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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Bitterblue

Review by Edan
Title: Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3)
Author: Kristin Cashore
Publisher: Dial
Published: 2012

Quick Summary:
King Leck left Monsea in mayhem. He was what is called a Graceling in these seven kingdoms. Like all Gracelings, he had two colored eyes and his Grace was being able to use words to control people. He could make anyone bend to his will and feel or think as he tells them. Now, it is up to Bitterblue (Lecks daughter) to clean up his mess. He was killed, to her relief, at age ten and she now she tries to rule her kingdom as best she can at age eighteen. Her world is covered by lies. She tells lies, her most trusted friends lie to protect her, her staff lies and Leck filled everyones heads with lies that cannot be solved. Bitterblue leaves her castle to find truth and is astonished at who she finds lying. She tries to make sense of her world and what really happened during Lecks reign.

Review:
I loved Bitterblue. I held my breath reading the entire thing. I tried to understand what happened and find I cannot figure out who did what and why. It seems as if everything twisted and tied. Everyone is scarred by Lecks reign and Bitterblue needs to find answers to be a good and strong queen. I think I liked Bitterblue better than Graceling. The first 300 pages are filled with lies, truths, sneaking, discovering, puzzling and making sense. Finally pages 400-500 are filled with excitement and Bitterblue discovers the terrifying and depressing truth. I could not stop reading. Bitterblue is filled with emotion that makes everything seem so real. It is awe and inspiring. I feel that I should I explain and expand more, but I don't know what to say. I absolutely loved it. it is full of fantasy, adventure (in an exiting sort of way), lies, emotions, mysterious characters and questions.

I know that Bitterblue comes after Fire in the Graceling Realm Serries, but I don't think it matter what order you read them, just as long you read Graceling first. I have started reading Fire and I liked reading Bitterblue second because Graceling and Bitterblue are more connected in the storyline. Fire gives explanations for something that happens later in Bitterblue. You should read all of them anyways! :)

Rating:*****


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Graceling


Review by Edan
Title: Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)
Author: Kristin Cashore
Published: 2008
Publisher: Harcourt

Quick Summary:
Katsa is Graced. She is one of the rare people with a Grace. Her Grace allows her to fight and kill as easily as nothing. She is the King Randa's niece and has to distribute his punishments. Everything changes as she saves the grandfather of the Lienid royal from another kidnapping king. She meets Po, another Graced Lienid prince, and begins a journey that will change her life forever...

Review:
Graceling is an exciting and connecting book. The main character, Katsa, explores her Grace of death and is torn about how easily she can kill. She fights herself throughout the book and connects with the reader. She doesn’t know her identity. She slowly uncovers parts of herself and becomes confuse, but begins to understand who she is. At one point she finally realized how much she hated not having control. The way Katsa uncovers herself herself, also helps the reader realize who they are as well. Katsa has a whole journey to find that out though, unlike most people. Along with Katsa’s thoughts, this book was never ending excitement. It was full of perils and hardships. The way Katsa and her friend Po pull through them are always inventive and creative. They meet unwanted soldiers, wrestle, fight, travel, run, discover and talk. The reader never wants to put the book down as this mysterious girl surges through forests, fights, mountains and seas. Graceling is full of excitement and adventure, but also thought and thinking.

Rating:*****

To Live

Review by Edan
Title: To Live
Author: Yu Hua
Published: 1993
Publisher: Anchor Books and Random House of Canada

Quick Summary:
Fugui lives in China on their estate. He belongs to the rich Xu family and probably wouldn't have to worry about his future, but he takes up gambling. Soon, he had thrown away all of his family's land and money, turning them into peasants. He struggles at first, but soon he and his family start to understand peasant life. As the Communist and Cultural Revolution are beating down hard, Fugui watches everything as a farmer. He sees his town change, his family change, his life change and his world change. He sees things that will change his life forever.

Review:
To Live is very informative book about China and the Communist and Cultural Revolutions. You watch one very interesting character though out the whole book and watch him change. He starts out being a selfish person not caring about his family, but he ends his story loving the little things he has left, especially his family. You grow a strong connection to all of the characters. This is a inspiring book that can tell a lot to the reader. If you are looking for a cheery book though, this book is not for you. It had funny parts and isn't all gloomy, but it isn't a book full of happily ever afters either. It makes the book feel somewhat real, but a little over the top. There becomes a pattern about Fugui's family that the reader picks up early on. Anyways, it's a great read!

Rating:****