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whatsmacksaid's review
5.0
4 stars for The Bitter Kingdom, which was a good ending to the trilogy that was genuinely fun with some excellent writing, but there's a whole thing where they go into a bunch of abandoned caves which honestly should have been struck from the book. It had no emotion resonance or tension.
And honestly I'm still a little unclear on why, exactly, Elisa had to strong arm her sister and Cosme into declaring fealty. Because they would waste too much time arguing about what to do? That still seems like such a flimsy excuse to make yourself empress.
Anyway: 5 stars for the overall series. My least favorite book is still the first one, but the other two books are great and the novellas as equally wonderful. In my experience it's incredibly rare to come across auxiliary shorts—in this case, three novellas from three different characters that are not the series's main protagonist—that build both the world and the cast of the series up and out in such a way that couldn't be accomplished within the main series. They honestly enriched my reading experience. I definitely recommend this series.
And honestly I'm still a little unclear on why, exactly, Elisa had to strong arm her sister and Cosme into declaring fealty. Because they would waste too much time arguing about what to do? That still seems like such a flimsy excuse to make yourself empress.
Anyway: 5 stars for the overall series. My least favorite book is still the first one, but the other two books are great and the novellas as equally wonderful. In my experience it's incredibly rare to come across auxiliary shorts—in this case, three novellas from three different characters that are not the series's main protagonist—that build both the world and the cast of the series up and out in such a way that couldn't be accomplished within the main series. They honestly enriched my reading experience. I definitely recommend this series.
photogcourt's review
4.0
- re-read each book individually (so 3 books) - overall series rating: 4 stars. For separate reviews on each book please search my "read" shelf or "read more than once" shelf.
felarof's review
1.0
I finished the first book of the trilogy and I don't think I'll continue to read the other two books. Somehow the characters remained so flat, there were no emotions. For example various characters die and nobody cares about them or grieves even though they were told "I love you" in the moment of their death. Everybody just keeps going on without mentioning how they feel about the person's death. There's absolutley no chemistry between the characters who lack special personalities and characteristics that make them into individuals.
Maybe I'm to old, maybe it's just me who didn't manage to get any connection to the protagonist or any other character, or even the story itself.
Maybe I'm to old, maybe it's just me who didn't manage to get any connection to the protagonist or any other character, or even the story itself.
mystiereads's review
5.0
This author and series received a glowing review from Tamora Pierce. So I thought, Tamora has written some of my most beloved books, so she probably would read series I would enjoy. Totally underestimated how right I would be. It took me less than a couple days to finish the entire series (0.5 - 3). And the only reason it took that long, was because being human i needed to eat and sleep and shower, and of course the moments in between when the book was simply too exciting and thrilling which forced me to put it down breathe, scream, and utter gibberish out loud.
Satisfying and adventurous, we get to witness a young woman come into her own, and become the queen hardly anyone, least of all herself thought she could be. In the end it is not magic that saves her, but her own strength, her intelligence, and the loyal friends she has made and inspired throughout her journey.
The best part is that I found this series when it was completed so there was no need for me to desperately wait for the upcoming instalments.
If you love strong women, adventure, and clever writing with crazy baubles of "WTF" moments, this series is for you.
Clear your schedule though, this one is addictive!
Satisfying and adventurous, we get to witness a young woman come into her own, and become the queen hardly anyone, least of all herself thought she could be. In the end it is not magic that saves her, but her own strength, her intelligence, and the loyal friends she has made and inspired throughout her journey.
The best part is that I found this series when it was completed so there was no need for me to desperately wait for the upcoming instalments.
If you love strong women, adventure, and clever writing with crazy baubles of "WTF" moments, this series is for you.
Clear your schedule though, this one is addictive!
adelep's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
this is my favorite book series it’s so good i highly recommend it! i cried at some point, the main character elisa is a powerful queen🙌
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
mara_miriam's review
3.0
This series is centered around a fantastical reinterpretation of Spanish Catholicism and medieval Mediterranean cultures; I appreciate the myths that were sewn into the fabric of the story. I loved the main character of the series, an unexpected and genuine hero; Elisa is pampered, although not spoiled, fat, and insecure, as well as intellectual, all traits that lead people to underestimate her. Although, the romantic ending felt a bit too neat for me and was a bit of a letdown somehow.
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