Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful Elisa brings trilogy to exciting conclusion.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Queen Elisa sees her beloved Hector kidnapped by Inviernos at the end of The Crown of Embers. If she pursues him with an army he'll be killed, so she chooses three friends and skilled fighters, steals horses from a village, and sets off into the mountains toward Invierno. As they come to Hector's rescue, Elisa suddenly feels she can't turn back, even though she's needed in her own country to overthrow the man who's usurped her thrown. With practice, she's harnessing the magical power of the stone in her navel. She knows it's somehow tied to a power source in Invierno that's dying, and once it's gone, their fire-wielding sorcerers will attack her country again. But by walking straight into the capital, is Elisa really bargaining for peace or for her life?
Is It Any Good?
The summary above gets readers only to Part 2 of 4: We have the journey (too long), the rescue (quick and bloody), and the walk right into enemy hands (nail-biting and thrilling). Then we have another journey; it's twice as long as the first, or maybe it just feels that way. Readers will be antsy to get out of those caves, brush the scorpions off, and get back to Elisa's mysterious Godstone, her crazy-strong magical powers, and all the war games back home. Seeing her in control, wielding fire and political superiority, brings the trilogy and THE BITTER KINGDOM to an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. What appeals to you most about it -- the adventure, romance, magic, strong characters, or all of the above? How does it compare with other fantasy series you've read?
What's the purpose of Elisa's Godstone in the end? How does she feel about it? What powers does she possess that aren't magical?
What does Elisa learn about faith in this book? How is her faith God (as she sees God in her religion) challenged? Those in religious households can take this discussion to a deeper level.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Greenwillow Books
- Publication date : August 27, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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