The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Okay, my first comment about this book is that it was very hyped up. There are blurbs all across the back from big authors, and a blurb on the front from Tamora Pierce (heehee... blurbs). These were my main motivation to read it, even though I wasn't quite sure about the description.
Rest assured, this book totally lived up to the hype. I was really glad I'd read it, and can't wait for the next book in this series. Here ya go, The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.
Once every century, a person is chosen and destined to do a great service. Elisa is one of these chosen ones, marked at birth when a Godstone lodged itself in her navel--signifying that sometime in her life she would perform a heroic deed willed by God. 
But, as the younger of two sisters in the royal family of Orovalle, she can't imagine that she'll ever do anything special. Her perfect older sister is the one inheriting the crown, and she has no idea what lies in her future.Having been protected and sheltered all her life, she's not prepared when a political treaty causes her marriage to King Alejandro de Vega at sixteen. Now she's being sent off to be the queen of a nearby country, but she notices something is amiss. First, their caravan was attacked on their journey to her new husband's country, then when they arrive Alejandro wants to keep their marriage and her status as the bearer of the Godstone secret. Things are tense at his court, anticipating the threat of war on the horizon from the encroaching Invierne. Then, when Elisa is kidnapped in the dead of night, she finds herself swept up on a journey of terror, adventure, enlightenment, and unlikely courage. She learns that the war with Invierne is closer than they thought, and that she must step up to lead resistance against the brutal Inviernos. And, in the end, will she be able to perform her great Service? Or will she be killed in the process?
After all, most of the chosen do.
This is a very satisfying fantasy book. The main character is uniquely memorable, and is set apart from other regular fantasy heroines. The plot is very carefully crafted, and the settings are vivid. I was a little skeptical about this book in the first chapter, but stuck with it and was thoroughly rewarded. Very worth reading! Perfect for any age. Go check it out at Kettleson.