Title: Vatra
Author: Kristin Cashore
First published October 5, 2009
416 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9788677022174
Rating: 4.1
Overview
In The Sworn, Summoner-King Martris Drayke is faced with an immense threat that could bring doom to the Winter Kingdoms. With the country still healing from a devastating civil war, Tris must gather an army and seek new allies from the living and dead.
But as the legendary Dread begin to stir after a long silence, no one knows what their intentions are or who they will serve. Drayke turns to the Sworn, a powerful clan of warriors tasked with protecting the Dread, but even they cannot predict what will happen when the Dread rise.
As war looms on the horizon, a new adventure begins in the world of The Chronicles of the Necromancer. Join Drayke and his allies as they face their first battle against an ancient and terrifying enemy.
About the Author
Kristin Cashore spent her childhood in the rural landscape of northeast Pennsylvania, where she was the second of four daughters. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Williams College and a master’s degree from Simmons College’s Center for the Study of Children’s Literature.
Currently, she resides in the Boston region.
Editoral Review
Vatra by Kristin Cashore is a young adult fantasy novel, first published in October 2009. Cashore is a New York Times bestselling author and has been praised for her vivid world-building and complex characters in previous works, such as Graceling.
Vatra takes place in a unique fantasy world where some people are born with abilities, known as “graces.” The main character, Fire, is one such person, possessing the supernatural ability to control the minds of others. Accompanied by her best friend, Archer, Fire lives in a dangerous world where people will do anything to possess her power.
However, Fire is not interested in using her talents to control others, and instead works to resist her own allure while grappling with her own past. Cashore’s writing style is picturesque and imaginative, making the novel an immersive experience for readers.
Her descriptions of the book’s setting are breathtaking, and her use of magic and the supernatural is well-developed and easily believable in the context of the world she has created. Additionally, her use of characters is strong, with Fire being a particularly compelling protagonist.
Fire is not only interesting due to her unique abilities but also due to the way she grapples with her own morality and the morality of those around her. While Cashore’s strengths in character development lead to well-rounded, complex characters, the novel can be slow-paced at times and takes some time for the plot to develop.
At times, it can also be difficult to keep track of all the different characters and their relationships. These issues, however, do not completely detract from the overall quality and enjoyability of the novel.
In terms of its relevance to current events, Vatra touches on themes that are still relevant today, such as identity, prejudice, and corruption of power. Cashore tackles these themes from a thoughtful angle and is able to make them relevant without being heavy-handed or overt.
Overall, Vatra is a well-crafted, imaginative fantasy novel with strong character development and relevant themes. Fans of young adult fantasy or readers who enjoyed Cashore’s previous works will find a lot to love in this book.
However, those who are looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story may be disappointed. I give Vatra a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
