Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Reviewed by Cassandra, Librarian at Mary Jacobs Library
The long awaited sequel to Graceling and companion novel to Fire is due to be released in May. New York Times bestselling author Kristin Cashore brings back my favorite cast of characters in this thrilling fantasy series. Bitterblue is now 18 years old, the rightful queen of Monsea, and running her kingdom efficiently enough with the help of her advisers who urge her to forget the horrors of the past and look forward. But then she starts noticing that there is something really wrong going on around her. People act irrationally, they lie about the smallest things, and they make no sense. She ventures outside the walls of her castle, to meet regular people and to find out the real state of things in her country. Bitterblue comes across even more odd behaviors and crimes. She does her best to untangle the web of lies, puzzles and madness. There is action, adventure and even romance!
Be forewarned - this is a story with a very twisty, moderately complicated plot. The actions of the characters at times defy logic but this makes sense in the grand scheme of things based on the madness inflicted by King Leck. The last hundred pages, where some secrets are uncovered and things start coming together, add such excitement and suspense that it makes up for the frustration felt in the middle of the book. It is a seriously long story, but a wonderful addition to Graceling and Fire.
