For the past five years, Bitterblue has reigned as Queen of Monsea, heroically rebuilding her nation after her father's horrific rule. After learning about the land of Torla in the east, she sends envoys to the closest nation there: Winterkeep - a place where telepathic foxes bond with humans, and people fly across the sky in wonderous airships.
But when the envoys never return, having drowned under suspicious circumstances, Bitterblue sets off for Winterkeep herself, along with her spy Hava, and trusted colleague Giddon. On the way, tragedy strikes again - a tragedy with devastating political and personal ramifications.
Meanwhile, in Winterkeep, Lovisa Cavenda waits and watches, a fire inside her that is always hungry. The teenage daughter of two powerful politicians, she is the key to unlocking everything - but only if she's willing to transcend the person she's been all her life.
WINTERKEEP by Kristin Cashore
Published: Jan 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy Fiction
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Are you ready for a little magic?"
How can I begin to describe my excitement over this novel?
The Graceling Realm series by Kristin Cashore are undoubtedly my most treasured book trilogy. And a trilogy is what I assumed they would remain, but, surprise! This incredible author has awarded us with an additional book, a forth story resuming five years after the third novel ended, starring some of her original characters who have maintained their verve and individuality over time, and enticing us with new faces, too.
WARNING: If you've not read Graceling, Fire or Bitterblue, now is the time to STOP reading this blog, take my recommendation and GO find these books immediately! Especially if you're a fantasy world lover like myself. These worlds are incredible, and I'm captivated by Kristin Cashore's expansion of her already extensive realms. The terrain is constantly growing!
This book is laced with even more action, adventure and political intrigue than before. The political undertones are heightened, making the world seem all the more real for it's trials and tribulations.
The technology that the new realm reveals is so advanced compared to previous novels that it's almost like stepping into a new world entirely! But the journey between them is so seamless, that I didn't bat an eye. It seemed right and progressive in a way that felt modern, and yet still fitting to a fantasy setting.
However, the best addition to this world were the blue foxes. I love the concept of them. Mind readers, like Po and Fire's characters in previous books, but this time not individuals. A whole species bearing this gift and protecting the secrets of fox-kind so that humans never become aware of the extent of their abilities. They speak only into the minds of the human they are bonded with. Self preservation on their behalf. But the deception becomes deep and complex and curious.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the parts of the story from the point of view of one of the foxes (I won't mention his name, since he so enjoys revealing it himself in the book). That's another intrigue about Winterkeep; the story is told from multiple points of view: The Fox, Bitterblue, Giddon, Lovisa and the mysterious Keeper; the perfect mixture of old and new character's voices, with no confusion as the author flits between them. I always understood who was speaking and empathised with them entirely.
Admittedly, I did miss the presence of a couple of original characters, but as this is largely Bitterblue's continued story, I can understand why they weren't featured. However they're heavily mentioned and blessedly still part of the Queen's life so I didn't feel their absence too much.
I enjoyed how Bitterblue's character has matured and evolved, becoming more assured in her position as Queen. The lies and manipulation of her father before her still hinder her reign in so many ways, the most obvious being the comparison between her own kingdom Monsea with Winterkeep. It's evident that there's still a long way to go towards restoring things, and I desperately hope we're given another book from this author so we can witness the recovery of a kingdom.
Their are hints and threats of war in this book, and I can't help but speculate more on this to come on this matter.
Winterkeep was a five star read for me, and will no doubt remain top of my list of excellence for books published in 2021. A bold claim maybe since it's only January, but I do rate this author so highly!
Her character and world creation is unrivalled in my opinion. Feel free to challenge me!
Let me know if you read this book, and what your thoughts are! I don't know anyone else who's read the original trilogy, despite my constant recommendations! So some discussion in the comments would be eagerly read and received!
Happy reading!
Zuzu 🖋
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