Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
I have a confession.
I’m not a huge fan of The Seven Kingdoms series. Though I enjoyed both Graceling and Fire very much, I just didn’t fall in love with the series like many others did… and I’m completely aware that I’m in the minority here! I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Bitterblue at ALA Midwinter 2012, and I feel that it should be put into the hands of a true fan of the series… so I’ve decided to give away my ARC to one lucky winner!
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Publisher: Dial Books
Expected publication: May 1, 2012
Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.
Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart. (Goodreads)
I’m also giving away this ARC as a thank you to my readers that have stuck with me through Hacked 1.0 and Hacked 2.0, therefore I am requiring that entrants are subscribers to A Book and a Latte. Contest is open to US/Canada only (sorry, but I will be shipping the book). Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter (you may have to click ‘continue reading’), and you can read my contest policy here. GOOD LUCK!
I JUST read Graceling and am currently reading Fire. I think what I love most so far, are the characters. They are complex and amazing. I loved Katsa and Po in Graceling and loved little Biterblue. Cannot wait to read a book that is about her! 🙂
sarabara081 recently posted..Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
My Favorite part about the series so far are the characters, their always so dynamic and really pull together the world that cashore has created. I lved Graceling but Fire really was my favorite Brigan and Fire herself were brilliantly written.
Kristen -Seeing Night recently posted..{Review} of Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton
Twitter: Reader_Fictions
says:
How kickass the heroines are! They are strong physically and mentally. 😀
Also, the fact that Cashore is one of the best at world-building ever.
Christina (A Reader of Fictions) recently posted..Astarte’s Wrath Cover Reveal
My favourite thing is definitely Katsa herself. She’s just such an excellent heroine.
Christa @ Hooked on Books recently posted..April Random Acts of Kindness
I’m a big high fantasy lover in general, and Cashore’s Seven Kingdoms novels kind of filled that need when I couldn’t get any more Tamora Pierce novels (she writes high fantasy as well).
Also, I might have a girl crush on Katsa. She’s just too awesome not to love! 😛
Twitter: britneywyatt
says:
My favorite thing about the 7 Kingdoms is the originality within the world. Kristin has created such an intensly beautiful story, world, and characters that it makes it very hard to compare the 7 kingdoms books to anything else out there.
Bwyatt recently posted..REVIEW: FALLEN IN LOVE by Lauren Kate
Twitter: jenni_elyse
says:
That’s so kind of you to do a giveaway so recently after being hacked! I can only imagine the frustration you’ve had recently!
And, I’m so excited about this giveaway because I’m a HUGE fan of this series. I’m looking forward to Bitterblue more than any other book this year!
Jenni Elyse recently posted..Bloggiesta! Ole!
I loved both Graceling and Fire, and I really am looking forward to seeing what happens with Bitterblue!
I have Graceling in my TBR pile so I really can’t answer this question. I’ve heard such great things about the series which is why have in on my list.
Sooo.. I haven’t actually read Graceling nor Fire yet (I know, how is that even possible?!), But I am a huge fan of fantasy series, especially when it’s a YA one. And this just sounds like something I would very much enjoy. Sorry to hear you didn’t like it! I recently bought a copy of Graceling, so winning Bitterblue would be wicked awesome 😀 then I would only have to get Fire 🙂
Also – so sorry to hear about the hacking stuff that’s been going on. I just read your post about it and yeah, it totally sucks! Who would do something like that? It’s just beyond me.. 🙁 Hope it won’t ever happen again!
Evie recently posted..Author Interview with Aimee Carter, author of Goddess Test series + PRIZE PACK Giveaway (INTERNATIONAL)
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Oh, I liked it! I just feel like the only one that didn’t LOVE it :). If you’re a fan of fantasy series, then I think you’ll really love The Seven Kingdoms!
Jen recently posted..Book Trailer: Insurgent
I LOVE how tough the female characters are in this series! Thanks for the giveaway!
Great giveaway, and love your honesty!
I actually have not read any of this series but I would like to read it. I like books that take you to another world.
I appreciate the feminists-in-action/applied feminism of The Seven Kindoms series. Women’s studies concepts are woven throughout and incorporated into the story.
My favorite thing about the Seven Kingdoms series is the romance! Katsa and Po, Fire and Brigan. YUM.
I love the different colored eyes and the various powers the gracelings have!
What is your favorite thing about The Seven Kindoms series?
I haven’t read any of this series yet hence my entry in hopes of winning to get introduced to it.
Hmmm, that’s a hard one but I’d have to say the unique aspecs of the books. I love how out there the books are and that there isn’t your everyday love triangle. I tend to get sick of those.
My fave thing is probably the writing style and the worldbuilding. Vivid descriptions and kickass characters are great as well!
Oh, the Seven Kingdoms. *sigh*
I love how it’s a fully drawn fantasy world that I can somehow still wrap my head around (I tend to have trouble with that.)
And Po. *double sigh* He’s in my list of top ten literary crushes of all time.
My favorite things are probably the characters. Bitterblue, Brigan, Fire… love them all 🙂
Marieke recently posted..On writerly bravery
Twitter: almost_grown_up
says:
I LOVE how Cashore makes her female characters strong but real
Jen @ Almost Grown-up recently posted..Book review: Fire by Kristin Cashore
Twitter: trh_87
says:
I love Cashore’s world building. I also love her strong female characters! and the hot male leads don’t hurt either 😉 Love Po & Brigan!
Twitter: marmaladelibby
says:
The writing. There’s just something about the stories Cashore weaves…they r epic and wonderful. Fire is one of my favorite books ever.
Ange recently posted..Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
The characters! And the world:)
I adore political intrigue and historical fantasy laced with romance, and these books fit the bill to a T.
Samantha R. recently posted..Book Beginnings on Fridays
I love how unique the series is and how it has such kick-butt heroines. That’s a nice change considering a lot of the other YA books I’ve been reading and I can’t wait to add Bitterblue to the list because I’m sure Cashore won’t disappoint. I also like books that take place in alternate history.
Twitter: leanne_y
says:
I love the special graces they have, and how each person has a unique characteristic. (:
I love the romance in Graceling! Po loves Katsa so much that he waits for her and protects her. Its awesome! Le sigh…
Christina (BookTasty) recently posted..In My Mailbox (12)
Twitter: PassingPages
says:
Favorite thing? Ugh…everything! I am a true fanatic about them. I am so dying for a copy! Thanks for the giveaway.
And I really liked Po 😉
Haley recently posted..FRIDAY BUYS
I’m reading Fire right now, and while I don’t think it’s as captivating as Graceling, I adore Kristin Cashore’s writing. There are so many YA authors these days that to me, can get a little repetitive and boring in their writing but that hasn’t happened with Cashore. I would say her writing is actually “improved” in Fire, I just don’t find the story as engaging as Katsa’s. I’m a total Katsa fangirl now though and Fire feels less adventurey/actiony which is why I like Graceling in the first place. I’m stoked for Bitterblue, and I will definitely be buying it if I don’t win it somehow! 🙂
I love these books a ton! I really like how original they are, and the idea of the graces (these are so many cool ones!) Plus I love books in this type of setting, like the whole kingdom thing, the kind of books that create a whole new world 😀
Twitter: deadtossedwaves
says:
Really….everything! The characters just stand out so much for me!! Love them all.
Twitter: kphnx27
says:
I absolutely LOVE Kristin Cashore’s books. She’s definitely one of my favorite authors of all time. My favorite thing about the Seven Realms books are the characters. All of them are so deep, realistic, and well-developed. I feel as if I can relate to them all in some way, shape, or form. Even the secondary characters all play such an important role and their personalities are so beautifully written. For me, the characters are really the best part of this series since the books are primarily character driven opposed to plot driven. I love that! 😀