Title: Bitterblue (Graceling Realm, #3) Author: Kristin Cashore Published by: Dial Published on: 1 Mei 2012 Pages: 563 pages
'But that's how memory works,' Bitterblue said quietly. 'Things disappear without your permission, then come back again without your permission.' And sometimes they came back incomplete and warped.
Bitterblue is the third book of Kristin Cashore's Graceling Realm series and I gots to tell ya that it's my ultimate favourite!!! It tells about a topic not many authors dare tread on: how a kingdom heals after the war. So many epic war stories out there, but not much highlight on its devastating effect and what happens next.
Set in Monsea eight years after the events in Graceling, Bitterblue was an eighteen-year-old queen trying to be a good ruler to her kingdom. Which was not an easy feat as it might have seemed, because although almost a decade had passes, her kingdom still struggled from the trauma that Leck's reign brought. Surrounded by four very capable advisers -- Thiel, Runnemood, Darby, and Rood -- Bitterblue often found herself at a loss. Her daily routine was signing papers, and more papers, and even more papers. This consumed so much of her time, she barelly had the time to personally know her own kingdom.
Then one night, she decided that she'd had enough. Under the cover of her hood, Bitterblue slipped out of the castle to explore the city. She was drawned into an old pub where, instead of musicians, a bard took the stage instead. So many people gathered to listen to stories of Leck's reign. Because Leck had basically filled the minds of his people with lies and manipulations, so many people struggled to understand what had happened and truth was too often buried. The people of Monsea thirsted for truth, and this kind of spectacle piqued their deepest longings. Among these peasants, Bitterblue made fast friends with Teddy and Saf, who had a dream of writing a book of words (basically dictionary) and a Lienid sailor/Graceling, respectively. Both had no idea who Bitterblue was.
Bitterblue was surprised upon finding out that the majority of Monseans couldn't read nor write, when her reports said otherwise. Not only that, there were other unexplained circumstances too suspicious to count as accidents. Mysterious killings, innocents accused of murders, theft inside the castle, to name a few. Armed with her newfound friends and trusted few, Bitterblue set out on a mission to find out who had been trying to silence the truth from emerging in her kingdom.
Along the way, she would uncover just how deep Leck had broken and damaged the kingdom of Monsea and found how some wounds run too deep, almost impossible to heal.
EGGLYSIS
HAVE I MENTIONED HOW BITTERBLUE IS MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE WHOLE TRILOGY???
Bitterblue, the character, feels very... real. She is not some exaggerated version of teenage queens who, far too often, are portrayed as a) snarky, sarcastic, sassy, or b) seemingly tough but actually emotionally damaged -- which, referring to her past, is actually quite reasonable. But Kristin Cashore didn't go there. Her characterisation feels just right: Bitterblue is spunky, yes, but not overly sassy that borders on being mean. She's got a queen's charisma. Even when she's exploring her sad past, she didn't wallow in it. A perfect mixture of strength and weakness.
Someone on Goodreads mentioned that Bitterblue is a novel that shows us how devastating colonialisation and its after effect is, and honestly? I agree, wholeheartedly. The effect of Leck's reign spread throughout the whole kingdom, even a decade after his death. Truth was a rare commodity. Monseans struggled to stand on their own two feet. They had to move on, true, but the wounds were etched too deep that any effort to progress without healing would simply be pointless. The first half, I agree, might seem boring until the story starts to pick up. Especially to those coming in expecting action sequences and twists like in Graceling. In a way, Bitterblue feels like Fire done right.
There are special appearances from our previous beloved characters. Katsa and Po, for sure. Mostly Po though because he's Bitterblue's cousin. Then Raffin, Bann, Giddon, and Helda... you're going to love them! Giddon surprised me the most because, oh dear God how much he's changed! Not only he's matured, he's also best friends with Po now (though Katsa's still irritated by him, lol). And I might be shipping him with Bitterblue a bit too hard HAHA. Fire also appeared near the end -- no Prince Brigan, though. Awh, my brooding prince. :P
Oh, and don't forget every bookworm's favourit character: Death! He was the royal librarian, and do pronounce his name like you say 'teeth'. His Grace was to read with inhumane speed and the ability to memorise every word from every book he'd read. Honestly, where can I get that Grace? MEEE WAAAANTS! He had a rocky relationship with Bitterblue at first, until they warmed up during her quest for truth.
Another character that has a special place in my heart is Thiel. I'm not going to say much for fear of spoilers, but let's just say Thiel is beautifully flawed. He loved Bitterblue like his own daughter and was very dedicated to her and, in turn, the kingdom. Out of everyone, he might be the one Leck had hurt the most.
Overall, Bitterblue...
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