Synopses & Reviews
The long-awaited companion to
New York Times bestsellers
Graceling and
FireEight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck's reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle — disguised and alone — to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
Review
"A story that transcends the genre with its emotional and philosophical weight." BCCB (starred review)
Review
"Devastating and heartbreaking...those willing to take the risk will — like Bitterblue — achieve something even more precious: a hopeful beginning." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Review
"Cashore's imagined world is brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters." School Library Journal (starred review)
Review
"Some authors can tell a good story; some can write well. Cashore is one of the rare novelists who do both. Thrillingly imagined and beautifully executed, Bitterblue stands as a splendid contribution in long literary tradition." New York Times Book Review
Review
"Readers will gallop through [Bitterblue], eager to catch up on beloved characters and hopeful that the Seven Kingdoms can at last find peace. There are astonishing and sometimes heartbreaking discoveries....Buy all three volumes, in multiple copies." VOYA (starred review)
Review
"Fans of...intricate political fantasies will relish this novel of palace intrigue." Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
"Some authors can tell a good story; some can write well. Cashore is one of the rare novelists who do both. Thrillingly imagined and beautifully executed, "Bitterblue" stands as a splendid contribution in long literary tradition."
Review
"A story that transcends the genre with its emotional and philosophical weight."
Review
"Devastating and heartbreaking...those willing to take the risk will--like Bitterblue--achieve something even more precious: a hopeful beginning."
Review
"Readers will gallop through [Bitterblue], eager to catch up on beloved characters and hopeful that the Seven Kingdoms can at last find peace. There are astonishing and sometimes heartbreaking discoveries...Buy all three volumes, in multiple copies."
Review
"Cashore's imagined world is brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters."
Review
* “A story that transcends the genre with its emotional and philosophical weight.”—
BCCB (starred review)
* “Devastating and heartbreaking.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* “Brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters.”—SLJ, starred review
* “Fans of . . .intricate political fantasies will relish this novel of palace intrigue.”— Publishers Weekly, starred review
“An exceptional book: heartbreaking, deep, and beautiful.”—wandsandworlds.com
“Cashore is wonderful, tough and nuanced—everything you could want from a writer.”—Junot Díaz, author of This is How You Lose Her
Review
“Hahn writes with such beauty and persuasion that she could make me believe in anything. She writes the sort of prose you give yourself to willingly. This is a rare and special book, a magical book; Ive been searching for it and didnt even know it.”
—Kristin Cashore, New York Times best-selling author of Graceling and Bitterblue
“Rebecca Hahn captures that elusive sense of an experience just out of reach—a memory, a dream, a voice in the woods, a road not taken. I love the book and hope she dreams up many more.”
—Franny Billingsley, National Book Award finalist for Chime
* "In Hahn's polished, confident debut, the daughter of a runaway princess and a dragon comes of age...this profound and original story feels like a long-lost classic fairy tale."
—Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"This debut novel is abundant with both magical images and realistic family conflict, melding them into a compelling story."
—VOYA
"This book's greatest strength lies in the vivid woodland scenes and the rich detail that describes the mystical pieces of Marni's tale."
—School Library Journal
* "A dreamlike, poetic fantasy bildungroman explores the power of choice and the meaning of home...Hahn's debut is cumulatively stunning"
—Kirkus, starred review
"Told in a languorous, breathy first-person narrative, Hahn's debut novel follows tenacious Marni as she tries to find a home between to vastly different worlds."
—Booklist
* "This is fairy-tale fantasy as its best, with evocative prose and simple storytelling deftly conveying a powerful emotional core that will haunt readers long after the pages end."
—Bulletin, starred review
"An eloquent story about free will, the meaning of home, and love's varied forms."
—Horn Book Magazine
Review
"Devotees of His Fair Assassin will be gratified to rexeive this closure."
—Kirkus
* "LaFevers again mesmerizes her readers through the political struggles of 15th century Brittany and the intrigues of the followers of Mortain."
—School Library Journal, starred review
"Teens looking for strong, engaging female characters, the evolution of ancient traditions, or a solid adventure tale will adore every page."
—VOYA
* "Both a powerful tale of political intrigue and a heady supernatural romance, memorable adventure will entirely satisfy devotees of this series."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"LaFevers effectively ties up the loose ends of the triology's cast—its loves, connivings, and murderous skills—with more love than war."
—Horn Book Magazine
* "[LaFevers] offers readers worthy heroines: fair assassins whose emotions and choices are as rich and complex as their fearsome abilities."
—Booklist, starred review
Synopsis
The long-awaited companion to
New York Times bestsellers
Graceling and
FireEight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck's reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle--disguised and alone--to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
Synopsis
Enter the Graceling Realm and let it work its magic . . . When Queen Bitterblue took the throne of Monsea, she was a child, and her advisers ran the kngdom for her. Now she is beginning to question their decisions, especially how they handle the legacy of her father Leck, who who ruled through his Gracea special talent for mind-alteringand his taste for darkness and violence. Bitterblue needs to know Monseas past to lead it into the future, so she begins exploring the city sreets at night, disguised and alone. As she does, she meets two thieves, who hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
Bitterblue is unforgettablea gateway to the Graceling Realm that braids together magic, memory, and romance.
Synopsis
The powerful conclusion to Robin LaFever's New York Times bestselling His Fair Assassins trilogy.
Synopsis
In the powerful conclusion to Robin LaFever's
New York Times bestselling His Fair Assassins trilogy, Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own. She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind, doesnt mean she has.
Synopsis
A stunning debut novel about a girl who is half dragon, half human, and wholly herself.
Synopsis
As the only heir to the throne, Marni should have been surrounded by wealth and privilege, not living in exile—but now the time has come when she must choose between claiming her birthright as princess of a realm whose king wants her dead, and life with the father she has never known: a wild dragon who is sending his magical woods to capture her.
Fans of Bitterblue and Seraphina will be captured by a Creature of Moonlight, with its richly layered storytelling and the powerful choices its strong heroine must make.
Synopsis
Enter the Graceling Realm and let it work its magic . . . When Queen Bitterblue took the throne of Monsea, she was a child, and her advisers ran the kngdom for her. Now she is beginning to question their decisions, especially how they handle the legacy of her father Leck, who who ruled through his Gracea special talent for mind-alteringand his taste for darkness and violence. Bitterblue needs to know Monseas past to lead it into the future, so she begins exploring the city sreets at night, disguised and alone. As she does, she meets two thieves, who hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.
Bitterblue is unforgettablea gateway to the Graceling Realm that braids together magic, memory, and romance.
About the Author
Kristin Cashore grew up in the northern Pennsylvania countryside, the second of four daughters. She received a bachelors degree from Williams College and a masters from the Center of the Study of Childrens Literature at Simmons College, and she has worked as a dog runner, a packer in a candy factory, an editorial assistant, a legal assistant, and a freelance writer. She has lived in many places (including Sydney, New York City, Boston, London, Austin, and Jacksonville, Florida), and she currently lives in the Boston area.
Her interntaionally best-selling novels, Graceling and Fire, have received multiple starred reviews. Their awards and citations include being named ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, Booklist Editors Choices, an Andre Norton Award Finalist (Graceling), and winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award (Fire).
Kristin Cashore can be found online at kristincashore.blogspot.com, and on Twitter as @kristincashore.