Recent Read: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson is a high fantasy novel about Princess Elisa, a plain, overweight, and lazy second daughter thrown into the spotlight and a position of leadership she was never supposed to bear at the age of 16 as she's suddenly married off to the handsome king of the neighboring kingdom. She also is the chosen one--the bearer of the Godstone and therefore destined to perform a great service for good and for God. But she doesn't understand her mission, her role as queen, or her own strength.

I was impressed by this book. Sometimes young adult fantasy novels are underdeveloped--especially in comparison to adult fantasy. So it was refreshing to read something more complex, without quick fixes or cliches. I love Elisa--she's so human. She struggles with her faith, she gets winded going up stairs, she's unpopular, but she's smart and clever and has a good heart. All of the characters are well-rounded and interesting. The world-building is also fresh and new (it's spanish-influenced, the settings are deserts and jungles, and the magic is religious). Quite good and refreshing in a lot of ways.