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heartbrekker's Reviews (797)
fast-paced
I’ll forever adore this artwork, and the webcomic images I saw in my younger adolescent years. But. And that’s a big but. The storyline needed to be fleshed out better 110%. There were a lot of jumps and skips that ruined the pace of the story. Basically what I’m saying with this rating is that the story told through art and the metaphor of the Greek myth Icarus is iconic. I love it. Execution with words is “meh.”
*cries eternally*
This was soooooo good!
Okay something that I need to get off my chest immediately is that I'm tired of seeing people in this review section saying this is just another Midnight Sun or Ballad of Snakes and Songbirds (idk if that is even the correct title) because this is not like those books at all. I've never been given the impression that Cashore is writing this continuation as a means for more money because each book has only added to the lore in a bigger and better form. She's also used her novels numerous times to start conversations in the YA community about issues like feminism, environmentalism (happens in Winterkeep), etc. I'm not going to linger on this anymore because I'm going to switch to my mix of pure, obsessed fangirl and analyst, but this is a note to all those annoying haters.
To start Winterkeep takes place five years after Bitterblue. I know a lot of YA people are not big fans of the books after Graceling because they start to have a slower pace, hold more adult themes, etc. and to that I say they sure do.
It makes them MONUMENTALLY better.
I would highly compare Winterkeep to Bitterblue because Cashore is expanding this world to new lengths I could never have forseen before. It also takes some time for the intense action sequences to happen, but it is well worth it. Just because the action isn’t as forthcoming as it is in Graceling or even Fire does not mean this book isn’t incredible. It’s very political to be honest. Lots of sneaking and scheming.
Lovisa, our newest character recruit, is a morally ambiguous teen, at times, who is torn on her allegiances and duty to her home Winterkeep or her to loved ones. Bitterblue, on the other hand, is just trying to protect and run her kingdom while dealing with another continent with insane technological advances (when compared to the Seven Kingdoms, the Dells, and their continent overall). When Bitterblue and crew start to see some mysterious and deadly circumstances taking place, they plan to get to the bottom of it.
Winterkeep is another piece of growth for this world. I laughed. I cried. And I most certainly screamed my head off. There's so many emotions that coil and boil throughout this story from the entire range of characters. I liked this installment specifically because a lot of the side characters in Bitterblue come farther into the light. Enigmas like Hava become invaluable to the storyline, and I've always been curious about her character after finding out her backstory towards the end of Bitterblue.
Now I cannot say much else because then I'd spoil you all, and that would be horrific because this is an amazing book. What I can say indefinitely is that I went through Winterkeep so quickly that it did not even feel like a 500+ page novel. I'm devouring the lore left and right and just trying to keep up with these marvelous foxes. Ooops I've said too much.. *wink wink*
Anyway, this book was incredible, and I know I've said this multiple times already, but I just need to say it again. Cashore steps beyond the bounds of YA to bring in environmental issues to the Graceling-verse and even a darker element to politics than ever seen before. She's always been an author even before the 2010's that discussed topics not yet mainstream, but she uses her fantasy books as activist messages essentially. It's brilliant and valuable.
P.S. As a little aside, they’re some changes to this story than what happened in Bitterblue. Keep the 5 years in mind because of course nothing is the same as it once was. People growth, mature, etc.
Just like without Cashore's previous books they're some heavy triggers, and I'm going to list as many as I can recall.
TW: Animal abuse, child abuse, gaslighting (mostly parental), prisoner starvation, near drowning, sexual assault (not rape but specifically rough, cruel sexual touching without permission), suicidal thoughts, kidnapping, claustrophobia, environmental cruelty/ deterioration, and bomb warfare.
This was soooooo good!
Okay something that I need to get off my chest immediately is that I'm tired of seeing people in this review section saying this is just another Midnight Sun or Ballad of Snakes and Songbirds (idk if that is even the correct title) because this is not like those books at all. I've never been given the impression that Cashore is writing this continuation as a means for more money because each book has only added to the lore in a bigger and better form. She's also used her novels numerous times to start conversations in the YA community about issues like feminism, environmentalism (happens in Winterkeep), etc. I'm not going to linger on this anymore because I'm going to switch to my mix of pure, obsessed fangirl and analyst, but this is a note to all those annoying haters.
To start Winterkeep takes place five years after Bitterblue. I know a lot of YA people are not big fans of the books after Graceling because they start to have a slower pace, hold more adult themes, etc. and to that I say they sure do.
It makes them MONUMENTALLY better.
I would highly compare Winterkeep to Bitterblue because Cashore is expanding this world to new lengths I could never have forseen before. It also takes some time for the intense action sequences to happen, but it is well worth it. Just because the action isn’t as forthcoming as it is in Graceling or even Fire does not mean this book isn’t incredible. It’s very political to be honest. Lots of sneaking and scheming.
Lovisa, our newest character recruit, is a morally ambiguous teen, at times, who is torn on her allegiances and duty to her home Winterkeep or her to loved ones. Bitterblue, on the other hand, is just trying to protect and run her kingdom while dealing with another continent with insane technological advances (when compared to the Seven Kingdoms, the Dells, and their continent overall). When Bitterblue and crew start to see some mysterious and deadly circumstances taking place, they plan to get to the bottom of it.
Winterkeep is another piece of growth for this world. I laughed. I cried. And I most certainly screamed my head off. There's so many emotions that coil and boil throughout this story from the entire range of characters. I liked this installment specifically because a lot of the side characters in Bitterblue come farther into the light. Enigmas like Hava become invaluable to the storyline, and I've always been curious about her character after finding out her backstory towards the end of Bitterblue.
Now I cannot say much else because then I'd spoil you all, and that would be horrific because this is an amazing book. What I can say indefinitely is that I went through Winterkeep so quickly that it did not even feel like a 500+ page novel. I'm devouring the lore left and right and just trying to keep up with these marvelous foxes. Ooops I've said too much.. *wink wink*
Anyway, this book was incredible, and I know I've said this multiple times already, but I just need to say it again. Cashore steps beyond the bounds of YA to bring in environmental issues to the Graceling-verse and even a darker element to politics than ever seen before. She's always been an author even before the 2010's that discussed topics not yet mainstream, but she uses her fantasy books as activist messages essentially. It's brilliant and valuable.
P.S. As a little aside, they’re some changes to this story than what happened in Bitterblue. Keep the 5 years in mind because of course nothing is the same as it once was. People growth, mature, etc.
Just like without Cashore's previous books they're some heavy triggers, and I'm going to list as many as I can recall.
TW: Animal abuse, child abuse, gaslighting (mostly parental), prisoner starvation, near drowning, sexual assault (not rape but specifically rough, cruel sexual touching without permission), suicidal thoughts, kidnapping, claustrophobia, environmental cruelty/ deterioration, and bomb warfare.
I feel like my main issue with these stories were that basically all of them felt underdeveloped. They were absolutely FANTASTIC and diverse, but like.. I want a whole 300 pages story for each not some 30 page short story. Dhonielle Clayton’s “Hearts Turned to Ash” was the only one that truly felt like a short story, and it was obviously my favorite!
This sequel was confusing for me.
Maybe it's because Enchantée was marketed so heavily as a French Revolution story, but this was not the sequel I was expecting. Enchantée let me down a bit because I assumed we'd experience some of the bloody moments during the French Revolution, and then when I read it, I realized the book served more as an introduction to the guillotine instead of in the midst of it. Though in Enchantée, I adored the writing, trips to Versailles, and the characters, specifically the magicians and nobles at the parties. The level of magic and mysticism blew me away, and I'll forever cherish the debut for that reason.
Now all of that previous enjoyment fell because this sequel is completely different from those parties. I lost that glamour and toil amongst the courtiers, and I could've handled that fine if the revolution took more of a forefront to the sequel than it ultimately did. The only real event that stuck out to me as *French Revolution* was the Women's March on Versailles, which Camille wasn't even truly there for most of it because she was up in the balloon.
I felt as if I was constantly teased and never given the blood that I was promised. The significant death of one of Camille's friends was the only moment where I felt the brutality of the revolution because everything else was slow and scheming, yet at that point, I didn't even care for Camille's sadness because I just wanted the story to continue. It was a little too late to snag my attention wholly.
The plot with Odette also seemed to come out of nowhere for me. Multiple new characters are introduced and have a heavy influence within the story, but it seemed odd that they didn't show up in the first book. It just was too much new information and too fast for me. Then, somehow, the story moved incredible slow until we get to the trial at the end. I didn't feel any action or excitement until those last 60ish pages where the tension cranked up.
I know now that I shouldn't have left my expectations and excitement for the historical moments during the revolution drive me, but it's a bit too late for that. I can't help how I expected the story to be. I apologize for allowing that to consume me, but when one of the bloodiest revolutions is mentioned as the basis for a story, as a history nerd, I'm going to expect the guillotine x10.
I'm sad that this review for one of my most anticipated sequels is so negative, but I will say the writing was just as spectacular as Enchantée. I love how Gita writes her stories! She makes me able to smell the scents as if I'm in the room with Camille, or her descriptions of the streets feel too lifelike to be true! It's amazing!! Her writing was the saving grace because even though I was bored most of the time, I could cherish her words themselves.
Overall, the focus on Camille's pamphlets/ Odette and entourages hatred for magicians just did not do it for me. I wanted more than that.
Maybe it's because Enchantée was marketed so heavily as a French Revolution story, but this was not the sequel I was expecting. Enchantée let me down a bit because I assumed we'd experience some of the bloody moments during the French Revolution, and then when I read it, I realized the book served more as an introduction to the guillotine instead of in the midst of it. Though in Enchantée, I adored the writing, trips to Versailles, and the characters, specifically the magicians and nobles at the parties. The level of magic and mysticism blew me away, and I'll forever cherish the debut for that reason.
Now all of that previous enjoyment fell because this sequel is completely different from those parties. I lost that glamour and toil amongst the courtiers, and I could've handled that fine if the revolution took more of a forefront to the sequel than it ultimately did. The only real event that stuck out to me as *French Revolution* was the Women's March on Versailles, which Camille wasn't even truly there for most of it because she was up in the balloon.
I felt as if I was constantly teased and never given the blood that I was promised. The significant death of one of Camille's friends was the only moment where I felt the brutality of the revolution because everything else was slow and scheming, yet at that point, I didn't even care for Camille's sadness because I just wanted the story to continue. It was a little too late to snag my attention wholly.
The plot with Odette also seemed to come out of nowhere for me. Multiple new characters are introduced and have a heavy influence within the story, but it seemed odd that they didn't show up in the first book. It just was too much new information and too fast for me. Then, somehow, the story moved incredible slow until we get to the trial at the end. I didn't feel any action or excitement until those last 60ish pages where the tension cranked up.
I know now that I shouldn't have left my expectations and excitement for the historical moments during the revolution drive me, but it's a bit too late for that. I can't help how I expected the story to be. I apologize for allowing that to consume me, but when one of the bloodiest revolutions is mentioned as the basis for a story, as a history nerd, I'm going to expect the guillotine x10.
I'm sad that this review for one of my most anticipated sequels is so negative, but I will say the writing was just as spectacular as Enchantée. I love how Gita writes her stories! She makes me able to smell the scents as if I'm in the room with Camille, or her descriptions of the streets feel too lifelike to be true! It's amazing!! Her writing was the saving grace because even though I was bored most of the time, I could cherish her words themselves.
Overall, the focus on Camille's pamphlets/ Odette and entourages hatred for magicians just did not do it for me. I wanted more than that.
I don’t really have the words to describe how I feel about this book besides the plain and simple fact that I read it in less than 12 hours. Maybe I’ll return to this review and find the words to describe my entrapment. Nevertheless, I wept. I smiled. I am content. Thank you Ev for being a favorite, and the first favorite of 2021 at that.
I was so prepared for this book to be a 4. Basically 7/8 of the book had me nodding like “hmmm, yes, this book is good, but I can tell it’s gonna be a basic ending.”
Well. Those last 30 pages were so powerful my rating went to a 4.25. I did not cry, but I teared up. Rather- I felt this emotion kindling that I’d like to call ~iced over numbness~
I think I’m in shock still.
Well. Those last 30 pages were so powerful my rating went to a 4.25. I did not cry, but I teared up. Rather- I felt this emotion kindling that I’d like to call ~iced over numbness~
I think I’m in shock still.
How was this book able to destroy me holistically and eternally? Umm because Samantha is a genius and a mastermind and a gem of a writer. She’s amazing in my eyes.
There’s not much I can say about this series without giving anything away. It’s the fourth book in the series so that’s expected.
What I didn’t expect was the rug to be torn out from under me. For Paige to dreamscape into me and leave me feeling every single emotion of hers as if we were one and the same. For the whole last fourth of the novel to somehow tear me in half worse than The Song Rising. How is that possible?
I’m numb. To put it simply.
Paige experiences PTSD immensely through this book, and it felt so visceral and real. I've never experienced her trauma or pain, but I felt physically choked at times due to Paige's own feelings. I also loved that Paige's decision making skills were affected by her trauma because she's not thinking straight. She feels as if she needs to prove herself to others after torture, but in reality, she needs to heal. Though, sadly, Paige doesn't see it that way.
Thank you Samantha for creating such a dynamic world of mischief and rebellion, love and destruction, pain and tears. I am officially counting down the months, days, seconds until the sequel. Iconic. Truly incredible.
I somehow already have my favorite book of 2021 picked out, and I couldn’t be happier that it is one of Samantha’s. I’m blown away and so content- even with the heart ache.
There’s not much I can say about this series without giving anything away. It’s the fourth book in the series so that’s expected.
What I didn’t expect was the rug to be torn out from under me. For Paige to dreamscape into me and leave me feeling every single emotion of hers as if we were one and the same. For the whole last fourth of the novel to somehow tear me in half worse than The Song Rising. How is that possible?
I’m numb. To put it simply.
Paige experiences PTSD immensely through this book, and it felt so visceral and real. I've never experienced her trauma or pain, but I felt physically choked at times due to Paige's own feelings. I also loved that Paige's decision making skills were affected by her trauma because she's not thinking straight. She feels as if she needs to prove herself to others after torture, but in reality, she needs to heal. Though, sadly, Paige doesn't see it that way.
Thank you Samantha for creating such a dynamic world of mischief and rebellion, love and destruction, pain and tears. I am officially counting down the months, days, seconds until the sequel. Iconic. Truly incredible.
I somehow already have my favorite book of 2021 picked out, and I couldn’t be happier that it is one of Samantha’s. I’m blown away and so content- even with the heart ache.