Regular price: £24.99
In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her Uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to carry out his dirty work, punnishing and torturing anyone who displeases him. Breaking arms and cutting off fingers are her stock-in-trade.
Enter a world where fire and ice are mortal enemies.... Ruby is a Fireblood. In a land ruled by frost, her very existence is a crime. She's spent her whole life in hiding. Until the day Frostblood soldiers raid her village and kill her mother. The day she swears to avenge her people. She must travel deep into the heart of the enemy, to the court of the Frost King, with only the mysterious warrior Arcus - a Frostblood rebel - by her side. But with alliances between flame and ice strictly forbidden, is Arcus friend or foe?
Emily is a teenage girl pulled from our world into a world of magic and mystery by a necromancer who intends to sacrifice her to the dark gods. Rescued in the nick of time by an enigmatic sorcerer, she discovers that she possesses magical powers and must go to Whitehall School to learn how to master them. There, she learns that the locals believe she is a "Child of Destiny" - someone whose choices might save or damn their world, a title that earns her both friends and enemies.
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court - but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms - and she might be key to stopping it.
Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam. When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes - and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship.
On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a "witchery", a magical skill that sets them apart from others. In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble - as two desperate young women know all too well. Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It's a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially among the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.
In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her Uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to carry out his dirty work, punnishing and torturing anyone who displeases him. Breaking arms and cutting off fingers are her stock-in-trade.
Enter a world where fire and ice are mortal enemies.... Ruby is a Fireblood. In a land ruled by frost, her very existence is a crime. She's spent her whole life in hiding. Until the day Frostblood soldiers raid her village and kill her mother. The day she swears to avenge her people. She must travel deep into the heart of the enemy, to the court of the Frost King, with only the mysterious warrior Arcus - a Frostblood rebel - by her side. But with alliances between flame and ice strictly forbidden, is Arcus friend or foe?
Emily is a teenage girl pulled from our world into a world of magic and mystery by a necromancer who intends to sacrifice her to the dark gods. Rescued in the nick of time by an enigmatic sorcerer, she discovers that she possesses magical powers and must go to Whitehall School to learn how to master them. There, she learns that the locals believe she is a "Child of Destiny" - someone whose choices might save or damn their world, a title that earns her both friends and enemies.
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court - but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms - and she might be key to stopping it.
Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam. When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes - and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship.
On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a "witchery", a magical skill that sets them apart from others. In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble - as two desperate young women know all too well. Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It's a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially among the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.
Her throne awaits ... if she can live long enough to take it. It was on her nineteenth birthday that the soldiers came for Kelsea Glynn. They'd come to escort her back to the place of her birth – and to ensure she survives long enough to be able to take possession of what is rightfully hers. But like many nineteen-year-olds, Kelsea is unruly, has high principles and believes she knows better than her elders.
When Feyre kills a wolf, a beastlike creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a magical land Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it....
In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she's a 17-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in 'Elsewhere', she has never understood Brimstone's dark work - buying teeth from hunters and murderers - nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn't whole.
Supernatural Bounty Hunter isn't the sort of thing you see on LinkedIn. But with a rare type of magic like mine, I don't have many options. Dangerous or not, the job is mine. And it was going fine, until an old-as-sin vampire stole my mark, and with it, my pay day. Knowing I'm poor and desperate, he has offered me a job. I'll have to work by his side to help solve a top secret case. Everyone knows not to trust vampires. Especially a hot elder vampire.
Elaine is an orphan girl who has grown up in a world where magical ability brings power. Her limited talent was enough to ensure a magical training, but she's very inexperienced and was lucky to get a position working in the Great Library. Now, the Grand Sorcerer - the most powerful magician of them all - is dying, although initially that makes little difference to Elaine; she certainly doesn't have the power to compete for higher status in the Golden City. But all that changes when she triggers a magical trap....
With all of magic at her command, Alydian is born to power. She and the other oracles serve the people, guiding kings and commoners with their ability to know the future. Yet despite Alydian's power she cannot foresee the coming betrayal, for a rogue mage lurks in their midst, and plots an alliance with the mighty guild of Verinai. Under the guise of benevolence the Verinai offer their magic to all, while their expanding reach is noticed by none. Except the Soldier.
Before borders were drawn, before treaties were signed, before wars were waged anew, before the great kingdoms of the Remnant were even born and the world of old was only a hazy slate of memory told in story and legend, a girl and her family fought to survive. And that girl's name was Morrighan.
In Minatsol, being a dweller means that you are literally no better than dirt. In fact, dirt might actually be more useful than Willa. Her life will be one of servitude to the sols, the magic-blessed beings who could one day be chosen to become gods. At least her outer village is far removed from the cities of the sols, and she won't ever be forced to present herself to them... Until one small mistake changes everything, and Willa is awarded a position to serve at Blesswood, the top sol academy in the world - a position that she definitely did not earn.
Elaine and Johan are preparing to leave Golden City, with Daria and the travelers, in order to search for the Witch-King. The Grand Sorceress instructs Inquisitor Cass to help them. But before Elaine can leave she is arrested by two Inquisitors on the orders of the Emperor. When she resists she is hit with a powerful spell that forces her to concentrate all her efforts on protecting her mind from its intrusion. Taken to the palace she finds that the Grand Sorceress has been removed and the Throne has accepted an heir to the Empire.
Something has always been missing from my life. A hole that I could never seem to fill. When I accidentally turn a coven of witches into nightmares, I find out what that something is. Magic. And it turns out, I have a crap load of it. As a latent power awakens deep inside of me, I'm exposed to one of the most powerful and corrupt organizations in the magical world - the Mages' Guild. Barely knowing a spell from a few swear words and luck, I won't be able to evade them alone. And that's when I meet him.
Arianna is a queen heir and at 20 years old she's now eligible for the crown of wolf shifters. Heirs are trained and groomed so that they're ready should the queen perish during their time of eligibility. Of course, there's little chance of that happening. The Red Queen has stood for a century, and her power is beyond reckoning. Or so Arianna believes, right up until the final tolling of the bells. The queen has fallen. Four heirs will now fight it out for the crown.
Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever. And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe. One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered in front of them. The terrifying assassin abducts all three girls to the world of Faerie, where Jude is installed in the royal court but mocked and tormented by the Faerie royalty for being mortal.
A must-read title for all fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Trudi Canavan, Fire is an exceptional fantasy novel. From the deft characterisation to the gripping story, the fast-paced action to the evocative prose, this is one of the strongest fantasy novels of the year.
Set in a world of stunningly beautiful, exceptionally dangerous monsters, Fire is one of the most dangerous monsters of all - a human one. Marked out by her vivid red hair, she's more than attractive. Fire is mesmerising.
But with this extraordinary beauty comes influence and power. People who are susceptible to her appeal will do anything for her attention, and for her affection. They will turn away from their families, their work, and their duties for her. They will forget their responsibilities to please her and worse, crush nations, neglect kingdoms and abuse their power.
Aware of her power, and afraid of it, Fire lives in a corner of the world away from people, and away from temptation. Until the day comes when she is needed - a day when, for her king, she has to take a stand not only against his enemies, but also against herself.
Would you listen to Fire again? Why?
This book captured my whole imagination. The story was more ambitious than Graceling and I preferred the romance in this novel as it had a slower build.
The fantasy elements were amazing, I loved the descriptions of King City and colourful monsters. (This trilogy deserves to be shelved in Fantasy not YA.)
I think I must have a very similar sense of humour to Cashore because I grinned a lot while reading this.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
it was an enjoyable read all the way through, but the start catches you because of the premise and the end is very well written character driven tension.
Would you try another book written by Kristin Cashore or narrated by Emma Powell?
I absolutely would! I just think this one feels a bit like a travelling book form 1 to 3
Would you recommend Fire to your friends? Why or why not?
It is a part of a series and so yes, you'd need to read it to understand the next book, but as for a standalone book, I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed
What about Emma Powell’s performance did you like?
It took me a little while to get used to her voice and style, but I very soon felt she is a good narrator and has a very pleasant voice and intonation
Good Book. was quite hard to get into and a bit unrealistic at times. None of the main characters relate to the first book. Narrator is the same as the first book.
Rather disappointing. Not as good as the first book. I will not continue to follow this series.
I love Kristin Cashore's style of writing, her imaginative stories and rich characters. This is yet another brilliant book read by a wonderful narrator and I was compelled to listen to it at every opportunity. I hope there are many more to come.
Just brilliant. My favourite of the trilogy. Intriguing characters, fantastical creatures and a riveting storyline.
If you loved Graceling, you will enjoy its sequel, Fire. Kristin Cashore is winning again with painting her imaginary world with a thoroughly creative and generous brush. The vivid colours and enchanting monsters will make you want to listen to this book in one go. Great series!
This book was a big let down. The whole thing is rather dull and tedious, and to be honest some of the messages and morals of this book are questionable considering the age group it is supposedly for. The whole premise seems to be marriage, love and any for of respectful, healthy relationship bad. Causal sex (or rape), incest, and underage sex - the main character talks several times about beginning a sexual relationship with an older man at 15. A man that then sleeps with another 15 year old later in the book - are all fine and dandy. The narrator was okay, she did a decent job with what she had to work with.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
Set in a different location but same world as Graceling, there is only one character familiar to readers of the first book. The story has a broad romantic streak through it - if you enjoyed the relationship of the protagonists in Graceling you'll enjoy more of the same in Fire. It is still a fantasy novel though, and fantasy themes are fundamental to the story.
Would you recommend Fire to your friends? Why or why not?
Only if they liked Graceling, I didnt find the story as enjoyable as Graceling.
What does Emma Powell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Smooth voice, good pacing, good voice characterisations
Any additional comments?
This is a different story to Graceling, so fans of that book may be disappointed. Or like me, it may just grow on you if you give it a go.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
After graceling, this book was somewhat of a let down. I had high expectations, but it wasn't until at least halfway through that the story became at least a little interesting. Overall I felt that it was a disappointing addition to the series.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Really enjoyed this story, as I enjoyed the author's previous book in this series. Credible characters. Action with a little romance as well. The reader is also nice to listen to.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What made the experience of listening to Fire the most enjoyable?
I was so relieved that the lead character is as charismatic as the one from Graceling. the story ties in enough that you feel a continuity as well as a sense your eyes being opened. The land is mystical, magical and so exquisitely crafted, I didn't want to leave. I was so sad when the book finally ended, not because the ending wasn't GREAT, but because it was the end.
Any additional comments?
Loved it, if you liked the first, treat yourself to Fire