Kristin Cashore’s Bitterblue is like nothing I have read before because of its unabashed confrontation of abuse and trauma. It’s heavy-hitting in its detail, in the way characters interact with each other or react to triggers, and it creates such a complex world and multi-layered situation to unravel. Before you decide to read it, I must note that this is a story world that has already dipped its toes into darker themes and characterisations in Graceling and Fire, however, Bitterblue jumps into the deep end and tackles themes such as PTSD, CPTSD, collective trauma and the characterisations of such trauma without sugarcoating. This is certainly not a light read but it is one that may spark many conversations and discussions surrounding such themes and topics in fantasy books, especially YA Fantasy.

I believe I mentioned in one of the earlier posts that these function as companion novels to each other as opposed to strictly numbered continuations within the Graceling realm. While I stand by that, I most definitely wouldn’t read Bitterblue before Fire. Fire brings with it an adjustment to the more serious topics and the norms within the story world such as abuse, dark human urges, and the outward display of such emotions that would make one feel uncomfortable in the real world. It’s a stepping stone into Bitterblue and should not be skipped over.

Out of the three books, I rank Bitterblue in third only because of my dislike for protagonists that don’t try to understand how others see the world, especially those trying to learn how to better their situations or community. Bitterblue as a character is very interesting for her proximity to the series’s most volatile and vile character and how she is learning to adapt to her role as the queen of Monsea in the immediate aftermath of King Leck’s reign. She has her personal grievances and struggles to work through while also attempting to reconnect her people to a time before her father controlled everything. She is trying to build bridges (metaphorical) and rebuild her city (more literal) but is met with resistance from all sides. How she deals with these challenges, or fails to deal with them, makes for some significant moments in her story and the procession of the plot.

Something I really liked about this one compared to the others is the fact that we don’t have a secure happy ending, in fact, I would say it’s more like one of those endings where things have to continue no matter what’s gone on. Things are rough and may get rougher and that’s part of her whole realisation; the kingdom is going to have to go through changes that may make things worse before they get better. She may have to be worse before she gets better. She also doesn’t end the book like Katsa and Fire ended theirs (trying to hold back on the spoiler) which, for me at least, makes perfect sense and helps to fesh out her character but it’s certainly interesting for such a character in her position in a YA Fantasy. I really like how Kristin Cashore does things differently, how she isn’t afraid to make things unlike the more mainstream path that YA Fantasy tends to take, and how the subject matter leans a lot closer to NA Fantasy while still being significant to a young protagonist. In a market where there are mountains of YA Fantasy books, I think this makes her stick out in a good way and I wish more readers go their hands on the Graceling series.

The original trilogy, that is Graceling, Fire and Bitterblue, feel complete in my eyes while still providing points for future expansion. Considering the nine year publishing difference between Bitterblue and the fourth book, Winterkeep, I would hazard a guess and say that maybe this is the unofficial split point in the series. I remember starting Winterkeep a few years ago and I couldn’t continue with it due to the changes made in the narrative structure and style. It will be enlightening to see if I feel the same way when I try it again in 2024. Fingers crossed I can muscle my way through it (in all honesty, I think it will be an easier read than A Court of Frost and Starlight so I should be alright). I do know that there are certain character details that I do not like but I will push through.