Bitterblue

Bitterblue is the third book by Kristin Cashore, set in the fantasy world she created (which could really use a name). It's a standalone novel. You don't really need to have read the other two books first. But it's a lot better if you have read them.

Bitterblue takes place eight years after the events of Graceling (and forty or so years after Fire). Bitterblue has just turned eighteen and is trying to get a handle on the kingdom she's trying to run. But everywhere she turns, there are lies upon lies. She sets out to sort through the lies and get to the truth of her father's destructive reign. All of her research reveals truths that are almost too painful for her to bear and occasionally results in more lies as she attempts to keep her friends safe and determine which of her trusted advisers are lying to her.

This book had a lot of fun twists and turns. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but once it got going it was really exciting. There were puzzles and ciphers to keep my mind busy. And even though I figured out what was going on before Bitterblue did, it was still exciting to see her trying to work everything out.

This was a really good book. Definitely on par with Graceling and Fire. I can't wait to see what Cashore writes next.

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