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neelamreadsalot's review against another edition
1.0
I had such a difficult time getting through this book. The pace was really slow and dragging!
armeenix's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mels_reading_rook's review against another edition
4.0
After reading this book, I have a lot of respect for this series and the author herself, Kristin Cashore.
Very few times, have I come across a character so strong, so complex, and so sure in various aspects of her identity. Not only that, but some of those aspects would be considered "unconventional" for the genre. Too many times have I read YA or romance novels where the main character would be sure in her desires for the future (i.e., marriage, children, etc.), but then they would meet the one and his presence would change all their views they had previously established.
Not here. Katsa and Po are two characters, sure in their convictions, and when they come to differences in their views, they talk about it and they make compromises. Considering Katsa's background and her character, it makes sense why she does not want marriage or children, and she is firm in this conviction. However, that does not mean that she doesn't grow. Together, they learn new aspects of themselves and help each other find a path through their struggles.
On top of that, the world and its polity is interesting to learn about and explore, and there is so much that can be explored, given time. Bitterblue, who will be the main character in the same-titled installment in the series, also leaves an interesting piece behind in this book to be delved further into.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in it, and I'll be eagerly looking forward to read the rest of the series. Note: I've already consumed three of them by the time this comes out.
Very few times, have I come across a character so strong, so complex, and so sure in various aspects of her identity. Not only that, but some of those aspects would be considered "unconventional" for the genre. Too many times have I read YA or romance novels where the main character would be sure in her desires for the future (i.e., marriage, children, etc.), but then they would meet the one and his presence would change all their views they had previously established.
Not here. Katsa and Po are two characters, sure in their convictions, and when they come to differences in their views, they talk about it and they make compromises. Considering Katsa's background and her character, it makes sense why she does not want marriage or children, and she is firm in this conviction. However, that does not mean that she doesn't grow. Together, they learn new aspects of themselves and help each other find a path through their struggles.
On top of that, the world and its polity is interesting to learn about and explore, and there is so much that can be explored, given time. Bitterblue, who will be the main character in the same-titled installment in the series, also leaves an interesting piece behind in this book to be delved further into.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in it, and I'll be eagerly looking forward to read the rest of the series. Note: I've already consumed three of them by the time this comes out.
descrat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
alinskii's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
arielmbailey1577's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a bit behind on reading this as all threee books in the trilogy have already been released, but now I can read them all without having to wait for them to be released.
If you're a fantasy lover then you MUST read this series, I think you will really enjoy it. It was a unique and interesting story that I've never read before. As it explains in the blurb above, certain people are born with a special 'grace' and one of these people is Katsa, our main character.
Katsa is tough, she may have small flaws but overall she is strong physically and strong in mind about what is right. I became attached to her straight away, she may kill and hurt people but I thought she was a very inspirational role model. She stands up to what is right and decides that she no longer wants to do the bidding of an evil and corrupt king.
We are introduced to Po in the beginning when he confronts Katsa and I knew right away he was going to be the love interest, I just didn't know how he was going to fit into the story. As we go on his love and fondness for Katsa slowly grows and gives you all those nice feelings. I wasn't expecting what happened to him.
I liked how there weren't any huge cliffhangers at the end, this journey has ended but everything is not right with the kingdom. I can see that there is so much more of the seven kingdoms that needs to be explored and rebuilt. I am really looking forward to finishing this series.
The next part is a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the book but I want to mention it.
Also on my blog
If you're a fantasy lover then you MUST read this series, I think you will really enjoy it. It was a unique and interesting story that I've never read before. As it explains in the blurb above, certain people are born with a special 'grace' and one of these people is Katsa, our main character.
Katsa is tough, she may have small flaws but overall she is strong physically and strong in mind about what is right. I became attached to her straight away, she may kill and hurt people but I thought she was a very inspirational role model. She stands up to what is right and decides that she no longer wants to do the bidding of an evil and corrupt king.
We are introduced to Po in the beginning when he confronts Katsa and I knew right away he was going to be the love interest, I just didn't know how he was going to fit into the story. As we go on his love and fondness for Katsa slowly grows and gives you all those nice feelings. I wasn't expecting what happened to him.
I liked how there weren't any huge cliffhangers at the end, this journey has ended but everything is not right with the kingdom. I can see that there is so much more of the seven kingdoms that needs to be explored and rebuilt. I am really looking forward to finishing this series.
The next part is a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the book but I want to mention it.
Spoiler
I wasn't happy with how King Leck was killed, he was such a hateful and manipulative man that he deserved to die dramatically and painfully. I feel his death wasn't bad enough for him, but that's only my opinion.Also on my blog
fflur_jones's review against another edition
4.0
Had been reading quite a few heavy books before this and felt like reading a YA book to take my mind off things.
I loved this book when I read it as a teenager, and still found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The world building is impeccable and very unique which I enjoyed since a lot of YA novels resemble each other nowadays. All the characters were well rounded and I particularly liked Katsa as a strong female lead that was still flawed (albeit sometimes her Grace did seem a little too powerful to be believable). I also loved Po and Katsa's romantic storyline, particularly the fact that marriage was not a goal for them. It offered a refreshing view of relationships as a partnership where both the male and female characters kept their identities intact.
The only bit that bothered me more this time around was the whole plotline that concerned King Leck, it just seemed to come out of nowhere and then formed such a huge part of the book it would have been nice to have it build up more organically. I also found the ending of that plotline similarly rushed. Having said that, it didn't really distract from the story and I would absolutely recommend this book to any young adult or anyone older looking for a short and sweet novel to read.
I loved this book when I read it as a teenager, and still found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The world building is impeccable and very unique which I enjoyed since a lot of YA novels resemble each other nowadays. All the characters were well rounded and I particularly liked Katsa as a strong female lead that was still flawed (albeit sometimes her Grace did seem a little too powerful to be believable). I also loved Po and Katsa's romantic storyline, particularly the fact that marriage was not a goal for them. It offered a refreshing view of relationships as a partnership where both the male and female characters kept their identities intact.
The only bit that bothered me more this time around was the whole plotline that concerned King Leck, it just seemed to come out of nowhere and then formed such a huge part of the book it would have been nice to have it build up more organically. I also found the ending of that plotline similarly rushed. Having said that, it didn't really distract from the story and I would absolutely recommend this book to any young adult or anyone older looking for a short and sweet novel to read.