Loved it, such an original idea.

It was great to have all my old favourite characters back plus some new ones, and to expand the world from the original books. Intrigue, tragedy and mythical sea creatures, what's not to love! I love the way Kristin writes emotion and inner monologue.

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As good as the rest of Cashore’s work

I was unsure as to whether this work would translate for me as it read a bit steam punk in the blurb but I loved it.
Powell’s performance was excellent as usual. Lost some consistency with the Winterkeep accents but overall superb.
A definite re-listen for me.

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Thrilling to the end

I am so sad to have come to the end of this wonderful series. This book was so exciting and keeps you wondering at every turn. I really struggled to stop listening. I want to warn potential readers that this series contains a lot of upsetting, violent things. I also think the sex in this book was too much and unnecessary, but still done subtly and not over the top. I enjoyed the narrator's different accents and quiet reading style. Really a great read if you like strong female characters, romantic love stories with happy endings and lots of mysteries.

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A good 4th book

I seem to remember reading, I think it was after the 2nd book was published ("Fire", which is chronologically the 1st book in the Realms universe) that Kashore was planning on writing just a trilogy. I'm glad she didn't as this book continues the series rather nicely. It's been 8+ years since the 3rd book was published; I hope it's shorter to the next one.

Following the theme of the other books, we are presented with a new heroine, this time just 16 years old, and faced with a huge moral dilemma for one so young. In "Fire", the story deals with the heroine in the aftermath of her moral dilemma. Here, the heroine has to work through it, and face the consequences of her decision. Like all the previous heroines, she has the burden of a disturbed childhood. The links with the previous novels are limited to Bitterblue and Giddon (a minor character in previous novels, but much more important in this one). Katsa and Po do not make an apperance, but are briefly mentioned. A welcome inclusion is the development of the character of Hava, Bitterblue's half-sister. We left her in the 3rd book as a very frightened and reclusive child/early teens. Here she is much more assured and openly involves herself in the world around her, and its intrigues.

Emma Powell does a nice job bringing out each character. Overall, a very welcome addition to the Graceling Realms universe. I hope I haven't given spoilers for potential readers with this review - my apologies if I have.

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4 people found this helpful

Satisfying follow up

Enjoyed continuation of Bitterblues story, new characters and POV changes. Some fantastic ideas and some cliches, fantasy creatures, political and environmental aspects. Heads up for parents/ younger readers - there is a lot of consensual sexual activity at age 16 for manipulative purposes - present throughout storyline but not descriptive. Have read all books in series up to here and have enjoyed each thoroughly. Narrator is excellent.

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Unexpectedly unrewarding

Thoroughly enjoyed all previous books in this series, but found this sadly dreary. The narration was very good.

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