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katieosull's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
paigelamoureux's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shinycrochet's review against another edition
5.0
This was exactly what I needed and so much more than I expected. I look forward to doing a reread as I "had to" smash it out in two days, but it was also such a fantastic story to just lose hours into at a time. It was an emotional roller coaster in all the best ways, had some beautiful character moments and I truly loved the way the political systems were used in the story.
A bit of back story, I had reserved it at my local library when it first released, but unfortunately their planned 2 weeks of renovations turned into 6 months of closures. I finally managed to get in and borrow a copy, planned on taking my time to read it but lost track of return date and someone else had reserved it, so I had 2 days to read. And oh boy I was not returning it unfinished once I saw the air machines in the front pages.
A bit of back story, I had reserved it at my local library when it first released, but unfortunately their planned 2 weeks of renovations turned into 6 months of closures. I finally managed to get in and borrow a copy, planned on taking my time to read it but lost track of return date and someone else had reserved it, so I had 2 days to read. And oh boy I was not returning it unfinished once I saw the air machines in the front pages.
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it, but don't believe it should be categorized as LGBT. One of the protags is casually bi but it's only briefly mentioned/hinted at. (Was I disappointed in that single aspect? YEP!)
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher.
When I started this, I had in my memory that I really liked the first two books (Graceling and Fire) in the series, but didn't like Bitterblue very much. After reading this book, I went back and saw that I had rated Bitterblue 4 stars, so I must have liked it a lot more than I remember. It was 8 years ago when I read it, though, so I really can't remember much, if anything, about it at all.
I quite enjoyed Winterkeep. I liked that there were telepathic animals and big sea creatures. That was possibly my favorite part of the book. I liked the different perspectives, and I really liked seeing Lovisa grow throughout the book. She wasn't always likable, and sometimes it's hard to root for her, but she has a good character arc, for the most part.
There are a couple of things that took this book down a notch for me. One is that Kristin Cashore feels very strongly about certain topics. You can tell because she hits you over the head with them over and over. A little bit goes a long way, and it starts to feel unnatural when you talk about things too much. I mean, some of these characters talk about sex so much, I know their every thought and feeling about it ad nauseum.
The other thing that I didn't love is I felt the book was a bit longer than it needed to be. We had the climax of the story, and then it was about 100 pages of aftermath. I got to the point where I just wanted to be done reading, and that shouldn't happen with a story. All the wrap up could have been done in half (or less) the time, and been perfectly satisfactory. All that said, I liked Winterkeep quite a lot; it made me want to go back and re-read the rest of the series.
When I started this, I had in my memory that I really liked the first two books (Graceling and Fire) in the series, but didn't like Bitterblue very much. After reading this book, I went back and saw that I had rated Bitterblue 4 stars, so I must have liked it a lot more than I remember. It was 8 years ago when I read it, though, so I really can't remember much, if anything, about it at all.
I quite enjoyed Winterkeep. I liked that there were telepathic animals and big sea creatures. That was possibly my favorite part of the book. I liked the different perspectives, and I really liked seeing Lovisa grow throughout the book. She wasn't always likable, and sometimes it's hard to root for her, but she has a good character arc, for the most part.
There are a couple of things that took this book down a notch for me. One is that Kristin Cashore feels very strongly about certain topics. You can tell because she hits you over the head with them over and over. A little bit goes a long way, and it starts to feel unnatural when you talk about things too much. I mean, some of these characters talk about sex so much, I know their every thought and feeling about it ad nauseum.
The other thing that I didn't love is I felt the book was a bit longer than it needed to be. We had the climax of the story, and then it was about 100 pages of aftermath. I got to the point where I just wanted to be done reading, and that shouldn't happen with a story. All the wrap up could have been done in half (or less) the time, and been perfectly satisfactory. All that said, I liked Winterkeep quite a lot; it made me want to go back and re-read the rest of the series.
theannabond's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
malinuknow's review against another edition
4.0
It was good but it felt a bit long, some parts could've been shorter. And I'm not quite sure what the mail plot was about
ajreads2213's review against another edition
5.0
I've loved this series since I first read Graceling. I've read each book a few times, and will continue the tradition with Winterkeep. Adolescence is difficult, everyone telling you are responsible for this and that, but also telling you that you know nothing. Now in my thirties, learning how manipulation is ingrained in the American upbringing. This book shined light on emotions and frustrations that I've carried for years. This book was like therapy, helping me to feel less alone. The fantasy aspects of Cashore's book are enjoyable, not always pretty which is real. I hope we can have more books from this author.
booklover_237's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
It has been a good couple of years (maybe 6?) since I read the Graceling trilogy. Was quite shocked and excited when I discovered there was more. Started off a bit confused and not really invested in the story because I had forgotten a LOT.
Intresting concepts
I was at first not really on board with the magical creatures in the story. Though I did grow to like them. The Keeper especially, as I only wish we got more of a conclusion and and some info on where the myth of The Keeper came from. The silbercows were very cute, as were the foxes. But I have a bigger gripe with the foxes, because HOW has the secret that they can read anyone's mind, not been revealed?? I would honestly have loved a deeper look into the mythology and magic, without the Graceling characters. The setting is intresting on its own.
Intresting characters
Quona Varana - I thought her concept was quite cool, though I'm kinda sad we didn't get any conclusion about her. Why? I quite like that she's super snoopy and wants to know everyone's business, and that she breaks the law by having just a million foxes. I would have wanted to know more deeply what her motivations are. She seems to have a lot of unexplained motivations in general, like with her wanting to investigate the Cavenda's, but it's never explored. Sad.
Adventure Fox - I liked his little shenanigans and that he straight up just killed Ferla. What a power move. Though the one thing I didn't like was that he revealed the fox-secret for no apparent reason. It was not needed.
Issues
The biggest issue I had with this book is the poor execution of anticipated moments. A couple examples: When Bitterblue and Giddon finally get reunite they immediately become a couple - excuse me how? - and it didn't feel deserved. The build up to the reunion from Giddon's perspective did not make sense, as he started to gain hope that Bitterblue was alive. It should have been the opposite, and then the reunion would have been so much better. You gotta build up the angst. And then they just immediately declare their love for one another...
Example 2: Lovisa's big moment of finally revealing her parents' crimes to the public, it just happened off-page!?
Example 3: Finding Katu after the entire book him being gone. He's just fine after being alone and starving in a cold cave for MONTHS! How is he so okay?
These are all moments that are built up to and anticipated for a long time, but then are not given the time they need to have an impact.
I also just have to mention Lovisa. I really didn't like her for most of the story as she kept whining about things she brought on herself, and then resorting to self pity. She is too self-aware, yet not enough somehow.
Final thoughts
I believe this story should have been a self-contained story, not a part of the Graceling series. The setting in my opinion is intresting enough, with its own magic, mythology, and political and social intrigue that it totally could have been a stand-alone. The old characters kind of distract from Torla's intriguing society, which is a shame. Still though, I enjoyed the whole book enough, even if I did rave about it a bit.
It has been a good couple of years (maybe 6?) since I read the Graceling trilogy. Was quite shocked and excited when I discovered there was more. Started off a bit confused and not really invested in the story because I had forgotten a LOT.
Spoiler
Though as Bitterblue got thrown overboard during the trip to Winterkeep, it got intresting. The intrigue stayed for quite a while until I got tired of a certain character, Lovisa, and how some anticipated elements got executed poorly. Because of this I was a bit dissaitfied with the ending :lIntresting concepts
I was at first not really on board with the magical creatures in the story. Though I did grow to like them. The Keeper especially, as I only wish we got more of a conclusion and and some info on where the myth of The Keeper came from. The silbercows were very cute, as were the foxes. But I have a bigger gripe with the foxes, because HOW has the secret that they can read anyone's mind, not been revealed?? I would honestly have loved a deeper look into the mythology and magic, without the Graceling characters. The setting is intresting on its own.
Spoiler
Intresting characters
Quona Varana - I thought her concept was quite cool, though I'm kinda sad we didn't get any conclusion about her. Why? I quite like that she's super snoopy and wants to know everyone's business, and that she breaks the law by having just a million foxes. I would have wanted to know more deeply what her motivations are. She seems to have a lot of unexplained motivations in general, like with her wanting to investigate the Cavenda's, but it's never explored. Sad.
Adventure Fox - I liked his little shenanigans and that he straight up just killed Ferla. What a power move. Though the one thing I didn't like was that he revealed the fox-secret for no apparent reason. It was not needed.
Issues
The biggest issue I had with this book is the poor execution of anticipated moments. A couple examples: When Bitterblue and Giddon finally get reunite they immediately become a couple - excuse me how? - and it didn't feel deserved. The build up to the reunion from Giddon's perspective did not make sense, as he started to gain hope that Bitterblue was alive. It should have been the opposite, and then the reunion would have been so much better. You gotta build up the angst. And then they just immediately declare their love for one another...
Example 2: Lovisa's big moment of finally revealing her parents' crimes to the public, it just happened off-page!?
Example 3: Finding Katu after the entire book him being gone. He's just fine after being alone and starving in a cold cave for MONTHS! How is he so okay?
These are all moments that are built up to and anticipated for a long time, but then are not given the time they need to have an impact.
I also just have to mention Lovisa. I really didn't like her for most of the story as she kept whining about things she brought on herself, and then resorting to self pity. She is too self-aware, yet not enough somehow.
Final thoughts
I believe this story should have been a self-contained story, not a part of the Graceling series. The setting in my opinion is intresting enough, with its own magic, mythology, and political and social intrigue that it totally could have been a stand-alone. The old characters kind of distract from Torla's intriguing society, which is a shame. Still though, I enjoyed the whole book enough, even if I did rave about it a bit.