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The library here in Alabama is so much bigger than the one back home. I swear, my old library could fit into the Children’s section of this one. I love it. I have tests proctored there, and the whole place smells so wonderfully of books that I just can’t help taking a few home each time. Anyway, I finally had the chance to read Bitterblue, the sequel to Graceling and Fire.
Eight years have passed since Katsa killed the cruel king Leck of Monsea, and the scars he has left behind run deep. His daughter, Queen Bitterblue has only just come of age. Reliant on her father’s damaged, guilt-stricken advisers to help rule her kingdom and repair the damage her father wrought, Bitterblue feels trapped and useless in her own castle. But when she starts to sneak out of the castle at night and into the city, she gets much, much more than she had bargained for.
As ever, there are spoilers below the cut, but I have tried not to give away anything too big. Also, Bitterblue, and my review of it, need all the trigger warnings: rape, murder, torture, child sexual abuse, self harm, suicide, gaslighting, domestic abuse more generally... No, seriously, everything. I’m sure I’m missing a few.
( This kind always began the usual way of stories- perhaps two people falling in love, or a clever child trying to solve a mystery. But just as you thought you knew where the story was going, it would end abruptly, when the lovers or the child vanished with no explanation, never to be seen again. )
Bitterblue is a solid, thrilling, third installment in the Graceling universe, one which leaves many questions still to be answered. I hope Cashore continues the series!
Kristin Cashore can be found online at her blog, This is My Secret.
Eight years have passed since Katsa killed the cruel king Leck of Monsea, and the scars he has left behind run deep. His daughter, Queen Bitterblue has only just come of age. Reliant on her father’s damaged, guilt-stricken advisers to help rule her kingdom and repair the damage her father wrought, Bitterblue feels trapped and useless in her own castle. But when she starts to sneak out of the castle at night and into the city, she gets much, much more than she had bargained for.
As ever, there are spoilers below the cut, but I have tried not to give away anything too big. Also, Bitterblue, and my review of it, need all the trigger warnings: rape, murder, torture, child sexual abuse, self harm, suicide, gaslighting, domestic abuse more generally... No, seriously, everything. I’m sure I’m missing a few.
( This kind always began the usual way of stories- perhaps two people falling in love, or a clever child trying to solve a mystery. But just as you thought you knew where the story was going, it would end abruptly, when the lovers or the child vanished with no explanation, never to be seen again. )
Bitterblue is a solid, thrilling, third installment in the Graceling universe, one which leaves many questions still to be answered. I hope Cashore continues the series!
Kristin Cashore can be found online at her blog, This is My Secret.
