Bitterblue: A Graceling Realm Book
Format: Paperback
Language: English
ISBN: 0142426016
ISBN13: 9780142426012
Release Date: September 2013
Publisher: Penguin Books
Length: 608 Pages
First published May 1, 2012
Original title: Bitterblue
Series: Graceling Realm (#3)
Characters: Katsa (Graceling Realm), Bitterblue, Leck (Graceling Realm), Sapphire "Saf" Birch, Po (Graceling Realm)
Book Overview
Enter the Graceling Realm and let it work its magic in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Kristin Cashore
When Queen Bitterblue took the throne of Monsea, she was a child, and her advisers ran the kingdom for her. Now she is beginning to question their decisions, especially how they handle the legacy of her father Leck, who who ruled through his Grace--a special talent for mind-altering--and his taste for darkness and violence. Bitterblue needs to know Monsea's past to lead it into the future, so she begins exploring the city sreets at night, disguised and alone. As she does, she meets two thieves, who hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
Bitterblue is a gateway to the Graceling Realm that braids together magic, memory, and romance.
Reviews
Look for Kristin Cashore's highly-anticipated return to the Graceling Realm, Winterkeep!
"Some authors can tell a good story; some can write well. Cashore is one of the rare novelists who do both. Thrillingly imagined and beautifully executed, Bitterblue stands as a splendid contribution in a long literarly tradition." --The New York Times Book Review on Bitterblue.
* "Brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters." --SLJ, starred review of Bitterblue.
"There are some books that stick with you for years, and Kristen Cashore's Fire is one of them. Thoughtful, steamy and completely original, Fire is YA fantasy at its absolute best."--Sabaa Tahir, author of New York Times bestselling Ember in the Ashes on Fire.
A New York Times bestseller
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Title
Enter the Graceling Realm and let it work its magic in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Kristin Cashore
Plot Summary
The third entry in the Graceling Realm series, Bitterblue is a 2012 young-adult fantasy novel written by American author Kristin Cashore. Set in Monsea, one of the seven Kingdoms of Graceling, the story follows Queen Bitterblue eight years after the events of the first novel, Graceling. Now in charge at eighteen years old, Queen Bitterblue is determined to rule the land on her own accord and restore glory to her disgraced kingdom. In order to rebuild the kingdom left in ruins by her late malevolent father, King Leck, Bitterblue dons a disguise and begins a truth-seeking campaign in the city. Along the way, she becomes romantically entangled with Saf, a thief who may hold the secret to King Leck’s devastating legacy. Bitterblue was named a New York Times best-seller, a Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2012, and the 2012 American Library Association Best Fiction for Young Adults.
Narrated in limited third person perspective, the story begins eight years after the events of Graceling. King Leck, the evil ruler who’s “Grace” was brainwashing the masses into believing lies, is now dead. His daughter Bitterblue, now eighteen years old and ready to assume the throne in earnest, has ascended to Queen of Monsea. Yet all she does is remain isolated in her castle, doing endless paperwork and acting as a figurehead rather than a queen. No longer willing to let her advisors Darby, Rood, Runnemood, and Thiel govern on her behalf, Bitterblue is ready to take action and undo the atrocities King Leck subjected Monsea to.
Bitterblue disguises herself as a servant and heads into the city at night, seeking the truth about Leck. She stops at a tavern, which she learns is a story-room. The locals tell Bitterblue many true stories, including how Lady Katsa rescued Bitterblue by killing Leck. Bitterblue often frequents the story-room to learn about Leck, and eventually meets thieves Teddy and Sapphire (Saf), who is also a Graceling.
Narrated in limited third person perspective, the story begins eight years after the events of Graceling. King Leck, the evil ruler who’s “Grace” was brainwashing the masses into believing lies, is now dead. His daughter Bitterblue, now eighteen years old and ready to assume the throne in earnest, has ascended to Queen of Monsea. Yet all she does is remain isolated in her castle, doing endless paperwork and acting as a figurehead rather than a queen. No longer willing to let her advisors Darby, Rood, Runnemood, and Thiel govern on her behalf, Bitterblue is ready to take action and undo the atrocities King Leck subjected Monsea to.
Bitterblue disguises herself as a servant and heads into the city at night, seeking the truth about Leck. She stops at a tavern, which she learns is a story-room. The locals tell Bitterblue many true stories, including how Lady Katsa rescued Bitterblue by killing Leck. Bitterblue often frequents the story-room to learn about Leck, and eventually meets thieves Teddy and Sapphire (Saf), who is also a Graceling.
When Queen Bitterblue took the throne of Monsea, she was a child, and her advisers ran the kingdom for her. Now she is beginning to question their decisions, especially how they handle the legacy of her father Leck, who who ruled through his Grace--a special talent for mind-altering--and his taste for darkness and violence. Bitterblue needs to know Monsea's past to lead it into the future, so she begins exploring the city sreets at night, disguised and alone. As she does, she meets two thieves, who hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
Bitterblue is a gateway to the Graceling Realm that braids together magic, memory, and romance.
Reviews
Look for Kristin Cashore's highly-anticipated return to the Graceling Realm, Winterkeep!
"Some authors can tell a good story; some can write well. Cashore is one of the rare novelists who do both. Thrillingly imagined and beautifully executed, Bitterblue stands as a splendid contribution in a long literarly tradition." --The New York Times Book Review on Bitterblue.
* "Brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters." --SLJ, starred review of Bitterblue.
"There are some books that stick with you for years, and Kristen Cashore's Fire is one of them. Thoughtful, steamy and completely original, Fire is YA fantasy at its absolute best."--Sabaa Tahir, author of New York Times bestselling Ember in the Ashes on Fire.
A New York Times bestseller
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Title
Product Code: n2yW6XG
Brand: Penguin Random House
Product Condition: Used
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