OVERALL
7.5/10
IS IT GOOD?
If you like slow-paced stories that deal with truth-finding, various relationships, compelling minor characters, and a heroine with a quiet strength, this book is it.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT, ANYWAY
Eight years after the event of Graceling, Bitterblue is now Queen of Monsea.
The book deals mostly with Bitterblue’s exploration of her kingdom, her people whom have been emotionally scarred by her father – guy with the ability to alter minds. Along the way, she befriends some people who are also seeking to uncover the secrets the last king kept.
Meanwhile, some shady organization is out there trying to harm these people; and Bitterblue’s Council keeps getting weirder everyday.
An advisor insists on staying in a room smaller than a prison cell and doesn’t want to get his wounds treated. Another climbs up a window and looks down at the ground, wondering what would happen if he jumps. Another keeps a cat that hates Bitterblue.
I mean, how much can a girl take?
SOME INFO
Author: Kristin Cashore
Genre: YA Fantasy
Year of Pub.: 2012
WHAT’S GOOD
*SPOILERS AHEAD
Bitterblue, of course. She’s reckless, childish, but also sensible when necessary, has a big heart, and knows her priorities. Different from Katsa, she never resorts to violence, but instead utilizes her resources and is never afraid to ask for help, even if it means banging on people’s doors in the middle of the night.
Death (pronounced “d-ee-th”) – Monsea’s librarian Graced with a great memory — where would we all be without you? As a character, Death undergoes great development. He goes from wanting to set his cat on everyone to being Bitterblue’s best assistant.
The man is rewriting all the books that got burned by King Leck from memory. How cool is that?
Po and Katsa also make an appearance here, a lot more likable now that they are minor characters; when their muscles aren’t the focus of the story, that is.
Po continues to be a sweetheart who can’t say no to Bitterblue (or Katsa); and Katsa is a wonderful older sister to Bitterblue.
I have to say, though – everybody needs to stop abusing Po. He gets punched by Giddon, gets abandoned by Katsa in the middle of the night, gets sent out in the rain by Bitterblue, and probably gets punched again by Skye.
People, give your punching bag a break, okay?
I could not ask for a more fitting ending for BB and Saf, one that respects this medieval setting. Saf is not made for royal life and Bitterblue can’t abandon her kingdom to become an adventurer, which is who Saf is. So it would be a reunion where one of them would have to give up himself/herself for the other.
Also, I have kind of been on Giddon’s ship every since Bitterblue vomits in front of him already. So no hard feelings, Saf, but that ending is great.
Thiel, oh, Thiel. His resolution is tragic, but it’s probably the only one that makes sense.
Overall, the book sends across the message that different people deal with their mental health differently, a good solution for someone might be a nightmare for someone else. And more important than providing for and protecting her people, Bitterblue has to find a way to balance all that.
OTHER THAN THAT
The story is draggy in some parts and the plot twists are kind of predictable.