Book du jour: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

by Rae Carson  

Prayer candles flicker in my bedroom.

In this debut novel, a fat girl finds her own strength and learns to be queen. It’s gotten rave reviews and blurbs, including by Tamora Pierce (“engrossing”), and should appeal to fantasy fans who like their heroines brave and sensitive. Some elements reminded me of Harry’s journey in The Blue Sword, but the setting has a distinctive Spanish flavor. The real draw is a sympathetically flawed protagonist who gradually comes into her own.

According to the author’s blog, sequel The Crown of Embers is due fall 2012. Excellent.