Bitterblue (Graceling Realm)

boring! I didn't finish. Part 1 and 2 were way better for me.

Leider wird das Ende seeehr in die Länge gezogen und viel Lärm um nichts gemacht.

Just like how in King of Scars and Rule of Wolves I was living for the Six of Crows references, I was living for the Fire references in this. Bitterblue is based back in the seven kingdoms eight years after Graceling. We are now following Bitterblue as queen who's trying to deal with the after effects of her father, King Leck's, reign. I really enjoyed Bitterblue. It's not my favourite from the series, that was Fire, and I think I probably preferred Graceling but I did still really enjoy it. I love Kristen Cashore's writing and the way that she approaches her books. She realises when she's done something she shouldn't have and corrects herself and acknowledges it, something that's really important. Also I don't know what it is about her actual writing style but I love it and find it really enjoyable to read. The characters were amazing as always and it was great to see characters from the previous books. Katsa and Po well their relationship has just grown so much and is wonderful. Giddon has definitely improved and not just because of who's perspective we were reading him from. Raffin and Bann may not have been key players or major characters in the same way the others were but I still loved seeing them and their relationship. I'm not going to say anything about the Fire references as some may count those as a spoiler, but I loved them and wished for more. The new characters were great too. Obviously Bitterblue wasn't really a new character to us seeing as we met her in Graceling but we really got to get to know her in Bitterblue and understand what she's like. Saf was a really interesting character who made a lot of good points, as well as Teddy. And I just want to get to know Hava better. I was hooked throughout this and am so glad I finally got round to reading it. Highly recommend the whole series.

First of all, I have to talk about my huge love for the "Graceling Realm" series. Both Graceling and Fire, especially Fire, took my breath away. This strange, fascinating, beautiful world Kristin Cashore has created owns a very special place in my heart. So now, here is my opinion about Bitterblue: - Kristin Cashore once again formed a place that came to life in front of my eyes when I read the book. There's this picture of Bitterblue's castle in my head that I really like, as well as the few, but great aspects of Bitterblue City. Similar to its prequels, reading Bitterblue felt like a fairytale because of the all time present magic that joins you throughout the whole story. I am also that kind of a person that just loves all kind of books in which we actually are allowed to visit places thatare so very different from our own world. These books make me dream and feel simply enchanted. - Bitterblue's character is very likeable. Definitely, she isn't perfect; she spends a lot of time wondering about how she could improve herself and her success as a queen but just also about "normal" kind of things. What was especially great, was in my opinion her "I want you to be the person I am always honest with" agreement with a certain character I won't tell you about. - Even though Bitterblue is a great character, I don't feel like she actually "does" a lot of things throughout the story apart from her paper work and talking to several people. I know she is the queen of Monsea. I know that just limits her realistic possibilities to experience many adventures. But still, I just felt like her friends (have I mentioned that I also am in love with Giddon, Bo and Katsa?) did everything that had to be done, so then they could inform her about it. - Why didn't we get more of Sparks? And Sapphire? And Lovejoy (haha)? The conclusion: Bitterblue is a story placed in a magical world, stuffed with amazing characters but would have had a little more potential that would have made more tension possible, which makes 4 stars!

3.5 Stars

4/4.5 Stars for this because I really loved all the characters ( especially Saf and teddy ) but I still felt like the book was lacking some kind of action . But Cashores writing stil is gorgeous and the way she portrays characters as well !!

I loved Bitterblues story. How she had to come to terms with her past and how she tries so hard to be a better person for her kingdom. I could feel her struggles. And I loved how we got to see the old characters again. Po and Katsa. Bitterblue describing how she sees the two of them together made my heart feel all fuzzy and warm.