Seasparrow

By: Kristin Cashore

Narrated by: Xanthe Elbrick

The fifth novel in the bestselling Graceling Realm series is told from the point of view of Hava, Queen Bitterblue’s sister and spy, and chronicles the harrowing journey back to Monsea.

Hava sails across the sea toward Monsea with her sister, the royal entourage, and the world’s only copies of the formulas for the zilfium weapon she saved at the end of Winterkeep. During the crossing, Hava makes an unexpected discovery about one of the ship’s crew, but before she can unravel the mystery, storms drive their ship off course, wrecking them in the ice far north of the Royal Continent. The survivors must endure a harrowing trek across the ice to make it back to Monsea. And while Queen Bitterblue grapples with how to carry the responsibility of a weapon that will change the world, Hava has a few more mysteries to solve—and a decision to make about who she wants to be in the new world Bitterblue will build.


* This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF containing a Map of The Known World, Torla and the Royal Continent, a diagram of The Monsea, and a cast of characters from the printed book.

Critic reviews

"I may be biased, as Cashore has been my self-proclaimed favorite author for over a decade, but this book quite literally made me sob at my desk at one moment, so longtime (and newer-to-the-series) fans will be extremely thrilled."—BuzzFeed

"Seasparrow is a cathartic story, one that allows its heroine to understand how much she’s been through and how much she needs....I hope there’s more Hava yet to come."—Molly Templeton for Tor.com

"Cashore never shies away from showing the charming mundanities of the everyday and the brutal realities of the harshness of wilderness and emotions as well as exploring how enduring trauma shapes a person and a kingdom.... A harrowing, rewarding tale of survival."—Kirkus Reviews

"Cashore's Graceling books have hit bestseller lists and kept readers fascinated for almost 15 years. This fifth installment promises the same."—Booklist Reviews

Pretty good!

I'll admit, this wasn't my first choice in the Graceling series; I'm a sucker for Katsa in the very first, "Graceling". But it was pretty cool getting to have a perspective from Hava, and the crazy roller coaster she goes through as she develops herself.

I kept waiting for a big windup and breakthrough like you'd see in other novels, but in "Seasparrow" it's more along the lines of a bunch of small hills that have partially gratifying revelations. Or, maybe as Hava would like it to be said, instead of a ship climbing and cresting one huge wave, it's like a ship rocking with the small waves.

I'm glad to have been able to see her as she is. Through the previous books "Bitterblue" and "Winterkeep", we see her develop. In "Bitterblue", she's a scared kid that is definitely unsure of herself, trying to find where she can belong and have stability. In "Winterkeep", we see her as a much steadier, stronger woman, but still has questions of herself that she doesn't know how to answer. Here in "Seasparrow", we get to see in her own eyes how she confronts those questions, answers and overcomes them.

In a way, it is gratifying to see Hava developing, but I personally feel like I'm left with just more questions on her own life. How she will develop further. I'm HOPING Ms. Cashore is onto writing another blended novel like "Winterkeep" was, just to see what becomes of Hava and her life, along with her romance, and the foxes. Hope, Moth, Bier, and Ladybug.

The narrator was wonderful, as with the other books she has "Graced" her voice with, though I was never fond with her impression of King Ror. My preference goes to the man who voiced King Ror in the full-cast audio version of "Graceling" (Sorry!).
Otherwise, the narration was lovely, especially since she actually attempted to give accents to different people of different regions (Katsa, Helda, Ruffin and Bann, from the Middluns, all having a particular accent separate from an accent you'd hear from Po, Skye or Olly, from Lienid, as each are from separate places).

this is definitely one that I'd listen to multiple times, to and from work, while I'm gaming, or even around my 6yo niece and 4yo nephew (most of the time).

Best in the series!

What a heartfelt journey!
This book is emotional exploration is well done!
Grateful for the Graceling stories :)

Quieter than I expected and I like it!

This one surprised me. I guess I thought it would focus more on the weapon making aspect. Instead it was a quieter character study focused on Hava's development. Quite gentle and detailed in the day to day relations of the characters and their perilous journey. At the midway point I felt unsure--waiting for some bigger, bolder plot explosion. Once I let that expectation go I truly enjoyed the ride. I very much enjoy Cashore's world building. Her strong female character and her respectful, nuanced interaction between characters brings a depth many books lack.

Xanthe Elbrick was an excellent narrator! Love her voicing of such varied characters. She does convincing male voices, decent accents, and her Hope accent was marvelous!

This is not what the story is about.

...but I am so impressed with how the author has woven in real experiences into this fictional account. Characters in this story have histories which are sometimes troubling and traumatic, the way real people do. They evolve throughout the narrative, introspect, make mistakes and learn real lessons. I think the stories in this series are engaging just as stories, but the potential is there for real people to help work through some of their real problems through engaging with the work. Therapeutic, but without being heavy handed or preachy.
Come for the story. Leave a better person? Maybe the chance is there.

Wonderful story and narration

As with all the other books in this series, this book was outstanding.

Being inside Hava’s head was a delightful treat and made me love her character that much more.