Amazing!

What made the experience of listening to Bitterblue the most enjoyable?

It was great to see characters from the two previous novels once more, especially Katsa and Po. How do I feel about Cashore’s characters? Attached, as in I seriously hope she reconsiders the ‘trilogy’ idea and produces a fourth book, attached.
I really liked Bitterblue; she’s smart, kind, queenly and brave. I kept pausing to underline passages while reading. Saf was a wonderful ‘hero’ (he was PERFECT) and I am praying for a ‘five years later’ novella to appear one day.

Each book was better than the last… The fact that all three novels had endings to suit their characters, not characters to suit their endings, was a both a source of satisfaction and disappointment.

What does Emma Powell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Po's accent, omg, she made me melt! I wish this was a REAL accent!

3 people found this helpful

Seriously good...

I cannot say strongly enough how much I enjoyed reading this book, and what a relief. I'd just completed the Hunger Games series and needed another to stem the disappointment I'd completed them. Bitterblue was just what I needed, when I needed it. Within two week I'd listened to all three books in the series. This is defiantly my favourite of the three, I found the twists surprising and at no point did I guess what was coming. Well done Kristin Cashore. Are we likely to get a fourth book?

3 people found this helpful

A worthy closure to a great series

This wonderful series opened the door to a fantastic new world full of marvelous adventures. Perhaps Bitterblue did not quite sweep me off my feet the way Graceling did, but I enjoyed its more contemplative tone and thoughtful heroine. This story was built much more as a mystery compared to Graceling and Fire and certainly made you want to listen to it in one sitting. I will enjoy listening to this series again and I will keep revisiting this beautiful new world!

2 people found this helpful

Awesome listen!

Book 3 is a great end to the Seven Kingdoms Trilogy. Book 1 and Book 3 being excellent with book 2 being a tad boring. This book and indeed the entire trilogy is very well narrated and the main characters extremely likeable. After reading book 2 and being disappointed for it was not as exciting has the first book I was hesitant whether I'd listen to the books again. After listening to book 3 I have decided I definitely would. Kristin Cashore is an excellent writer and Emma Powell a superb narrator.

1 person found this helpful

highly enjoyable, liked this one lots.

This book was my favourite of the series. Plot summary, young queen inherits kingdom in disarray from her psychotic father. She stumbles across deadly secrets a decade old and one question leads to another. tension builds, the malice of her father is palpable. schemes against her instigated by unknown but powerful sources spread their tendrils ever closer to her. And, in neighbouring countries, monarchies are falling. Who can she trust, what is really going on, and will she survive it all. The story is well read too. more please.

1 person found this helpful

One of my favourites.

Where does Bitterblue rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is one of my favourite books. The whole series is amazing, but this one just have that something extra.

What did you like best about this story?

It's hard to say...I feel like I like the way Bitterblue sneaks out at night and pretends to be just an ordinary person..and the way the author describes the different characters and the whole atmosphere of the novel. It feels very cozy listening to it.

What three words best describe Emma Powell’s performance?

Clear, full of emotion and good voicing.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, it did not make me cry, but I smiled so often and I felt worry as soon something happened and I felt like part of the story.

1 person found this helpful

Intriguing discoveries and surprizes

If you could sum up Bitterblue in three words, what would they be?

Unexpected, twists and revelations

What did you like best about this story?

I love the way Bitterblue's character emerges from a princess and a child, really, to mature into a adult character by discovering how protected her life has been and how much more there is to know about being a good monarch. The humbling journey she undertakes as a person is truly lovely to follow although it comes a t a high personal cost to her, She really has to watch all the lovely veils of her life be ripped away to be replaced by harsh truths and bitter betrayal, before she can build something amazing and solid from those ashes.

Which character – as performed by Emma Powell – was your favourite?

I do like the way Emma narrates the Katsa character. even if the character is only a supportive role in this book, it is so recognisable when she enters and speaks and thinks, there is just that extra bite to her narration which I think Emma does wonderfully

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Bitterblue - the dawn of truth

Any additional comments?

I think the story line if this book is the best out of the three in the series as it is a bit darker and delves into the twisted mind of people with extreme power and tainted souls. Than nightmare of what if really evil people got their hands on some really devastating weapons and became untouchable. I think this book makes you hate the evil character with such a passion as they just don't have any compassion and no regard for anyone else but their own pleasure and the way they keep affecting people even after they are gone.

1 person found this helpful

Third book in series. Engaging and dark

I am enjoying this series. I find the characters engaging, well rounded and realistically flawed. This book runs a bit darker as it deals with the physiological fallout if King Lec, a seriously sick antagonist. But the story is balanced with self-discovery, hope, adventure and a touch of romance. The hero is emerging and enjoyable. With character tie-ins and the plot circling around this world, the reader is drawn into the text. The audiobook is beautifully performed.

A less exciting instalment

I ended up listening to Bitterblue on audio as the library wasn’t being helpful with a copy at the ready. Although I enjoyed the read, I think audio may have affected my experience a little and I’ll explain why later (it has nothing to do with the narration).

I loved Bitterblue’s character and the depth of her experiences in Graceling, so I was looking forward to her book. When we met Bitterblue in this book, years had passed (about eight) and she was frustratedly ruling her kingdom. Bitterblue still had that wild streak and much of this story stemmed from her rebellious high jinks, just attempting to get a bit of real life experience outside of queening.

You can imagine that Monsea was a mess post-Leck and story rotated around that history, atrocities and its legacy. Bitterblue found herself embroiled with a character called Saf, a thief with integrity. This connection was meant to partly be the crux of the story but I didn’t feel their bond and I actually wanted Bitterblue with Giddon. Giddon seemed much changed since Graceling and I liked him so much more.

Major bonus points for all the Po time there was in this instalment and the bit of Katsa we got. Also the reappearance of an character (now elderly) from Fire. I love the interweaving of these seperate lands, time frames and characters Cashore has brought to the series overall. The last 20% of this read was the best part for me and pulled me back into love with the series after feeling a bit uninspired for the majority of the listen.

The narration was excellent, so it wasn’t this element that made me enjoy this book less. I think my issues were more about the many different characters and keeping track on audio can be more difficult (and you can’t flick back through the book to remind yourself). Also the Saf/Bitterblue connection reduced my feels on this.

But…I am primed and ready for Winterkeep and I’m really looking forward to it.

Great series, worth a listen too. Would recommend

Really good series, enjoyed it and looking forward to anymore in the future. Liked how the books linked but we're individual as well.