Alodia is the crown princess of the realm. The sister who knows how to rule, and the one who is constantly reminded that she has not been marked for a grand destiny. But Alodia has plans, and she will be the greatest queen her people have ever known. So she travels--with her hopeless, naïve, chosen sister--to a distant part of their land, to begin to secure her supporters. This region needs its princesses, for it is plagued with a curse. The crops don't grow, the spring doesn't arrive, and a fierce jaguar stalks the shadows, leaving only empty homes splashed with blood behind. If Alodia can save them, no one will be able to deny her strength and her sovereignty.
But what she discovers could change the fate of her kingdom, if not her world. And it will most certainly change her opinion of her younger sister.
From Goodreads:
On the outskirts of Joya d'Arena, small villages fight for survival against the onslaught of sorcerers and raiders. Mara's village has been safe--so far--but Mara decides to escape anyway. Escape from her harsh, abusive father. Escape with her first love. But when their plans fall on the same day that the animagi burn the village to the ground, Mara faces losses that could destroy her. She's a survivor, though. She is going to make it through the mountains, and she is going to protect the refugees following her. Because there's a rumored safe haven . . . and some say they have found the Chosen One.
From Goodreads:
At fifteen years old, Hector is the youngest squire in the most elite military force in the country. And his first day is disastrous. Everyone assumes the only reason he was recruited is his close personal association with King Alejandro, not because he's really earned it.
But Alejandro needs Hector for a secret mission, one that gives him the chance to prove to everyone—including himself—that he is worthy to be a Royal Guard. Hector must break into the ancient Fortress of Wind to retrieve something so important that the kingdom's future depends on it. What Hector finds in the fortress will stretch his bond of friendship with his king near to breaking. And it will prepare him to become the fearsome warrior and lord commander Elisa will never let go.
From Goodreads:
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 seeks 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 first review of The Shadow Cats, The Shattered Mountain, The King's Guard, The Girl of Fire and Thorns
My second review of The Girl of Fire and Thorns
My Review:
Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these books! I didn't expect that I would read this much of them, I mean, I read another book, and I slept about half the day, and I still read all 3 novellas and the first book, that's how quickly I devoured these books, just how good they are!
I do have the paperback bind up of the 3 novellas. And I'm wondering, why is The King's Guard, which is chronologically first (about 6 years before the start of Girl, is the last book in the collection. I guess Hector is the character 2nd least seen character, with the least impact, while The Shadow Cats, which takes place about a year before, and stars Alodia, who has more impact. Yeah.
I enjoyed all of the novellas, getting to know these side characters who played, play, or will play big roles in Elisa's life. Writing that, it might answer my above question, because played is Alodia, play is Mara, and will play is Hector. They all affect Elisa's life in some way, Alodia for playing smarter, Mara for being her friend and confidante, and Hector, well, that's spoilers for the rest of the trilogy.
Reading the start of Elisa's story, of her growing confidence in herself was such a great read. And she's one of the first characters that resembled me, in having more body fat then is healthy. That she loses that excess weight, well, it's realistic for her physical journey, and like the author said, how characters react to it shows their relationships to her. I just love this book to start her off, and I can't wait to read more!
Loved reading these stories again, and I can't wait to read more of this world again, and for the first time, yeah for The Empire of Dreams!
Author: Rae Carson
Series: Fire and Thorns #0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 1, 2, 3
First Read: October 26th, 26th, 26th, 2013, March 6th, 2012
Second Read: October 26th, 2013
Read: April 10th, 10th, 10th, 10th, 2020
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading for The Empire of Dreams! And they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2020 Books!
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Published: July 17th 2012, March 26th 2013, July 30th 2013, September 20th 2011
The Shadow Cats:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
The Shattered Mountain:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
The King's Guard:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
The Girl of Fire and Thorns:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
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