This book felt a little more adult than Graceling, a little better developed. While Graceling almost felt like two stories (story, deep breath, story continues), Fire makes use of its sections to more consciously get us from place to place. Perhaps the impending war helps with the feel of moving toward something while Graceling was a quest. 
 Starting with Leck and then moving away from him felt a little awkward. I assume it was a way to bridge the two books and introduce the new land. It's nice to be "in the know" when the foggy-headed attackers show up, but it then takes a long time for the boy to show up again. 
 Fire is an interesting character. Seeing her working through all the pain in her life to find something worthwhile is inspiring. She grows up, learns to forgive and trust herself, and learns to love. The harshness of her reality feels true.