On Tuesday evening, Heather and I had the awesome opportunity to attend Rae Carson’s launch event for The Girl of Fire and Thorns at Cover to Cover here in Columbus! This book ranks among my favorites of 2011, and it was wonderful to get to hear her speak about her book, what inspired her to write it, and to actually hear her read her own work. Rae grew up reading fantasy, anyone with the middle initials R.R. she’s read, she said. She described how when she was young, she really became enamored with the idea of “The Chosen One” that’s extremely prevalent in the fantasy genre, how it meant you’re special and marked for something greater. However, as she grew older she began to realize that being chosen wasn’t an active thing, you didn’t really have any say in it. It’s a very passive thing, because you are the one being chosen by someone else. The Girl of Fire and Thorns was written, she said, to explore this and other tropes that are commonly found in fantasy.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns has strong Spanish influences which Rae said came from a time when she was learning Spanish and working in HR in California. Many of the people who came to talk to her spoke Spanish and she had to learn to speak the language. There’s a strong religious element in this novel which derives it’s origins from the influence of the Catholic Church throughout history. It was just fascinating to hear her speak about how all these little things came together to create her story, and I’m so glad I got to go!
Rae reading parts of chapter one to the audience –>
And because I’m a huge dork… Rae & me
And just for kicks… one of Heather & I
If you haven’t gotten a chance to pick this book up yet, well here’s your chance. At the signing I not only picked up a book for me (yay!), but also an ONE (1) SIGNED copy of The Girl of Fire and Thorns for ONE (1) lucky reader!
Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter. This is mandatory. Comments will not be counted as your mandatory entry. Rules and conditions are listed below the Rafflecopter form.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. =] This book looks good, I hope I win. =]
-Michael
thebookshelfreview.blogspot.com
You’re welcome and good luck Michael!
You are soo lucky! And nice for thinking of us and picking up ANOTHER SIGNED copy for a giveaway! Thanks. Wish me luck
Luck has been wished for. lol And thanks! Columbus is not exactly stop #1 on the book tour route, but Rae Carson happens to be a local, so I was really excited about the opportunity to go see her. Especially since I adored her book
Good luck Angie!
thanks for the giveaway!
You’re welcome! Good luck Savanna!
Wow how awesome! I RAKed someone with this book, but don’t own a copy. Thanks for the giveaway, this story is on my wish list.
Sounds like you’ve cultivated some good karma there, so I’m hoping your kind deed comes back around
Good luck Jen!
It was so nice to meet you, Dani. Scared that I recognized you from your twit pic… :p Thanks for coming out to the launch and for doing the giveaway!
It was nice to meet you! Thanks for your patience with the slightly awkward Kodak moment…lol. Glad the launch event went so well, and I hope you have amazing success with TGoF&T!
Thank you for this awesome giveaway opportunity. I have been interested in this book and wanting to know what all the buzz is about and really appreciate an opportunity to win a copy. Another series you reviewed was The Mortal Instruments City of Fallen Angels. I enjoyed your review very much, especially since I have not read the series and am very curious about it, I am being slowly teased into getting it LOL
Thank you Denise!
The Mortal Instruments was the series that got me back into reading Young Adult books, and it’s just a series I really love. I hope you do get a chance to read it at some point! 
Good luck in the giveaway!
I am SO upset my son was sick that day and I couldn’t go to the signing! I had a babysitter lined up and everything, but you know kids – when they vomit, they only want mom! I’m glad you had fun, though! Maybe next time there’s a signing in Columbus, I’ll be able to go and I can say hello to you then
Oh, I completely understand, and I hope he’s feeling better, and that he didn’t share anything with you… lol. Have you heard of the Buckeye Book Fair? I don’t know much about it except that it features Ohio authors and illustrators exclusively and that it’s on November 5th in Wooster. They should have a list of participating authors up on their in the next few weeks and depending on who’s going to be there, I might be there.
I have heard such great things about this book, lucky you (both) for getting to attend the launch and meet the author! Nice interview, I’m crossing my fingers and entering the giveaway:)
Thanks Heather!
Good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks for picking up an extra copy it is much appreciated. Even if I don’t win I will graciously accept defeat, but here’s to hoping I do win. Thanks again.
LOL…you’re welcome! Best of luck! 😀
Thank you, Dani, for a great Giveaway!
I look forward to visiting your blog more often!
Patricia
Thank you Patricia!
Good luck in the giveaway!
I love this book and want a bound copy so bad! Thanks for the chance to win:)
This book was pretty awesome! Definitely one for the shelf. Good luck Rebecca!
This book looks so awesome. I have seen reviewed on a couple of other blogs and have wanted it for awhile. I just love the name of this book, very catchy. This is a new blog for me and am always looking for great book and author recommendations.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
Welcome Chris! I loved this book and hope you get a chance to read it! Best of luck!
Thanks for the great give away! This sounds like a great read!
‘Twas a great read! 😀 Thanks for stopping by Sarah! Good luck in the giveaway!
Book launches are so fun! I’ve been hearing lots of good buzz about this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
It was fun! I’ve never been to a launch before… and not many take place in Ohio… lol. Good luck Kristin!
Our taste in books seems to be very different – but I like different!
Pabkins @ Mission to Read
Different keeps it interesting. If you do win or end up reading it at some point I’ll be interested to see what you think
Thanks for the great giveaway! I’ve heard great things about this book and as a fan of fantasy it sounds soooo good.
Sure thing! It is so good 😉 Good luck Megan!
I am so excited about this book! I’m jealous that you got to go to that signing! I swear I don’t think anyone interesting ever comes to my area. If they do I don’t hear about it until afterwards.
Thanks for hosting this!!
Yay! I’m glad you’re excited! It really is excellent. And seriously, no one hardly comes through Columbus… she just happens to be local. I’m sure this will be my last signing for AWHILE. 😛 A good place to look for author events in your area is the Goodreads events page.
Good luck!
How awesome that you got to see her! You’re both so cute! I’ve been wanting to read this. I’m really into the Spanish and I’d love to see how the Catholic church ties in! I’m not Catholic, I’m Orthodox, but we’re similar and I find our old traditions interesting – good for stories! Thank you for the giveaway!
Awww…thank you! Good luck in the giveaway Liza! 😀
Thank you so much for the giveaway change! I can’t wait to read this book!
-Angel
http://909reviews.blogspot.com
Oh great giveaway! I can’t wait to read this I’ve been hearing amazing reviews.
Giselle
Xpresso Reads