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alicebme's review against another edition
5.0
This series is just so intelligently written. I especially appreciate the depth of the male characters. YA fantasy doesn't tend to rock that area very often. In fact, all of the characters are complex. Cashore's incorporation of multiple same sex couples is refreshing. I'd love it if all of the books I read, especially YA, took her approach on this.
Stellar. Brilliant.
Stellar. Brilliant.
bookswithbets's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
3.5
jenny_hedberg's review against another edition
3.0
Åhhh, Bitterblue!
Även om Bitterblue är mer av en berättelse om hur Monsea återställs från Lecks styre och mindre en kärlekshistoria, så älskar jag boken. Usch, hela boken krossar egentligen mitt hjärta för att den är så sorglig men jag älskar den ändå. Jag orkar inte riktigt förklara vad boken handlar om så du får helt enkelt ta och läsa den.
Även om Bitterblue är mer av en berättelse om hur Monsea återställs från Lecks styre och mindre en kärlekshistoria, så älskar jag boken. Usch, hela boken krossar egentligen mitt hjärta för att den är så sorglig men jag älskar den ändå. Jag orkar inte riktigt förklara vad boken handlar om så du får helt enkelt ta och läsa den.
soniagracelm's review against another edition
5.0
FULL REVIEW HERE http://rosiesreadingroom.tumblr.com/post/53725992029/rec-bitterblue
Bitterblue, set in the same world as Graceling and Fire, perfectly continues the story of Bitterblue, Queen of Monsea, and weaves the stories on the previous two books together perfectly. Bitterblue is Queen now that her father Leck is dead, but she has almost nothing to do with the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom. Her devoted advisers handle most of the details for her. It’s been years since Leck died, but his tyrannical rule has left scars on the entire country that will take years, maybe generations, to heal.
Bitterblue, set in the same world as Graceling and Fire, perfectly continues the story of Bitterblue, Queen of Monsea, and weaves the stories on the previous two books together perfectly. Bitterblue is Queen now that her father Leck is dead, but she has almost nothing to do with the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom. Her devoted advisers handle most of the details for her. It’s been years since Leck died, but his tyrannical rule has left scars on the entire country that will take years, maybe generations, to heal.
hannahhbic's review against another edition
4.0
Content warnings for sexual assault and child abuse.
katieosull's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Critically
Plot - 5 out of 5 stars
Loved this so much! Super fast paced with so many twists and turns. We finally get some revelations on something that is prominent in the entire series. There's a wonderful introduction into this specific kingdom and the people that reside there. And my favorite part is the closure, so satisfying!
Writing Style - 4 out of 5 stars
Simple but engaging. Definitely got better when immersed into the mystery and intrigue. Also, they're so many beautiful, detailed descriptions that really capture the setting.
Characters - 5 out of 5 stars
I love all the characters in this series, so many of my favorites come back in this book and it's glorious! As for the main characters in this one in particular, I adore Bitterblue. She is overwhelmed and bewildered as a teen queen but also intuitive, strong, compassionate and determined to do her best in her charge and to move her country forward. Saf, or Sapphire is a new character introduced and we first meet him as he is stealing but he's definitely not what he seems. He's mischievous and strong but honest and working toward the betterment of the kingdom. Teddy, who is also new and best friends with Saf, is my boo. He's enthusiastic, open, quirky, brave and trusting and a great relief to the sometimes heavy plot.
Emotionally
The tension and mystery are so great in this book. Bitteblue knows someone is deceiving her but who it is. So she kind of goes undercover into her kingdom to see how things are really like and everything is much different than she's told. To me, that would be so true for any teenage queen when handed a place coming back from being manipulated for 30 years. She ends up finding these story bars full of people who listen to the stories and histories of her kingdom and that's where she meets Saf and Teddy. I love their interactions together because they're always full of laughter, challengers, mystery and tension.
The mystery of the kingdom was super interesting and intriguing. There are so many facets to it (what Leck did, what he made others do, what people around him carried out in his name) and they all reveal themselves bit by bit, so it keeps you interested as well as guessing and wanting more. I never saw any of them coming and everything showed itself at the right time to move the plot forward.
The past characters! I was so excited to see my beloved from Graceling and so happy that the characters from Fire also showed up, even if it was a little weird to think of Fire as an old woman. They all had mini plots that integrated themselves into the mayor plot and those pieces flowed very well. It was very interesting to see them after a few years and notice their changes.
I was a little disappointed that the ending was left so open, even the romance between Saf and Bitterblue since it was the end of the series. I would've liked a more solid finish with a harder closure but I still enjoyed the one that I got.
Plot - 5 out of 5 stars
Loved this so much! Super fast paced with so many twists and turns. We finally get some revelations on something that is prominent in the entire series. There's a wonderful introduction into this specific kingdom and the people that reside there. And my favorite part is the closure, so satisfying!
Writing Style - 4 out of 5 stars
Simple but engaging. Definitely got better when immersed into the mystery and intrigue. Also, they're so many beautiful, detailed descriptions that really capture the setting.
Characters - 5 out of 5 stars
I love all the characters in this series, so many of my favorites come back in this book and it's glorious! As for the main characters in this one in particular, I adore Bitterblue. She is overwhelmed and bewildered as a teen queen but also intuitive, strong, compassionate and determined to do her best in her charge and to move her country forward. Saf, or Sapphire is a new character introduced and we first meet him as he is stealing but he's definitely not what he seems. He's mischievous and strong but honest and working toward the betterment of the kingdom. Teddy, who is also new and best friends with Saf, is my boo. He's enthusiastic, open, quirky, brave and trusting and a great relief to the sometimes heavy plot.
Emotionally
Spoiler
This is definitely my favorite book in the trilogy! I love how we got new characters and got to reconnect with all the ones from the previous books.The tension and mystery are so great in this book. Bitteblue knows someone is deceiving her but who it is. So she kind of goes undercover into her kingdom to see how things are really like and everything is much different than she's told. To me, that would be so true for any teenage queen when handed a place coming back from being manipulated for 30 years. She ends up finding these story bars full of people who listen to the stories and histories of her kingdom and that's where she meets Saf and Teddy. I love their interactions together because they're always full of laughter, challengers, mystery and tension.
The mystery of the kingdom was super interesting and intriguing. There are so many facets to it (what Leck did, what he made others do, what people around him carried out in his name) and they all reveal themselves bit by bit, so it keeps you interested as well as guessing and wanting more. I never saw any of them coming and everything showed itself at the right time to move the plot forward.
The past characters! I was so excited to see my beloved from Graceling and so happy that the characters from Fire also showed up, even if it was a little weird to think of Fire as an old woman. They all had mini plots that integrated themselves into the mayor plot and those pieces flowed very well. It was very interesting to see them after a few years and notice their changes.
I was a little disappointed that the ending was left so open, even the romance between Saf and Bitterblue since it was the end of the series. I would've liked a more solid finish with a harder closure but I still enjoyed the one that I got.
milliei's review against another edition
4.0
This was, hands down, the strongest one of the three in the trilogy. I think Bitterblue was a more relatable character than the other front females in the other books, even though I sometimes wanted to crawl inside the book and slap her. She was kinda mean sometimes, but that's a flaw I accepted. It was a bit slow in some parts, but overall I liked that the plot was a little calmer, a more political drama. I always like when you get to know the surroundings WITH your character, so for Bitterblue to see her castle with new eyes, and me being there experiencing it, was great.
I do think it was a little confusing, the relationship between Bitterblue and Saf, and I hoped to get a better closure. It kinda ended in thin air.
I do think it was a little confusing, the relationship between Bitterblue and Saf, and I hoped to get a better closure. It kinda ended in thin air.
abaugher's review against another edition
4.0
companion novel to Fire or Graceling. this one covers the struggle of the young queen Bitterblue to uncover her late father's secrets and to make amends for all his heinous deeds--those he committed directly and those he caused others to commit. Bitterblue is a very naive and confused young lady, but she has strength within her.
malinuknow's review against another edition
3.0
Skipped the most of the book and read a recap. I want to read the fourth in the series now