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lizbethandthelifeinbetween 's review for:
Winterkeep
by Kristin Cashore
4.5
Ok, so, I absolutely adored all of Cashore's previous works and there nothing has changed here. I think I'm a bit more critical of it and it did stray away from some of the things I liked about her other works. One thing I've learnt from reading her works is that she is a writer. Her books always feel like an exploration of what writing and worldbuilding can do and I feel to an extent an exploration of the author's personal feelings and opinions, pushing the envelope and I love it.
It was no different here where she strayed into an industrial esque setting. It was different to read about and some of the inner workings of the new lands were amazing and original. I would have liked to read about discovering Winterkeep and first contact and all of that instead of jumping right in, but the same thing happened in a way with Fire so I'm not that surprised. I do think a political fantasy would have been amazing though.
Next, this book has a heavy focus on Giddon. I never liked him in Graceling and while Cashore's amazing work of characterization made him more likable, I don't get behind him and Bitterblue as a couple. Also, if we're focusing on old characters I would have liked another Bitterblue centred book or something with Fire. This felt a bit like the other 2 books is a bit meaningless. I would have liked to see them tied in a bit more, or the consequences of Winterkeep felt in the Dells or the Realms.
On the note of the map, I do enjoy how it expands with each addition to the novel. The world doesn't just grow as characters learn more about it, but as different nations get in contact with others and learn of each other's existence. Like all other her works, it's very original.
I also enjoy how each kingdom system has its own version of magic. Gracelings, Monsters, and the blue foxes are all separate magic systems secluded to their kingdoms. I hope there's more overlap in the future books.
In all this was an amazing next installment. And while I hope it won't take half a decade for the next book to come out, of its of the same quality as the others I can't wait.
And I just want to mention Cashore actually spent time on a ship researching for this novel, her level of dedication is unparalleled.
Ok, so, I absolutely adored all of Cashore's previous works and there nothing has changed here. I think I'm a bit more critical of it and it did stray away from some of the things I liked about her other works. One thing I've learnt from reading her works is that she is a writer. Her books always feel like an exploration of what writing and worldbuilding can do and I feel to an extent an exploration of the author's personal feelings and opinions, pushing the envelope and I love it.
It was no different here where she strayed into an industrial esque setting. It was different to read about and some of the inner workings of the new lands were amazing and original. I would have liked to read about discovering Winterkeep and first contact and all of that instead of jumping right in, but the same thing happened in a way with Fire so I'm not that surprised. I do think a political fantasy would have been amazing though.
Next, this book has a heavy focus on Giddon. I never liked him in Graceling and while Cashore's amazing work of characterization made him more likable, I don't get behind him and Bitterblue as a couple. Also, if we're focusing on old characters I would have liked another Bitterblue centred book or something with Fire. This felt a bit like the other 2 books is a bit meaningless. I would have liked to see them tied in a bit more, or the consequences of Winterkeep felt in the Dells or the Realms.
On the note of the map, I do enjoy how it expands with each addition to the novel. The world doesn't just grow as characters learn more about it, but as different nations get in contact with others and learn of each other's existence. Like all other her works, it's very original.
I also enjoy how each kingdom system has its own version of magic. Gracelings, Monsters, and the blue foxes are all separate magic systems secluded to their kingdoms. I hope there's more overlap in the future books.
In all this was an amazing next installment. And while I hope it won't take half a decade for the next book to come out, of its of the same quality as the others I can't wait.
And I just want to mention Cashore actually spent time on a ship researching for this novel, her level of dedication is unparalleled.