Pages: 545
Publisher: Dial / Penguin
Genre: Fantasy
Release: May 1st 2012
Source: arc from Publisher and Purchased
Buy the Book at: Book Depository / Amazon
Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
A Complex and Fascinating Story
Bitterblue is a Diamond in the YA Fantasy Genre!
Waiting for Bitterblue was one of the most unbearable tortures I ever had to bear while waiting for a book. The release date for the third installment of the Graceling Realm was pushed two or three times, and every time that happened, all my excitement was crushed into a million pieces. But truth be told, if I had to go through all that all over again, I definitely would! I wouldn't think it twice, I definitely would! Bitterblue is just magnificent! The long and torturous wait for this book is definitely worth waiting for! In fact, it is extremely rewarding!
Bitterblue takes place eight years after the events of Graceling. The old Graced king whose words manipulated people at his will is long dead. But the Kingdom of Monsea and its people still need to heal from all the atrocities that occurred during King Leck's ruling period. Now, Bitterblue is eighteen year-old and Queen of Monsea. She works for her kingdom from her tower (behind a mountain of documents) but Bitterblue needs to know what's going on among her people and on the street of her own city. She feels compelled to go a see with her own eyes how has her kingdom changed since the dead of evil King Leck. So, Bitterblue finds a way to sneak out of the castle to walk by herself the street of her own city. Here is when the story takes off for a high and graced flight.
Reviewing Kristin Cashore's Bitterblue is extremely hard. So much happens in this book that it is hard to know where to start. Cashore certainly put everything she had to offer into this thick novel. Bitterblue's transition into adulthood as well as her personal grow, as a person and Queen of Monsea, are definitely a powerful point in the plot. However, there is so much more. This novel embraces a whole kingdom and the suffering of its people. The consequences of King Leck's evilness are quietly lying under a thick layer of lies that have now become the weak pillars of Monsea. Bitterblue is about a devastated kingdom that needs to be healed. Bitterblue has to put back together and raise once again her kingdom. But first comes healing, and with that, truth and understanding. Yet this truth may break again her people. Is it better to forget or to remember? Should we uncover the truth even if it's unbearable? Bitterblue is certainly a thought provoking read that will leave readers' staring into space many times during the course of this read.
The love interest (Saf, the mesmerizing Lienid/Monsean thief and sailor) is certainly a heart-warming and drool-worthy addition to the plot. Oh Saf! I want/need a book about you! The romance in this installment is intense yet bittersweet and I am sure that it will stop hearts and take every reader's breath away. In addition, I need to mention that Po is a very important character in this book and I am extremely glad that he and Katsa are back. I really missed them, and their presence in this story gave me an immense joy. Also, there is an extraordinary surprise by the end of the book, which makes me want to raise monument for Kristin Cashore! Bitterblue is so full of surprises and it amaze me how Cashore was able to do all of this so perfectly well. Now, I really wish there is a sequel coming because I feel there is still so much more to see in the world the author has created. The ending of Bitterblue, for me, doesn't feel like a closure, it feels like a beginning!
Exceptionally well-written, Bitterblue is a powerful crescendo that explodes into a series of shocking, poignants, heart-stopping and fascinating events that will, for sure, have a strong impact on readers. Bitterblue is a book that will absolutely transcend in the YA fantasy genre. Certainly, Kristin Cashore in the third installment of the Graceling Realm series, built one of the most extraordinary and complex stories I have ever read. The fascinating and marvelous world of the Graceling Realm is definitely a diamond on the YA shelves and, for every one, a must-read!
❤Thank so much to Penguin Canada for providing my an arc of Bitterblue for review!❤
Watch the Trailer!
Visit the books website at http://www.gracelingrealm.com
20 comments:
Hi Natalia!
I so loved Graceling and it's one of my most favorite books of all time. But I didn't loved Fire that much. It was good but not that exciting for me. But I love the character of Bitterblue from Graceling and I was surprised when you mentioned that she's a grown up lady now. I think I will try this book because you made me so curious! I loved Katsa and Po and I'm excited to see them again. Hmm... are they married now? I really want to know! lol.
Thank you for your beautiful review! I think I'll check this book at the bookstore later tonight when I get a chance =)
I miss you girl! Keep in touch =)
Xoxoxoxo,
April
Apriiiiiiiiiil!! my dear!
thnx so much for stopping by =)
You should definitely read Bitterblue O_O! OMG! yes!! is probably one of the most shocking fantasy stories I have read in YA. ANd about Po and Katsa XDDD kyaaaaaaa!! then Read Bitterblue asap!! =D
Keeping in touch my dear ^_^
muah! XOXOX
I'm so out of the loop on this series! I still need to read Graceling and see what all the awesomeness is about:) So glad this one was as amazing as the previous two Natalia! MUST READ THESE!
I love that there is so much depth in this novel, it gives me hope for the entire series, which I haven't started yet.
I also love that there's 8 year long pause between the original trilogy and this book, AND that it focuses on Bitterblue. I'll make sure to get to it soon.
Wonderful review, Natalia!
BITTERBLUE!!! Oh my gosh! *tries not to hyperventilate* I was really worried about reading this books because one of my friends recently rated it two stars (TWO. I almost wanted to cry!), but reading your review renews my excitement for this book completely!! Hearing you say that the long and torturous wait for this book is definitely worth it, I almost want to run down to Montreal to bear hug you!
AMAZING REVIEW, NATALIA!! I missed Katsa and Po in Fire too so I'm SO happy to have them back. And Bitterblue sounds like the kind of girl I'd want to be my sister (next to you, of course)! I. Am. So. EXCITED!! Thanks so much, Natalia!! :') <3
I've been debating whether I should buy this series or not, but your review convinced me that I should.
Your review is simply fabulous!
I'm a new follower and I look forward to reading more from you ! :)
Oohh and you're a Dimitri fan ! I <3 Dimitri ! :P
I just got this book a few days ago!! I love your review. Glad to see that you enjoyed it so much!!
Chelsey@Charming Chelsey's
I liked Graceling so I'm looking forward to reading Bitterblue, Natalia. I'm excited to meet Saf and find out what Po and Katsa have been up to.
EEEEE NATALIA!!! What a BRILLIANT review! I absolutely LOVED Bitterblue and I'm really happy that Katsa and Po are in the book!
Awesome review, Natalia! <3
There are a lot of differing opinions on this one! I still haven't read Fire!! *gasp*. I read Graceling in sept and although I really liked it, I didn't love it as much as others. However, Bitterblue was my fav. character so this one really interests me and based on this wonderful review it sounds to be brilliant!
Thank you so much for the lovely comments my dears!!
Just in case, I do recommend to read Graceling and Fire before Bitterblue. If you read Graceling but not Fire, then the ending of Bitterblue wont make sense and it wont feel as epic as it was for me XDDD
Hi Natalie
Your blog is awesome! I'm now following so I don't miss a thing! :)
Cathrine
www.cathrine-garnell@blogspot.co.uk
N A T A L I A! You KILL me! This surprise? If I wasn't excited to read before, I am DYING now!!!
Oh, the wait for Bitterblue has been agonising, huh? SO glad we finally have it, and even MORE so, I'm SOOOO excited we finally have it and it's THIS AMAZING. Amazing, DAZZZLING review, beautiful! I am CRAZY excited to read it now! ♥
The writing in Bitterblue is absolutely gorgeous. That has always been one of my favorite things about her books - her beautiful prose and her detailed world. The world that was established in Graceling has been built upon, and I just loved it. It's a world that I could happily read book after book in, and never tire of it. The concept of it Graces just fascinates me.
Bitterblue was a character that I liked in Graceling, and I loved seeing how she'd changed since we last saw her. Bitterblue was strong, had spunk, and an curiosity that couldn't be smothered. I loved the other characters met in Graceling who make appearances in Bitterblue have really grown as well. My biggest issue with Graceling was some characteristics about Katsa, but by this point in the story, she has matured and moved on. Kristin Cashore always has an amazing boy in her books, and while I don't know if Saf has quite lived up to my love for Brigan and Po, he comes pretty darn close. Saf was such a complex character and he was not going to let anyone tell him what to do.
Bitterblue weaves a tale that was so complicated and intense. There was this constant sense of intrigue as I was reading. The plot was ever-building, and the different storylines of the book began to intersect. I never knew what Kristin Cashore was going to throw at readers next. Yet, there were also so many moments when I had to step back and just admire the little things going on, like the compassion between characters. The relationships between the characters are all so deep and learning all their back was one of the best parts of the book. The ending was phenomenal - the thought had crossed my mind at several points throughout the book, but I was not sure what Cashore would do about that event. I loved how she tied up the story, it was perfect: full of hope.
Thanks for finally writing about > "Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore"
< Loved it!
my web blog Garry Millam
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