Fire by Kristin Cashore

This was another winner by Cashore. Her second book is a prequel to Graceling. Here we meet beautiful, mind-numbing monsters. When a human looks upon these creatures, the human becomes so enraptured that it often allows itself to be eaten. Monsters also are drawn to other monsters and there is often a kill or be killed consequence.

The heroine in this story is called Fire. She is named for her hair, which contains all the hues of her namesake and is so brilliant that she must keep it covered to help protect her identity. She is the last human monster. She begins her story at her estate in the countryside. Her friend and sometimes protector, Archer, lives on the neighboring estate. There have been increasing occurences of trespassing on her land and, in the opening pages, she is injured by someone they think to be a poacher. The poacher is mysteriously blank and Fire begins a journey to discover who is sending these men to her property.

There is a reintroduction of Leck. He is the antagonist of her first book. You know the outcome of his story, if you have read Graceling. It is even more interesting to read of his beginnings, especially when you know how powerful he becomes in his later years.

This was a wonderful story and I am intrigued to read her next book in the series, Bitterblue.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

This is a story with which I have fallen in love. Cashore has a unique concept that really drew me in to the story of Katsa. Born with eyes of two different colors meant that you were graced with a unique ability. No two gracelings were exactly alike. You could be graced with a special ability to swim, a special ability to learn, a special ability to fight, or a special ability to ... It's in part the plausibility of this special mutation that makes the fantasy exciting. The other part of the equation is Katsa, herself. She is a strong young woman who faces depressing expectations and must decide to allow herself to be pigeon holed or to break free and discover her full potential. A good story that was difficult to put down.