Bitterblue

Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 3

By: Kristin Cashore

Narrated by: Emma Powell

Length: 17 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited companion to the New York Times best sellers Graceling and Fire is finally here!

Eight years have passed since the young Princess Bitterblue and her country were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers, who have run the country on her behalf since Leck's death, believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who committed terrible acts during Leck's reign and to forget every dark event that ever happened. Monsea's past has become shrouded in mystery, and it's only when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle - curious, disguised, and alone - to walk the streets of her own city, that she begins to realise the truth. Her kingdom has been under the 35-year long spell of a madman.

Now, their only chance to move forward is to revisit the past - whatever that past holds. Two thieves, who have sworn only to steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, who possess an unidentified Grace, may also hold a key to her heart.

©2012 Kristin Cashore (P)2012 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible." ( School Journal)

"A WOW of a book. I HAD to know how it ended" (Tamora Pierce)

"Fresh, hopeful, tragic and glorious" ( Kirkus Reviews)

Loved it.

Any additional comments?

I thought the concept of re-building the broken kingdom was brilliantly executed. Though the second book did feel a little tacked onto the series and lacked a strong connection to the trilogy its presence in this book was still a pleasant one.

Best of the Seven Kingdoms Trilogy

What did you love best about Bitterblue?

The plot

Any additional comments?

This is easily my favourite of the trilogy. The first was action and a love story, the second was a love story with a bit of action, but this - this is adventure, intrigue, mystery, a love story (lets face it, it wouldn't be Kristen Cashore without a love story), and includes the most realistic response by fictional characters to trauma that I have read. It also has the longest denouement of any book I've ever read, with the story going on long after the climax. Overall the voice acting of the reader was terrific also, adding greatly to the experience. If you liked either of the first two books, you'll love this one.

fell asleep

Would you try another book from Kristin Cashore and/or Emma Powell?

Yes to the author, no to the reader. I went Graceling read by different people and it was amazing. It was only because I loved Graceling I forced myself to keep listening.

Would you be willing to try another one of Emma Powell’s performances?

Although I was disappointed by Bitterblue, I would definitely read another of her books. She has a true way of drawing in a reader, no matter the age.

Was Bitterblue worth the listening time?

to be honest, I'm not sure if it was the reader or the book but I did fall asleep alot unlike with Graceling. By the end, I was annoyed at the time I wasted waiting for the end just to be disappointed.

Any additional comments?

The storyline in Bitterblue getting mid way into the book was a let down. Strong start and weak ending. Though Bitterblue herself was a well written character, her supporting characters fell behind. I think having Po return in this book saved it.

Nothing really happend

After enjoying the two first books i expected to like this one aswell. The book ties the two worlds together in a good way, but I feel that there is a lack of action, drama and also romance.

Good for insomniacs

What did you like best about Bitterblue? What did you like least?

The start of the book was pretty good, I felt like I kept reading this book to find out more about Bitterblue's father and just to read about Katsa and Po too. It just seemed that the answers to questions were not given away easily and the ending was a bit odd and unexpected.

Did Emma Powell do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

She did voices for different characters

Did Bitterblue inspire you to do anything?

Not really... Bitterblue, the main character just didn't really do much other than wonder around the castle towards the second half of the book

Any additional comments?

The first half of the book was great, afterwards it just went downhill and took me a very long time to finish

Awesome...just way too short?!

What made the experience of listening to Bitterblue the most enjoyable?

Bitterblue is a culmination, it is the result of the two previous books, with SO much more. I loved it from beginning to end, just wished it hadn't ended at such a critical point! I literally played the last chapter twice, to be sure there was no more! And then hopped online to see if book 4 was in the works (it may be, though it is unconfirmed!)

Any additional comments?

It is slower and more mentally (less war) orientated, political and relationship orientated. I loved it!