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clittleford3's review against another edition
1.0
Argh, despite the weird beginning, this book had so much potential. The plot and action was solid, but the story was ruined by constant sexual references and exploits. Seriously, a 16 year old seducing boys to spy on her parents?! Forcing her best friend to sleep with her rather than discuss what’s going on?! It was completely unnecessary and destroyed what would have been a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
beary_bookwormish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
As always Miss Cashore spends a wonderful yarn. I love that her characters have a lot of depth and they are very human. It's a fantasy without it being too fantastical. The characters are very flawed. The character Lavesa is extremely complicated. She has so many things going on and she is always trying to figure out something, about someone or something. Her mind is constantly in overdrive. Her journey is very different that's the best way to put it. I was really surprised about the promiscuity of the main character Lavesa she had no Scruples whatsoever which was surprising.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Gaslighting, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Mental illness, Abandonment, Child abuse, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
im_basil's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
It’s a bit slow at the start but the mystery just builds until you can’t put the book down! :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
alyxbeau's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
This is the second time I've read this, and I'm just as disappointed this time as I am the last time. I listened to an audiobook this time around to refresh my memory for the 5th book. This is a series I ADORE. THis book though, I do not enjoy.
I find the new main character incredibly awful. She is not interesting or likeable, and is clearly suffering from a disorder of some sort which makes her incapable of pretty much any true remorse. She's whip smart, so she knows exactly what she is doing, and she knows she SHOULD feel bad, but I dont get the impression that it really does.
She's a victim of her circumstance, absolutely what her mother made her.
I appreciate the work the author did here, and how realistic of a character she is, but that didn't mean I enjoyed the book itself as far as the mind of Lovisa being our narrator.
I found the culture of the new setting interesting, apart from that the book really felt like a whole lot of nothing. A prequel to the next book where the author was able to introduce the setting and mindset of a group of people who wronged the cast of characters we love from the first set of books.
I find the new main character incredibly awful. She is not interesting or likeable, and is clearly suffering from a disorder of some sort which makes her incapable of pretty much any true remorse. She's whip smart, so she knows exactly what she is doing, and she knows she SHOULD feel bad, but I dont get the impression that it really does.
She's a victim of her circumstance, absolutely what her mother made her.
I appreciate the work the author did here, and how realistic of a character she is, but that didn't mean I enjoyed the book itself as far as the mind of Lovisa being our narrator.
I found the culture of the new setting interesting, apart from that the book really felt like a whole lot of nothing. A prequel to the next book where the author was able to introduce the setting and mindset of a group of people who wronged the cast of characters we love from the first set of books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
albernikolauras's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.5
Winterkeep follows Bitterblue in a brand new nation with a brand new culture, magic system, & government. I was worried we would spend too much time following Bitterblue or Gideon, but instead we follow Lovisa - a daughter to some very important politicians.
I really enjoyed following Lovisa and the path she went on. It was hard following her some times and this book carries on with a lot of the heavy themes Cashore writes so delicately. There are adorable foxes and lovable characters, and I love how strategic and delibrate Lovisa is.
I really enjoyed following Lovisa and the path she went on. It was hard following her some times and this book carries on with a lot of the heavy themes Cashore writes so delicately. There are adorable foxes and lovable characters, and I love how strategic and delibrate Lovisa is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Xenophobia, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
bencaroline's review
funny
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
not gay enough!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I love the additions to the Graceling world in this book! I especially enjoyed the Keeper(?) perspective and the interactions with the silbercows. I also thought that Lovisa as a character was very complex, and it was refreshing to see a teen in YA acting like a teenager instead of a small adult. very excited to pick up the next installment!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Confinement, Death, Child abuse, Classism, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Drug use, Animal death, and Death of parent
gingerbread814's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Violence, Bullying, and Grief
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: violence, child abuse, sexual content, slut-shaming, suicide mention, murder, death of a parent, imprisonment
Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore is book 4 of the Graceling Realm series. I cannot stress how much I love this series! And it's completely underrated! I have loved every single one of these installments, and Winterkeep is no different.
We continue to follow Bitterblue a few years after the events of the previous book. We also get Giddon's perspective in this book, and he's a great character. Bitterblue and company travel to the newly discovered continent of Torla, a country made up of democratic republics and vast scientific advances. When Bitterblue is swept overboard on the journey to Winterkeep, she finds herself in the middle of a plot. We also get new characters, like Lovisa, the daughter of the Winterkeep President. Lovisa's life is turned upside down when she discovers what is hidden in her attic and what her parents are up to.
One of my favorite things about these books is that Cashore doesn't shy away from letting her female characters embrace their sexuality. Both Bitterblue and Lovisa are pretty open about having multiple lovers, and I suspect Lovisa to be somewhere on the Aromantic spectrum. I loved Lovisa's character and her growth throughout the book. She's tough, blunt, and honest and doesn't much care for expectations. I definitely related to her as someone who grew up in an abusive household without understanding how bad it actually was. I really felt for Lovisa when she finally figured out that's not normal. Giddon was such a sap this book. He cried so much, but it was kinda sweet. We get more from Hava too, and I read her as neurodivergent. We get sentient, telepathic foxes! And a sentient Sea monster that just wants to be left alone. I want to be able to talk to silbercows. They seem so cute and fun.
There is a lot of political intrigue in these books, and I'm a fan. I will say that this isn't the most fast paced books series, but it has so much in it. The world-building is just incredible. Cashore has expanded the world with each book and new character, and it just becomes fuller. Super looking forward to Seasparrow, but also dreading the end of this amazing series.
Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore is book 4 of the Graceling Realm series. I cannot stress how much I love this series! And it's completely underrated! I have loved every single one of these installments, and Winterkeep is no different.
We continue to follow Bitterblue a few years after the events of the previous book. We also get Giddon's perspective in this book, and he's a great character. Bitterblue and company travel to the newly discovered continent of Torla, a country made up of democratic republics and vast scientific advances. When Bitterblue is swept overboard on the journey to Winterkeep, she finds herself in the middle of a plot. We also get new characters, like Lovisa, the daughter of the Winterkeep President. Lovisa's life is turned upside down when she discovers what is hidden in her attic and what her parents are up to.
One of my favorite things about these books is that Cashore doesn't shy away from letting her female characters embrace their sexuality. Both Bitterblue and Lovisa are pretty open about having multiple lovers, and I suspect Lovisa to be somewhere on the Aromantic spectrum. I loved Lovisa's character and her growth throughout the book. She's tough, blunt, and honest and doesn't much care for expectations. I definitely related to her as someone who grew up in an abusive household without understanding how bad it actually was. I really felt for Lovisa when she finally figured out that's not normal. Giddon was such a sap this book. He cried so much, but it was kinda sweet. We get more from Hava too, and I read her as neurodivergent. We get sentient, telepathic foxes! And a sentient Sea monster that just wants to be left alone. I want to be able to talk to silbercows. They seem so cute and fun.
There is a lot of political intrigue in these books, and I'm a fan. I will say that this isn't the most fast paced books series, but it has so much in it. The world-building is just incredible. Cashore has expanded the world with each book and new character, and it just becomes fuller. Super looking forward to Seasparrow, but also dreading the end of this amazing series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide
margaret_k30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Animal death, and Animal cruelty