I feel like The Girl of Fire and Thorns is one of the few YA novels that has a very "real" female narrator. Right off the start, Elisa describes herself as "dark," "brown" and at her wedding, she sees herself as "a big, bloated sausage" and "pig." Throughout the novel, she knows what her limits are and that she's not exactly fit but that doesn't stop her. 
 The book does have some religious overtones but more of just "religion" and not a specific one per se. It's more of how Elisa's a devout believer and that she prays a lot, etc. I enjoyed the plot very well. There's lots of intrigue and little surprises along the way make up most of the fun. The adventure never really ends and I don't think readers will get bored and honestly, if the book is judged solely on the adventure, 5 stars. 
 I have a slight issue on the whole romance thing. We know from the beginning that Elisa has just been "given" to an arranged marriage, to a man not only much older than she is but he also has a son. I liked that the marriage was more or less written realistically and how Elisa grows into her own woman, not just as a princess but as a Queen as well, and how she deals with her stepson. But at the same time, in the later part of the story, Elisa gets kidnapped and she seems instantly smitten with her kidnapper. What? NO! You should be scared for your life, not looking at his eyes or whatever. 
 I found the ending to be quite realistic and I really liked it. I'm quite excited for the sequel as well so let's hope that the sequel gets even better than the debut!