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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I loved being back in this realm. This narrator is fantastic!
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The tone and feeling of this book felt so different than the first three Graceling realm books. The world-building continues to be really great, but the characters and plot fell a little flat on this one compared to the earlier books.
adventurous
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Otherwise, I did like the worlds expansion to a new region and a focus on environmental conservation. Also loved Adventure Fox.
After how gorgeous the rest of this series is, I was pretty let down by Winterkeep. Giddon, who was an asshole in Graceling and was redeemed in Bitterblue, seemed to have lost all character progress at the beginning of Winterkeep and a lot of gestures that seemed selfless previously felt more like entitled possessiveness and grooming in this sequel. I almost DNF’d this book around 30% in and while I’m glad I got some closure on this series there were definitely cringe moments further in as well (not all from Giddon, I would like to clarify that this is a more generic problem with the book). There were several oddly unpolished, clunky sections of dialogue that I found shocking, given where Cashore is in her career. While some scenes are diamonds in the rough, but I’m definitely glad I didn’t purchase this book and will not be re-reading it like I do with Graceling, Fire, or Bitterblue.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
It would have been awesome to have a Katniss cameo, and I could have wished for a bit more time with Bitterblue, but both she and Lovisa are wonderful, and seeing Bitterblue help Lovisa keep her balance works beautifully.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mannnn I just love this series and world so much! Even though this wasn't as gripping as the first two books for me, I still liked it in the end. Kristin Cashore puts so much care into the details of each new part of the world she reveals, and that is felt on every page of Winterkeep. I mean, it sounds obvious, but not enough authors make sure to clarify which language the characters from different countries are speaking at each moment of the conversation and that makes all the difference in buying into the world. Character-wise, I was not thrilled with how much Giddon there was in this book. I don't really care about his relationship with Bitterblue, and that was a main focus of Winterkeep, so I felt a little bored by that at times. I absolutely LOVED all of the new characters, though! Lovisa was especially great - I loved reading her chapters. Her recklessness, her love for her brothers, her having to break out of her sheltered life and realize it's not what it seems, everything. Such a good arc. Also, it doesn't need to be said, Adventure Fox was everything to me and I would lay down my life for him. Would love to read an entire story from Adventure's perspective, seriously. I really liked how the plot progressed, and the way it concluded was satisfying without being overly tidy. I just......LOVE this series. Would read any new book from this forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes