Fire (by Kristin Cashore)
common sense media says
Stellar fantasy heroine in mature action-adventure/romance.
parents & educators say
- 75% say sexual content is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this well-executed fantasy book contains some violence and other mature subject matter, including a young man who murders his father, (barely described) rapes, and unplanned pregnancies. Fire herself was fathered by a monster who raped her human mother -- and used mind control over the king to enjoy acts of cruelty and depravity. But Fire is a strong, brave heroine, and the main story is about how she overcomes her history and realizes that she can be the kind of person she longs to be.
Educational value:
Readers may be interested in exploring other strong female fantasy characters. See our recommended book list for some ideas. Also, our "Families Can Talk About" section can help readers do some critical thinking about the difference between violence and fantasy violence and what makes a book Young Adult.
Positive role models:
Fire is strong female character with a level of resiliency and integrity that we would all love to see in our children. Despite being raised, literally, by a monster, she's loving, forgiving, brave, and generous. She is drawn to her love interest by the same qualities present in him.
Violence:
This is a fantasy novel with fantasy violence: In the first chapter, a young Graceling tortures small animals and murders his father. Assassinations, war, bloody attacks, non-graphic rape, and plots to murder enemies abound. Not a lot of blood and gore, though -- mostly political intrigue. Fire has one violent secret in her past that comes to light. Many men are overcome by Fire's beauty and attempt to rape her; she can read their minds and violent intentions even if they don't get physically close to her. Fire herself is the product of a rape of a human female by a monster male.
Sex:
Fire becomes intimate with her best friend when she's 15. Infidelity is key to the love story, and two minor characters become pregnant. One vague allusion to a brief love between Fire and a servant girl.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on Fire
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
booklover369
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Perfect for All Ages
I loved this book! I recommended it to all of my friends, and they all loved it as well. It does include some sexual content and violence, but people seem to be mistaken about what young kids read nowadays. They are exposed to this stuff very early, earlier than most people seem to think. I read it when I was 10, and was not surprised at all by what was in it.
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redheadheroines
parent of 2 year old
parent of 2 year old
Great for older teens!
I absolutely LOVED Fire by Kristin Cashore. This book has it all, action, adventure, fantasy, romance, mystery. However, there are several things that parents should be aware of. In the book, the heroine, Fire, has casual sexual relations with one of the other characters. There are several mentions of rape and molestation, not graphic, but frequent enough to be mentioned. There is senseless violence towards animals and humans in the novel as well. However, on all counts, I would give the severity of each count a 6-7 rating out of 10. Not too much, but enough to be noticed. I hope that helps!
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imaswimer21
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Love. Confusing for under 12 but great story for older girls.
Very good!! Can't wait for the third book in the Seven Kingdoms Trilogy. You can feel for the characters and empathize with their fears and sadness. Even though sexual references are very vague and younger kids may not understand them i would not reccommend for under 12 year olds. Fire although she has what every girl wishes, beauty men nor women cannot resist, finds herself a monster. She has strong powers where she can read minds and make them do what she wishes but she never uses them against people except in extreme cases or to protect herself from attacks. But, strong people can guard their minds from her, one of these people is Prince Brigan who never lets his guard down. For some reason he doesn't trust Fire when they first meet and Fire has to slowly get him to trust her and creates a very unique relationship with him. Fire also has a unique relationship with her close friend/lover Archer who has helped Fire get over the death of her father and been her confidant of deep secrets. Through the story we see messages of love, strength, bravery, fear, revenge, jealousy, rivalry, brotherhood, and sadness. It is well written and beautifully written.
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The Almighty ...
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Loved it at 12. Love it at 15.
Look, I'm 13, I read it and, honestly, it's fine. The thing about it is, you can't approach from the "perfectly-educational-scholastic" stand point, you have to see the beauty of it. Sure, the protagonist, Fire, is hurt and dependent a lot, but she's also strong and determined. Plus, she's easy to relate to because she's spent a life of solitude; she's lost like most teens. Sure, the characters are intimate, but one: it's medieval times (what do you expect) and, two: it's not too descriptive and it just makes the story seem more realistic. Honestly parents, relax.
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FantasyFiend12
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
Simply amazing
My gosh, this book is AMAZING! It's completely unique from the vampire trash that authors keep vomiting up. The romance, though some parents would babble on about how theres sex and blah blah, is not an issue. Parents: suck it up! It's not graphic and if you don't let your kids read this because of some matter-of-fact sex scenes, you're kids are missing out on one of the best fantasy's out.
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doglovermegan12
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Best Book Ever
I loved this book so much I read it in three days and still couldn`t put it down!!!! It does mention sex. rape, and unexpected pregnancies. It also does have one bad word in it that pops up a few times.
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Brandytwin
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT
LOVE IT!!! i have to say i feel in love with archer, but then in love with brigan. I <3'd how the epilouge wrapped it all up. and there neeeeds to b a sequel. really there should b one for all the kingdoms. keep up the awsome liturature cashore!
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TheHungerGames7
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
A great read!
Couldn't stop reading it! It was a great read, and there wasn't much sexuality or violence as the book before this, Graceling. I read this at age 12 and enjoyed it. I'd say for me it was a great read, but I'd say most parents would want to wait until their kid is at least 13 to read this. I was mature at 12, and able to handle the violence and force myself to skip any sexual parts. Overall, this book was great and Kristen captured the moods and thoughts of the characters quite wonderfully!
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lilypadd
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
luv it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!one of my fave books! canty wait for the sequel!!
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shorttermmemo
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
Best book...
The best book I've read in ages. A perfect combination of romance and adventure with a bit of humor. Couldn't stop reading. It ended too quickly ;)
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booklover36
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Perfect For Anyone
Everyone in my family has read this book, and loved it. It depicts some sexual content and violence, but it is nothing my children haven't run into before. It has many great examples of loyalty, love, and passion. It's characters are hard-working, and caring. I strongly suggest it for anyone ranging from ages 11 to 100!
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Hoohooo
parent of 14 year old
parent of 14 year old
Great for mature subjects
Its a really good book.
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trumpettwo
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
just a plain great book!
this book was really good. it has everything that every good book has. it is deffinetly in my top 10
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FICTION CHICK
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
It so great
absolutely love it
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mathgirlie
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
One of my favorites!
Fire is a monster female who wishes that she wasn't beautiful: men constantly lust and try to make advances towards her throughout the book (but each time she manages to deal with the situation). She also wishes that everyone wasn't afraid of her ability to control and read minds. Fire is a strong, caring, compassionate, sympathetic, and generous character, and Brigan's depression is guaranteed to wring your heart. Archer will make you curse his name repeatedly, as well as cry when the book is over, and the flashbacks of Fire as a child give you a detailed look into the childhood of a child growing up with an unpredictable and sometimes violent monster father. Fire's secret will catch you off-guard, as the entire book portrays her as the sort of person who wouldn't even think of doing what she did. An amazing book!
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My Kid's Mom
parent
parent
Very loose morality
The sex in this book is appalling. It is debase and inappropriate for kids of ANY age. It was truly a disappointment because Graceling was a good read, despite the two inappropriate lines that my 11 year old would not understand anyway, at least I hope he wouldn't. It is also written in such a way that it sounds "okay" to behave so poorly and make such poor choices. I have never written a book review before, but felt compelled to do so due to the lack of any morality in this book. My kid's Mom
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LizEd
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
fabulous. good for most ages.
amazing. truly.
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Tomato-Face
adult
adult
Feminism overdone
I find this story rather predictable, for she always got her way and I think there is too much fuss over the whole 'beauty is a curse' ordeal as well as useless guards and nearly all the men characters are flat.
This story is simply a remake of Graceling.
I am disappointed at how the authoress doesn't really get into detail about the big bad of Graceling. She simply said 'oh hes bad' for no apparent reason.
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