Publisher:
Gollancz
Release
Date: 13th
April 2013
Edition:
UK paperback,
purchased
Eight
years have passed since Princess Bitterblue and her country were saved from the
vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at
peace.
But
the influence of her father, and his mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her
advisors believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who
committed terrible acts during Leck’s reign; and to forget every dark event
that ever happened. Monsea’s past has been shrouded in mystery, and it’s only
when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle – curious, disguised and
alone – to walk the streets of her city, that she begins to realise the truth.
Her kingdom has been under the spell of a madman, and their only chance to move
forward is to revisit the past.
Graceling
and Fire are two of my 2013 reading
highlights so once I had Bitterblue in
my hands I put it on my shelf and put it off for months. I wanted to postpone
the ending of such a incredible trilogy, but I was actually a little
disappointed.
I wanted as immediately sucked
in to Bitterblue’s world as I was Katsa and Fire’s. At over 500 pages, it was
too long. There was so much detail and politics and a fair bit that I have to
admit to scan reading to get on to something more exciting. Being queen was
boring for Bitterblue and a little for me as well. I found myself desperately
wanting Katsa and Po to turn up at some point. Thankfully, there were a large
part of Bitterblue, especially Po and
I was so, so happy to see them again and they stole the show. I loved the
effortless way that their love and intimacy was portrayed from someone not in
the relationship; the smallest moments, expressions and subtleties. Perfect.
As well as being reunited with
Katsa and Po and a few other minor characters from Graceling, I was really hoping for a hint from some of the
characters from Fire, though I knew
it was a longshot. Towards the end, I started to feel the connection through
the trilogy as things were uncovered and Dell was revealed as existing. It was
a really nice to see all three books come together and also formed a support
for the whole of Bitterblue’s story to sit on.
Bitterblue is a fantastic
heroine from start to finish. She really grew over the course of the novel; she
became a queen. The way that she spoke, acted and felt veered wildly for the
most part of the novel. she switched from the child thrown into power that she
was to strong and self-assured, it was so authentic and real that I became so
thoroughly invested in her quest to better herself and her kingdom that I was
able to push through the drier sections of Bitterblue.
To be forced into a position so difficult and dangerous so young seems
impossible so I am glad that she also has a really snap and sass about her that
gave way to some excellent banter, especially between her and Saf, who I kind
of fell in love with, by the way. Though never as much as Po who I only continued
to fall in love with throughout Bitterblue.
This book in no way compared to
Graceling and Fire, but it was lovely to be back in Kristin Cashore’s stunning
world and to be reunited with Katsa and Po. This is a trilogy well-worth
reading.
Sophie
I haven't read Graceling yet so I'm going to have to get it from my library soon. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame this was a bit disappointing for you, though I often find that with trilogies. There's always one. But hey, at least Katsa and Po showed up!
ReplyDeleteI have to say Graceling is by far my favourite of my series, but Kristin Cashore is definitely on my instantly buy! book list. And while I loved Graceling the most, I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS TRILOGY!! (In fact when I saw you reviewed this I went into flailing fangirl mode haha)
ReplyDelete