Book Review: Bitterblue

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.

Bitterblueby Kristin Cashore is a book that's been on my "to-read" list for a few years. Publication kept being pushed back, but I must say... it was well worth the wait. Gracelingand Firecame before, and while they aren't exactly in a series, they are set in the same world. And all three are fantastic.

We meet Bitterblue in Graceling. She's a young girl then, and in danger from her father, the evil King Leck. Now she's almost all grown up, and she's the queen of her kingdom. But she doesn't know anything about her kingdom, or the people living there. Her advisers are trying to protect her, but that's not helping the kingdom get past what Leck did to them. Forced to sneak out of her castle at night, Bitterblue learns about the evils that are still in her kingdom and meets up with rebels who are trying to make their world a better place

Bitterblue brings back characters we fell in love with in Graceling and a few unexpected surprises. If you liked Kristin's first two books, you'll love the newest installment. And if you aren't familiar with the Seven Kingdoms trilogy, check out this free Kristin Cashore eSamplerfrom Amazon, containing two chapters from each of the three novels and exclusive never before seen content. So... you'll want to download it even if you have read all three books!