Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

2012, Dial

Series: Book 3 of Graceling

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Synopsis: Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck's reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle--disguised and alone--to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only 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, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

Why read: Received from LibraryThing Early Reviewers

What impressed me: I always, always, put off reading this series. I dragged my feet before reading Graceling and loved it. I put off reading Fire and loved it more. I sat on this book for a good 6 months before opening it, and of course, it ended up being phenomenal. Cashore's stories are a little more straight fantasy than I'm usually into, but with each book she manages to make my doubt my own personal preferences. Bitterblue becomes such an important and enthralling character, and while we see many from the other two books, she is definitely the culmination of all that has come before. This was the perfect ending to the series, one that satisfies, yet always surprises.

What disappointed me: This is the last book. While everything is wrapped up perfectly, it's so sad to say goodbye to the characters.

Recommended: Absolutely. Readers should devour this entire series immediately.