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melplays9000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
This was a solidly good book! I really loved how this installment tied together parts of the previous 2 books while still having a totally unique plot of its own which was separate from that. I loved seeing Bitterblue’s growth as a character throughout this book and I felt her journey in the book really was different from what this series has previously been in the best way. I also appreciate that Kristin Cashore does not shy away from the more unheard of topics in YA, for example periods and birth control. This was also present in this book and I think this is an excellent example of how these topics can be brought into a book without being the main focus.
One thing that was a little too much for my small brain was just the amount of character. Each of them had their own subplot with their own motives all happening at the exact same time and I just felt very lost in certain moments and feel I may have missed some of the reveals just because of how much was going on.
Overall this book was everything I hoped it would be. It, without problem, kept me entertained the entire time that I was reading it and I appreciate everything it did for me. 4.5 stars.
One thing that was a little too much for my small brain was just the amount of character. Each of them had their own subplot with their own motives all happening at the exact same time and I just felt very lost in certain moments and feel I may have missed some of the reveals just because of how much was going on.
Overall this book was everything I hoped it would be. It, without problem, kept me entertained the entire time that I was reading it and I appreciate everything it did for me. 4.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Self harm, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
alexander_pendragon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Self harm, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Torture, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Child death, Animal cruelty, and Alcoholism
sophiareadswaytoomuch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
I loved this book the first time I read it (almost 10 years ago, when it came out in 2012) and I have to say it holds up. On a reread, it’s still one of the best stories I’ve ever read. The set up is a little slow, but the payoff is worth it. The mystery is well handled and intriguing, all the characters are well developed, and the plot itself really grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. Cashore does a great job of building on the world and characters established in the earlier books. Bitterblue is one of my all time favourite characters. This book also has LGBT+ rep and it handles a bunch of mental health issues (resulting from trauma) in a way that feels realistic, sensitive, and nuanced. It explores the effects of a kingdom under the grip of a tyrant for five decades, and the lingering effects of that trauma. A fascinating and unique read. Could potentially be read as a stand alone, but the pay off is much better after reading the first two books in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Self harm, and Rape
libbyhb's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
I forgot to review this back when I read it! I definitely didn’t enjoy this installment as much as Graceling or Fire or even Winterkeep, but Bitterblue is such an interesting character. I did really like the way the story of Monsea got filled out in this, and how it felt like we were alongside Bitterblue as she unraveled it. Didn’t love Giddon or the other boy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse
strange's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
4.75
I never thought my love for a book could grow so much on re-read— a great start to the year and one I hope will be reflected throughout. (May be 5 stars but I want to let it sit a while before deciding)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Suicide
Moderate: Torture, Self harm, Rape, and Pedophilia
readjoyfully's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Alcoholism
ashbrannen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
nofy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I FINALLY FINISHED !!
(lmao no one's gonna read this) Yeah this took me forever to read. Now that I think of it, maybe I should've just DNFed but I guess it was still intriguing enough for me to push through. Lovedd and hated this book at the same time.
This book is SO. SLOW. Like literally where is the plot. 75% in and you've only been running around with Bitterblue in her castle,w hich is really big and very much and very FREQUENTLY described explained, detailed in all its aspects. And there's all these characters that are introduced to you one page after the other and you constantly having to process how and why they're relevant to the story or the world building, or should I say the castle building because honestly I don't think I'll ever be able to read anything with a castle in it for a long time. I'm tired of castles. Also, love interest is so unlikeable from beginning to end. And where is the magic system? Oh yeah there it is, in the last three chapters. Also heavy and triggering content. Was not expecting it to get so dark and disturbing after Graceling and Fire.
But loved Bitterblue's character though. She alone is 2 of my 2,5 stars, this is what real character development is. Also the answers at the end were worth it. Loved the friendships in this story, the characters themselves were all nice, even though if you haven't read the previous installments, they wouldn't make that much sense lol. The political aspects were written so well too. And, as usual, Cashore's storytelling is exceptional.
T'was a decent book, but definitely not one that I would re-read.
(lmao no one's gonna read this) Yeah this took me forever to read. Now that I think of it, maybe I should've just DNFed but I guess it was still intriguing enough for me to push through. Lovedd and hated this book at the same time.
This book is SO. SLOW. Like literally where is the plot. 75% in and you've only been running around with Bitterblue in her castle,w hich is really big and very much and very FREQUENTLY described explained, detailed in all its aspects. And there's all these characters that are introduced to you one page after the other and you constantly having to process how and why they're relevant to the story or the world building, or should I say the castle building because honestly I don't think I'll ever be able to read anything with a castle in it for a long time. I'm tired of castles. Also, love interest is so unlikeable from beginning to end. And where is the magic system? Oh yeah there it is, in the last three chapters. Also heavy and triggering content. Was not expecting it to get so dark and disturbing after Graceling and Fire.
But loved Bitterblue's character though. She alone is 2 of my 2,5 stars, this is what real character development is. Also the answers at the end were worth it. Loved the friendships in this story, the characters themselves were all nice, even though if you haven't read the previous installments, they wouldn't make that much sense lol. The political aspects were written so well too. And, as usual, Cashore's storytelling is exceptional.
T'was a decent book, but definitely not one that I would re-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, and Torture
Moderate: Suicide
miniregrets's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Rape, and Suicide
Moderate: Self harm
well_read_unicorn's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, and Murder