Bitterblue by Kristine Cashore (review by Catherine H. '17)

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
< After letting her advisers rule the kingdom for eight years, eighteen year old Bitterblue decides to begin ruling Monsea herself. She realizes that she is too high up to see down to the commoners and then sneaks out at night, posing as a commoner girl. Her escapades only bring more confusion, trouble, and secrets to her attention and she must battle the fog left in the minds of the people by her sadistic father. The third installment in Kristin Cashore's Graceling Realm series, I found Bitterblue enthralling. There is so much character development and so many secrets revealed, it left me wanting more when I finished. - Catherine H. '17

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Graceling by Kristin Cashore (review by Anushka D. '15)

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Because Katsa was revealed to be Graced with excellent combat skills at a young age, she has grown up as King Randa’s pet assassin. Katsa detests the fear and destruction that follows her everywhere she goes but feels helpless; she cannot aid the kingdom or change her image. However, when handsome King Po shows up at the castle and becomes her first true friend, Katsa finally has a chance to prove herself as a human, not a savage. Cashore creates a beautiful fantasyland full of dragons, kingdoms, and kings while keeping credible characters. Katsa is strong-willed, powerful, and beautiful but rivets readers with her vulnerablility and compassion . The plot hooks readers and continues to be strong to the end, and the romance is entertaining. - Anushka D. '15

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Fire by Kristine Cashore (review by Anushka D. '15)

Fire by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first picked up Fire, I was expecting a typical story dealing with a girl with magical powers who is suddenly embroiled in an action-packed plot to fight evil with a gorgeous male by her side. However, although the book does feature a girl with magical mind-reading powers, Cashore manages to create a wonderful and unique fantasy world of her own full of princes, dragons, and magic. In the land of Dells, Fire, a monster in the shape of a beautiful woman, is forced to face hatred and jealousy because of her supernatural abilities. When asked to help the king defeat his enemies, Fire must face her fears and prove herself, not as a monster, but as a human. The plot grasps the reader with its innovative and emotional personality, and the characters each find their own space in the reader’s hearts. Although there is a gorgeous male, Cashore sprinkles in just the right amount of romance to keep the readers entertained. This book is a companion book to Cashore’s debut novel, Graceling, and definitely a worthy sequel. Fans of fantasy, magic, and mystery will enjoy both books! – Anushka D. ‘15

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