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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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
Wow this book! This is also different from the previous books. We are now multiple POV's in a totally different country, with people that look very different, speak a different language and a much more different culture, government, traditions. It was so much fun to read. Our characters are diverse not only in their race but also their personalities and backgrounds. The Graceling world is getting even bigger and I really hope we get more books exploring this beautiful world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One thing that I love about Cashore’s writing is the depth and expansiveness of the Graceling realm. Whereas Graceling itself starts off as the in your face action building fantasy world, we have now firmly settled into the nitty gritty of politics and kingdoms with technologically based democracies in Winterkeep.
Of the series, Bitterblue was originally my least favorite since I wasn’t really sold on Bitterblue as a character. My feelings about Bitterblue definitely changed in Winterkeep because we no longer are focused on the young queen trying to reclaim a kingdom that was once ruled by her rule father, King Leck. Instead, we finally see differing kingdoms and how Bitterblue’s influence is not all encompassing.
I thoroughly enjoyed our main protagonist Lovisa. Lovisa is BIPOC and queer. I’ve seen criticisms of Lovisa’s character because she uses sex to her advantage, but the conversations surrounding her lack of romantic attachments when it comes to sexual relationships is something that I haven’t seen so openly addressed in YA fantasy, which I loved. Don’t get me wrong, she is definitely impulsive and can be a bit over the top at times, but Lovisa is also a 16 year old girl who is still trying to figure out who she is.
Like Bitterblue, this story focuses a lot more on politics, but it’s off to one hell of a bang considering Bitterblue gets kidnapped. There’s lots of twists and turns as the truth behind the guilty party is revealed, which I was here for.
I love that there were more magical creatures in this book reminiscent of Fire. The telepathic blue foxes were definitely my favorite, and I really just wanted to be bonded to Adventure.
Overall, Winterkeep is a fantastic addition to the Graceling realm.
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Penguin Random House for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Of the series, Bitterblue was originally my least favorite since I wasn’t really sold on Bitterblue as a character. My feelings about Bitterblue definitely changed in Winterkeep because we no longer are focused on the young queen trying to reclaim a kingdom that was once ruled by her rule father, King Leck. Instead, we finally see differing kingdoms and how Bitterblue’s influence is not all encompassing.
I thoroughly enjoyed our main protagonist Lovisa. Lovisa is BIPOC and queer. I’ve seen criticisms of Lovisa’s character because she uses sex to her advantage, but the conversations surrounding her lack of romantic attachments when it comes to sexual relationships is something that I haven’t seen so openly addressed in YA fantasy, which I loved. Don’t get me wrong, she is definitely impulsive and can be a bit over the top at times, but Lovisa is also a 16 year old girl who is still trying to figure out who she is.
Like Bitterblue, this story focuses a lot more on politics, but it’s off to one hell of a bang considering Bitterblue gets kidnapped. There’s lots of twists and turns as the truth behind the guilty party is revealed, which I was here for.
I love that there were more magical creatures in this book reminiscent of Fire. The telepathic blue foxes were definitely my favorite, and I really just wanted to be bonded to Adventure.
Overall, Winterkeep is a fantastic addition to the Graceling realm.
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Penguin Random House for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated