This trio of companion novels takes place in a collection of kingdoms where there are people born with "Graces," specific abilities, such as strength and fighting. Gracelings are distinguished by their differently colored eyes and in most cases people are wary of gracelings. In the first novel, Graceling, Katsa is a particularly feared because of her graced fighting skills. She is feared even more because her uncle, the king, uses her as a bully to keep his nobles in line. He sends Katsa to deliver brutal physical punishment and threats and Katsa hates to be used so. In an attempt to do something worthwhile in the world, Katsa and several others have formed a council to carry out justice and assist those being oppressed. On one of those missions, Katsa comes across another graceling, one that will change the way she sees her life.
Fire takes place in a neighboring kingdom where there are not gracelings, but monsters - creatures of indescribable color and beauty and Fire is a human monster. Like gracelings, monsters are greatly feared for their ability of mind control. Fire lives secluded with a select company of people who are able to resist her beauty so as to live in peace. She has come to accept her quiet life and doesn't expect more. However, Fire is swept up in the war raging around her when her ability allows her to look for enemies, and she finds something she never expected: love.
Bitterblue takes place years after Graceling and Fire and features a character from Graceling. Bitterblue has become queen after the death of her tyrannical father. She struggles to be a good queen after the kingdom has suffered from terrible oppression, but she finds that difficult with advisors who want to protect her from knowing the atrocities her father committed. Bitterblue's frustration leads her to disguise herself and enter the city. There she learns more about her people and the conditions in which they live. She also meets a graceling who intrigues her and pushes her to be a better queen, though he doesn't know her true identity.
I absolutely love all three books and while Cashore has said she is done writing books with these characters I felt that the ending of Bitterblue left room for more. I'm hoping she reconsiders and continues giving us more of these characters.
Fire takes place in a neighboring kingdom where there are not gracelings, but monsters - creatures of indescribable color and beauty and Fire is a human monster. Like gracelings, monsters are greatly feared for their ability of mind control. Fire lives secluded with a select company of people who are able to resist her beauty so as to live in peace. She has come to accept her quiet life and doesn't expect more. However, Fire is swept up in the war raging around her when her ability allows her to look for enemies, and she finds something she never expected: love.
Bitterblue takes place years after Graceling and Fire and features a character from Graceling. Bitterblue has become queen after the death of her tyrannical father. She struggles to be a good queen after the kingdom has suffered from terrible oppression, but she finds that difficult with advisors who want to protect her from knowing the atrocities her father committed. Bitterblue's frustration leads her to disguise herself and enter the city. There she learns more about her people and the conditions in which they live. She also meets a graceling who intrigues her and pushes her to be a better queen, though he doesn't know her true identity.
I absolutely love all three books and while Cashore has said she is done writing books with these characters I felt that the ending of Bitterblue left room for more. I'm hoping she reconsiders and continues giving us more of these characters.