I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson Also by this author: Walk on Earth a Stranger, The Crown of Embers, The Bitter Kingdom, Like a River Glorious
Published by Harper Collins on August 27th 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Girls & Women, Fantasy & Magic, Royalty, General
Pages: 448
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
The New York Times‒best-selling series!
"Carson joins the ranks of writers like Kristin Cashore, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tamora Pierce as one of YA's best writers of high fantasy."—Locus
In the deeply satisfying conclusion to the bestselling Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen Elisa travels into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.
Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion—a champion to those who have hated her most. Riveting, surprising, and achingly romantic, Rae Carson has spun a bold and powerful conclusion to her extraordinary trilogy.
Recaps From Last Week on Fictitious Delicious, Me, My Shelf And I, Mundie Moms and Fiktshun.
HELLO READER FRIENDS. Today you are getting two for the price of one with this Reading Rae post. So, last Monday, shoutout Labor Day, I was supposed to have read and written a post on chapters 1-14 but alas, I was not able to get to it in time before my trip – instead I chose to work extra hours so I could begin my vacation a bit sooner than anticipated. That’s right! I went to the most magical place on Earth: DISNEY WORLD. So, it was a small tiny break from Joya D’Arena and Elisa but no fretting I am back and here to tell you all about the things that have happened!
First off did you guys know that these 28 chapters span 283 pages? Well, the more you know and all that.
The Bitter Kingdom opens up with running. Elisa and her three companions are running because they won’t have flat land all that long and they need to press their advantage. Also they do not have horses yet because Elisa is afraid of them. However, they can’t be without horses for too long otherwise that will make travel kind of tough.
FYI Elisa is traveling with Storm, Belen and Mara, so she is clearly living some squad goals in real life.
Also Conde Eduardo is a douche and is engaging in open rebellion against Elisa because, again, douches gonna douche.
ALSO! YOU GUYS! The most awesome thing about this book is that everyone’s favorite love interest, #GoodGuyHector is a narrator and yes I am referring to him with a hashtag.
So, Hector is hanging out in captivity having the crap beat out of him by the Inviernos.
Meanwhile, Elisa and the crew stay at an Inn and meet a Mula who is abused by the owner of the inn. A Mula is someone who is half Invierno and half Joyan. So, someone who doesn’t quite fit within the societal hierarchy of this fictional world. The little girl is then beat by the owner and that is when Elisa decides to buy her. Oh, and it turns out that she doesn’t have a name. Storm, being awesome, is all a NAME IS A GRAVE MATTER. And so, Mula has to think on what her name will be. For a child, she is actually endearing.
Next, Hector is fascinated by snow. Also, he is making sure that his captor’s horses get sick which makes him feel bad but listen, he needs to survive and do what it takes.
THEN! Hector and Elisa reunite and they take on Hector’s captors and win, only FML, Mula has been hurt by the captors and Elisa must access her healing power. Which brings us to the end of this part.
Next, they decide instead of heading back to Joya D’Arena, they will head to the gate and destroy it so that Invierne will treat with Joya D’Arena for peace. Solid plans, what could go wrong.
In the next chapter, they are traveling, as usual but then the most inportant thing happens – Elisa tells Hector that she loves him and there are heart eyes emojis everywhere.
Elisa falls down a trap door at one point and then the next few chapters are dealing with that mess.
Of course, she gets out, Hector saves her.
Some things happen. THEN MULA DECIDES ON A NAME. It will be Red Sparkle Stone. And just like that, she is the most precious person in this book you guys.
Finally, at the end of this section, the gang goes into a cave in search of the zafira, and Hector and Elisa promise each other to stop tangling with death so often.
For more thoughts on these chapters – check out my fellow Rae Readalong companions!
About Rae Carson:
Rae Carson Info:
I write books about teens who must do brave things. I’m originally from California, but I now live in Arizona with my husband, who is the smartest and therefore sexiest man I know. My books tend to contain lots of adventure, a little magic and romance, and smart girls who make (mostly) smart choices. I especially love to write about questions I don’t know the answers to.
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