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A review by booklover_237
Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore
3.0
3 stars
It has been a good couple of years (maybe 6?) since I read the Graceling trilogy. Was quite shocked and excited when I discovered there was more. Started off a bit confused and not really invested in the story because I had forgotten a LOT.
Intresting concepts
I was at first not really on board with the magical creatures in the story. Though I did grow to like them. The Keeper especially, as I only wish we got more of a conclusion and and some info on where the myth of The Keeper came from. The silbercows were very cute, as were the foxes. But I have a bigger gripe with the foxes, because HOW has the secret that they can read anyone's mind, not been revealed?? I would honestly have loved a deeper look into the mythology and magic, without the Graceling characters. The setting is intresting on its own.
Intresting characters
Quona Varana - I thought her concept was quite cool, though I'm kinda sad we didn't get any conclusion about her. Why? I quite like that she's super snoopy and wants to know everyone's business, and that she breaks the law by having just a million foxes. I would have wanted to know more deeply what her motivations are. She seems to have a lot of unexplained motivations in general, like with her wanting to investigate the Cavenda's, but it's never explored. Sad.
Adventure Fox - I liked his little shenanigans and that he straight up just killed Ferla. What a power move. Though the one thing I didn't like was that he revealed the fox-secret for no apparent reason. It was not needed.
Issues
The biggest issue I had with this book is the poor execution of anticipated moments. A couple examples: When Bitterblue and Giddon finally get reunite they immediately become a couple - excuse me how? - and it didn't feel deserved. The build up to the reunion from Giddon's perspective did not make sense, as he started to gain hope that Bitterblue was alive. It should have been the opposite, and then the reunion would have been so much better. You gotta build up the angst. And then they just immediately declare their love for one another...
Example 2: Lovisa's big moment of finally revealing her parents' crimes to the public, it just happened off-page!?
Example 3: Finding Katu after the entire book him being gone. He's just fine after being alone and starving in a cold cave for MONTHS! How is he so okay?
These are all moments that are built up to and anticipated for a long time, but then are not given the time they need to have an impact.
I also just have to mention Lovisa. I really didn't like her for most of the story as she kept whining about things she brought on herself, and then resorting to self pity. She is too self-aware, yet not enough somehow.
Final thoughts
I believe this story should have been a self-contained story, not a part of the Graceling series. The setting in my opinion is intresting enough, with its own magic, mythology, and political and social intrigue that it totally could have been a stand-alone. The old characters kind of distract from Torla's intriguing society, which is a shame. Still though, I enjoyed the whole book enough, even if I did rave about it a bit.
It has been a good couple of years (maybe 6?) since I read the Graceling trilogy. Was quite shocked and excited when I discovered there was more. Started off a bit confused and not really invested in the story because I had forgotten a LOT.
Spoiler
Though as Bitterblue got thrown overboard during the trip to Winterkeep, it got intresting. The intrigue stayed for quite a while until I got tired of a certain character, Lovisa, and how some anticipated elements got executed poorly. Because of this I was a bit dissaitfied with the ending :lIntresting concepts
I was at first not really on board with the magical creatures in the story. Though I did grow to like them. The Keeper especially, as I only wish we got more of a conclusion and and some info on where the myth of The Keeper came from. The silbercows were very cute, as were the foxes. But I have a bigger gripe with the foxes, because HOW has the secret that they can read anyone's mind, not been revealed?? I would honestly have loved a deeper look into the mythology and magic, without the Graceling characters. The setting is intresting on its own.
Spoiler
Intresting characters
Quona Varana - I thought her concept was quite cool, though I'm kinda sad we didn't get any conclusion about her. Why? I quite like that she's super snoopy and wants to know everyone's business, and that she breaks the law by having just a million foxes. I would have wanted to know more deeply what her motivations are. She seems to have a lot of unexplained motivations in general, like with her wanting to investigate the Cavenda's, but it's never explored. Sad.
Adventure Fox - I liked his little shenanigans and that he straight up just killed Ferla. What a power move. Though the one thing I didn't like was that he revealed the fox-secret for no apparent reason. It was not needed.
Issues
The biggest issue I had with this book is the poor execution of anticipated moments. A couple examples: When Bitterblue and Giddon finally get reunite they immediately become a couple - excuse me how? - and it didn't feel deserved. The build up to the reunion from Giddon's perspective did not make sense, as he started to gain hope that Bitterblue was alive. It should have been the opposite, and then the reunion would have been so much better. You gotta build up the angst. And then they just immediately declare their love for one another...
Example 2: Lovisa's big moment of finally revealing her parents' crimes to the public, it just happened off-page!?
Example 3: Finding Katu after the entire book him being gone. He's just fine after being alone and starving in a cold cave for MONTHS! How is he so okay?
These are all moments that are built up to and anticipated for a long time, but then are not given the time they need to have an impact.
I also just have to mention Lovisa. I really didn't like her for most of the story as she kept whining about things she brought on herself, and then resorting to self pity. She is too self-aware, yet not enough somehow.
Final thoughts
I believe this story should have been a self-contained story, not a part of the Graceling series. The setting in my opinion is intresting enough, with its own magic, mythology, and political and social intrigue that it totally could have been a stand-alone. The old characters kind of distract from Torla's intriguing society, which is a shame. Still though, I enjoyed the whole book enough, even if I did rave about it a bit.