Feeling Blue

"If you see a tree as blue, then make it blue."-- Paul Gauguin

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
A good friend of mine who is in the publishing biz gifted me with a hard cover copy of Bitterblue. I don't know about you, but I absolutely love arriving home to find, on my stoop, plain cardboard boxes filled with worlds of wonder—books. 

Let's be honest here. I have eagerly looked forward to reading the third installment in Kristin Cashore's, Seven Kingdoms Series. Graceling and Fire, the first two novels in the series, are on my top twenty-five list of favorite Young Adult novels. I read devoured the first chapter of Bitterblue in the Spring as soon as it was available via digital format prior to the book release. I had an immense sense of satisfaction that Cashore wrote a sequel to Graceling. Bitterblue did not disappoint.

The main character, Bitterblue, showed the most growth and change out of the three female protagonist in the series. As a reader it was easy to experience the emotional pains of Bitterblue due to the thoughtful writing of the author. I often thought that I just wanted to be Bitterblue's BFF and help push her to the next level in the growing up process. The relationships in this novel were so well-rounded and so real.

One of the Seven Kingdoms.

What I love most about the book is the world building. Cashore is so detailed in the way she describes Leck's maze, the three bridges, and the people and culture in Bitterblue's kingdom. I found the overall sense of morbidity and loss that the kingdom experiences, due to the former King Leck's reign, to be a central character in the novel. This feeling acts as an antagonist to Bitterblue and provides an engaging, and at times gut-wrenching, conflict. Cashore also has such a knack for writing strong, admirable female characters. Most notable, aside from Bitterblue and Katsa, are Helda and Madlen who serve as matriarchal figures to the young, naïve Bitterblue. Each woman in the novel is shown to be compassionate, flawed, fiercely devoted, and deeply independent. This perspective on women is the most valuable reward of reading this series.

I have no doubt that the world of the Seven Kingdoms will stay with me for a long time and I will revisit this world often.

Orlando Bloom would make the perfect Po.

Three reasons this novel (and the series) should be on your reading list:

• Amazing and unforgettable female characters that go through intense and difficult experiences. 
• Po! He is officially my all-time favorite male character in Young Adult novels. Edward, Jacob, Peeta, and Gale have nothing on Po. 
• Cashore's ability to show the fragility, as well as the strength of the human spirit.

Let's Rate It!

The Cover:  A shimmering mirage in the Sahara of books. You will understand the beautiful and intricate keys featured on the cover by the end of the book.


Page Turner Worthiness Factor:  I demand a sequel. Ok, I know that Bitterblue is the sequel, but I would really love to see another novel come from the Seven Kingdoms. Actually, since there are seven kingdoms, I think there should be a novel set in each one of the kingdoms.

Coming to a Theater Near You:  Only if J.J. Abrams Peter Jackson directs it. No offense J.J.A., but PJ's mystical and imaginative LOTR directing ability is perfectly suited for this series.


Better than a bowl of ice cream:  Haagen Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond! You should partake of a bowl while you are reading this fantastic novel. You will need the extra carbs to stay up until four a.m. to finish the novel. (Note to self:  Start reading earlier in the day.)


Memorable Lines:
On Bitterblue:  She saw herself, tiny, fallen, crying and broken on the bridge. She could feel every person in the castle, every person in the city. She could hold every one of them in her arms; comfort every one. She was enormous, and electric with feeling, and wise. She reached down to the tiny person on the bridge and embraced the girl's broken heart. (End of Chapter 42).

Star light, star bright

Glow

by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Author Website:

http://amykathleenryan.com/

I won an ARC of Glow on another website and the book has been in the top of my “to be read” list. I finally have a little time off to catch up on reading. So I spent the last two days in my cozy, warm abode snuggled up with a cupo'java and Glow. This book had many of my favorite components—action, dystopia, pseudo love triangle, an independent female protagonist, and space travel. I was impressed with how the book is split between the two protagonists, Waverly and Kieran. I was drawn into their separate stories and adventures and I eagerly devoured each chapter in anticipation of the intergalactic reunion between Waverly and Kieran.

Seth's character complicates things for Waverly and Kieran, yet I find that I am intrigued and almost routing for Seth. I wish the novel provided more back story on Seth's life with his domineering father. For that matter, I wish there was more back story on the main characters and the members of both spaceship crews. I wanted to know more about life on the Empyrean before the conflict. I am left wondering what happened on Earth to cause life threatening droughts and loss of resources. At times the novel felt rushed and more detail was needed to make the story richer.

I also enjoyed the new spin that Ryan put on several familiar scenes from other literary stories. The power plays between the boys on the Empyrean is reminiscent of a Lord of the Flies scene and the girls fight for freedom on New Horizon reminded me of an Amazon uprising. I loved the author's ability to skew the idea of utopia and how humanity, at times, is its own worst enemy.

Four reasons I hope there is a sequel or companion novel to Glow:

1. I can't wait to see what New Earth is like and I am so curious about how many light years away it is from Earth.
2. Seth needs the opportunity to prove he is a good guy.
3. What happens in the confrontation between the two ships?
4. Who will Waverly choose or not choose?

Let's Rate It!

The Cover:

Those graphic artists know what they are doing. I like both the ARC cover and the official hardcover designs. They both have a ethereal quality.

Page Turner Worthiness Factor:

I demand a sequel. I did not think this initially, but with each chapter I knew there had to be a sequel in the works.

Coming to a Theatre Near You:

Worth the price of three gallons of gas. I think this movie would have the feel of a YA Battle-star Galatica.

Better than a bowl of ice cream:

Chocolate with sprinkles. This novel has potential, but I am hoping that the sequel(s) are even better and exceed expectations.