The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson is one of the best books I have ever read. This book is filled with action, plot twists, forbidden love and a strong female character. What more does one need when looking for a new favorite book? Carson does an excellent job creating a relatable, strong cast of characters by adding new elements and a new uniqueness to each. This book grabs you by your shoulders and pulls you in. You will not be able to put it down.

In The Girl of Fire and Thorns, every century or so a person is chosen by God to serve some higher purpose. In this century, the person chosen is none other than Princess Elisa. Elisa bears the godstone, a gem that makes itself known somewhere within or on a person’s body a little bit after they are born. It is a great honor. It also means that Elisa is destined to die young and terribly. Elisa doesn’t really feel like the “chosen one.” She’s the younger of two princesses, and she isn’t very bright when it comes to running the country. She’s also fat, or at least she tells herself and the reader that she is. She describes herself as a giant unshapely roll. Honestly, it doesn’t help that Elisa eats every time her sister berates her or her father looks at her disappointedly. The only thing Elisa’s good at is remembering and reciting scripture. Elisa doesn’t really think that she’s cut out to be God’s loyal servant.

This all changes when Elisa is set to marry the King of a powerful nearby kingdom in a treaty. The terms are that Elisa must be married and be happy, and her father will provide the neighboring King with troops to fight against a common enemy. This is a savage enemy whose numbers grows each day. This enemy also holds the power of magic. The King of the neighboring kingdom is older, but handsome. Elisa knows right away that she will not learn to love him, and she is uncomfortable. She does not fit in. The nobles of the foreign kingdom do not treat Elisa as if she is capable of anything. Of course, they don’t know that Elisa is the King’s wife. Apart from the nobles, Elisa has the King’s son to worry about.

Just as Elisa is finally adjusting to life away from home, she is kidnapped and taken far across the desert. Elisa is forced to walk hundreds of miles with little food and water. The sand remains hot and unrelenting throughout the journey. She also encounters the murderous sandstorms for the first time. After arriving at their final destination, Elisa’s kidnappers inform her that they want to use her as a ransom. Not for money, but for troops. The destination is a large camp filled with war refugees. Elisa knows that no matter what, help will not come. She saw the King make the decision herself. Instead of losing all hope, Elisa tries her best to help the people by scouting the enemy, healing the injured and teaching them many new things. Elisa comes up with a gang that kills the enemy while remaining safe by using poisonous berries and destroying their supplies. Elisa becomes a hero.

The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers interested until the last page. Carson introduces a brand new world to the reader filled with murder, lies and sorcery. What can beat that? I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good series to get into or anyone looking for a book featuring an awesome female lead.