My least favorite in the trilogy. A good effort at a different type of story, but unfortunately not as interesting as Graceling or Fire. An interesting end to this series, though I wish I could have gotten more information about Fire and Katsa, perhaps switching POV in this book would have been more satisfying. I like that the love stories are not neatly wrapped up and these books were about something more than a love story. All three main women in this series were about more than boyfriends, and that was refreshing. Especially this last book where the love story was only part of the narrative, it did not drive the novel, that was nice in a YA book. Also every book talks about birth control (aka taking herbs). Love that. Safety first ladies! Overall good series, worth reading, though I was slightly disappointed in this last book. Have I mentioned by now that Cashore really doesn't pull her punches? This book was kind of like one long series of blows to the gut. But it was so, so good. After the events of Graceling, Princess Bitterblue has inherited a kingdom that her father Leck, a sociopath Graced with the ability to control people's minds, has left in tatters. And the minds of most of her subjects and advisors are in even worse shape. Bitterblue is the story of how she handles this terrible responsibility, and what happens when she and others try to uncover the truth behind Leck's reign of terror. I loved Bitterblue in Graceling and I admire how she's grown in the intervening years; it was also interesting to get a fresh perspective on Katsa, Po, Giddon, and others remembered fondly from earlier books. I liked that this book focused almost entirely on the Queen and the mysteries she was trying to solve (as opposed to being half devoted to romance, when it was obvious she had bigger fish to fry than finding a husband). This world is rather fascinating and I find myself hoping that Cashore will write another book about it. Or several. If you liked Graceling, you'll like this book; it's more challenging at times, but in some ways it also feels more true.
What do You think about Die Königliche (2012)?
This was an absolutly lovely read. I believe it was the best in the trilogy.
—munzirox
Enjoyed all these books! Will be curious to see what she produces next.
—tasha45
a bit too political for my tastes and got a bit slow in the middle.
—dontever
