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aforestofbooks's reviews
498 reviews
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.75
I think this is my second Japanese-to-English translated book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s just something about this book and the way it’s written—soft/comfort/heartwarming vibes—that remind me a lot of Studio Ghibli movies.
This book is about books and falling in love with reading, and also about family and relationships and standing up for yourself. I loved part one, especially seeing Takako’s relationship develop with her uncle. It made me almost cry. And part two started off with me feeling a little sus towards Momoko but as the story develops and we learn more, you really grow to love all the characters and feel for them.
Thank you to HarperCollins for the arc!
This book is about books and falling in love with reading, and also about family and relationships and standing up for yourself. I loved part one, especially seeing Takako’s relationship develop with her uncle. It made me almost cry. And part two started off with me feeling a little sus towards Momoko but as the story develops and we learn more, you really grow to love all the characters and feel for them.
Thank you to HarperCollins for the arc!
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.0
The cover and really the entire book have the perfect cottage core vibes. There’s something very relaxing reading about potion brewing and learning which flowers and plants can be used for certain potions and the emotions they can evoke. So many aspects of this book reminded me of The Pureblood Pretense fanfic series. Specifically the brewing and Clara learning to control her magic.
That being said, the book just didn’t engage me as much as I wanted it to. I had trouble picking it up for a few days. I think the relationship between Clara and Xavier was cute, but something was missing that made me not fall in love entirely. The ending also felt very convenient, with Clara and Xavier figuring out the cure immediately. I did like how Clara didn’t want to completely obey the Council, but also didn’t want to become like her mom, yet still find a way to treat melancholy. And I liked how Xavier’s mom and sisters stood up to their dad at the end and came to see him after he was pretty much kicked out. If anything, I felt for Xavier more as a character than Clara.
Overall, 3 stars. Pretty good and a quick read if you have a good cup of coffee to motivate you lol
That being said, the book just didn’t engage me as much as I wanted it to. I had trouble picking it up for a few days. I think the relationship between Clara and Xavier was cute, but something was missing that made me not fall in love entirely. The ending also felt very convenient, with Clara and Xavier figuring out the cure immediately. I did like how Clara didn’t want to completely obey the Council, but also didn’t want to become like her mom, yet still find a way to treat melancholy. And I liked how Xavier’s mom and sisters stood up to their dad at the end and came to see him after he was pretty much kicked out. If anything, I felt for Xavier more as a character than Clara.
Overall, 3 stars. Pretty good and a quick read if you have a good cup of coffee to motivate you lol
Cheshire Crossing by Sarah Andersen, Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I don't know how to rate this book.
It was a trip?
I felt like I was dreaming?
There is some stuff that I was unsure about. Mainly Wendy, Alice, and Dorothy being diagnosed with dissociative psychosis and being sent to sanatorium after sanatorium because everyone thinks they're crazy...
But then the story picks up and wow. I don't think this is for kids, but also I feel like I don't know what I just read.
There was a lot going on. Peter Pan went through puberty and started "feeling" things and Alice offered to "see to his physical needs" and I thought I was high. But maybe that was the point.
I don't know how to review this one. I'm sorry.
It was a trip?
I felt like I was dreaming?
There is some stuff that I was unsure about. Mainly Wendy, Alice, and Dorothy being diagnosed with dissociative psychosis and being sent to sanatorium after sanatorium because everyone thinks they're crazy...
But then the story picks up and wow. I don't think this is for kids, but also I feel like I don't know what I just read.
There was a lot going on. Peter Pan went through puberty and started "feeling" things and Alice offered to "see to his physical needs" and I thought I was high. But maybe that was the point.
I don't know how to review this one. I'm sorry.
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Keeping this short. Overall, this book was okay. I did appreciate the historical fiction aspects of this book, mainly seeing rich Black families like the Davenports and Tremaines interacting in a world that we're predominantly told is white and privileged. It's a part of history we're not taught about at all, so it was nice to see how successful and influential Black families could be. We also get to see the difference in Olivia and her siblings' upbringing, versus those members of her household and community who didn't grow up as privileged. We get to see the stark contrast with how Amy-Rose and Mr. Branson are treated for being part-white, and the increasing pressures Helen and Ruby experience in navigating their social lives and marriages.
That being said, this book is primarily a historical romance, and while I have not watched Bridgerton, everything I've heard about the show, sort of gave me similar vibes with this book–except of course, this book is written by an actual Black author so imo it is superior even if I didn't love the romance. Some of this book was kind of predictable. And I was not a fan of Helen's romance mainly because everything about her spoke to her not being interested in romance at all. I would have rather appreciated if she didn't end up having to fall in love like all the other characters. The ending leaves things sort of open, which explains why this is probably going to be a series of books. We don't exactly get happy endings for all the characters, and even the ones we do, it is sort of bittersweet.
I did like the inclusion of the Jim Crow laws and Olivia's activism. I think I would have liked to see more of that overall, but I think that's just because I prefer historical fiction to historical romance. Though, I did thoroughly enjoy the balls and dresses and dancing, because who doesn't enjoy that. This book really kind of read like a movie/Netflix show, and I think I would probably enjoy it more in that format.
Overall, 3/5 stars.
That being said, this book is primarily a historical romance, and while I have not watched Bridgerton, everything I've heard about the show, sort of gave me similar vibes with this book–except of course, this book is written by an actual Black author so imo it is superior even if I didn't love the romance. Some of this book was kind of predictable. And I was not a fan of Helen's romance mainly because everything about her spoke to her not being interested in romance at all. I would have rather appreciated if she didn't end up having to fall in love like all the other characters. The ending leaves things sort of open, which explains why this is probably going to be a series of books. We don't exactly get happy endings for all the characters, and even the ones we do, it is sort of bittersweet.
I did like the inclusion of the Jim Crow laws and Olivia's activism. I think I would have liked to see more of that overall, but I think that's just because I prefer historical fiction to historical romance. Though, I did thoroughly enjoy the balls and dresses and dancing, because who doesn't enjoy that. This book really kind of read like a movie/Netflix show, and I think I would probably enjoy it more in that format.
Overall, 3/5 stars.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I can probably speak for most people when I say that after the conclusion of The City of Brass trilogy, I was aching for more. I missed the world, the magical creatures, the intensity of the plot and politics…So when The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi was announced, I was so excited! I got even more excited when it was announced that our main character is a middle-aged retired pirate, who is also a mother. I haven’t ready any high fantasy books with main characters of this demographic (even though I know a few books like this exist), but as I get older (despite being single and childless), it’s something that interests me more and more. Because why should only the young, able-bodied, romantics be allowed to go on adventures to fight evil and take down villainous kings and queens. What happens to these young people when they grow up? I can’t imagine it’s easy to give up on a life of excitement and near-death experiences (lol). The adrenaline rush is probably addicting. And living a life of normalcy would eventually get boring, no? This book is just about that. Amina from the get-go is longing for the ocean, her ship, her crew, and her life before she had Marjana. Yet she’s pushed aside her desires and dreams in order to be a good mother, denying that part of her that longs for more. It’s so applicable and relatable to the present. How many women struggle with trying to balance their careers and motherhood? How many sacrifices do we make in order to do all the things society expects us to do? And some of these sacrifices aren’t even done willingly. We all know how differently women are treated in the workplace purely for having children, and how it affects their chance of promotions, projects, and raises. This book tackles this subject in a more subtle way, obviously taking into consideration the setting of the story. But it’s important just the same.
This book is fast-paced and intense. I loved every second of it because it constantly felt like something was happening. And while some books can suffer because of the fast-paced narrative, I think Shannon did an incredible job of fleshing out her characters in such a short span of time. And most of that I think is due to the dialogue. Wow, was the dialogue addicting. I don’t know how else to describe it, but I had a flashback to that scene in Empire of Gold between Muntadhir and Dara and the back and forth they had…it was that, but this entire book. And it was so much fun! I fell in love with every character, even though Dalila scared the hell out of me in the beginning, two seconds after, I literally thought “okay, I would die for her”. Despite the time that has passed since the crew has been together, once they were reunited, it felt like nothing had changed. As the reader, you fall into their casual banter, and it just feels so right.
The one thing I did miss in this book was the court politics and intrigue I was so used to in The City of Brass. While there is definitely a lot going on in this book, the setting is completely different, and it really reads more like a fire-side tale you would tell your companions at the end of a long day of travelling. What I loved was the one-sided dialogue between Amina and Jamal as she narrates her story, and the short chapters we got that described the different versions of the Tale of the Moon of Saba, as well as records and narrations of people who had come across Amina, Majed, or Dalila in their early days at sea. It was the perfect break between the more intense scenes.
And speaking of intense scenes…this book turned so dark so fast. It was not something I was expecting, though considering everything it did make sense. But once Amina and her crew get to Socotra, some of the scenes they come across are very disturbing, so something to be mindful of.
A quote I want to highlight especially though:
<blockquote>”Our stories always want to make villains larger than life. They should be snarling or scarred, hunchbacked or otherwise marred in a way society doesn’t like. It makes them easier to demonize.”</blockquote>
The Frank in this story is our villain, and I really appreciated having a villain who isn’t scarred or deemed “ugly” as a way to represent how evil he really is. In contrast, we get a really lovely nawakhida at the end of the book, who is not just brave, but also has a really good heart. Someone else I hope we get to see again in future books.
And as for Socotra…I went down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos and articles about the island and the Dragon Blood trees and the caves. The pictures are really cool and kind of creepy? Caves always creep me out, but even the Dragon Blood trees feel like something out of legend.
Anyway, back to Amina. I have to talk about Raksh. And all the swearing. We didn’t get a lot of swearing in The City of Brass, but this book was on a whole other level. And I loved absolutely every second of it. If there is ever a reason to swear, it’s when Raksh is around. I don’t want to spoil things for people who haven’t read the book yet, but Raksh was a fun character. It was nice to see a character who is so strong and powerful, but he’s also a coward who needs saving. It’s a nice role reversal lol. The dynamic between him and Amina was such a joy to read, and there were so many good/satisfying scenes between the two of them.
My one complaint about The Empire of Gold was with the characterization of Ali and how it changed drastically compared to the first two books. I think seeing a character who is so religious and devoted to Islam, turn into something else, really affected how much I enjoyed the conclusion to the trilogy. One thing I liked about Amina was that she’s reformed from her life before, where she used to drink and gamble and toe the line between adultery. She’s changed, and she prays now, but still struggles with the desires she has towards drinking and sex. I think this book did justice to Amina’s character and made her feel more “real” in a way.
One nice thing about this book is seeing how many of Amina’s decisions revolve around her daughter. I hope we get to see Marjana more in the next books. Speaking of…we got to see an old friend in this book, who I hope will make a reappearance too! There were so many aspects of this story, especially mentions of daeva and magical creatures like the marid, that reminded me a lot of Daevabad.
I can’t finish off this review without mentioning the cat. Payasam is adorable and deserves all the food and cuddles. Cats need to exist in every book tbh. They just make everything better and so much more hopeful.
4.75/5 stars. One of my highly anticipated reads of 2023. This didn’t necessarily take me by surprise, because it’s Shannon of course, but I’m so excited to be able to look forward to more books by her. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a pirate book with witty dialogue and banter, plus sea monsters with tentacles, and a fast-paced high-risk adventure!
This book is fast-paced and intense. I loved every second of it because it constantly felt like something was happening. And while some books can suffer because of the fast-paced narrative, I think Shannon did an incredible job of fleshing out her characters in such a short span of time. And most of that I think is due to the dialogue. Wow, was the dialogue addicting. I don’t know how else to describe it, but I had a flashback to that scene in Empire of Gold between Muntadhir and Dara and the back and forth they had…it was that, but this entire book. And it was so much fun! I fell in love with every character, even though Dalila scared the hell out of me in the beginning, two seconds after, I literally thought “okay, I would die for her”. Despite the time that has passed since the crew has been together, once they were reunited, it felt like nothing had changed. As the reader, you fall into their casual banter, and it just feels so right.
The one thing I did miss in this book was the court politics and intrigue I was so used to in The City of Brass. While there is definitely a lot going on in this book, the setting is completely different, and it really reads more like a fire-side tale you would tell your companions at the end of a long day of travelling. What I loved was the one-sided dialogue between Amina and Jamal as she narrates her story, and the short chapters we got that described the different versions of the Tale of the Moon of Saba, as well as records and narrations of people who had come across Amina, Majed, or Dalila in their early days at sea. It was the perfect break between the more intense scenes.
And speaking of intense scenes…this book turned so dark so fast. It was not something I was expecting, though considering everything it did make sense. But once Amina and her crew get to Socotra, some of the scenes they come across are very disturbing, so something to be mindful of.
A quote I want to highlight especially though:
<blockquote>”Our stories always want to make villains larger than life. They should be snarling or scarred, hunchbacked or otherwise marred in a way society doesn’t like. It makes them easier to demonize.”</blockquote>
The Frank in this story is our villain, and I really appreciated having a villain who isn’t scarred or deemed “ugly” as a way to represent how evil he really is. In contrast, we get a really lovely nawakhida at the end of the book, who is not just brave, but also has a really good heart. Someone else I hope we get to see again in future books.
And as for Socotra…I went down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos and articles about the island and the Dragon Blood trees and the caves. The pictures are really cool and kind of creepy? Caves always creep me out, but even the Dragon Blood trees feel like something out of legend.
Anyway, back to Amina. I have to talk about Raksh. And all the swearing. We didn’t get a lot of swearing in The City of Brass, but this book was on a whole other level. And I loved absolutely every second of it. If there is ever a reason to swear, it’s when Raksh is around. I don’t want to spoil things for people who haven’t read the book yet, but Raksh was a fun character. It was nice to see a character who is so strong and powerful, but he’s also a coward who needs saving. It’s a nice role reversal lol. The dynamic between him and Amina was such a joy to read, and there were so many good/satisfying scenes between the two of them.
My one complaint about The Empire of Gold was with the characterization of Ali and how it changed drastically compared to the first two books. I think seeing a character who is so religious and devoted to Islam, turn into something else, really affected how much I enjoyed the conclusion to the trilogy. One thing I liked about Amina was that she’s reformed from her life before, where she used to drink and gamble and toe the line between adultery. She’s changed, and she prays now, but still struggles with the desires she has towards drinking and sex. I think this book did justice to Amina’s character and made her feel more “real” in a way.
One nice thing about this book is seeing how many of Amina’s decisions revolve around her daughter. I hope we get to see Marjana more in the next books. Speaking of…we got to see an old friend in this book, who I hope will make a reappearance too! There were so many aspects of this story, especially mentions of daeva and magical creatures like the marid, that reminded me a lot of Daevabad.
I can’t finish off this review without mentioning the cat. Payasam is adorable and deserves all the food and cuddles. Cats need to exist in every book tbh. They just make everything better and so much more hopeful.
4.75/5 stars. One of my highly anticipated reads of 2023. This didn’t necessarily take me by surprise, because it’s Shannon of course, but I’m so excited to be able to look forward to more books by her. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a pirate book with witty dialogue and banter, plus sea monsters with tentacles, and a fast-paced high-risk adventure!
Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Another incredible book that completely took me by surprise! I was not expecting to fall in love with Hava as much as I did, but it really is all because Kristin Cashore decided to write her pov in first person. I rarely enjoy first person pov, especially when it comes to fantasy, but I don't think this book could have been written in any other way. I don't think Kristin Cashore could have done Hava justice if this book wasn't written in first person.
To be inside of Hava's mind, to listen to every thought, suspicion, moment of self-doubt, anger, frustration...not only helps you understand the trauma Hava's been through and how that's shaped her every experience and interaction, but also connects you to Hava in a special way. It's almost confusing trying to understand why she acts the way she does, why she's always picking fights, and attacking people with her words. And trying to understand Hava trying to understand who she is and what she's supposed to do. Honestly, this book hit me in ways I was not expecting, because writing this out, I finally understand why Hava is so confused. She's spent her whole life surviving, and when she no longer has to survive, it's difficult to figure out who you are as a person without that fear and anxiety hanging over your heard. It's hard to trust people when you're not sure if they'll be taken away from you or if you'll be pushed to second-best.
God, I understood Hava's pain at not being told by Bitterblue directly that she's in love with Giddon and now they're a couple. Because while Hava would never admit it, she loves Bitterblue and sees her as <i>her</i> Bitterblue, and to have to share her with someone else is hard, especially when you grow up with having so little and what little you did have was taken away. To trust and be seen by one person for your early years, only for them to be murdered and be left alone, and then to finally be seen by someone or multiple someones, only to push everyone away constantly by being rude and questioning orders because all you're trying to do is protect yourself from getting hurt again...It makes so much sense. And Hava's anger makes so much sense. The scene we get with her and Hope at the end of the book where she goes to that abandoned castle and realizes that what she's seen her father do to her mother has made her so angry she can't differentiate that anger from other anger was such a pivotal scene for Hava. In some ways, Hava is so similar to her uncle, except he gets triggered by his memories and reacts with violence, whereas Hava has been keeping her trauma as a ball of anger that is constantly there, burning.
Every book Kristin Cashore has written focuses on trauma in different ways. And I think what I love about her books is that it helps you understand your own trauma/actions/experiences in a different light. I think it helps you understand yourself better, just like her characters come to conclusions about their own experiences.
Anyway, on to the rest of the book.
FIRSTLY...MAPS. We got a beautiful detailed diagram of the ship. And I, for the life of me, do not understand ships, but I think I now sort of understand them??? I might be the only one who appreciated the diagram of the ship, but I constantly referred back to it as Hava was exploring and sneaking around the <i>Monsea</i>.
I was not expecting so much of this book to take place at sea, but the pacing was perfect and kept me on the edge of my seat. This book reminded me a lot of Graceling, and we even get references to parts of that book with Grella's Pass and Bitterblue's journey across the mountains as she escaped Leck. In many ways, it felt like this series came full circle; Bitterblue starts off as a child trying to survive the horrible journey through Grella's Pass and finishes the series with surviving the brutal cold and glaciers of the north. (If this happens to be the last book in the series, it's kind of perfect).
Despite all the characters we get to know on the ship, I didn't have a hard time keeping track of most of them. They were all unique in their personalities and I enjoyed getting to know them and see Hava interact with them. Linny was probably my favourite of course. And I am glad we don't get a full-on romance between him and Hava, but a slower build-up at their own pace. It felt so realistic, especially for people who both have trauma.
THE FOXES. Okay this part was equally adorable but also sad. But I absolutely love baby foxes and seeing Adventure have to be a dad/grandfather and take care of them was so cute. Hope's story was so sad, but I love Hope so much and her <i>my girl</i> and <i>chocolate</i> comments made me want to cry. I'm glad she found a home with Hava. Blueberry's death was heartbreaking though. But I am obsessed with Moth and everyone trying to teach her how to be a "good tyrant" lol. She is so much like Hava and I love her so much for it.
While most of the book focuses on survival, once most of them actually survive, things become quite political again. To start off it, I almost cried multiple times. First, when they came out of the glacier tunnel. Second, when Fire stepped out of the carriage. THEN WHEN WE SAW AN OLD BRIGAN. And then when Bitterblue finally reaches Monsea and is met with her soldiers all waiting for her and everyone sobbing and then Katsa and Po come riding in and Ror is right behind them djsfldsjfsdkfj I could almost start sobbing now. Considering how much has happened between Winterkeep and Seasparrow, I cannot imagine the anxiety and heartbreak everyone else was going through. And the second we're back in Bitterblue City, things go back to politicking. I really enjoy these parts of the book and I was excited to see Raffin and Bann again since I knew Bitterblue needed chemists and they were the only ones she trusted. Seeing the whole gang together (or at least there) was so nice.
I was a bit worried about the decisions Bitterblue would have to make, because it is a huge decision on what to do when you have the formulas for a dangerous weapon that everyone wants. But I loved the solution she came up with, and I also love Bitterblue for writing out her answers to her arguments on paper to prepare herself. Why is she such a sweetie. ALSO SHE CALLS HAVA SWEETIE ALL THE TIME AND I REALLY CANNOT.
Hava has some really iconic lines in this book, which on reread, I will have to take note, but her telling Bitterblue "you have daddy issues" made me snort out loud. And then Instagram heard and showed me a real where a therapist was like "maybe you don't have daddy/mommy issues and its your dad/mom who had issues raising you" which huge mood, someone tell Bitterblue and Hava quick. Also, Hava just saying the wrong things and making everyone worried, especially at Bitterblue and Giddon's secret wedding where she's like "maybe I should be angry at myself instead of everyone else" and Bitterblue and Giddon are like "wait-no-that is not what we meant" and Hava runs away. She's so iconic really.
I don't know what else to say about this book. The survival aspects of this book, especially being inside of Hava's mind can be difficult to read. It's hard to truly imagine what she went through and seeing her brain shut down, unable to remember things or process things, felt so realistic to what actual trauma is like. Kristin Cashore does such a good job at capturing these moments and making them feel real. Hava being reminded of their journey constantly in the castle, and having to come to the realization that now she has trauma from her time living there under Leck, but also trauma from her journey back to Monsea that keeps coming back, and her need to get away and see something new. It all makes so much sense and is done so well. I think the one thing I take away from these books is how accurate the representation has always felt for me. These books aren't just stories, but experiences that are relatable to the reader.
Overall 4.75/5 stars. I cannot wait to read whatever else Kristin writes next.
To be inside of Hava's mind, to listen to every thought, suspicion, moment of self-doubt, anger, frustration...not only helps you understand the trauma Hava's been through and how that's shaped her every experience and interaction, but also connects you to Hava in a special way. It's almost confusing trying to understand why she acts the way she does, why she's always picking fights, and attacking people with her words. And trying to understand Hava trying to understand who she is and what she's supposed to do. Honestly, this book hit me in ways I was not expecting, because writing this out, I finally understand why Hava is so confused. She's spent her whole life surviving, and when she no longer has to survive, it's difficult to figure out who you are as a person without that fear and anxiety hanging over your heard. It's hard to trust people when you're not sure if they'll be taken away from you or if you'll be pushed to second-best.
God, I understood Hava's pain at not being told by Bitterblue directly that she's in love with Giddon and now they're a couple. Because while Hava would never admit it, she loves Bitterblue and sees her as <i>her</i> Bitterblue, and to have to share her with someone else is hard, especially when you grow up with having so little and what little you did have was taken away. To trust and be seen by one person for your early years, only for them to be murdered and be left alone, and then to finally be seen by someone or multiple someones, only to push everyone away constantly by being rude and questioning orders because all you're trying to do is protect yourself from getting hurt again...It makes so much sense. And Hava's anger makes so much sense. The scene we get with her and Hope at the end of the book where she goes to that abandoned castle and realizes that what she's seen her father do to her mother has made her so angry she can't differentiate that anger from other anger was such a pivotal scene for Hava. In some ways, Hava is so similar to her uncle, except he gets triggered by his memories and reacts with violence, whereas Hava has been keeping her trauma as a ball of anger that is constantly there, burning.
Every book Kristin Cashore has written focuses on trauma in different ways. And I think what I love about her books is that it helps you understand your own trauma/actions/experiences in a different light. I think it helps you understand yourself better, just like her characters come to conclusions about their own experiences.
Anyway, on to the rest of the book.
FIRSTLY...MAPS. We got a beautiful detailed diagram of the ship. And I, for the life of me, do not understand ships, but I think I now sort of understand them??? I might be the only one who appreciated the diagram of the ship, but I constantly referred back to it as Hava was exploring and sneaking around the <i>Monsea</i>.
I was not expecting so much of this book to take place at sea, but the pacing was perfect and kept me on the edge of my seat. This book reminded me a lot of Graceling, and we even get references to parts of that book with Grella's Pass and Bitterblue's journey across the mountains as she escaped Leck. In many ways, it felt like this series came full circle; Bitterblue starts off as a child trying to survive the horrible journey through Grella's Pass and finishes the series with surviving the brutal cold and glaciers of the north. (If this happens to be the last book in the series, it's kind of perfect).
Despite all the characters we get to know on the ship, I didn't have a hard time keeping track of most of them. They were all unique in their personalities and I enjoyed getting to know them and see Hava interact with them. Linny was probably my favourite of course. And I am glad we don't get a full-on romance between him and Hava, but a slower build-up at their own pace. It felt so realistic, especially for people who both have trauma.
THE FOXES. Okay this part was equally adorable but also sad. But I absolutely love baby foxes and seeing Adventure have to be a dad/grandfather and take care of them was so cute. Hope's story was so sad, but I love Hope so much and her <i>my girl</i> and <i>chocolate</i> comments made me want to cry. I'm glad she found a home with Hava. Blueberry's death was heartbreaking though. But I am obsessed with Moth and everyone trying to teach her how to be a "good tyrant" lol. She is so much like Hava and I love her so much for it.
While most of the book focuses on survival, once most of them actually survive, things become quite political again. To start off it, I almost cried multiple times. First, when they came out of the glacier tunnel. Second, when Fire stepped out of the carriage. THEN WHEN WE SAW AN OLD BRIGAN. And then when Bitterblue finally reaches Monsea and is met with her soldiers all waiting for her and everyone sobbing and then Katsa and Po come riding in and Ror is right behind them djsfldsjfsdkfj I could almost start sobbing now. Considering how much has happened between Winterkeep and Seasparrow, I cannot imagine the anxiety and heartbreak everyone else was going through. And the second we're back in Bitterblue City, things go back to politicking. I really enjoy these parts of the book and I was excited to see Raffin and Bann again since I knew Bitterblue needed chemists and they were the only ones she trusted. Seeing the whole gang together (or at least there) was so nice.
I was a bit worried about the decisions Bitterblue would have to make, because it is a huge decision on what to do when you have the formulas for a dangerous weapon that everyone wants. But I loved the solution she came up with, and I also love Bitterblue for writing out her answers to her arguments on paper to prepare herself. Why is she such a sweetie. ALSO SHE CALLS HAVA SWEETIE ALL THE TIME AND I REALLY CANNOT.
Hava has some really iconic lines in this book, which on reread, I will have to take note, but her telling Bitterblue "you have daddy issues" made me snort out loud. And then Instagram heard and showed me a real where a therapist was like "maybe you don't have daddy/mommy issues and its your dad/mom who had issues raising you" which huge mood, someone tell Bitterblue and Hava quick. Also, Hava just saying the wrong things and making everyone worried, especially at Bitterblue and Giddon's secret wedding where she's like "maybe I should be angry at myself instead of everyone else" and Bitterblue and Giddon are like "wait-no-that is not what we meant" and Hava runs away. She's so iconic really.
I don't know what else to say about this book. The survival aspects of this book, especially being inside of Hava's mind can be difficult to read. It's hard to truly imagine what she went through and seeing her brain shut down, unable to remember things or process things, felt so realistic to what actual trauma is like. Kristin Cashore does such a good job at capturing these moments and making them feel real. Hava being reminded of their journey constantly in the castle, and having to come to the realization that now she has trauma from her time living there under Leck, but also trauma from her journey back to Monsea that keeps coming back, and her need to get away and see something new. It all makes so much sense and is done so well. I think the one thing I take away from these books is how accurate the representation has always felt for me. These books aren't just stories, but experiences that are relatable to the reader.
Overall 4.75/5 stars. I cannot wait to read whatever else Kristin writes next.
Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
My special skill is evading spoilers for books on my tbr and pleasantly surprising myself every single time. I had zero idea what Winterkeep was about, until I finally glimpsed at the synopsis on the back before I started reading.
Winterkeep was a very refreshing setting from what we've seen in the last three books. In many ways, I was reminded of Ketterdam, especially with the technology and science that plays such a huge role in the Keepish way of life. And while Bitterblue is still an important character in this book, and we get POVs from some other characters, my absolute favourite POVs were probably Giddon and Lovisa.
And yes, you heard that right. I have been converted.
I ended off my last review saying "I really hope Giddon and Bitterblue don't end up together" ... Well, I was wrong. This book changed everything when it came to Giddon's character. While we see a lot of character development in Bitterblue, Winterkeep shows us a whole other side of Giddon. Mainly his emotional (for good reason), soft-hearted, cat-loving side. And I'm sorry to say, but anyone who loves cats, and is okay with a cat falling asleep on his foot, is a keeper. And pun 100% intended. I loved how similar Bitterblue and Giddon's POVs were. Especially watching them talk to each other as they are separated and slowly coming to realize that they have feelings for each other. It was nice to see glimpses of how their relationship has developed and how close they are to each other without realizing how much they need each other. It was cute. It was soft. I almost cried when they were reunited because I was not expecting it to happen like that. And Giddon fainting after seeing Bitterblue is still alive was absolutely adorable and I really hope Katsa, Po, and Raffin make fun of him for the rest of his life.
Besides Giddon's POV, I also liked seeing his interactions with Hava. They have such a lovely relationship, full of banter, and affectionate name-calling. They work really well together, especially Hava's more direct, sometimes rude way of getting answers, compared to Giddon's more subdued methods. Also Giddon calling Hava "brat" all the time was 💯
Now, for my favourite POV. Lovisa.
I was not expecting this book to talk so much about emotional and physical abuse. Especially when it is done by a parent. It was difficult to read. Watching Lovisa struggle between wanting to go home to see her brothers and making sure that they're okay, but also wanting to protect herself. Seeing her brothers punished because of her actions. And during all of this, her dad sits back and is seen as the "good parent" since he's never directly abusing them, just letting it happen. It was difficult to read. And I could understand Lovisa's motivations and actions so well. Especially the anger that she builds up inside and that comes out in mean comments. Her need for distraction, in the form of sex, to keep the thoughts away. And the darkness that comes out from everything she has seen and experienced. This book does an incredible job of capturing what it is like to grow up in an abusive environment. And it really gets into the minds of people like Ferla and Benni, and how they justify their choices. It's creepy. Almost as creepy as Leck, but without the "magical aspect" of having a Grace. And I think this book does an excellent job of showing that you don't necessarily need a Grace to do evil.
One of my favourite moments was at the end of the book, when Katu almost tries to excuse his sister's behaviour for how she was raised/treated by their father. And Lovisa replies by saying:
<blockquote>If I have children some day, I won't expect them to blame my parents for the wrongs I do to them. They get to blame me.</blockquote>
LIKE THIS^^
I absolutely hate when people try to explain off abuse as "well they went through some rough stuff as a kid, so that's why they're this way." Yes, maybe it explains some of it, but it doesn't ever excuse a parent from harming their child. Seeing how Ferla's brain worked when it came to how to punish her children, including that awful scene where she makes one of Lovisa's brothers ask what "slut" means, was horrifying to watch. And then seeing her dad telling Lovisa that her mother will punish her brothers if she doesn't return the key to the attic... It was messed up and awful.
I think the ending was perfect in every way. Sometimes the villains deserve a nasty, painful end. But what was really hard was watching Lovisa realize who her father really is, and hearing him guilt trip and threaten her when he realizes he can't manipulate her anymore.
Honestly, I keep forgetting how dark Kristin Cashore's books can be.
Another thing I liked about Lovisa was her using sex to get what she wants. I think it's something we don't see a lot of in books, but I am 100% for using guys who are womanizers and bullies and probably have a huge list of sexual assault/abuse charges. I do think the similarity between Lovisa and her mother using sex as a distraction was very interesting. The one thing I was not really a fan of was the "friends with benefits" situation between Lovisa and Mari. I wanted them to stay as friends, without the sex part. I really enjoyed the scenes we did get of Mari trying to distract/comfort Lovisa. And how he knew the most about what she went through at home and was kind of a home away from home for her where she could feel safe. I feel like the sex ruined that a little. Lovisa and Mari truly felt like siblings to me, and I think Lovisa even admits it at once point. I am glad that her feelings for him don't develop into anything more, but at the same time, Lovisa hints that Mari may have developed feelings, which makes me feel meh. I'm just not a fan of childhood friends to lovers.
Overall, the plot for this book was faster-paced than Bitterblue, and really kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also horrifying seeing what Bitterblue (and later, Katu) went through as everyone is running around trying to connect the puzzle pieces. I really enjoyed the political aspects as well. And the commentary we get about political parties being purely self-motivated was A+
Also, the FOXES. Ad was great. Such a good boy honestly. And I love love love his story arc so much and his relationship with Bitterblue. Poor guy went through so much, but he has such a good heart and did what was right in the end. I'm still 🥺
Quona Varana does creep me out a little, with her army of foxes and cats. I mean, I'm all for living on a cliff in a mansion full of cats (and foxes), but the spying and stealing and her taking Nev's fox away was kind of sad.
Speaking of Nev. I love her and want to see more of her so badly.
Overall, 4.5/5 stars. I feel like I'm forgetting to mention somethings, but this book was just as good as the first three and I can't wait to read Seasparrow now!
Winterkeep was a very refreshing setting from what we've seen in the last three books. In many ways, I was reminded of Ketterdam, especially with the technology and science that plays such a huge role in the Keepish way of life. And while Bitterblue is still an important character in this book, and we get POVs from some other characters, my absolute favourite POVs were probably Giddon and Lovisa.
And yes, you heard that right. I have been converted.
I ended off my last review saying "I really hope Giddon and Bitterblue don't end up together" ... Well, I was wrong. This book changed everything when it came to Giddon's character. While we see a lot of character development in Bitterblue, Winterkeep shows us a whole other side of Giddon. Mainly his emotional (for good reason), soft-hearted, cat-loving side. And I'm sorry to say, but anyone who loves cats, and is okay with a cat falling asleep on his foot, is a keeper. And pun 100% intended. I loved how similar Bitterblue and Giddon's POVs were. Especially watching them talk to each other as they are separated and slowly coming to realize that they have feelings for each other. It was nice to see glimpses of how their relationship has developed and how close they are to each other without realizing how much they need each other. It was cute. It was soft. I almost cried when they were reunited because I was not expecting it to happen like that. And Giddon fainting after seeing Bitterblue is still alive was absolutely adorable and I really hope Katsa, Po, and Raffin make fun of him for the rest of his life.
Besides Giddon's POV, I also liked seeing his interactions with Hava. They have such a lovely relationship, full of banter, and affectionate name-calling. They work really well together, especially Hava's more direct, sometimes rude way of getting answers, compared to Giddon's more subdued methods. Also Giddon calling Hava "brat" all the time was 💯
Now, for my favourite POV. Lovisa.
I was not expecting this book to talk so much about emotional and physical abuse. Especially when it is done by a parent. It was difficult to read. Watching Lovisa struggle between wanting to go home to see her brothers and making sure that they're okay, but also wanting to protect herself. Seeing her brothers punished because of her actions. And during all of this, her dad sits back and is seen as the "good parent" since he's never directly abusing them, just letting it happen. It was difficult to read. And I could understand Lovisa's motivations and actions so well. Especially the anger that she builds up inside and that comes out in mean comments. Her need for distraction, in the form of sex, to keep the thoughts away. And the darkness that comes out from everything she has seen and experienced. This book does an incredible job of capturing what it is like to grow up in an abusive environment. And it really gets into the minds of people like Ferla and Benni, and how they justify their choices. It's creepy. Almost as creepy as Leck, but without the "magical aspect" of having a Grace. And I think this book does an excellent job of showing that you don't necessarily need a Grace to do evil.
One of my favourite moments was at the end of the book, when Katu almost tries to excuse his sister's behaviour for how she was raised/treated by their father. And Lovisa replies by saying:
<blockquote>If I have children some day, I won't expect them to blame my parents for the wrongs I do to them. They get to blame me.</blockquote>
LIKE THIS^^
I absolutely hate when people try to explain off abuse as "well they went through some rough stuff as a kid, so that's why they're this way." Yes, maybe it explains some of it, but it doesn't ever excuse a parent from harming their child. Seeing how Ferla's brain worked when it came to how to punish her children, including that awful scene where she makes one of Lovisa's brothers ask what "slut" means, was horrifying to watch. And then seeing her dad telling Lovisa that her mother will punish her brothers if she doesn't return the key to the attic... It was messed up and awful.
I think the ending was perfect in every way. Sometimes the villains deserve a nasty, painful end. But what was really hard was watching Lovisa realize who her father really is, and hearing him guilt trip and threaten her when he realizes he can't manipulate her anymore.
Honestly, I keep forgetting how dark Kristin Cashore's books can be.
Another thing I liked about Lovisa was her using sex to get what she wants. I think it's something we don't see a lot of in books, but I am 100% for using guys who are womanizers and bullies and probably have a huge list of sexual assault/abuse charges. I do think the similarity between Lovisa and her mother using sex as a distraction was very interesting. The one thing I was not really a fan of was the "friends with benefits" situation between Lovisa and Mari. I wanted them to stay as friends, without the sex part. I really enjoyed the scenes we did get of Mari trying to distract/comfort Lovisa. And how he knew the most about what she went through at home and was kind of a home away from home for her where she could feel safe. I feel like the sex ruined that a little. Lovisa and Mari truly felt like siblings to me, and I think Lovisa even admits it at once point. I am glad that her feelings for him don't develop into anything more, but at the same time, Lovisa hints that Mari may have developed feelings, which makes me feel meh. I'm just not a fan of childhood friends to lovers.
Overall, the plot for this book was faster-paced than Bitterblue, and really kept me on the edge of my seat. It was also horrifying seeing what Bitterblue (and later, Katu) went through as everyone is running around trying to connect the puzzle pieces. I really enjoyed the political aspects as well. And the commentary we get about political parties being purely self-motivated was A+
Also, the FOXES. Ad was great. Such a good boy honestly. And I love love love his story arc so much and his relationship with Bitterblue. Poor guy went through so much, but he has such a good heart and did what was right in the end. I'm still 🥺
Quona Varana does creep me out a little, with her army of foxes and cats. I mean, I'm all for living on a cliff in a mansion full of cats (and foxes), but the spying and stealing and her taking Nev's fox away was kind of sad.
Speaking of Nev. I love her and want to see more of her so badly.
Overall, 4.5/5 stars. I feel like I'm forgetting to mention somethings, but this book was just as good as the first three and I can't wait to read Seasparrow now!
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.75
I have this problem where I write reviews for previous books in a series, and they're pretty good reviews if I can say so myself, and then I finish the next book and the idea of writing a review is too daunting because how am I supposed to live up to my last review.
*cries*
Anyway...this book. A masterpiece. Honestly, I shouldn't have expected anything less than a masterpiece, but I will admit, the first quarter of this book had me in doubt. I wasn't 100% sure where the story was going, and the lies and confusion really got to me. As the reader, <i>I</i> felt confused. And only thinking back, I realized how it mimics what Bitterblue is going through. She's just as confused and lost as the reader, and as the story continues, you slowly start putting the puzzle pieces together.
First of all. If you're reading this and haven't read the book, the new edition has beautiful art of the bridges and maps of Bitterblue's castle, and her and Leck's rooms. CHECK THE BACK OF THE BOOK. If you're like me and like to follow the characters around a castle on a map, you'll love it. Also, I was admittedly a little confused about how Winged Bridge worked, and the picture of it made it so much clearer.
There is no possible way to start this review and encompass everything I want to talk about, but let's start with Leck. We knew he was evil and we had kind of an idea of things he did during his reign. This book takes everything we knew about Leck and makes it 10000% darker and more disturbing. I know this book came out before content warnings were a thing, but this book definitely needs them. The last quarter or so of the book was difficult to read for sure. One thing I will say is, that Kristin Cashore handled the telling of Leck's crimes very well. I was saying to some friends how if this book had been written by a white male author (*cough*GRRM*cough*) or was optioned for film by the people who made GOT, we would 100% have gotten POVs from Leck and Thiel, Runnemood, Rood, and Darby. Are those POVs necessary to the plot? Absolutely not. Because Kristin did an excellent job portraying the horror of Leck's reign and his crimes without that. But we know white male authors love to write about rape.
Which...trigger warnings...there is mention of off-screen rape, not just to adults, but young girls. It's difficult to read at times, especially because I felt like I was Bitterblue discovering things as she was discovering things. My brain wasn't really allowing me to make my own predictions. So when Bitterblue comes to realizations of what people did or who people are, I was just as shocked as she was.
I absolutely loved seeing the whole gang together. Katsa, Po, Raffin, Bann, Helda...even Giddon grew on me. The one thing I'll say is, the Estill revolution plot line–while very interesting in and of itself–almost took away from Bitterblue's story. Seeing all of our old favourites coming and going and being busy with Council business kind of made it hard to keep track of what was going on and who was where. And while I understand that it sort of emphasizes how confusing life can be and how much can be going on amongst everything else, and that being a Queen is a challenging job, I think it would have made for a better reading experience if it wasn't included or was a thing that had already happened and the gang was in Monsea for a much needed "vacation."
Besides seeing the old gang...sdflkdsfjskfjsdkfjdskfjdsfjsdfk WE GET TO SEE FIRE AGAIN. I knew that's where we were headed. The more we learned about Leck and how he decorated his castle and his obsession with art and bridges and ciphers, the closer we got to see the Dells again. AND WHEN WE FIND OUT THAT FIRE'S STEP-DAUGHTER IS THE COMMANDER OF THE DELLIAN ARMY I NEARLY SCREAMED BECAUSE HANNA IS A COMMANDER LIKE HER PAPA AND HER PAPA MUST BE SO PROUD OF HER AND IMAGINE ALL THE HORSIES SHE GOT TO RIDE FINALLY I LOVER HER SO MUCH.
Literally the last bit of the book and all the reveals really made this book for me. Saph's grace being dreams, and how Fire might finally be able to sleep well like sjdfkdsjfdsk I COULD CRY NOW. Murgda's baby is alive!!! HAVA AND BITTERBLUE ARE SISTERS. Like I didn't even consider once that Leck was her father because I was honestly trying to block off all memories of the horrible stuff, but wow. And Madlen being a spy from the Dells. Like fsdjfsdkf SO GOOD.
Also I love how Katsa is like "yeah the Dells didn't see a messed up, ungovernable Monsea and decide to colonize it" LIKE THE TEA THERE
I'm skipping so many things.
I really loved the addition of Saph, Teddy, and their sisters. Saph did kind of annoy me though. The enjoyment he got from making Bitterblue miserable and worried didn't sit well with me. <s>It honestly reminded me of Leck in a way.</s> Sorry. And while he does realize he's acting like a child and comes to forgive Bitterblue for lying, I'm glad the way this book ended with them parting. It worked out for the better, and I'm totally okay with Bitterblue having a first love that doesn't work out because that's way more realistic.
Teddy is adorable. I want to hug him. He deserves all the books and printing presses and I hope he writes his dictionary.
Also, all the ministries. I want a Ministry of Mental Well-being. BUT. THE MINISTRY OF STORIES AND TRUTH. After seeing the repercussions from Leck's rule, I really loved how this was handled. Giving people the opportunity to talk about their stories as a way to heal, but also allowing people to heal in their own way...it's the way it should be done. And it made me love Bitterblue more as a character, especially as we see her struggling between wanting to know the truth but realizing the truth was too difficult for her to bear at times.
DEATH. OKAY MY GRUMPY LIBRARIAN WHO BECAME A FAVOURITE BY THE END OF THE BOOK (please whatever you do read the cast of characters at the back of the book because his commentary is incredible). ALSO HIS CAT AND HIS LOVE OF BOOKS AND KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH. HE IS SUCH A GOOD MAN, DOING SO MANY HARD, IMPOSSIBLE THINGS FOR HIS QUEEN, BUT HE LOVES HIS QUEEN SO MUCH I CAN'T.
Who else can I scream about?
Oh. Po and Katsa. I will admit, I was scared about Po letting people know his secret. But I also can't imagine him living with that secret for his entire life, especially with people he works with and sees regularly. I'm glad he was finally able to tell the people he loves, and I really hope Skye comes around. I am worried still about what King Ror will think.
ALSO...Bitterblue wanting to be hugged and touched by Katsa broke my heart. Bitterblue needs more hugs and friends who stay close by seriously. ALSO BITTERBLUE SMOL LIKE ME SO I LOVE HER EVEN MORE.
Giddon grew on me as a character. I was not a huge fan of him in Graceling, especially the things he said to Katsa, so seeing him in the castle and his relationship with Bitterblue made me nervous because their age difference was too big and I did not want "something" to happen between them. It didn't, and I'm glad. And I hope it stays that way. I did love their friendship though and how much Giddon trusted Bitterblue and vice versa.
While this book is long, it kept my attention and was worth it. It brought to light so many things and really expanded this world Kristin has created even further. I am so excited to read Winterkeep and Seasparrow now! And I'm glad I started off 2023 with this book!
4.75/5 stars.
*cries*
Anyway...this book. A masterpiece. Honestly, I shouldn't have expected anything less than a masterpiece, but I will admit, the first quarter of this book had me in doubt. I wasn't 100% sure where the story was going, and the lies and confusion really got to me. As the reader, <i>I</i> felt confused. And only thinking back, I realized how it mimics what Bitterblue is going through. She's just as confused and lost as the reader, and as the story continues, you slowly start putting the puzzle pieces together.
First of all. If you're reading this and haven't read the book, the new edition has beautiful art of the bridges and maps of Bitterblue's castle, and her and Leck's rooms. CHECK THE BACK OF THE BOOK. If you're like me and like to follow the characters around a castle on a map, you'll love it. Also, I was admittedly a little confused about how Winged Bridge worked, and the picture of it made it so much clearer.
There is no possible way to start this review and encompass everything I want to talk about, but let's start with Leck. We knew he was evil and we had kind of an idea of things he did during his reign. This book takes everything we knew about Leck and makes it 10000% darker and more disturbing. I know this book came out before content warnings were a thing, but this book definitely needs them. The last quarter or so of the book was difficult to read for sure. One thing I will say is, that Kristin Cashore handled the telling of Leck's crimes very well. I was saying to some friends how if this book had been written by a white male author (*cough*GRRM*cough*) or was optioned for film by the people who made GOT, we would 100% have gotten POVs from Leck and Thiel, Runnemood, Rood, and Darby. Are those POVs necessary to the plot? Absolutely not. Because Kristin did an excellent job portraying the horror of Leck's reign and his crimes without that. But we know white male authors love to write about rape.
Which...trigger warnings...there is mention of off-screen rape, not just to adults, but young girls. It's difficult to read at times, especially because I felt like I was Bitterblue discovering things as she was discovering things. My brain wasn't really allowing me to make my own predictions. So when Bitterblue comes to realizations of what people did or who people are, I was just as shocked as she was.
I absolutely loved seeing the whole gang together. Katsa, Po, Raffin, Bann, Helda...even Giddon grew on me. The one thing I'll say is, the Estill revolution plot line–while very interesting in and of itself–almost took away from Bitterblue's story. Seeing all of our old favourites coming and going and being busy with Council business kind of made it hard to keep track of what was going on and who was where. And while I understand that it sort of emphasizes how confusing life can be and how much can be going on amongst everything else, and that being a Queen is a challenging job, I think it would have made for a better reading experience if it wasn't included or was a thing that had already happened and the gang was in Monsea for a much needed "vacation."
Besides seeing the old gang...sdflkdsfjskfjsdkfjdskfjdsfjsdfk WE GET TO SEE FIRE AGAIN. I knew that's where we were headed. The more we learned about Leck and how he decorated his castle and his obsession with art and bridges and ciphers, the closer we got to see the Dells again. AND WHEN WE FIND OUT THAT FIRE'S STEP-DAUGHTER IS THE COMMANDER OF THE DELLIAN ARMY I NEARLY SCREAMED BECAUSE HANNA IS A COMMANDER LIKE HER PAPA AND HER PAPA MUST BE SO PROUD OF HER AND IMAGINE ALL THE HORSIES SHE GOT TO RIDE FINALLY I LOVER HER SO MUCH.
Literally the last bit of the book and all the reveals really made this book for me. Saph's grace being dreams, and how Fire might finally be able to sleep well like sjdfkdsjfdsk I COULD CRY NOW. Murgda's baby is alive!!! HAVA AND BITTERBLUE ARE SISTERS. Like I didn't even consider once that Leck was her father because I was honestly trying to block off all memories of the horrible stuff, but wow. And Madlen being a spy from the Dells. Like fsdjfsdkf SO GOOD.
Also I love how Katsa is like "yeah the Dells didn't see a messed up, ungovernable Monsea and decide to colonize it" LIKE THE TEA THERE
I'm skipping so many things.
I really loved the addition of Saph, Teddy, and their sisters. Saph did kind of annoy me though. The enjoyment he got from making Bitterblue miserable and worried didn't sit well with me. <s>It honestly reminded me of Leck in a way.</s> Sorry. And while he does realize he's acting like a child and comes to forgive Bitterblue for lying, I'm glad the way this book ended with them parting. It worked out for the better, and I'm totally okay with Bitterblue having a first love that doesn't work out because that's way more realistic.
Teddy is adorable. I want to hug him. He deserves all the books and printing presses and I hope he writes his dictionary.
Also, all the ministries. I want a Ministry of Mental Well-being. BUT. THE MINISTRY OF STORIES AND TRUTH. After seeing the repercussions from Leck's rule, I really loved how this was handled. Giving people the opportunity to talk about their stories as a way to heal, but also allowing people to heal in their own way...it's the way it should be done. And it made me love Bitterblue more as a character, especially as we see her struggling between wanting to know the truth but realizing the truth was too difficult for her to bear at times.
DEATH. OKAY MY GRUMPY LIBRARIAN WHO BECAME A FAVOURITE BY THE END OF THE BOOK (please whatever you do read the cast of characters at the back of the book because his commentary is incredible). ALSO HIS CAT AND HIS LOVE OF BOOKS AND KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH. HE IS SUCH A GOOD MAN, DOING SO MANY HARD, IMPOSSIBLE THINGS FOR HIS QUEEN, BUT HE LOVES HIS QUEEN SO MUCH I CAN'T.
Who else can I scream about?
Oh. Po and Katsa. I will admit, I was scared about Po letting people know his secret. But I also can't imagine him living with that secret for his entire life, especially with people he works with and sees regularly. I'm glad he was finally able to tell the people he loves, and I really hope Skye comes around. I am worried still about what King Ror will think.
ALSO...Bitterblue wanting to be hugged and touched by Katsa broke my heart. Bitterblue needs more hugs and friends who stay close by seriously. ALSO BITTERBLUE SMOL LIKE ME SO I LOVE HER EVEN MORE.
Giddon grew on me as a character. I was not a huge fan of him in Graceling, especially the things he said to Katsa, so seeing him in the castle and his relationship with Bitterblue made me nervous because their age difference was too big and I did not want "something" to happen between them. It didn't, and I'm glad. And I hope it stays that way. I did love their friendship though and how much Giddon trusted Bitterblue and vice versa.
While this book is long, it kept my attention and was worth it. It brought to light so many things and really expanded this world Kristin has created even further. I am so excited to read Winterkeep and Seasparrow now! And I'm glad I started off 2023 with this book!
4.75/5 stars.
Enter the Body by Joy McCullough
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
First 5-star read of 2023!!
I will read absolutely anything Joy McCullough writes! Every book I've read by her has left me in awe, not just at her way with words and telling a story, but the messages that come across as well. Though I will say, I was a bit hesitant about Enter the Body, mostly because I have read four of Shakespeare's plays and only really remember Romeo and Juliet, so I was a bit worried I was going to be lost this entire book, but it's written in such a way that you can go in knowing very little and leave knowing pretty much everything you'd need to know without having to read the actual plays. Which...if you're not a fan of Shakespeare to begin with, is kind of nice.
This book follows four of Shakespeare's female characters: Lavinia, Juliet, Ophelia, and Cordelia. I was only familiar with Juliet and despite having read Hamlet, I barely remembered Ophelia being a character in that play. Which honestly goes to show how Shakespeare uses female characters to further the plot for his male characters. But this book is all about taking back the narrative, on speaking out against family members who would rather use their wives and daughters for their own uses, and the injustices and abuse women have faced throughout the years in silence.
Each of the girls gets to share their story in verse (as we know it), and then gets the opportunity to take back the narrative and give themselves an ending they are proud of. Lavinia, with her missing hands and tongue, is unable to share in this storytelling, but we're told how not all stories have to be shared because they're difficult stories not just for the person sharing, but for others to hear. And that there are many ways to share a story if you can't speak or write the words. I think this was beautifully done, and the ending was a perfect closing act to this book.
I really hope one day this can be required reading in English classes everywhere. Sure, we can still read Shakespeare, but I think books like this one show these plays in a new light and highlight some of the problematic aspects that need to be discussed more.
Please please please add this one to your tbrs!
Also, some of my favourite quotes:
"They're hurt themselves. / Hurt things lash out. / It didn't make sense. / I could have joined them, made a trio. / We could have been hurt together. / I stopped running to Grace / not because her logic didn't help / but because I realized / my sisters would never change."
"It's painful to give up on family. / Our hearts fight back, / and with good reason. / If there's a chance to mend things, / you shouldn't close a door. / I should forgive them? / Oh, forgiveness. / So powerful, a blade / that can slice away rot / so a wound doesn't fester. / But take care that instrument / isn't weaponized, twisted / into the wound, leaving only you / with the pain."
"My heart thunders in my chest. / I watch his lips move and still / have no desire to press my own to his / but I am starting to think I would / defend this man / with my life / and maybe that's enough."
I will read absolutely anything Joy McCullough writes! Every book I've read by her has left me in awe, not just at her way with words and telling a story, but the messages that come across as well. Though I will say, I was a bit hesitant about Enter the Body, mostly because I have read four of Shakespeare's plays and only really remember Romeo and Juliet, so I was a bit worried I was going to be lost this entire book, but it's written in such a way that you can go in knowing very little and leave knowing pretty much everything you'd need to know without having to read the actual plays. Which...if you're not a fan of Shakespeare to begin with, is kind of nice.
This book follows four of Shakespeare's female characters: Lavinia, Juliet, Ophelia, and Cordelia. I was only familiar with Juliet and despite having read Hamlet, I barely remembered Ophelia being a character in that play. Which honestly goes to show how Shakespeare uses female characters to further the plot for his male characters. But this book is all about taking back the narrative, on speaking out against family members who would rather use their wives and daughters for their own uses, and the injustices and abuse women have faced throughout the years in silence.
Each of the girls gets to share their story in verse (as we know it), and then gets the opportunity to take back the narrative and give themselves an ending they are proud of. Lavinia, with her missing hands and tongue, is unable to share in this storytelling, but we're told how not all stories have to be shared because they're difficult stories not just for the person sharing, but for others to hear. And that there are many ways to share a story if you can't speak or write the words. I think this was beautifully done, and the ending was a perfect closing act to this book.
I really hope one day this can be required reading in English classes everywhere. Sure, we can still read Shakespeare, but I think books like this one show these plays in a new light and highlight some of the problematic aspects that need to be discussed more.
Please please please add this one to your tbrs!
Also, some of my favourite quotes:
The Tears of a Dragon by Intisar Khanani
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
This was adorable!! And now I badly want a story about Bean going on her own adventure with a dragon 🥺