4/30/12

Bitterblue, by Kristin Cashore (Giveaway!)

Bitterblue, by Kristin Cashore, needs little introduction--sequel to Graceling, and companion to Fire, it's one of the most anticipated books of the year, and will be released tomorrow, May 1. I was awfully happy to have the chance to read it a tad early, and to offer a copy from the publisher as a giveaway today (see end of post). And happiest of all, it proved to be my favorite of the series. Bitterblue is part mystery, part political intrigue, and a little part romance, but mostly its the powerful story of how remembering past atrocities is a vital step to moving beyond them.

Bitterblue's childhood was a nightmare of violence. Her father, King Leck of Monsea, was an insane sadist, whose hideous proclivities for systematic torture and casual violence were made worse by his ability to bend anyone's mind to his will. He forced those around him to hurt, and kill, others, and then (if he wished) he could wipe their memory of it clean (though memories might linger).

Mercifully, as is told in Graceling, he was killed when Bitterblue was ten. Eight years later, she is the Queen of Monsea, carefully sheltered by her advisory, and terribly ignorant of many, many things. It is not only the day to day workings of life of in her country that she knows little of, but the dark truths of her father's evil.

Bitterblue is not going to stay ignorant for long, trusting that the blanket pardon to all involved in her father's atrocities means Monsea is all better now. Surreptitious night-time visits outside the confines of the castle lead her to a meeting with a small band of individuals who force her to re-examine many things she's taken for granted. And once Bitterblue starts pulling on the threads they give her, her world unravels...presenting both danger, and great opportunity.

Those who loved the first two books will be pleased to see those characters reappear. Katsa and Po, in particular, get considerable page time--which is a good thing for Bitterblue, because they are just about the only people she truly trusts (so many, many people in her life have secrets; some will even betray her). But she cannot rely on her old friends to solve all her problems, and during the course of the book she grows greatly in confidence, knowledge, and maturity. And I think one reason this book is my favorite is that, unlike Katsa and Fire, truly extraordinary people, Bitterblue has no special gift. She is just a smart and caring girl, doing the best she can. So it was easy as all get out to empathize with her, and cheer for her, and to watch anxiously as she struggled with the terrible past, so very much part of her present.

I can imagine that some might find it slow--there aren't wild, far-ranging adventures of sword fighting and survival (although violence still is very much a threat in Bitterblue's castle). But for those, like me, who love tightly place- centered, and character driven intrigue, the book works beautifully. And the issue at the heart of the book--the recognition that it is crucial to understand and remember the past, resisting the urge to forget its horrors--is one that I think is truly important.

And just as as addendum, I loved Cashore's descriptions of the bizarre art that surrounds Bitterblue, and appreciated her inclusion of literacy as an important sub-issue!

You can watch the trailer and find other extras here at the Graceling Realm website, and read part of the prologue here.

Thanks to the publishers, I have two copies of Bitterblue to give away (US only). Just leave a comment by midnight Monday, May 7.

(If you feel like it (but it's not required), you can include in your comment any recommendations of other books of of place- centered, and character driven intrigue--I'd like to see them! The two that occur to me of the top of my head are King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner, and Star Crossed, by Elizabeth Bunce. Or if anyone has recommendations for other fantasies that deal with societies confronting difficult pasts, I'd welcome those too!).

(disclaimer: ARC received from publisher)

25 comments:

  1. Charlotte, don't include me in the giveaway but I just wanted to leave a comment and say that I'm glad you loved this one! I've been seeing mixed reviews and I'm kind of worried that I won't love it as much as Graceling and Fire. Will be dropping by local bookstores this week to try and hunt down a copy of Bitterblue.

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  2. I'd love to win! Thanks for the giveaway. Some other similar titles I can think of are Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, The Lumatere Chronicles books by Melina Marchetta, The Study series by Maria V. Snyder, and the Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling. Had you not mentioned it, Turner's Queen's Thief series would have been at the top of my list. Hope that helps!

    scr15[at]duke.edu

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  3. Wow, I am so excited to read this book and would LOVE to win it! I loved Graceling and am so excited to read about Bitterblue. I totally agree with you that the Queen's Thief series. I am definitely going to keep my eye on the comments as I really love both of these series and can't wait to see what else people suggest.

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  4. I can't wait to rad this! I'm trying to think of a good rec...I've really been enjoying Malinda Lo's books recently. I don't know how well they fit in with what you're looking for, but they're great!

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  5. I'm a middle school librarian, and I've got about 10 7th graders who are eagerly awaiting tomorrow's release. I'm not sure they know what to do with themselves, having Insurgent and Bitterblue come out on the same day. I also can't wait for the release. I'm glad to have gotten my students hooked on your books, but that does mean additional competition for getting a hold of the library copies!

    Oh, and I haven't helped with your request for recommendations. Aside from your books and Harry Potter, I don't read fantasy, and I feel like fantasy novels are the ones most tied to a place. What a bad librarian I am for not having a recommendation!

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  6. I'm with the other commenters' suggestion of Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith - really fabulous intrigue and politics. I've also been enjoying Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, which has some intrigue. I have a list of Courtly Intrigue books on my blogs too. I'm excited to get my hands on this one!

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  7. You should check out Kate Milford's Boneshaker (and she has a new one coming out this year as well called The Broken Lands.) It is a great middle grade book with a definite sense of place--I think that is why I feel in love with it. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and Candlewax by C. Baily Sims are two YA books that have wonderfully developed world-building in a fantasy setting, and I think Candlewax could do well with many middle grade readers. I am having trouble coming up with books off the top of my head, maybe I'll come back with more!

    (And I have really been excited about Bitterblue as well!)

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  8. I'll keep thinking about what to recommend, but don't want to forget to enter the giveaway! The hold list for Bitterblue is very long already. Thanks!

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  9. I would so love to win. Thanks for offering two books. I think The False Prince definitely has character-driven intrigue and is totally awesome.

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  10. Thanks for all the great suggestions! I shall make a post of place-centered, political intrigue filled, character driven fantasy when the giveaway is done!

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  11. I think you should try the YA fantasy novel, Chime by Franny Billingsley. The world she creates with the swamp and the creatures is so vivid and the characters Briony and Rose are so well-developed. Its really a lovely novel. And I hope to read Bitterblue soon! I have been waiting for it :) Thank you for holding this contest!

    sbthibana@gmail.com

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  12. I would love to win this one, and I agree with a previous commenter that I am glad you liked this one. The mixed reviews have been a bit disappointing. The first book I thought of when you asked for a recommendation was Crown Duel, which has already been suggested. Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan might qualify as political intrigue. At least the first half.

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  13. I enjoyed reading your reflections on Bitterblue. I am so looking forward to reading it!

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  14. I'd love to enter the contest!

    As far as place-based fantasies with political intrigue, the one that's really coming to mind right now is Melina Marchetta's Lumatere Chronicles, because I just read Froi of the Exiles and it's amazing.

    There's loads of intrigue and it's very character-driven; there are a few true villains, but mostly complicated people making difficult choices.

    And the cultures and the land itself are always living presences within the book.

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    1. I'm a bit scared to read Froi...but plan on bravely doing so anyway!

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  15. Ooh, I'd love to own a copy of Bitterblue... though I'm already on the hold list at my library.

    For your question... Lois McMaster Bujold's "The Curse of Chalion" comes to mind, though it's for adults. Also that other fantasy that came out last year... with the princess... um, never mind. my head's not working properly, and I don't have time to look it up as I should be closing the library right now.

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    1. Maybe The Princess Curse? I haven't read nearly enough Bujold...I must fix that someday!

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    2. Now I have remembered... it was Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. My husband also suggests the Steven Brust Taltos novels. My teen librarian here is suggesting Eli the Good (this is reality, about Vietnam.) and Ten Miles Past Normal., though these aren't fantasy. I'd second (or third) Starcrossed by Bunce.You could maybe consider Robin McKinley's Damar books, though they might be more personal quest than political, and the same with the Garth Nix Sabriel books. Now I really want to dig into this more, because I remember noticing this same thing in books that I've read years ago, and now can't remember which books they were at all.

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    3. I definitly need to read Girl of Fire and Thorns! Been meaning to for months and months...

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  16. I'm so excited to read BITTERBLUE! I have been waiting for this book for literally years, haha.

    golfgirl96@gmail.com

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  17. I've got FIRE and GRACELING on my table all set to reread this weekend in preparation of finally reading BITTERBLUE. It would be wonderful to get an ARC to read!

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  18. I would love to read Bitterblue. I've already read the other two. But I recommend Finniken of the Rock. It's a very good book.

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  19. I've got to read this "series". I could've seen her this weekend, but had things that I couldn't change going on. I'd love to win a copy so then I'd have to whole series to finally read.

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  20. Thanks for such an awesome giveaway! I LOVE this series, honestly!...dare I say maybe even more than the hunger games?...yes yes, I said it, so again thank you so much for this chance to win!

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  21. I really liked this though i would say that Bitterblue came out a little to naive for a Queen regardless of her age, that being said, she seemed to spend way to much time running around in circles. Bitterblue never Set her priority and ran with them. Overall story it was good. tied up the complete story series.

    Micky Johnson (Local Search Engine Optimization Houston)

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