by Shannon Hale
389 pages
Published September 15th 2009
by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Summary:
Rin is sure that something is wrong with her…something really bad. Something that is keeping her from feeling at home in the Forest homestead where she’s lived all her life. Something that is keeping her from trusting herself with anyone at all. When her brother Razo returns from the city for a visit, she accompanies him to the palace, hoping that she can find peace away from home. But war has come to Bayern again, and Rin is compelled to join the queen and her closest allies—magical girls Rin thinks of as the Fire Sisters—as they venture into the Forest toward Kel, the land where someone seems to want them all dead. Many beloved Bayern characters reappear in this story, but it is Rin’s own journey of discovering how to balance the good and the bad in herself that drives this compelling adventure.
Thoughts:
I am kicking myself for not reading other Books Of Bayern much earlier. I have no idea that fairy tale retellings are this cool! The start is a bit dull and confusing. What with all the talk about aspens, firs, pines..I'm beginning to transfrom into a squirrel. Thankfully Razo came and knock some sense into his dense sister; Rinna or Rin or Rinna-girl..damn all these nicknames!
Likes
Razo has a nice thing going on with the Tiran ambassador; Dasha. Queen Isi is kind and beautiful but Enna..well Enna overshines everyone. I love her! Rin is supposed to be the star of this book but I fell in love with Enna. She has the best and funniest lines! And to top it all, she's damn kick-ass with her fire speaking ability.
Dislikes
Okay so Rin, Rinna or Rinna-girl saves the day with her uncomprehendable tree-speaking and people speaking powers but she's like this very introvert nerd. Brilliant but so afraid of her own powers.
I just can't wait to read stories about Enna, Isi and Dasha. They're way cooler. I’m so going to get the other books in the series.
Verdict: 4 stars
