The Girl of Fire and Thorns is the debut novel of author Rae Carson,[1] published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.

[2] The Princess of Orovalle, Lucero-Elisa de Riqueza, was born as the chosen one, selected by God to fulfill a prophecy shown by a blue gem in her navel called the Godstone.

On her sixteenth birthday, Lucero-Elisa is married to King Alejandro de Vega of Joya d'Arena, a country soon to be at war with Invierne.

When they arrive at Alejandro's palace, the King announces Elisa as princess and special guest, but conceals his marriage, and her Godstone.

They travel for a month across the desert, facing harsh conditions, and Elisa is pleased to have lost weight and have more physical endurance.

When they arrive at their destination, Elisa is informed that the war has been under way for many years, and that Alejandro is a "weak king," who has not been willing to protect the desert villagers.

She also learns that her kidnappers believe that her Godstone will be able to use sorcery to battle the powerful sorcerers of Invierne, the animagi.

The Invierno army decides to investigate the cave one day and the group flees, leaving Elisa hidden behind because she will only slow them down.

Later, a message states that the Conde Treviño, the father of Condesa Ariña, wishes to discuss an alliance with the Malficio, the group Elisa has created to conquer the Invierne.