Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
We get even more new and compelling characters in this one, as well as satisfying returns to old characters. More magic and animal companions as well! But still plenty of dark plots to uncover and bring to light.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars. It was lovely to be back in the Graceling realm and visiting with some old friends. There some slow parts and some completely enthralling parts. I especially appreciated Cashore’s commentary on the environment and our responsibilities to it.
I needed these books when I was a teen, wow! Compelling emotions, realistic human Experiences, exploring flaws in all political systems and forms of organization or relationship....
adventurous
challenging
dark
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:
Complicated
Winterkeep is a nation across the sea from what we knew of the world of Monsea and the other kingdoms. This was a shocking revelation, and only 4 years had gone by in book time since Bitterblue ended. [Another continent? Multiple other nations on that continent? Did we already have ships that can sail that far? Why didn't the people of Winterkeep, with their advanced technology and organized government, discover The Dells long ago? Only a few short years ago, we didn't even cross the mountains to the other kingdoms on our own continent, but now we can also cross the Winter Sea? So many (unanswered) questions.]
More years have gone by in actual Earth time than have gone by in book time since I read Bitterblue, so the first few chapters were confusing and tricky for me. She does include a list of characters at the end of the book, but it was tough to access the memory books to know what I felt about all of them. I considered giving up and leaving Winterkeep to newer readers who could read all four books in a row. But I persisted, because the temptation of a new continent was too much for me. (And it turned out, it wasn't really necessary to remember how I felt about most of the old characters and political machinations.)
It was worth it. The nation Winterkeep, with its telepathic animals (foxes and manatee-like silbercows) and blimps and universities and labyrinthine streets, was wondrous. Sadly, A few chapters were from the perspective of a giant deep sea creature, who loves collecting treasures (and is a terrible singer). I would almost call those chapters "delightful". We see most of this world from Lovisa's eyes. Lovisa is the daughter of two politicians from opposing parties and personalities. She and her little brothers cringe from their domineering mother and try to take refuge in their charismatic father. She attends university and generally wonders what she'll do with her impending adult life, until the excitement of the Monsean delegation arrives and the drama/mystery really begins. There are complicated political plots, and technological developments, and interesting relationships with animals.
In all, though, I think it might have been better served by writing a new trilogy about Torla and this new continent, rather than shoe-horning it into Bitterblue's known world. Cashore could have taken a page from Cassandra Clare and written a separate trilogy that has a link to the previously written one, while leaving it to be read on its own. The rules, both natural and political, of the new continent were different enough that they could, and perhaps should have, stood on their own. They have their own mythology, their own language and cultures, their own technology and history. Neither continent referenced stories about a land beyond the sea, or any kind of hint of belief that others existed in their world. So why force them together?
More years have gone by in actual Earth time than have gone by in book time since I read Bitterblue, so the first few chapters were confusing and tricky for me. She does include a list of characters at the end of the book, but it was tough to access the memory books to know what I felt about all of them. I considered giving up and leaving Winterkeep to newer readers who could read all four books in a row. But I persisted, because the temptation of a new continent was too much for me. (And it turned out, it wasn't really necessary to remember how I felt about most of the old characters and political machinations.)
It was worth it. The nation Winterkeep, with its telepathic animals (foxes and manatee-like silbercows) and blimps and universities and labyrinthine streets, was wondrous. Sadly,
Spoiler
Bitterblue falls off her ship before it docks, so she's not "in" Winterkeep for most of the book.In all, though, I think it might have been better served by writing a new trilogy about Torla and this new continent, rather than shoe-horning it into Bitterblue's known world. Cashore could have taken a page from Cassandra Clare and written a separate trilogy that has a link to the previously written one, while leaving it to be read on its own. The rules, both natural and political, of the new continent were different enough that they could, and perhaps should have, stood on their own. They have their own mythology, their own language and cultures, their own technology and history. Neither continent referenced stories about a land beyond the sea, or any kind of hint of belief that others existed in their world. So why force them together?
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I continue to enjoy the Graceling realm novels. Cashore has created a complex interwoven world, full of fascinating characters. It’s still a little tough for me that these aren’t a series, per se, but loosely connected stories within the world. I’m never ready to say goodbye to the characters and feel like there are loose ends!
This book felt waaaay different than the previous three. The characters didn’t feel the same at all, and the story-telling wasn’t as relationship-based to me (which I loved in the first two). World-building was interesting, but again seemed a bit forced or something. Fun to revisit the world but not my favorite.