A review by kbusemeyer
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.25

This book was slow to start for me, but I really enjoyed the last sections. Lots of tense moments and obviously love getting the Fire crossover and hearing about the Dells.

I think there was a lot happening in this book and sometimes it felt like everything was a twist.
I feel like Thiel’s and her other advisors betrayals didn’t surprise me but it was confusing why she continued to let them do so much. Also her feelings for Thiel were obviously complicated,  but at times it just felt confusing to understand why she cared so deeply about him. Also the Fox reveal, Bitterblue didn’t seem to have any suspicions until suddenly she did, but it didn’t seem like a gradual lead up to me. Finding out that Malden was from the Dells was interesting, seemed kind of like an unnecessary reveal but also I guess it does make sense.


Saf and Bitterblue as complicated as any other relationship in this book. I really enjoyed Giddon growing into a more developed character and seeing his relationship with Bitterblue evolve. I’m excited that there’s another book because I feel like there are still some loose ends I want to hear about.

Also thinking about it a little more, aside from Hava, there was really no reason that there had to be mention of r*pe in the book. It wasn’t necessary for Thiel and co. to have that as part of their history, I feel like having them cut children could have been enough.
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