4.5 stars. You guys, I think I liked Fire more than Graceling, which is really saying something because Graceling was probably my favorite book of 2008. Fire is impeccably written, with every word feeling both deliberate and natural. As opposed, say, to some long-winded fantasy writers that get swept up in describing part of their world just for the sake of showing, "Look at how cool this place is! The world-building in Fire is terrifically unique. The political tension is taut, the romance is palpable, and the emotion is very, very real. Kristin Cashore, well-played. Can Bitterblue just be out tomorrow? Please?