of that info went nowhere, it didn't add to the story and wasn't neccessary to the plot.
Fire's relationship with Brigan didn't ring true. It didn't have anything to base it on other than he was kind to her and she couldn't get in his head. Where have I read that before?
I didn't quite understand the whole monster world. Where did they come from?
There wasn't any real tension to the book, nothing she was striving toward or away from, it all just sort of sits there, nothing really memorable about the whole story. It seems like a lot of lead up to nothing.
The whole plot with the archers coming after her and Leck kidnapping her fizzled.
I can't even recommend this one to fans of Graceling, sorry to say.
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Albie46 wrote: "Huh! Definitely won't be paying the $46 dollars for this book then! I barely enjoyed Graceling so I probably won't get to this book in a hurry.Sorry it was dissappointing for you. Hate when t..."
Definitely don't buy it. Not good, imo.
I dont' really know what Cashore was trying to do with this story. All the stuff about having her period? Why is that in there? It is just odd and the entirety of the book is just a little distasteful. Fire is only seventeen but she's been having sex with Archer since she was fifteen? This is proper YA book and all the babies outside of marriage. I simply don't understand it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this was cr@p.
Crystal wrote: "I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this was cr@p."Yeah, really disappointed in this one. Graceling I enjoyed but this one simply seems pointless. There wasn't even any real plot to it, just her rambling around and the love story didn't even ring true for me. I got so extremely tired of reading how gorgeous she was, how men/women desired her. Couldn't connect with Fire as a character at all. So sad.
kari-s wrote: "Crystal wrote: "I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this was cr@p."Yeah, really disappointed in this one. Graceling I enjoyed but this one simply seems pointless. There wasn't even any re..."
I agree completely! I hated the way she created these characters. Plus I was under the impression that this book centered around Leck.
Crystal wrote: "kari-s wrote: "Crystal wrote: "I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this was cr@p."Yeah, really disappointed in this one. Graceling I enjoyed but this one simply seems pointless. There wasn'..."
Leck seemed to be an afterthought and could have been left out entirely. He didn't add anything to the story, she could have been kidnapped by anyone.
And that Leck was born bad, didn't even love the father who protected him was just wrong. I have nothing good to say about this one. Had I read it prior to Graceling, I'd have never read Graceling.
I found this book to be a massive disappointment. I totally agree with the flaws you stated about the book!
Thanks, I really wanted to like it, but just couldn't do it. Sadly disappointed.
Um, amen. This is pretty much exactly how I felt, with some added measure of depression when I realized just how much time I wasted reading this crappy book.
Kris wrote: "Um, amen. This is pretty much exactly how I felt, with some added measure of depression when I realized just how much time I wasted reading this crappy book."I hear ya! Did you read/like Graceling?
I actually thought the stuff about her period (though a little gross) added a touch of realism, instead of just ignoring uncomfortable realities. Like in Twilight--what happens when Bella gets her period? Does Edward go nuts?And if Jasper is so sensitive to the smell of blood, how does he handle going out in public? Think about how many girls in the school could be menstruating!
I know its a little nasty to read about, but at least she explained it!
Well, I do applaud her for the realism, but at the same time going around with guards was a bit much for me. I think she'd just stay home for a few days.I think the period stuff might have worked if it had actually been neccessary for the plot in any way. As it was, it felt like just a distraction.
And the whole Jasper thing is so ridiculous. A paper cut makes him crazed? And yet newborn Bella just controls herself? Ugh, I don't even want to think about the nonsense there.
Thanks for the comment
I know. The stuff about her period on and on and to what purpose??? All the confused paternity. I really didn't like this one. Will you read Bitterblue?
This book was a bit annoying. *Snerks over the period thing,Sounds like an ad for ancient menstruation supplies.
I'm that way, too. I must finish a series, even if I'm not sure I like it. Surely they make a medicine to cure this condition �
Synesthesia, good one! LOLOLOLOLI really didn't get the menstrual obsession. It didn't lead to anything. It was just weird.
I reckon they probably did that to show how the special animals were acting odd around her or something like that. I never finished that book. Because it was just kind of... urksome and I was already ready very urky books that I also stopped reading.
IT would have been okay to have mentioned ia and then moved on, but it kept coming up over and over again and she had to walk around town with guards when she was having it. It wasn't relevant which just bugs me.But then, most of this book bugged me �
I auctually enjoyed the book, thinking the action and idea was good, but I do have to agree on the fact that there was a ridiculous amount of sex in it and the whole period thing was un-needed.
I thought it was good in the abstract, in that the idea of it was intersting, but for me, it didn't deliver. Had far too many WTH moments for me.
I have to say that I really disagree with this review. The bits and pieces fit in perfectly and created a most creative and intriguing story. The period thing was perhaps, not extremeeely important, but for me, it served to show the killer nature of the monsters. A really good book, in my opinion. Graceling was awesome too. Cheers
Well, I have to say that I half agree with you. Graceling was a great read, but Fire was a waste of time. And to have mentioned once that her period created problems for her would have been okay, but it was repeated over and over, unneccesarily. Thanks for the comment. �
I LOVED this book, so I must say that I disagree completely. I love the idea of the monsters.
Well, as I've said, I loved the idea of this book, but in my opinion, the execution was lacking. The whole monster world wasn't clearly drawn. I know lots of people do love it, I'm just not one of them, but thanks for your comment.
You mirror my thoughts exactly. I felt the only exciting part was when Leck took her and that didn't last long.
Thanks. I actually felt that the whole Leck story arc was shoved in to make this relate to Graceling. If not for Leck there would be no connection to it.I really did not like this one. I hope Bitterblue will be better.
Your review were my thoughts exactly! The whole monster world had me confused, the period mess was pointless, and you're right about Leck....it just fizzled and left us hanging. Was hugely disappointed after reading and loving Graceling!
Kelly wrote: "Your review were my thoughts exactly! The whole monster world had me confused, the period mess was pointless, and you're right about Leck....it just fizzled and left us hanging. Was hugely disappoi..."Me, too. This really didn't go anywhere for me. Thanks for the comment.
Brynn wrote: "I started this book and it put me right to sleep!"That was probably better use of your time than reading it! LOL
"No tension" - YES! That's exactly what I couldn't quite name when I was writing my own review for this! There were little highs and little lows, but no real tension.
Caroline wrote: ""No tension" - YES! That's exactly what I couldn't quite name when I was writing my own review for this! There were little highs and little lows, but no real tension."I think the author just liked the characters, but really had nowhere to go with them. This supposedly tells us the story of Leck, but that is barely touched on and he really was an added distraction to the book and still, we didn't get to know why Leck was as he was. This book was pointless.
kari wrote: "I think the author just liked the characters, but really had nowhere to go with them. This supposedly tells us the story of Leck, but that is barely touched on and he really was an added distraction to the book and still, we didn't get to know why Leck was as he was. This book was pointless."I agree. I actually did grow to like most of the characters, but there was nowhere for them to go. That's really what it boiled down to. There was a story, but little plot. It just.... lacked.
Caroline wrote: "kari wrote: "I think the author just liked the characters, but really had nowhere to go with them. This supposedly tells us the story of Leck, but that is barely touched on and he really was an add..."Yes, it really was lacking. I felt like the author actually forgot what story she was trying to tell. It started about Leck, but then she mostly forgot that for the boredom that was Fire, who might have been an interesting character if what she wanted had ever been explored or even hinted at. Her story lacked focus.
Natalie wrote: "Your review summarizes my thoughts exactly!!!!!!"Thanks. This was plain awful.
I'm not quite sure I've ever read a book so much about someone's menstrual cycle.
Amanda wrote: "I'm not quite sure I've ever read a book so much about someone's menstrual cycle."I know! I'd be okay with it if there were some actual reason for the info. I mean, really, she walks around with armed guards???
I love your review too. It’s hits the nail on the head. Fire isn’t unlikeable but there is no plot. It’s going no where.
Jo wrote: "I love your review too. It’s hits the nail on the head. Fire isn’t unlikeable but there is no plot. It’s going no where."Thank you. That is a prefect description: it is going nowhere.
no cause ur review is spot on- only interesting bit was Leck and then he was in it for about 1% of the book- also the fact we were supposed to be sad about archer dying after he impregnated a fifteen year old- D: yeh no. I read it in one night and honestly it was like I was slowly rolling through thick mud the whole time- bored out of my mind. I only finished it quick so i could get onto bitterblue which already is becoming a much more interesting story
Sorry it was dissappointing for you. Hate when that happens.