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ellie_gonzalez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
chameleonhound's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcoholism, Rape, Animal cruelty, Gaslighting, and Grief
lahars_little_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Child abuse, Trafficking, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Self harm, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Blood, Infidelity, and Medical content
lilygraph's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
beaktastic's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book even more than Fire and much more than Graceling. I feel that Cashore has gotten better with each iteration in this series.
Bitterblue returns to the setting and characters from the first book but eight years on from the events of that book, but allusions are made throughout to the Dells country from the second book. This book specifically follows Queen Bitterblue as she tries to uncover what atrocities her tyrant father commited when he was alive, and to try and move her Kingdom on from that reign. People are being murdered in her city though and Bitterblue comes to suspect that many things are being hidden from her.
This book involved a lot of mystery and intrigue, and kept me guessing throughout about what would actually happen and who was behind it all. I don't think I really guessed any of the major plot twists far in advance either which was nice. The book gripped me quite early on and kept me wanting to read.
There were many themes which were similar to some brought up in previous books, but Cashore also moved on and explored some different ones as well. The major themes were Bitterblue trying to deal with the horrible legacy of her father, similar to Fire but it's explored in a different way. It was also nice to see the effort that Bitterblue and her council are having to go through to try and rebuild, as it's the kind of thing that you don't often see explored in books, films etc. - the idea of rebuilding and moving on after the 'evil tyrant has been defeated and the happy ending has been had' if you know what I mean. It also did not involve the theme that had annoyed me in the past of how marriage as a way of stripping freedom etc. from women which was nice.
The romance in this book was different as well, as it wasn't a major part of the plot like it kind of was in previous books which kind of makes more sense. It was obvious early on that Saf was Bitterblue's main love interest and it was nice to see their different kind of romance. And I also liked the relationship between Bitterblue and Giddon and could kind of see a relationship developing there too.
Overall, it was a good book and it was really interesting and gripping and although it dealt with similar themes to the previous books it also took on a fresh take to them as well.
Bitterblue returns to the setting and characters from the first book but eight years on from the events of that book, but allusions are made throughout to the Dells country from the second book. This book specifically follows Queen Bitterblue as she tries to uncover what atrocities her tyrant father commited when he was alive, and to try and move her Kingdom on from that reign. People are being murdered in her city though and Bitterblue comes to suspect that many things are being hidden from her.
This book involved a lot of mystery and intrigue, and kept me guessing throughout about what would actually happen and who was behind it all. I don't think I really guessed any of the major plot twists far in advance either which was nice. The book gripped me quite early on and kept me wanting to read.
There were many themes which were similar to some brought up in previous books, but Cashore also moved on and explored some different ones as well. The major themes were Bitterblue trying to deal with the horrible legacy of her father, similar to Fire but it's explored in a different way. It was also nice to see the effort that Bitterblue and her council are having to go through to try and rebuild, as it's the kind of thing that you don't often see explored in books, films etc. - the idea of rebuilding and moving on after the 'evil tyrant has been defeated and the happy ending has been had' if you know what I mean. It also did not involve the theme that had annoyed me in the past of how marriage as a way of stripping freedom etc. from women which was nice.
The romance in this book was different as well, as it wasn't a major part of the plot like it kind of was in previous books which kind of makes more sense. It was obvious early on that Saf was Bitterblue's main love interest and it was nice to see their different kind of romance
Spoiler
and it was kind of nice that it ended in a more bitter sweet and realistic way than in the previous books, although I do wish it could have ended a little happier!Overall, it was a good book and it was really interesting and gripping and although it dealt with similar themes to the previous books it also took on a fresh take to them as well.
bad_fatty's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
yafit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
eesh25's review against another edition
2.0
(Spoilers for [b:Graceling|3236307|Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)|Kristin Cashore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331548394s/3236307.jpg|3270810] but not [b:Fire|6137154|Fire (Graceling Realm, #2)|Kristin Cashore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331535456s/6137154.jpg|6128277])
It breaks my heart to be doing this, because I love this series. I loved the world, the story and the characters of both Graceling and Fire. But this book just doesn't work.
Bitterblue was a book I was very excited about. I knew it was going to be connected to both the previous novels while also being a standalone and that it followed Bitterblue trying to be a queen and get her kingdom back on track after Leck — her psychotic, mind-controlling father who was killed by Katsa — fucked things up royally.
But unfortunately, the awesomeness I was expecting and anticipating never came.
The book is, quite frankly, a series of introducing plots and sub-plots that never get resolved. It didn't have the simple yet brilliant story of Graceling or it's kickass protagonists. It didn't have the complexity and political intrigue of Fire or the emotion that came with the novel. And Bitterblue's narrative is so dull that if it weren't for Po being present for such a large portion of the book, I would've started skimming halfway through. It was only my love for him that kept me reading.
The main plot of the book is regarding the mystery of what Leck did in his time. But that plot gets overshadowed by multiple sub-plots which get covered up by more sub-plots. I can accept that the author was trying to create the confusion that Bitterblue felt, in her writing. But at some point that confusion became too much.
Especially when so many things were left unresolved and so many sub-plots had no relevance to the main story.
One such plot was Katsa and the Council trying to find a way to dethrone a king. Not only was it glossed over for the most part, it was also left completely unresolved. Another one about Bitterblue's crown being stolen could've been cut out and it would've had no impact on the novel at all. Both of these sub-plots were unnecessary and there to... fill up pages, I guess? Even though this book is plenty big and could've done with fewer pages.
Saf, the supposed male protagonist, was introduced and then, about halfway through, dismissed. He was given a stupid sub-plot so that he could show up every once in a while to remind us that he still existed. But he had no relevance and his and Bitterblue's romance was poorly developed at best. I guess Cashore had to ignore him so she could focus on some other unnecessary sub-plot she wasn't planning on resolving.
What else? Oh, yes. I couldn't get behind Bitterblue. She was okay initially, but then turned out to be a bratty, spoiled child who was ignorant of everything from the condition of the kingdom to navigating her own freaking castle.
Honestly, what had she been doing the eight years since Leck's death? Did she prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep that could only be broken when Kristin Cashore decided to write the novel? ...That seems unlikely since she did age. Maybe she was comatose!
Whatever the case, she was oblivious to everything and it made no fucking sense.
Only redeeming qualities this book has, is that it's beginning was okay, showing us about Bitterblue's mother's struggle, and made you think you were gonna get a promising and interesting mystery; and that the things that were wrapped up were done fairly well. And it has Po and Katsa in it, which I'm very happy about.
But overall, Bitterblue comes off as a novel that was published before it could be properly edited and I am thankful that all the books in this series are standalones because that means I can still enjoy Garceling and Fire.
Graceling Review
Fire Review
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a difficult story to read, painful in the heart. Bitterblue's struggles to come to terms with her Queen responsibilities, the horrible legacy left by her father, traitors everywhere and the need to be accepted. She looks at her trusted advisors and friends and sees something, or is it nothing ? Her heart will break more than once. Her status will keep her apart from many, and cause others to manipulate her.Sounds depressing doesn't it ? Somehow it's not. It is a story about perseverance, truths, and growth.
The story did what it should and had me entranced in the tale of Bitterblue, and her fight for redemption. The world was weaved with intricate details and complicated characters. My only complaint was that it did not go the way I wanted it too. I wanted something more for Bitterblue than what she was left with. A wonderful series.
The story did what it should and had me entranced in the tale of Bitterblue, and her fight for redemption. The world was weaved with intricate details and complicated characters. My only complaint was that it did not go the way I wanted it too. I wanted something more for Bitterblue than what she was left with. A wonderful series.