Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns, Bk 3) on + 2527 more book reviews
I got a copy of this book to review through NetGalley(dot)com and was very excited to read it since I have loved the previous two books in this series. This was a wonderful conclusion to the series. Its beautifully written, has wonderful world-building, a complex story, and excellent characters.
Elisa is forced to flee the country she is queen of and journey into enemy territory. When Hector is kidnapped, Elisa follows his kidnappers to the Gate of Darkness deep in enemy territory. There she will discover secrets about both the world and herself that will change the course of history.
This series has been an amazing journey, especially when you compare Elisa from who she started out as to where she is now. Elisa started out as a spoiled, overweight, and whiny princess in the first book who let others decide the course of her life. In this book she is still occasionally a bit selfish, but she has also decided that she will be the master of her own fate. Elisa steps up to her responsibilities and fights to save the country, and the man, that she loves. She has grown in amazing ways from the first book and has become a character to admire.
Hector is another wonderful character. He is respectful and supportive of Elisa, and even pushed her to become a better person at times. The relationship that him and Elisa have is wonderful because they end up both being better people because of it. The romance between the two is just so loving and sweet and wonderful to read about.
There is just such wonderful world building here to. I love that this was more of a story about adventuring than politics (although there is a lot of that too). It was fascinating to finally visit the enemy kingdom and gain some understanding into those people. Then we get to journey deep into mysterious mines and encounter evil monsters...I mean seriously I love that there is so much adventure in this book. It reminded me of when the Fellowship ventures deep into the Mines of Moria.
There are some excellent twists and turns in the plot. As with previous books there is a very religion heavy theme here, but also as with previous books, it really works well for this series because religion is such an integral part of their culture.
The book is incredibly well written and was absolutely wonderful to read. The writing flows very well and the descriptions are beautiful. Things were tied up very nicely.
Overall a spectacular conclusion to what has been a spectacular series. The characters have grown so much since the first book and the worldbuilding is excellent. The twists and turns make the book incredibly engaging, I loved it! I highly recommend this book to fans of epic fantasy or historical fantasy. It was just an absolutely well done fantasy read. Those who love Sarah Maass Throne of Glass series should definitely give this series a try as well.
Elisa is forced to flee the country she is queen of and journey into enemy territory. When Hector is kidnapped, Elisa follows his kidnappers to the Gate of Darkness deep in enemy territory. There she will discover secrets about both the world and herself that will change the course of history.
This series has been an amazing journey, especially when you compare Elisa from who she started out as to where she is now. Elisa started out as a spoiled, overweight, and whiny princess in the first book who let others decide the course of her life. In this book she is still occasionally a bit selfish, but she has also decided that she will be the master of her own fate. Elisa steps up to her responsibilities and fights to save the country, and the man, that she loves. She has grown in amazing ways from the first book and has become a character to admire.
Hector is another wonderful character. He is respectful and supportive of Elisa, and even pushed her to become a better person at times. The relationship that him and Elisa have is wonderful because they end up both being better people because of it. The romance between the two is just so loving and sweet and wonderful to read about.
There is just such wonderful world building here to. I love that this was more of a story about adventuring than politics (although there is a lot of that too). It was fascinating to finally visit the enemy kingdom and gain some understanding into those people. Then we get to journey deep into mysterious mines and encounter evil monsters...I mean seriously I love that there is so much adventure in this book. It reminded me of when the Fellowship ventures deep into the Mines of Moria.
There are some excellent twists and turns in the plot. As with previous books there is a very religion heavy theme here, but also as with previous books, it really works well for this series because religion is such an integral part of their culture.
The book is incredibly well written and was absolutely wonderful to read. The writing flows very well and the descriptions are beautiful. Things were tied up very nicely.
Overall a spectacular conclusion to what has been a spectacular series. The characters have grown so much since the first book and the worldbuilding is excellent. The twists and turns make the book incredibly engaging, I loved it! I highly recommend this book to fans of epic fantasy or historical fantasy. It was just an absolutely well done fantasy read. Those who love Sarah Maass Throne of Glass series should definitely give this series a try as well.
Elisabeth P. (BetsyP) reviewed The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns, Bk 3) on + 566 more book reviews
Fantasy teen fiction by Rae Carson, third in the trilogy. Against all odds, Queen Elisa and her crew are traveling to the enemy city of the Invierne, to rescue Hector, her Commander in Arms, and her fiancé.
Elisa learns more about her Godstone, and why the Invierne want her alive. After she and her people escape the city, they must travel to Basajuan, save it from attack, then return to reclaim her own thrown.
This is an awesome series. Elisa starts out as a naïve, privileged Princess, and becomes a force in her own right. Elisa is an wonderful heroine, full of insecurities, and a strong will to do the right thing.
I love this series just as much as The Hunger Games, and the Divergent series, and more than the Birthmarked and Wither series. Worth a credit.
Elisa learns more about her Godstone, and why the Invierne want her alive. After she and her people escape the city, they must travel to Basajuan, save it from attack, then return to reclaim her own thrown.
This is an awesome series. Elisa starts out as a naïve, privileged Princess, and becomes a force in her own right. Elisa is an wonderful heroine, full of insecurities, and a strong will to do the right thing.
I love this series just as much as The Hunger Games, and the Divergent series, and more than the Birthmarked and Wither series. Worth a credit.
Nice ending to this series. Elisa does grow and change, and is more willing to act like a leader. The godstone continues to be enigmatic: we don't learn where they come from, or why; and its existence for Elisa is not exactly pertinent to her battles. I would have liked to have seen a bit more exploration on that subject - I found a few too many scenes in this third book rather derivative (the Mines of Moria, anyone?). But all in all, a satisfying series.
