Bitterblue

Graceling, Book 3

By: Kristin Cashore

Narrated by: Xanthe Elbrick

Length: 16 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited companion to New York Times best sellers Graceling and Fire.

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 35-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.

©2012 Kristin Cashore (P)2012 Penguin

Critic reviews

A New York Times best seller

YALSA, Best Fiction for Young Adults

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults

A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

The Bulletin Best Books of the Year

A BCCB Blue Ribbon Title

A New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Book of the Year

"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)

"Brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters." (SLJ, starred review)

“A story that transcends the genre with its emotional and philosophical weight.” (BCCB, starred review)

Graced with writing

Cashore must be graced with writing, for her fantastic descriptions and enthralling story made me feel like I was alongside Bitterblue throughout her adventures. May we see another book soon!

Story Teller

The story is great the voice actor had some voices that sounded like she had a stuffy nose I did not like that voice took a bit away from the experience. The only other thing I did not like was that Katsa became an Irish girl with a thick accent. Killed it for me when imagining the character. The voice actor is great but the pairing of Katsa as an Irish girl was the wrong choice. Plan out the characters from the prior books before changing one of the main characters voices.

My all time favorite book!

I’ve been a fan of the series since I was a child. Reading them over and over again. I’m now a young adult and I still get so much joy from these books. This one in particular touches my heart. Cashore dives deep into the emotions of someone in deep pain, going through tremendous life experiences and the way she does it is simple beautiful. I love this story and know I’m likely to read it again and again in the future

Smart and creative

I really appreciated this story on many levels. In particular, the process of healing on both individual and in cultural spheres. So often, in stories the whole plot builds up to defeating the big bad guy, but rarely do we get to witness the complex and dynamic process of rebuilding. This is a process we are in now, as we free ourselves from systemic oppression...It also celebrates the courage of the ordinary.

Superb otherworldly book

Graceling, Fire and Bitterblue are all excellent books if you enjoy books that have a twist to life as we know it. The place where all of these books takes place is a world not unlike ours in the Middle Ages, only there is something different about the inhabitants (and even some of the animals). I love the twist and how the cultures and peoples deal with it. Also very strong female characters make it a wonderful read!

Do yourself a favor though and start with Graceling. All the books stand along but build beautifully upon one another.

Great story and and great narrator

This is my third time listening. I especially love the narration and character voices. I recommend this to any fantasy fan.

Love Kristin Cashore!

Where does Bitterblue rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Bitterblue is another great book by Kristin, and Xanthe brought Bitterblue to life for me! Good listen/read!

Bitter blue finds peace

This story helps to fill in holes of these three books. Wanting more for Blue and Saf.

Addictive

All three books come together in the end. The imagination of Kristin is amazing and will leave you wanting more and more. Give this series a try.

How to live with lies and confusion

Seems like a great book to read in the Trump era.

It's a coming of age story about a girl who is a queen but is continually feeling out of her depth and confused. This is partly a legacy from her dead father, a magically convincing liar, and partly just growing up. The one thing she seems to be certain of is emotional connections, and she makes them right and left in this book. I found it heartwarming.