The Bitter Kingdom (Girl of Fire and Thorns)

This was a good trilogy I was right there the full way through the trilogy but I didn't like the end. Spoilers ahead don't read if you haven't read the book..... Ok I have to admit I hate it when the main character loses there powers and the way she did I mean I understand it shows that she did all these amazing things on her own it wasn't because of the stone but still. I mean she grows really powerful amazingly powerful and then to lose it that turned me off right there. Other then that it was a good book and a good trilogy.

This is the third and final book in this series and for me the best one so far. It’s true that I’ve had a bit of a bumpy ride at times but overall I’ve really enjoyed this series.

I had several issues especially with the first book but despite the problems this series has turned out to be addictive reading. I found I just couldn’t put it down.

There’s already loads of great reviews so I’m keeping mine short and sweet.

The fact is I’ve not been very generous with my ratings because things bothered me and I rated accordingly. But having finished it I believe it’s a better series than my ratings suggest.

It’s a great adventure and while the heroine isn’t beautiful and stick thin. What she is is intelligent and loyal, she’s young and yes she makes mistakes but she learns from them.

It’s well worth a read.

The Bitter Kingdom is the final installment in this epic fantasy series. Elisa, Queen and Chosen by God, finally fulfills her duty. Fighting her own people and others in far off lands she tries to bring peace and unity to all of the kingdoms.

I have enjoyed the religious aspects of this series, but will admit to a little frustration with Elisa’s having to sacrifice everything for her people. I know, as queen, she must live up to her kingdoms standards, but as queen, shouldn’t she also get to make some of her own decisions regardless of how it affects others? If not, then what’s the joy in being queen? Her relationship and love for Hector was the biggest frustration, only allaying it when she is able to choose him for political reasons. The only reason why that didn’t anger me more is that we saw her inner pain and fear when he was taken captive and she and her small group travel to rescue him.

The rest of the story was pretty satisfying! She explores her own humanity, and it is that which saves herself, her friends and her people. Elisa has come a long way from the overweight, frightened girl we first read about in The Girl of Fire and Thorns. With her experiences and self discoveries she sees her duty, outsmarts the other kingdoms, realizes her potential as ruler and moves from girlhood to being a woman, ultimately finding love. I just wish that her journey had happened a little quicker.

This series has been the best read of the year for me so far. I knew the hype was huge and there was a lot to live up to, okay? But it didn't stop these characters from stealing my breath away with their personalities, journeys, growth, relationships and how they handled all the tough situations like true champs.

There's a war going on over magic between different nations and it's extremely fascinating to see how the history is written by the winners and how different nations have different versions of the past. Inspired by Spain and Morocco, these books offer a lush and vivid setting with lots of poc as the main cast and I'm happy to see that the poc aspect isn't ambiguous, but it's stated many, many times that Elisa's skin is a darker shade not lighter.

It's also stated multiple times that Elisa isn't a thin girl which is so freaking refreshing. Of course, since she does happen to go on different journeys across the kingdom and beyond, her body changes with more physical activity and less meals, yes, but she never gets to a top shape or starts being a physical fighter. She does have body issues at the beginning of the series. She is aware that she isn't gorgeous like her sister and that she is heavy to a lot of people's standards. By the end of the book.. well. I started bawling at one line in the last chapter and it wasn't about anything other than her realizing something so important about herself. I'm crying now as we speak, because it's just truly gorgeous to see that and extremely inspiring too.

AND NOW I'M CRYING AGAIN. UGH THIS BOOK AND THIS QUEEN OF OURS <3

In many ways Elisa reminds me of Kestrel [from The Winner's Trilogy) since Elisa, too, is an intelligent young woman whose instincts save her and others on multiple occasions and she herself says this as well that her strongest suit is her mind. I love that this book shows how a compassionate, kind, forgiving and supportive girl who is a great strategist can be just as powerful as a girl who is a skilled fighter and who has all her walls up. There are both kind of girls represented in these books and they are both amazing.

ALSO I CAN'T NOT MENTION THE SHIP WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUS THROUGHOUT THE SECOND AND THIRD BOOK I CRIED SO MUCH AND I SWOONED AND LAUGHED AND SMILED LIKE !!!!!!!!! there's a perfect amount of angst and shippiness going on and this equal partnership in the relationship is amazing and honestly this ship will join my hall of fame ships okay!

I'm so happy that I read these books. They were fantastic and have everything I want in books: an engaging plot with high stakes; no unneccesary shock value deaths (don't get me wrong, the ranks still suffer terrible losses, but they aren't just thrown there to make you gasp for a short moment); there is a healthy, slow-burning ship that's built on trust and friendship; the characters are all complex and multidimensional and there is gorgeous character growth for many characters and redeeming plotlines too, plus some characters turn out to be more than what they seemed at first which reflects a lot of real life; there is girls supporting girls and it was legit one of my favorite parts of the whole series; also these books are sex positive and it's done beautifully!

Asdfghjkllllllll; I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR THESE BOOKS AND I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO READ THEM. [Pssst. I hope you like 'em!]

1. The characters. My word, can that woman write characters. All of our favorites are back and stronger than ever in this final installment. Elisa, our beloved warrior queen, is on the hunt to rescue Hector, her stalwart and hunky Captain of the Guard. With her are Mara, Belen, and possibly my favorite secondary character of the year, the Invierno ambassador Storm.

It’s a foregone conclusion that I adore Elisa. We’ve watched her grow from the miserable, mewling princess in the beginning of F&T to the strong, take-charge queen willing to hunt down an entire Invierno troupe for the sake of her love. She’s incredible in her strength and even more incredible in her continued weaknesses. I love that even after becoming queen, rescuing the country of multiple occasions, and even finding the mythical source of the earth’s power, Elisa continues to have doubts. She’s not perfect, and she never will be.

However, Ms. Carson really shines with her secondary characters. So many authors neglect their secondary characters, content to use them merely as tools to further the story. But in TBK, every secondary character is given a well-rounded life with needs and desires of their very own. Even the characters I couldn’t understand on a personal level (those dang Invierno deciregi, for example) nevertheless felt very real and very present. In addition to familiar faces such as Mara, Belen, and Rosario, Ms. Carson introduces us to several new faces. My favorite by far of this fresh crop is Mula, a young half-Joyan, half-Invierno slave girl Elisa’s group picks up on their hunt for Hector. Bright, loud, and completely uncontainable, Mula reminded me of young Ellie from Up.

That said, the breakout star of the entire book for me was Storm, a disgraced Invierno ambassador and Elisa’s reluctant ally. I loved Storm without really knowing why in CoE, but our conflicted Invierno friend completely charmed me in this story. Torn between growing respect for Elisa and lingering feelings of loyalty for his home, Storm radiates infuriating Invierno snobbery even as he softens in peculiar ways toward his companions. He’s like a prickly cat, one you can’t help but cuddle and rub the wrong way just to see him squirm with distaste.

2. The romance. Yes, more romance, wheeeee! Elisa and Hector are still completely adorable together. There were a few instances of waffling as to whether Hector believed Elisa truly loved him, which was annoying. But all in all, swoons abounded. You all will love it, I promise. The best part, for me, is that while the romance was prominent and fantastic, Ms. Carson made sure to prove that Elisa could still handle business on her own. She didn’t need Hector to be a strong woman, a clever warrior, or a good queen. But she did want him by her side because she loved him.

Oh, and did I mention several chapters are from Hector’s point of view? ULTRA-SWOON!

3. The setting. This series has the best settings. The first book gave us a forest and a desert. The second gave us a voyage on the high seas and a creeptastic island. This book took us to the very edges of Elisa’s kingdom, to the free villages where Inviernos and Joyans lived in peace, and beyond to the heart of the Invierno capital city. I love that the series refuses to be sedentary.

4. The themes. Once again, Ms. Carson is a master at continuing the themes of the past books. Throughout the book, Elisa continues to struggle with the moral and ethical dilemmas inherent to her position. In order to save her country and the people she loves, she has to sacrifice others. People die. Livelihoods are destroyed. The losses are necessary, but that doesn’t mean that Elisa doesn’t feel the weight of her responsibility. I like that she doesn’t receive any easy answers.

Also, though Storm and the other Inviernos, Ms. Carson continues to play with the tension between truth and deception. While the Inviernos despise the Joyans for their willingness to lie, the Inviernos also are masters of deception due to their ability to lie by omission. I found it terribly fun to try to guess at what they were hiding.

There’s also some talk about Elisa’s looks but far less than in previous books. Still, one such discussions ended up in my favorite quote from the book, which you’ll be able to read at the end of my review.

5. The history. Though a much smaller point than all the others, I loved learning more about the Inviernos’ tangled history, especially as it pertains to the Joyans. I found it all completely fascinating, and – not to spoil anything – I’ve officially changed this series’ genre in my headcanon. You all will love it (or at least be gleefully baffled by it), I promise.

6. The ending. Ms. Carson hits the perfect balance in her ending. We’re given answers to some of the more pressing concerns of the series, but other ends are left dangling. I’m okay with that. If anything, it gives me hope that one day we may return to Joya d’Arena. The best part of the ending, in my opinion, is the full circle in Elisa’s character. Way back in my review of F&T, I mentioned how much Elisa reminded me of Gen from The Thief, though she lacks some of Gen’s essential swagger. Now, in Elisa’s final chapter, she pulls off a master stroke that would have made the Gen of A Conspiracy of Kings proud.

The Bitter Kingdom is a lovely, satisfying ending to one of my favorite series of all time. I’m sad to leave Elisa, Hector, and the others, but I’m so grateful to have been a part of their adventure. Thank you, Ms. Carson, for giving us such wonderful stories. Perhaps one day we can return once more.

Favorite Non-Spoilery Quote(s):

“You look beautiful,” Alodia says.

I startle at the compliment. Then I smile. “I’m beautiful to the one person who matters.”

She nods. “Hector’s mouth will drop open when he sees you.”

“I hope so. But I meant me. I’m beautiful to me.”
Points Added For: ALL THE THINGS, but especially everything I mention above. Also, Mula needs her own book now.

Points Subtracted For: Ending. :(

Good For Fans Of: The other Fire & Thorns books, thorny ethical dilemmas, amazing settings, romance.

Notes For Parents: Some language, death, making out, implied sex

A very good conclusion to this trilogy. Nothing seemed rushed or over done. The action and places this book takes you all fit in well with the plot. She didn't add a lot of over explaining to make the book last or un needed action. I enjoyed this last book. Elisa really steps up to be an amazing leader making tough smart choices. I love the ending to her love story and her kingdom. I really liked how everything came together so well. There is a couple of great battles and a really wrapped up ending. I still don't like trilogys. I almost have to force myself to finish especially as things get all wrapped up.
Sex: There is sex before marriage, nothing detailed. Kissing and fadding off. There is talk of it too.
Violence: There is some fight scences and slitting of throats of cource is a big violent theme throught these books. There is sword fighting, scorpion stings, some accidents.
Language: None
These books have a young adult feel with a little adult content I would rate them pg 13 or 16 and up

I really enjoyed reading this series. At first the series started slow but once you got to know the characters it didn't really matter. You just wanted to see what would happen next.

I really liked Elisa. She slowly grew to be a confident strong leader. Sometimes she did have crazy ideas, that some how just worked out. She traveled a lot and accomplished alot with just her small group of friends. For a seventeen yr old Queen, that is amazing. She had to save her, kingdom, friends and herself.

I liked all of the main characters. I'm glad Ximena wasn't in most of the book, there was just something about her, I had thought she was ninja cool but once you learn that she and everyone else was keeping important info away from Elisa and that she was arranging Hector to be with Alodia knowing Elisa had a crush on him, it just made me think that she only cared about protecting the bearer and this prophecy not the 17 yr old widow that needs a good friend, info and guidance.

Belen and Mara are just cute together. But of course Mara has to be stubborn, and I was also surprised that Cosme was actually over Belen. Belen was a good spy, he was there when needed and would gladly sacrifice himself for the others. He was cool, badass cool :) Mara was the kind of friend Elisa needed, she wasn't all up in her business, she could talk to her without being judged, they both did what they had to do to survive. Storm was funny in his own way, well at least I laughed at everything he was saying :) cus at first he was so mean and very very honest but that's just how his kind are. He proved he was loyal and I'm glad that he came along and helped, and that he was one of the good guys. Red is the newest member, she's a strong little girl. I think she will grow stronger and hey maybe even one of Elisas guards. She can be a mini Belen :)

And last but not least Hector, he was Awesome :) :) to be honest I was most looking forward to reading what happened next with him and his growing relationship with Elisa. I just loved his character and that it wasn't instant love, that their love was slow and more realistic. I liked that he was sort of a mystery well his emotions were. He kept to himself and made you wonder what was going on in that head of his. He wasn't over protective but just enough to let you see that he really cared for Elisa. Their relationship was so cute, it was slow but just right. This is how book relationships should be, slow to get to know each other, fight for each other, protect each other and letting them be their own person. Hector was the Guard and Elisa the Queen, and they didn't forget.

Great book, it's always sad to end a series and to let go :( farewell Hector and Elisa

Elisa has been growing and changing throughout the series and The Bitter Kingdom was no exception. She starts to define herself by trying new things and seeing what she likes instead of focusing on comparing herself to others, especially her sister, and coming up short. In fact, she purposefully learns and pursues the things that were hidden from her or that scare her and it made her a fascinating character to read about.

I liked the friendship that developed between Elisa and Storm. He seems to be a very loyal friend but the culture that he grew up in makes him not completely trustworthy. His culture also gives him a very literal personality that I found endearing. One of my favorite quotes from the novel came from Storm when he's explaining the Joyan culture to someone and how it's different from his own.

"Joyans consider it rude to express one's true opinion unless it is unequivocally flattering."

- Rae Carson, The Bitter Kingdom, pg 235

There has been romance throughout the series, but it starts to rival The Princess Bride with the devotion and the kissing scenes that have lots of spark that I know the kid from the Princess Bride movie would definitely want to skip.

The writing had a few cliche moments. I liked the writing from the first two books better. Each book has a journey, but for some reason this one felt a tad bit long. However, the plot was such a fun adventure that reminded me of entering the mines of Moria that it kept my interest very well. There was also a very brief reference to "machine magic" that isn't really expanded on, but it does support my theory that I discussed in my Crown of Embers review that perhaps the Joyan race came from our world.

Overall, it was a fun adventure with epic romance and a main character who is constantly growing and changing into someone I would want to be.

This was the last book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy – the first two being The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers (Girl of Fire and Thorns). This was a great ending to a wonderful series. A lot of this novel takes place in the realm of the enemy, and it was excellent to see Storm’s homeland. Elisa finally grows into who she is supposed to be with some major surprises along the way. Romance blooms, politics are played, and a fight is had to reclaim a kingdom. This novel also gives us chapters from Hector’s point of view which just rocked. We even get a new gal character from the mountains who is spunky and helpful and fun. Now I am not usually a romantical sort of Captain when it comes to reading if it gets in the way of the plot, but I have to admit the romance was the highlight of this novel for me. I loved seeing the characters grow in their love for each other and the process that entailed. In fact I enjoyed how all the novels dealt with love and loss. I was highly satisfied with the conclusion of the story and the trilogy as a whole. I highly recommend all the books. If you liked this review by The Captain visit her blog at[...]

As series finales go, Rae Carson rocked it with The Bitter Kingdom. As heartbroken as I am that the trilogy has come to an end, I could not have asked for a more exciting, swoon-worthy, satisfying conclusion for these beloved characters.

Admittedly, there were a couple things I didn't love about the book and I'll get those out of the way so the squeeing can commence. The first was the pacing. I just felt like the book should have been a bit longer. Carson is trying to accomplish a lot in the book, with three seemingly impossible conflicts that our heroine and her trusted band of allies need to overcome, and the resolutions to each seemed to be just a bit too easy and rushed. While I understood on an intellectual level that Elisa needs to accomplish these things quickly or lose everything, I just didn't feel that sense of urgency or even the danger. I would have liked things to have felt a little more tense and risky, as if there could have been a real loss, but that never happened, at least for me. The second thing I just didn't love was the inclusion of chapters from Hectors POV. Don't get me wrong-I loved being in his head, but I did not like the inconsistency of the POV switch. Every time it happened I ended up disconnecting from the story for a minute because I wasn't expecting it.

What I did love about the writing was everything else. Carson has a talent for painting visually stunning scenes, using humor to lighten otherwise emotionally brutal scenes, and character building. One of the best things about reading this series has been watching her writing improve with each installment and seeing all the loose threads that were introduced in the first two books tied together in glorious ,and at times, shocking ways. The world-building is so complex, especially when it comes to things involving the Invierno's, that I really did not want to leave it behind. There were also a few plot twists that I did not see coming and absolutely loved. My only complaint plot-wise was how anticlimactic a certain scene involving Elisa's Godstone felt but really that's an insignificant complaint when you consider how exciting and engaging the rest of the story is.

The characters. OH THE CHARACTERS. I am incredibly attached to Elisa and her companions. Fully fleshed out, three-dimensional, and 100% lovable, they feel like old friends and saying goodbye to them was bittersweet. I will miss them but I loved seeing their story come to a close with plenty left to wonder about. Elisa is one of my favorite heroines of all time and I cannot gush enough about her character arc. She grew so much over the course of this series, from being downright unlikable in the first book to the fierce, take no prisoners, utterly brilliant glorious queen she is in The Bitter Kingdom. I love her strength and determination and the fact that she is always willing to make the hard choices, to sacrifice if sacrifice is needed. SHE'S WHO I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP. Mara and Belen continued to make me squee and have all sorts of feelings that I normally wouldn't have for a secondary couple if the characters weren't as well developed as these two are. And STORM. Storm is such a surprise favorite character of mine. He had so many wonderful moments in this book, and I wish that we could follow him on his coming journey. Carson also introduces a new character in this book, Mula, who is instantly lovable and added so much to the story that I didn't even realize was missing until her special brand of sweet, fierce, hilarious, loyal, adorableness was brought in.

Of course, the crowing glory of the book, and really the series in general, is Hector. As one of my favorite bloggers, Gillian from Writer of Wrongs put it, when I was whining on Twitter about trying to put my The Bitter Kingdom feels into a coherent review, "The Hector in the book is well-executed and Hector-y. The plot is Hectorful, overflowing with Hector, Hector, and even Hector." While that is a totally legitimate review in itself, I just have to say that his and Elisa's relationship is one of my favorites ever because their relationship development is so freaking realistic and believable and lovely. I swooned over every one of their moments together, and laughed. I adored the way there first sex scene was handled. I just want a Hector. That's all.

In conclusion read this book because it was full of adventure, fun, fierce women and Hectoryness.

This conclusion to the Fire and Thorn series was fast, action packed, had a second perspective, and was so hard to put down. I liked this book for the same reasons I liked book 2, which was that it was well written (organized, tied together, good prose) with intriguing characters, action, some romance, some mystery, emotional moments, and with the additional perspective I liked it a little more. In general, if you liked book 2, you'll like book 3. The only con for me is that I found the last 20 percent a little rushed, or maybe I wasn't ready for it all to end.

As a trilogy, with some minor prequels, it is very well done. The story gives you everything it promises, ties plot points and characters together across books, has character development across books, and one exciting conclusion. The prequels may be best read before starting the series, but in retrospect, they don't really add anything to Elisa's story. Note: I often tend to be anti-prequel. If Carson decides to write more books in this universe, I would be interested in checking them out. And now it's over and I must undergo my end-of-series mourning period.

It's difficult to say goodbye to characters and worlds you've grown to love. Finishing Rae Carson's Girl of Fire and Thorns series was definitely one of the most painful goodbyes I've had to date in my reading life. It's rare that I find a book (or series) that so captures my imagination and makes me desperate to find a way to truly visit that world, and not just in my imagination.

Elisa is a character that you want to know if real life. She's a fiercely loyal friend, caring and loving, intelligent, and selfless. To see her grow from the scared, self-indulgent princess she was in the first book into a ferocious queen in the third is truly marvelous. She knows that stakes are high and that she cannot fail, yet she trudges onward, never giving up herself or those she cares about. She is a most admirable character and among the best I've ever read.

The Bitter Kingdom is everything I hoped and dreamed it would be, even as my heart and mind were taken on a whirlwind journey I could have never expected. There's loss and pain, but there's also redemption, forgiveness, and love. The decisions Elisa must make are difficult and painful, but she makes them out of love; she believes in her people and she believes in the goodness of others, despite all she's seen.

Not only has Rae Carson written one of my favorite heroines ever, but she's created a world, a mythology, a supporting set of characters, a love interest, and an enemy that all form an absolutely fantastic and unforgettable fantasy series. This series is the epitome of YA fantasy.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Again, this book was good, the series was good, I'm glad I read it, but not my most favorite series ever. I'd like to say, the God-stone/God thing was a little strange for me. In this story he seemed to be a fictional character, which is fine, but I was a little sad to see the "you control your own destiny" theme in this story. In the beginning of the series, Elisa is very dedicated to her god and has a very close relationship with him. I was disappointed to see that relationship deteriorate where Elisa decides not pray and to "create her own destiny" and decides to "do things herself". I believe that one can still be independent but also religious. I felt like this story degraded religion for having hope in God and His plan. Again, the book was still good, I love the plot and the characters, just a little disappointed with the theme and underlying agendas.

This trilogy is one of the best fantasy trilogies there is. All three books are amazing. I don't know how to talk about my love for these books. I just adore fantasy book so much, and these are incredible. The writing is perfect. The characters are amazing and strong and so loveable. And the story is perfect. Unique and special and all kinds of awesome. So glad I got to read this early. The Bitter Kingdom is the best one. So good.

This book has the perfect ending to this amazing trilogy. There is a lot of action. So many deaths. Heartbreak. Love. Romance. The Bitter Kingdom has it all. I never wanted it to end. But I'm happy with the ending. For the most part. I do want more; so much more. But it is also perfect, and I'm so thrilled about it. I know that I will re-read these books. After I get my hardcover :)

Since this is the end of a trilogy, you should not read my review if you do not want to get spoiled about the first two books. Because there will be spoilers. Lots of them. But hopefully not for this book ;) But there is a lot to talk about for me. Lots of characters I must mention. Well, only a few, but they are special to me. There is so much character love in this book. And I loved every part of it. Even all the heartbreak. It made me tear up many times. But it also made me smile and it filled my heart with warmth so many times. It could not have been better.

The Bitter Kingdom starts where The Crown of Embers ended. Elisa and her three companions are going after the kidnapped Hector; Elisa's love. At first there isn't too much happening, because they are mostly just trying to catch up to those who have taken Hector. But I loved reading about, still. Because Elisa is such an amazing character. I loved her so much. She's a lot stronger in this book. She kills people. She makes difficult decisions. And I loved her so much for it all. She's really a true heroine.

The book is told from her point of view. Which I loved. But we also get a few chapters from Hector's point of view! I loved those the most. It also made a lot of sense that we got to see his point of view, and I'm so happy about it. Even though his thoughts were mostly heartbreaking. But he is an amazing person. Loyal. Strong. Loving. He cares about Elisa so much. As a Queen, but also as a person. He loves her. And their love is just so damn amazing, and I'm really glad that I ended up loving it too, hih :)

I don't really want to give away more about the plot. We get to see a lot of running and traveling, and it is all amazing. We get to see a lot more of the Inviernos. Some of them are okay. Like Storm and his sister, Waterfall. But most are not. There are so many evil people. And I just loved reading about them all. Such an amazing plot. We also learn a lot more about the Godstone, and the power it have. It is awesome. I enjoyed reading about Elisa's Godstone in this book a lot more than I did before. I liked it.

That is all I'm saying about the plot. Well. It is an adventure. An amazing adventure. Full of danger and awful things. But also happy moments. And evil creatures. Like the scorpions in this mine. Shudders. So awful. And they are done so well, that I loved it all so much. The plot in this book is better than in the first two books. And it all makes sense. And I loved reading about it all. There is lots of conflict, but yeah. I loved that too. This story is just so amazing, and I couldn't have loved it any more than I did.

There is so many characters in this book. Have mentioned Elisa and Hector, who I love the most. They also have the most amazing love story. Swoons. But also, sobs. So good. I might have disliked that they didn't talk nicely about dead Alejandro.. Makes me feel I shouldn't have loved him in the first book. Still. Wish we had seen more of his son, Rosario. But he is still just as amazing as always. Love. We see a bit more about Ximena as well. Still not sure how I feel about her. Love and hate, like Elisa feels about her.

Mara and Belén is a big part in this book. And Storm too. They are the three people who are going after Hector with Elisa. I just adore Mara so much. She's an amazing friend. And I loved her relationship with Belén :) Although I wish it had been a bit more. Still, so sweet. We also meet another new character, Mula. Just a little girl. And she's so amazing. I adored her. We see a bit more about Alodia. Wish we had seen her and Elisa together more. Because I kind of love her a lot. And Storm is amazing! Adored him.

I think that is all I had to say about this book. The Bitter Kingdom is just amazing. Epic. It is the perfect finale. And I loved every part of it. Just wish it had been longer :) But it is perfect just the way it is. I loved reading about Elisa and everyone around her. I really loved reading about this amazing world. It is all done so well. Although I still don't approve of all that long traveling, lol ;p But it makes sense, still. I loved the fighting. The drama. But mostly I loved the romance. It is all kinds of perfect. I adored it.

You will all love The Bitter Kingdom. It is the perfect last book to this series. Even with all the heartbreak. It is just so amazing. So when it comes out in August, you need to read it right away. It is worth it. This whole series is worth it. And I'm so glad that I read them all :) Thank you, Rae, for writing a perfect fantasy series. <3 Thank you so much to the publisher, Greenwillow Books, and to Edelweiss for the chance to read and review TBK early. <3 I'm so, so happy that I were able to read it this early.

The Bitter Kingdom begins with one of my favorite epic fantasy conventions: The Long Journey Into Unknown Lands. In this case, Queen Elisa and her small band of allies are traveling to the hostile territory of Invierne to rescue Hector, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and also the man who holds Elisa's heart, who was taken captive at the end of The Crown of Embers. Before they can get to Hector, Elisa and her companions must overcome both the harsh winter weather of Invierne and the mysterious, deadly magic wielded by the Inviernos. But in The Bitter Kingdom, we are treated to something we never got in the first two books: Hector's point of view. So we are able to watch as he undermines and sabotages his captors, trying to delay their plans until Elisa comes for him.

I loved how Rae Carson turned the damsel in distress trope on its head by having Elisa be the one to go after Hector. Not only was it fun to watch the queen rescue the soldier, but it evidenced Elisa's tremendous growth since the first book. She was no longer cautious and filled with self-doubt, but finally comfortable in asserting her power as Queen. But although Hector was tied up and weakened, he was not helpless either. It was fantastic to see the two of them work together to secure Hector's freedom, even though neither of them knew what the other was doing. And as expected, I still loved Hector and Elisa. Adding Hector's point of view was brilliant, and it was amazing to witness his cold strategizing coupled with his tender thoughts toward Elisa.

As far as Elisa goes, in The Bitter Kingdom we see her both at her most powerful and her most vulnerable. Just when I thought her character arc may be complete, going from a meek princess with a low self-esteem to a confident queen in control of inconceivable magic, she plummeted back down and had to claw her way up again. I thought it was a stroke of genius, because it not only kept the stakes high and her character vulnerable, but it really let us see how Elisa has grown as a person, even apart from the Godstone.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters. The cast is smaller in this book, and I missed spending time with some of my favorite characters from Crown of Embers (the most noteable being Tristán), but almost every character makes at least a cameo appearance in the second half of the book, where we get some insight into where they wind up. Meanwhile, a couple lovely new characters are added to the cast, and some familiar characters are developed further. My favorite was probably Storm, the Invierno-turned-Joyan that we meet in the second book. He evolves from someone truly unlikable when we first meet him to one of the most fascinating characters in the series. I could read an entire book (or series) just about him and his family and his conflicted loyalties.

After the Epic Journey concludes, it's up to Elisa to stop a war, unite her people, get to the bottom of the magic the Inviernos are using to conquer anyone in their path, and discover her purpose as bearer of the Godstone. It's a tall order, and Rae Carson handles it brilliantly, with lots of action and intrigue interspersed with Elisa's own personal reflection as she struggles to be the person God needs her to be. By the end of the book, I had all of my big questions answered and felt satisfied with where the others were left.

The Bitter Kingdom was everything I want in the conclusion to a trilogy: action, intrigue, smart plotting, fantastic character development, and a satisfying conclusion. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this series to fans of fantasy and adventure, or just someone looking for a masterfully crafted, well-told tale.

This review and more on my blog, The Library Canary: [...]

What a breathtaking ending to an incredible series. I picked up this book feeling both excitement and dread. Excited to dive back into the world. Dread at it being over. When I finished the book, I just started crying. Not because it was sad. Not because it didn't end the way I wanted it to. But because it was over. I love these characters so much and I am so sad that my journey with them is over. My first journey anyway. There will be many rereads.

At first, I was really worried that Hector and Elisa would be separated for the majority of this book, but fear not. Rae Carson wouldn't do that to us. They are back together in no time and we get to see plenty of their romance. The book was broken down into three distinct sections. The first was all about rescuing Hector, the second about trying to make peace with the Inviernos, and the third about Elisa retaking her throne. Each part was suspenseful and had my heart racing.

I loved that in this book we got to learn more about the Inviernos. As always, Rae Carson's world-building is incredible. She leaves no question unanswered. It was so interesting to see how the Inviernos live and find out exactly why they are the way they are. We finally saw what their ultimate motives were for tracking down Elisa and we learned a lot about them. Speaking of Inviernos, I love Storm so much. His character exploded into awesomeness in this book.

We got to hear from Hector's perspective in this book!!!! Omg I love Hector so much. He is one of my top book boyfriends and I could sit here and swoon over him all day. My only complaint is that we didn't hear enough from him. I wished that we had had more chapters from his perspective. I could read about Hector all day and never get tired of him. Hector is just so swoony. He's the good guy and I just adore him.

"You were wearing the clothes of a desert warrior, holding weapons. Your back was turned. But I knew it was you. Instantly. I had memorized everything about you. The way you stood, the way you moved, the sound of your voice, the sheen of your hair...." -Hector

Omg. Literally. Just. I can't. I can't even. He is so freaking swoony. I just want to make out with him. And him and Elisa are so freaking adorable. I love them together so much (even though I totally want Hector for myself).

There is a new character introduced in this book, a little slave girl Elisa rescues. They call her Mula at first, but eventually the little girl picks her own name. (I won't spoil it for you.) This little girl was so insightful, brave, and free-spirited. I adored her and just had to share this quote with you guys.

"You always feed me. You call me a true name. Now when I'm scared, it's not because of meanness. And today I chose my own scared. It's always a good scared, when you get to pick it your own self." -Mula

Is that not insightful? This little girl blew my mind. She was smarter and wiser than I am.

Finally, Elisa. Elisa has come so far. In the first book, she was a princess with horrid self-esteem and body image. She was unsure of herself, timid and quiet. Now she is a strong, confident queen. She isn't afraid to put herself in danger for the good of her country and her people. She isn't afraid to share her true feelings with Hector. Elisa is an inspiration to young women everywhere. If you have a teenage girl with self-esteem issues, give her these books. They are so inspiring. There is a line at the end that brought me to tears because it shows just how far Elisa has come and I want to share it with you guys.

"I'm beautiful to the one person that matters."
She nods. "Hector's mouth will drop open when he sees you."
"I hope so. But I meant to me. I'm beautiful to me." -Elisa

Overall, this book was incredible. There were no loose ends. Rae Carson tied everything up perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this amazing trilogy. There are no words that will do this book justice. Just know that it was an absolutely stunning end to a series that takes my breath away. Happy reading all!

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson is the thrilling finale of the Fire and Thorns trilogy! There will most definitely be spoilers for the first two books, so just go read them now because this trilogy is awesome sauce. If you have read the first two (yey!), then I am happy to report that I loved The Bitter Kingdom even more than the first two books! It has more action, it has more exploration, it has more kissy times!
Note: I received The Bitter Kingdom ARC from a friend. Some things may be different in the final version.

Strengths:
I love the action-packed start of The Bitter Kingdom (remember there is a silly boy to rescue?) and it honestly never lets up. But I mean that in a good way. I sometimes get stressed when books are too action-packed, but The Bitter Kingdom was just perfect.
There are a lot of mysteries around the Godstone and the history of the world that we get to find out about in The Bitter Kingdom. I seriously feel like there needs to be a text book called "History of All that Awesome Stuff" just for this trilogy.
Elisa freaking rocks. She was pretty awesome before, but she just gets awesome-er (it's a word! >.>) Right from the beginning I have loved having a main character who struggled with her self-confidence and wasn't model-thin because Elisa has shown over and over again that she is freaking awesome BECAUSE of who she is. Can we be friends please now?
I love adorable, scrappy children; I just want to hug them.
We finally get some happy romance action and not just from the people you expect *wiggles eyebrows*
There were so many great quotes involving self-esteem and power in The Bitter Kingdom, but they are pretty spoiler-y, so I won't include them, BUT THEY ARE THERE!

Weaknesses:
There are actually about four major adventures/plotlines going on in The Bitter Kingdom. They moosh together well, but I really felt like it could have been split into two books so that my brain didn't melt quite so much.
There is a lot of potential for more world-building and revelation in this world and I want it. This can't be the last book pleeeeeeaaaaaase!
There were a couple of conversations in The Bitter Kingdom that I kept expecting to happen and they never did. I was looking forward to them and they were alluded to need to happen, so why didn't they happen? D:

Summary:
The Bitter Kingdom was a phenomenal finale to this trilogy. Elisa is definitely my favorite MC ever now. My complaints pretty much stem from feeling not quite finished with this story and world. I think that a prequel trilogy would be absolutely perfect though >.> Just saying ;-). But in any case, buy The Bitter Kingdom asap because it will make you happy.

Disclaimer: As the last book in a series, there are bound to be some spoilers. While I'll strive to be as spoiler free as possible (and will reveal no spoilers about The Bitter Kingdom itself), there may be some spoilery bits about Girl of Fire and Thorn and Crown of Embers. So, if spoilers drive you as insane as they do me, I'd recommend waiting to read this review until your read the rest of the series. =)

Wow, just wow. Where do I even begin!? I knew that I should expect Rae's typical awesome, but this...this was just beyond anything I could have hoped for. When I began reading, I had ideas...theories...predictions if you will, of where Rae would take the story. While I was spot on with some of them, she has once again blown my mind and I could not be happier.

As you'll remember, at the end of Crown of Embers, Hector has been taken hostage by the Iviernos in an attempt to lure Elisa into Ivierne and Joya d'Arena is on the brink of civil war. The Bitter Kingdom picks up pretty much immediately after these events with Elisa and her band on a quest to rescue Hector and find out what the Iviernos are up to.

I loved the epic nature of this series and yet the simple lessons she teaches her characters, especially Elisa. There are layers upon layers of nuance and metaphor all leading to the same theme: Elisa is enough on her own. She is on a journey to accept herself as she is. It's a beautiful lesson that every girl needs to learn. Beyond this, we also get all of our questions answered! I love it when a series ends with everything tied up neatly, but without it feeling like it's been forced. Everything resolves naturally and skillfully.

Just as in Girl of Fire and Thorns and Crown of Embers, Rae's character and world-building continues to amaze. You would think that by book three, the world's been built but no, Carson continues to add detail and imagery that brings this gorgeously vivid landscape to life. Her secondary characters are even more complex and exquisitely real in this final book, adding a depth to this series that is rare. The friendship between Mara and Elisa especially impressed me. Strong female friendships are so rarely done well, and this particular relationship was perfect. The sheer epicness of the plot and details of the backdrop are so essential to the overall journey that Rae Carson has taken her characters on.

The romance was as beautiful and perfect as ever. I loved the slow buildup throughout the whole series as opposed to the typical "get together in book one, fight or get separated or introduce love triangle through book 2 and most of 3, and finally have HEA in book 3" drama. Don't get me wrong, there is drama, but it is natural and flows with the story. The plot moves along with the romance, rather than being moved by the romance. And I'm sorry, but Hector...that man is amazing. We even get some scenes from his perspective which is AWESOME!!! He and Elisa have come a long way from the capable and aloof Captain of the Guard and the bumbling, fat, insecure Princess. They are more like equals now just as they always needed to be.

Overall, The Bitter Kingdom was everything I hoped for and a whole list of things I didn't know to hope for. From enchanting romance to epic quests and adventure, it has it all. Once again, Rae Carson has delivered a story that will stick with me forever.

The one question you want answered is: is this a satisfying conclusion to an amazing series? Right off the bat, I'm pleased to tell you that yes, yes it does. On more levels than I may be capable of describing.

The story picks up where you might expect: the enemy has Hector, and Elisa is heading on a fairly certain suicide mission after him. Mara, Belen and Storm follow her, loyal to the bone-perhaps too loyal to keep her from doing this stupid thing. Hector knows in his heart that his queen is coming for him, and even within his bonds he tries to help her stay safe from his captors. As it turns out, however, saving Hector is only the tip of the iceberg. When she finds him, her trip is far from over, and the enemies she has to face get more dangerous with every step. In the end, Elisa has to face the biggest question of all: what if she has no power after all?

One of the first things I was interested by was the fact that Hector gets a few chapters of narration in this novel. There isn't many, and they mostly serve to show what's happening to him while he and Elisa are apart. Frankly, I'm never a big fan of switching narrators for only a few chapters just because the main narrator happens to be somewhere else, but I loved Hector so much that I never minded too much.

As I said, finding and rescuing Hector doesn't take up nearly as much of the book as I thought it would. Even better, it isn't so much a story of Elisa on a rescue mission as it is Hector and Elisa working hard on both sides to save the other. Neither of them ever takes a seat, whether they need rescuing (and Elisa does, later on) or they are the rescuer. This feeds something I said in my review of book 2, about how the characters in these books never let one person do all the work. Every mission, every movement is a partnership of friends.

And while we're talking characters, let's keep talking characters, because I can't stop talking about Rae's characters. She was really good about not introducing too many new, important characters, but the ones we did get to meet where fantastic. The expansion of Storm's back story with new characters worked extremely well, especially. I also loved the reunion of characters that we hadn't seen since book 1 towards the end. The book really came full circle, so you could see how everyone-not just Elisa-had changed.

The plot itself surprised me. I expected the rescue of Hector. I expected the taking of the city. These were both laid out in book 2. I did NOT expect any of the things that happened in between. But, of course, this is Elisa we're talking about, so of course she can't do anything quietly. She came into her own in more new ways, even more fearless with every step. In the end, when she completed her service, the action that led to her Godstone falling out seemed to pale in comparison with everything else she'd done-as it was supposed to.

My only negative bit was that I felt that there was too many new questions about the history of the Godstone and the land that were opened up. I can only hope that Rae plans to revisit this land to answer some of them, but that's not certain, so for right now I have to take the series as it is. Despite the perfect ending, I still had too many questions that I may never have answers to, and I'm not a fan of that.

When we come to the end of a series, I always start writing my review as more of a series overview than anything else. Now, as we say goodbye, I honestly want to cry. So many things about these books where so perfect. The characters, obviously, were my favorite part. Elisa was so real and connectable that I wish we could be best friends, and her story friends grew around her into a unit that made me wish I could be a part of the family. The romance was also handle super realistically. Elisa had a man she grew to love, a man she loved in the way young love works, and a man who she loved as a true partner and friend. She had to grow up enough to find her perfect match - she didn't just get one on the first try. The action and adventure of the plot was never stale - I actually read books 2 and 3 in the same 24 hours.

Go have the happiness that you deserve, Elisa. Mara, you really can have some too. And Red Sparkle Stone better get her own spin off, is all I'm saying. (Hint hint, Rae. Hint. Hint.)

I read both The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers earlier this year and I would have done pretty much ANYTHING to get my hands on a copy of The Bitter Kingdom. I was desperate to find out how Carson would wrap the series up and whether or not Elisa would fulfill her destiny as the bearer of the Godstone. The Bitter Kingdom picks up right where The Crown of Embers left off, and we are instantly thrust back into Elisa's world. This time, however, we do get a few chapters in Hector's POV! I think this was such an awesome addition (and not because I am a Hector fangirl) but because I think it's important that Carson details his captivity for us readers. Hector is such an important character to Elisa and I loved watching them cope with being apart and be able to jump right into his thoughts and see how he was faring while she was on her way to rescue him.

When we first meet Elisa in The Girl of Fire and Thorns, she wasn't a very likeable protagonist. She lacked confidence in herself, felt inferior to her older sister, and felt the need to gorge on food to make herself feel better. However, after being married off and kidnapped, Elisa slowly starts to transform. After returning to the palace, Elisa is far from the same girl who was kidnapped. She has faced hardships she never dreamed of. She had to learn to survive on her own and not depend on someone else to take care of her. In The Crown of Embers, Elisa is still transforming into the woman she's meant to be. She now has a kingdom to run and has to face betrayal at every turn, not knowing who she can truly trust. She also sets out on quest to discover the true nature of the Godstone she carries. I love how unyielding Elisa becomes in The Bitter Kingdom. She vows to rescue Hector and makes decisions for the good of her kingdom and her people. Yet, she also manages to secure her happiness as well- which let's face it- she deserves! What I absolutely loved the most about Elisa was the fact that she learned to feel beautiful in her own skin. It doesn't matter what anyone else but her thinks and I think that really shows maturity on her part. Sure, Hector finds her beautiful, but what's important is that she finds herself beautiful.

I also really enjoyed the friendships in this book. Elisa has such loyal friends who would do anything to assist her. They offer her counsel, but do not try to usurp her authority or try to take over. They are bound by their loyalty to one another and I was on the edge of my seat because I wanted everyone to survive and make it through. We do have a new addition in this book, a half-Invierno girl who Elisa and Mara rescue from an outlying village. She names herself Red Sparkle Stone and she really has personality. She is around the same age as the young Prince Rosario and her courage and bravery were really inspiring. She wanted to do whatever she could to help, no matter the danger.

Once Hector has been rescued, Elisa makes the decision to go to the Invierne capital to see what she can discover there. Walking directly into enemy territory is no simple feat. But I've got to say, Storm really does shine in this book. Up until now, we always questioned his loyalty and there were certainly times in this novel where we wondered where his true allegiance lay. Storm has been shunned by his family, so he is not exactly welcome in the capital. However, Elisa realizes their best chance at peace is to come to some kind of a compromise with the Inviernos. Watching how she does this is absolutely brilliant. She eventually finds herself back in Basajuan where she meets with both Queens Cosmé and Alodia to discuss the fate of their country and their status with Invierne. Again, we see Elisa stand up and do what she must in order to obtain peace and I think her sister is quite surprised (and pleased) at the woman Elisa has become.

Let's talk romance for a minute. Holy Hector and Elisa! I absolutely think they are the ultimate power couple. They complement each other so well and both would sacrifice themselves for one another. Elisa trusts Hector's judgment implicitly and she knows he would never withhold the truth from her or be afraid to question her decisions. She is certainly a little nervous about how Hector will handle the news that they are betrothed, and at first I really want to smack some sense into him! Crazy man. He got his act together though and I love their scenes together. Carson shows how a simple touch between these two means so much and how much they admire and respect one another. And I really appreciate that she doesn't glaze over the intimacy between Hector and Elisa- she handles it appropriately for the age group of readers and I'm happy she stayed true to herself and her characters and the choices they made.

Overall, I think Carson did an excellent job of wrapping up such an epic trilogy and I loved watching Elisa evolve such a strong, self-assured woman.

The progression of Elisa from The Girl of Fire and Thorns to The Crown of Embers to know the The Bitter Kingdom is truly amazing. At first, she's shy, self-conscious and trusting. Then she's heartbroken, strong and fierce.

In this final book in the The Girl of Fire and Thorns series, Elisa is a true queen - self-sacrificing, wise and powerful. I absolutely LOVE that Carson depicts the foreign queen as manipulative at times and so very clever. It gave the story a flair for crafty politics and intrigue.

What I especially loved about The Bitter Kingdom was the wealth of self-confidence and self-worth Elisa grows into. I especially loved this passage:

"You look beautiful," Alodia says.
I startle at the compliment. Then I smile. "I'm beautiful to the one person who matters."

She nods. "Hector's mouth will drop open when he sees you."

"I hope so. But I meant me. I'm beautiful to me."

Awesome, right?

Another thing I loved about the book was Carson's use of mysteries - how to reveal them or keep them a secret. Elisa finds so many answers to her questions about her authority, her Godstone and Joyans sworn enemy, the Inviernos. But some things remain hidden and unknowable.

In those moments, her faith is displayed and that characteristic religious belief comes out. To me, it was a beautiful thing to read that I didn't think was overdone or "preachy."

I can't fully describe how much I've loved this series. It's been exciting, well-paced and extremely romantic. ALL OF MY FAVORITES!

So, I think it's only fair you know about what other projects Carson has up her sleeve.

If you haven't have enough of The Girl of Fire and Thorns, there are two novellas:

The Shattered Mountain
The King's Guard

Completely NEW, however, is her next series: The Goldscryer Saga! Due out in 2014, the story is a "`a sweeping and romantic fantasy' that follows a teenage girl whose magical ability to find gold puts her in a dangerous position during the American Gold Rush."

Very different from The Girl of Fire and Thorns realm, but intriguing nonetheless!

OVERALL:

I am more than a little devastated that this series has come to and end. Carson did a fantastic job of finishing off the final novel with a BANG. The Bitter Kingdom has angry animagus flinging fireballs and melty romantic scenes and one of the best heroines I've ever gotten to know. The Bitter Kingdom is definitely, absolutely, without a doubt on my Best Books of 2013 list.

Although I had this ARC for months, I put off reading it because I just didn't want this series to end. Right away, the reader is thrown back in to the action, as Elisa and company are desperate to rescue Hector. The amazing bonus of this book? We get to read Hector's point to view! Let me say that he is just as awesome as you remember from book two and getting to be inside of his head a little bit was absolutely amazing. His captures are not nice, as you can imagine, and his experiences as a prisoner were hard to read, at times. Elisa's crew was amazing, as always and I really loved the interaction between Belén and Mara. Storm was especially wonderful because we get to learn so much more about him.....and his family. One new addition was a slave girl who initially goes by Mula. I loved her and if I could have a book wish grated, I would wish for Mula to have her own series. (Pretty please?) As the group fights for their kingdom and for peace, their journey takes them on some heart-stopping adventures, including the land of the Anamagi. What a bizarre world it was and a testament to the author's excellent world-building skills. Those of you who are Elisa/Hector shippers (a.k.a. everyone) you will be blown away by the romance. It was sweet, it was sexy, and it was amazing. I could not put The Bitter Kingdom down!

Elisa has one of the best character arcs I have read in a very, very long time. That quote that I put above would have been inconceivable in book one, and yet, I expect nothing less from the Elisa of book three. As I have said in my reviews of the first two books, I have always felt that Elisa's power was in her mind and her inner strength. She is a brilliant character that become physically strong, yes, but who recognizes that her real strength lies in her intellect and her belief in herself. When I read this series I want to cheer because I become so immersed in the story that Elisa's triumph's feel very real to me. I feel like Elisa has to decide who she is in this book. While all of the installments in this series have had excellent character growth, The Bitter Kingdom brought some especially tough circumstances to Elisa's door and she has an opportunity to really explore who she is. Is she destined to die as a bearer of a Godstone? Is she a queen who must learn how rule all of her people? Will she be a fugitive forever? All of these questions hammer her and experiencing their resolution was one of the best reading experiences I have had this year. In a market that is growing by leaps and bounds, this series rises to the top because of its carefully constructed world, heart stopping adventure, and amazing characters. I am so sad that this series is over, but I'm looking forward to more books from Rae Carson.

The Bitter Kingdom is the 3rd and final book in Rae Carson's The Girl Of Fire And Thorn trilogy. The Bitter Kingdom is an extremely strong conclusion to the series and is one of the few conclusions that actually gave me closure. 99% of the time when I read series, I'm usually left feeling unsatisfied or annoying with the ending, but here I think that Carson ends it on an extremely high note. The Bitter Kingdom is a triumphant conclusion to one of the best YA fantasy series out there.

The best way to really describe The Bitter Kingdom is: Hector and Elisa feels. Sure, there is action, adventure, magic, and political disarray, but the true focus in my mind is on our much beloved couple. I'm really happy that Rae Carson gave these two characters the ending they deserved, if she hadn't, I would have been devastated. The romance between Elisa and Hector is cute in an awkward sort of way, like when you watch a cat struggle to grab onto a ball of yarn. Rae Carson definitely rewards fans for shipping Elisa and Hector with so many swoon-worthy interactions between the two.

The Bitter Kingdom is truly magical and I loved seeing Elisa's abilities really put to the test. I loved how Rae Carson really upped the stakes so much in this book and this was definitely the most intense book in the trilogy. I really liked seeing Elisa finally comfortable in her own body and comfortable with her own abilities. Readers will once again be awed by the magic of the Godstone and the Animagus.

I'm feeling really bitter at the thoughts of not being able to look forward to another installment about Hector and Elisa. I am really excited for Rae's new series about the California Gold Rush, it truly can't be published fast enough! I really look forward to being wowed by Carson's incredible writing and world building abilities with her Goldscrying Chronicles. The Bitter Kingdom is an epic book and I really hope that it gets all the attention that it deserves!

*squeeeeeeeeee*

I got SO SUPER EXCITED when I was approved for The Bitter Kingdom and my excitement was more than warranted. I read and loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson, so I was chomping at the bit for The Bitter Kingdom.

Guys, thinking about Elisa's character arc almost brings a tear to my eye. Scratch that, forget the almost. I've fixated on it now and there are FEELINGS in me. She has come SO amazingly far from where we met her The Girl of Fire and Thorns. From an insecure princess who does what she's told without demanding to know why to a freaking QUEEN- a confident one who's learned to love herself. She considers other people's advice, accepts allies but MAKES HER OWN DAMN DECISIONS. Even when they come from the main man in her life:

HECTOR. Oh Hector, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

1) You don't get your man parts in a major tangle over Elisa coming to your rescue.

2) You treat her as an EQUAL and let her do what she needs to- even if it means you're not at her side CONSTANTLY.

3) You're kick-ass yourself.

4) You have some of these LINES that make me all weak in the knees.

Okay, I must chill with the Hector love. Because yes, I love him, I love Elisa, and I love him and Elisa together, but I think you guys GET THE PICTURE NOW.

So onto other The Bitter Kingdom goodness. Like the world-building that continues in this book. I think world-building in general is a big challenge of writing fantasy, but I'm continually amazed at how well some authors are able to expand those worlds in ways that are realistic and amazing. You see the different cultures present in Elisa's world in this book and it's positively fascinating.

I also love how DIMENSIONAL even secondary characters are. You see what their motivations are and understand their flaws and WHY they do the things they do.

In short, The Bitter Kingdom was an incredible book and a phenomenal conclusion to a beloved trilogy. I'll miss Elisa, Hector, and their world like whoa.
- See more at: [...]

Trekking across the blazing sand and through deadly snow, Elisa is in for one epic journey to save the man she loves, to protect her kingdom from utter destruction, and to fulfill her destiny as a bearer of a Godstone in the final installment of the Fire and Thorns trilogy. I've been anticipating this novel ever since I finished THE CROWN OF EMBERS, and Rae Carson did not disappoint. Picking up directly where the sequel left off, Carson does not waste a moment in getting Elisa started on her journey. But, Elisa's not going at it alone, and is instead aided by a few old friends (Belen, Mara, Storm) and a few new allies (Mula, Horse, possibly also Storm). Their journey is dangerous, deadly, and will take them into the heart of a place they fear the most.

Rife with political intrigue, daring altercations, thrilling escapes, and a vibrant cast of characters, THE BITTER KINGDOM is a whirlwind of a story that excites from start to finish. Just when you think you have this story all figured out, the stakes raise as more revelations come to light. Carson's writes each setting vividly, and gives equal care to fleshing out her characters and her overall story. Looking back at where this trilogy started, I'm very impressed regarding Elisa's character growth, and I'm sold on reading all of Carson's future works. If you are not reading this trilogy and you happen to be a fantasy fan, give this trilogy a chance because you're in a for a treat.

HIGHLIGHTS: Action, adventure, risks, and sacrifice, THE BITTER KINGDOM is thrilling. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, rooting for Elisa and worrying for the main cast of characters whenever things started to go badly for them. The inclusion of Hector's (*swoons*) POV could have been a risky move, but it paid off in the end since it added another layer to his character and to the overall story. Characters, new and old, are carefully developed by Carson. More about Elisa's world and the Inviernos is revealed. In all, this book is wonderful.

LOWLIGHTS: The trilogy is over, and I'm sad about that. Rae Carson, why can't you write more Fire and Thorns novels?! *hugs trilogy*

* received electronic advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion, and later purchased a hardcover at my local bookstore.

I got a copy of this book to review through NetGalley(dot)com and was very excited to read it since I have loved the previous two books in this series. This was a wonderful conclusion to the series. It's beautifully written, has wonderful world-building, a complex story, and excellent characters.

Elisa is forced to flee the country she is queen of and journey into enemy territory. When Hector is kidnapped, Elisa follows his kidnappers to the Gate of Darkness deep in enemy territory. There she will discover secrets about both the world and herself that will change the course of history.

This series has been an amazing journey, especially when you compare Elisa from who she started out as to where she is now. Elisa started out as a spoiled, overweight, and whiny princess in the first book who let others decide the course of her life. In this book she is still occasionally a bit selfish, but she has also decided that she will be the master of her own fate. Elisa steps up to her responsibilities and fights to save the country, and the man, that she loves. She has grown in amazing ways from the first book and has become a character to admire.

Hector is another wonderful character. He is respectful and supportive of Elisa, and even pushed her to become a better person at times. The relationship that him and Elisa have is wonderful because they end up both being better people because of it. The romance between the two is just so loving and sweet and wonderful to read about.

There is just such wonderful world building here to. I love that this was more of a story about adventuring than politics (although there is a lot of that too). It was fascinating to finally visit the enemy kingdom and gain some understanding into those people. Then we get to journey deep into mysterious mines and encounter evil monsters...I mean seriously I love that there is so much adventure in this book. It reminded me of when the Fellowship ventures deep into the Mines of Moria.

There are some excellent twists and turns in the plot. As with previous books there is a very religion heavy theme here, but also as with previous books, it really works well for this series because religion is such an integral part of their culture.

The book is incredibly well written and was absolutely wonderful to read. The writing flows very well and the descriptions are beautiful. Things were tied up very nicely.

Overall a spectacular conclusion to what has been a spectacular series. The characters have grown so much since the first book and the worldbuilding is excellent. The twists and turns make the book incredibly engaging, I loved it! I highly recommend this book to fans of epic fantasy or historical fantasy. It was just an absolutely well done fantasy read. Those who love Sarah Maas's Throne of Glass series should definitely give this series a try as well.

I absolutely loved this entire series. There was not a dull or lackluster book in the bunch. The characters were complex and their struggles made them very relatable. I felt thoroughly invested in not just Elisa, but also all her companions. This final book was jam packed with action, and i was worried, at first, that the action would be at the cost of some valuable character development, but now I realize I had nothing to worry about. Carson did a great job of weaving in key decision-making points that helped develop and define each character throughout the action scenes, and also did a great job of throwing in a few hints here and there to remind us of details about the land and characters that we might have forgotten to help the readers understand the gravity of various situations. And the progression of Elisa, as well as several other characters, in learning their own strength and defining strength on their own terms.... incredible. By the time I finished reading the book, I felt empowered to take on the world! I just wish there was an epilogue of some sort so I could find out more about how the other characters adjusted to the changes in their world! I highly recommend this trilogy!

(The only complaint I have about the book is that the e-book is now slightly more expensive than the paperback, which, to me, doesn't make any sense. HarperCollins is really pissing me off with its pricing. If the price point is holding you back from reading, you could borrow it from your local library in e-book format through the library website, depending on what your library has in its e-collection.)

*Bow down to Rae Carson* Congratulation, you are officially in my "To Stalk Author list"!

The final installation of Fire and Thorns is AMAZING! Just WOW. An epic ending! Packed action, heartwarming and full of Lord Hector! Rae is brilliant and just freaking incredible. She surpassed all of my expectation for this trilogy. In my opinion, I don’t know how she did it, but this book is the best of all three.

The Bitter Kingdom follows the story of Elisa’s rescue journey after Hector is kidnapped by the Invierno Franco. She promised Hector she would rescue him and she is very determined to do so. No one can stop her, no one. Elisa learns to make hard decisions and I love how she learns become the leader she is destined to be.

Elisa, I am so proud of her. I literally cheer for her all the way. Her character growth is outstanding. She is truly a heroine. I just love how Rae started her character as a weak foolish child but now.... now she’s a grown wise woman. *wipes tears* I am so proud of her.

My God, Hector is such an adoring gentleman. His love for Elisa is beautiful. Rae literally ruins us for giving us high expectation toward real life men. He respects her, he listens to her, he guides her when needed, he protects her, challenges her… the list goes on and on and one. Hector is PERFECT!

Sorry Epic Reads gals, Hector is MINE =P

Everyone, this is a must read series! I dearly love these characters. The story is fantastic and magical. I am so happy I had the chance to meet Rae Carson, because I am a fan. She is absolutely one of my favorite authors. I cannot wait for her future trilogy!

Wow. I… I don’t even know what to write. Where to start. I really don’t think I can do this book justice. Well, I can at least say that I l o v e this book with all of my heart. The Fire and Thorns series is one of my absolute favorites, if not my very favorite fantasy series of all time. I am completely in love with this series. And I am so very happy with this last book in the trilogy. Oh and I just want to give a humungous THANK YOU to Epic Reads for the ARC! Totally squealed when I found out I won :)

So I had been dying to read this book ever since I finished The Crown of Embers, since CoE ends with a wicked cliffhanger. But not only that, I fell completely head-over-heels in love with the series, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the final book. The fantasy world-building is absolutely divine. It’s so well created, so fleshed out, that it feels like a real world to me. And I just love the Spanish influence Rae Carson has put in the world building (and I’m so grateful that I took Spanish classes in school!). I’m sure I’m pronouncing some names and words wrong, but whatever! The world where Elisa and Hector and Mara and Belén and Storm live in is so incredibly well written, so alive, it’s like its own character.

Elisa is a badass. She is one fantastic heroine. I love that she changes so much throughout the entire series, starting from an insecure, nervous girl, to one who reaches her full potential. She’s the damn queen of her kingdom, for christ’s sake, and she’s only 17! If there’s any heroine I would look up to, it would be Elisa, and I admire her inner strength, her intelligence, her independence, and basically everything about her because she’s amazing! I have a total girl crush on her. Throughout the entire book, she proves to everyone that she is fully capable of leading her kingdom, that she has what it takes to rule firmly, but compassionately. She doesn’t take anything for granted, and she values her life, the lives of those she loves, and the lives of those who live in her kingdom. And every time she comes up with an idea (which are always so epic and badass), I’m just like, You go, Elisa. Show ‘em who’s boss queen. And at the heart of the series, I love that Elisa shows that you can pretty much do anything you set your mind to, if you give it all your effort. You don’t need to rely on outside forces to do what you want, because you have always had the capacity to accomplish what you want inside of you. And Elisa proves that even though she has the Godstone, she doesn’t always need its help to accomplish a goal.

It was a huge, lovely surprise when I started reading, and all of a sudden, there were chapters in HECTOR’S POV. I was so shocked, but excited, because Hector is the. b e s t. The BEST. He is one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. His love for Elisa shines through clearly, but doesn’t completely overcome everything else about him. His love for Elisa, his queen, and his quiet strength, loyalty, and dedication to his kingdom are so beautiful and inspiring.

“I love you the way a drowning man loves air. And it would destroy me to have you just a little.”

Both Hector and Elisa are independent people, and if they were to lose one another, it would devastate them, but they would survive and move on. And I love this. They have an epic love, but it’s not the be-all end-all for them. But basically, what I’m trying to say is that Elisa and Hector are perfect. Separately and together.

Every part of The Bitter Kingdom is intense. Rae Carson goes all out in the final book and holds nothing back. I was frightened for the characters one moment, and laughing the next. The secondary characters are incredibly well done, and I was surprised by how much I came to care for Storm, and by how much I was rooting for Mara and Belén. This book made my heart go absolutely crazy. It would be pounding because of some intense scene where someone is almost killed, or it would be melting because of some sweet words Hector says. I just wanted everyone to stay alive and survive through their journey, but the author is obviously a sadist (NO I’M KIDDING I LOVE YOU RAE CARSON!), because these characters do not have their journey cut out for them. Rescuing Hector, fighting Inviernos, killing nasty scorpions, Elisa and the gang are put up against so many things, but they never give up. AND I LOVE THEM SO FREAKING MUCH.

I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s epic. If you love fantasy, you’ll love the Fire and Thorns series. Even if fantasy’s not your thing, I’m pretty sure this series can change your mind about that. Love love love this series so much, but I’m so sad that the trilogy is over, even though I loved every bit of how it ended.

Originally posted here: [...]

Recently, I've found myself afflicted by what I've come to call "Trilogy syndrome." Basically, I find a new YA trilogy and the first book is amazing; so I wait eagerly for the second one...and it's a disappointment. Disillusioned; I read the third one anyways, and find myself regretting my decision to start the series at all. But The Bitter Kingdom - the final book in Rae Carson's excellent Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy - is a huge exception. I'm not surprised, but I am extremely excited that it lived up to my expectations.

Seriously, though, this book and this trilogy has everything I love: a smart, strong heroine who it's honestly impossible not to root for (her character development over the course of the series is insane and so realistic); a world so well-built that I actually felt like I was living in it, and a romance that had me absolutely glued to the pages. Side note: I love how Hector isn't Elisa's first love/"soulmate," but rather someone she chooses to be with because she knows what mature love is. Their relationship is somehow dynamic and dramatic without being scary or unhealthy at times. I don't know how Carson managed it, but I am not complaining.

In terms of plot stuff; I don't want to give too much away. Let's just say that Elisa learns a lot more about her supposed destiny and heritage; and the book's message of choosing your own fate and the amazing things one person can accomplish is reinforced. The conflict between the Inviernos and Elisa's realm is very well done; as is the direction Carson chooses to take it.

Overall, I would recommend not just this book, but the entire trilogy. And not to a specific audience, either: to everyone who reads YA at all. Yeah, it's that good; and indeed my only regret about finishing so quickly is that it's over now. I can't wait to read Carson's future novels. She's an absolutely tremendous talent; and I hope she continues to create dynamic, well-drawn YA worlds and characters.

Source: Received an e-ARC from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I liked The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers well enough but I wasn't as passionate about this series as other bloggers had been. Still I hoped to end the series strong so I was pleased to receive an early copy of this conclusion to the trilogy. Well, if you looked at my rating, you will see that I was well-rewarded by taking that chance because this book blew me away! I'm going to share a few non-spoiler points as well as a marked spoiler at the very bottom to hopefully explain how this book won me over.

Though most of the narrative is told from Elisa's perspective, as occurred in the first books, this one also brings in a few chapters narrated from Hector's point of view. I adore dual narration and really loved it here. Because my e-copy showed which chapters he narrated in the index, I could easily access how long it would be until the next entry and looked forward to each and every one. Which is not to say that I don't like Elisa's narration; I just happen to like the variety provided by Hector.

Another plot element I actually liked was the journey-Elisa and her crew have to travel a lot in this book and though that is not ordinarily the kind of story I like, it really pleased me here. Especially exciting was when they were caught in a snowstorm and decide to seek safer passage through mines (it was so Fellowship of the Ring). There was just so much action and it kept me glued to the pages.

But I guess what I liked the most was Elisa's confidence, which has been growing rapidly since her introduction as a shy mousy thing. She knows her rightful place as ruler and that she has the capacity to conceive and execute fantastic daring plans. She can fight, she can love (I promise you Hector fans some good things!), she can strategize-it's amazing! Right after Elisa comes spunky new character Mula, a little girl whose heartbreaking past will be only a dark memory as she gets to embark on an amazingly bright new future.

Overall: An excellent conclusion to this fantasy series. Usually my favorite book in a trilogy is the first but in my opinion, this finale demonstrates such tremendous growth on the part of its characters while also amping up the tension to almost unbearable stakes throughout the course of the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope you'll be finishing this series!

SPOILER:

So near the end Elisa's godstone falls out because she has fulfilled her purpose. First I loved that she didn't die because she had friends to share the burden-so many other Chosen had lived in isolation and couldn't finish but she built those relationships and invested in them and was rewarded. Then second she has to try to face her enemy without that power. But then it turns out she doesn't need it because she is anything but ordinary even without the stone. Oh, I just loved it!

END SPOILER

It takes a bit of special flavor for me to get into a high fantasy these days. This series doesn't have elves and orcs, instead it weaves a fantastical, alternate world kind of like renaissance Spain with an enemy of the frozen North that isn't quite all human. Add to this a plucky, plump girl forced to be a queen to her adopted kingdom and various true-hearted friends, and you've got yourself a winning story.

People compare it to Kristin Cashore's Graceling series, and that special flavor does permeate both books. What's the flavor that keeps me coming back?

Thinking on these two series and why I don't get bored by the high-fantasy aspects of it, it seems to me that the journey-to-maturity that the main, female character undergoes, as well as the relationships (not just the romantic one!) between her and the other supporting characters is the reason. Alternate worlds for the coolness of alternate worlds doesn't really float my boat-- but when it provides a background for a young girl to find her maturity, strength, and compassion, then that will keep me coming back for more.

I'm a junkie for emotional seasoning. There's emotional depths to be explored here. Queen Elisa must travel across her kingdom (now in civil unrest) that of her people's ancient enemies the Invierne, and full circle back to her homeland in order to save Hector, stop a full blown war, and find a way to unite people. Along with her are the supporting cast that provides such excellent fodder-- a serving-lady, a scout, and an enemy sorceror.

Carson wraps up her trilogy with a nice bow for us in this book. We get a satisfying conclusion both to the problem and origins of the Invierne, Elisa's magic, and her relationship with Hector. More importantly, we get this with the added icing-on-the-cake of Elisa discovering her own worth OUTSIDE of the magic she wields.

Okay, so the brief Hector POV parts were a bit awkward, and i understand why the author wanted to include them, but they don't ruin the loveliness of the rest of the story.

Great adventuring, romance, and plucky young heroine.

This Book's Snack Rating: Like Garlic Parmesan Kettle chips for the solid crunch of the characters flavored with emotional and action-packed journeys

[...]

Reaching the final page of the last book in a series always brings out mixed feelings in me. On one hand, you feel like you've just reached the destination of a long journey, but on the other, you can't help but feel like it's a final goodbye to friends you've grown to love (or hate!). "The Bitter Kingdom", the finale to Rae Carson's "The Girl of Fire and Thorns" trilogy, stirred up those bittersweet emotions inside--along with a few other ones, like excitement, joy and, of course, the emotion of holy-moly-what-is-going-on.

Now a fugitive in her own kingdom, Elisa is determined to save Joya d'Arena--and the man she found herself falling in love with. Ever since she discovered the zafira, the ancient power source of all magic, her Godstone has been stronger than ever, along with her own resolve to regain her rightful place as queen. But with tensions between the humans and the Invierno rising higher than ever, Elisa knows that her task won't be a piece of honey coconut cake. With the help of her friends, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined--and make discoveries about herself and her world that could change the course of history forever.

I remember loving Elisa in the first two books, and that certainly hasn't changed in "The Bitter Kingdom". I'll even go so far as to say that Elisa is undeniably one of the strongest, most admirable heroines I've met so far on my YA travails. She's determined, compassionate and confident all at once, but what makes her such a great protagonist is that she's had to develop these traits as she faces the daunting task of being a queen. The development of her character never ceases; instead, it's fluid and dynamic, even until the very last page of the entire trilogy. What makes her all the more likable is that she's super grounded. Ms. Carson doesn't present us with a near-perfect character who's blessed with a pretty face, great personality and brains in a nice, neat package. Nope, instead you get a girl who's a little on the chubby side and struggles with her confidence. Seeing Elisa grow into the wise and strong queen we see at the end of the book is exhilarating and refreshing all at once. Now that's a kick-ass heroine!

The other characters in "The Bitter Kingdom" were just as fun to read about. I really liked how Ms. Carson gave her readers a few chapters here and there from Hector's point of view--it's always juicy to see what the love interest has to say! Hector and Elisa's romance is so sweet and so real, and never over-the-top-mushy-gushy and all that. The way they interact with one another, both romantically as lovers and professionally as queen and lord commander, works in a way that they become such a great match together. Other than Hector, of course, you have Mara, Belen and Storm, who accompany Elisa on her journey. I love the little romance between Mara and Belen ("Will you marry me now?" "No."), and Storm has always been such a witty, fun character to read about! Also, we're introduced to Mula, a little girl who they pick up along the way, and she's just a bundle of energy who, surprisingly, opens everyone's eyes to truths that only children seem to be able to see.

Having said all of that, though, I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with the storyline. First, there was the fact that I spent the first couple of chapters having no clue as to what was happening. Sure, it's exciting to start stories en media res, but I feel like had Ms. Carson woven in some backstory into the plot, it would've saved me a lot of trouble trying to remember what had happened in the last book! Second, I found that the plot itself was a little bit on the slow side. There was a lot of traveling and camping going on, especially in the first half of the book, and I felt like all these descriptions of corn cakes and sleeping bags were a little unnecessary. This isn't to say that the storyline wasn't exciting, oh no! There definitely was a lot happening, with revelations and fights and all that, but I just wish the pace had been a little faster to keep tensions up and running.

Overall, "The Bitter Kingdom" is a great finale to "The Girl of Fire and Thorns" trilogy, with a truly dynamic, well-developed heroine, a cast of engaging characters and an exciting (if a little slow) plot. I can't believe it's time to say goodbye to Elisa and her friends, but I can do so knowing that I've just been on one heck of an adventure!

Rating: 4/5

When it comes to the final book in a trilogy you've loved you always approach with a mix of excitement, caution and a little sadness. You really don't want the story with this characters to end, but you really need to know what happens after that ending in book 2 and you're hoping the final book will be as good as the previous books.

Well, The Bitter Kingdom did all that and more, so it's quite an ending for a great fantasy series. Since it's the final book in the trilogy I'm gonna make sure I don't give any spoilers for it here, but there will be spoilers for book 1 and 2 for sure.

The Bitter Kingdom picks up right where Crown of Embers left us, with Hector kidnapped by the enemy to try and force Elisa's hand, and with Elisa decided to not cower and do the rescuing herself with her more trusted friends' help and an enemy that is a friend to help them find their way into Inviernos territory. The book is told in dual perspective, alternating between Elisa's and Hector's and it really compliments very well not just on the emotional narrative, but also on showing us a bigger picture of the story.

The Bitter Kingdom is a journey in which Elisa continues to discover who she is on her own, not just as a queen, not just as a Joyan and most definitely, not just as a Godstone bearer. The growth of Elisa's character from self-deprecating pampered and underappreciated princess to kick-arse queen is quite an impressive journey and I've never stopped rooting for her and enjoying seeing her become more than anyone expected her to be (well, everyone except maybe Hector). We see her holding her own with magic, fighting against the elements and making the kind of hard choices someone in charge needs to make, all of that without losing her kindness and loyalty to her friends.

Hector's character has also grown from what was the side character of Captain of the Royal Guard and friend and ally to Elisa to be the front stage love interest. He's not just there to add conflict, he compliments Elisa's way of thinking with his dependable common sense and tactical knowledge and he believes in her in a way even she has a hard time believing on occasions. Their relationship grows during the perils of the journey and it is cemented during all the rescuing of each other that the end up doing!

The plot has some very interesting revelations, a lot of political maneuvering and quite a few unexpected twists and revelations. We discover so much more about Inverno and Joya D'Arena and their pasts even if, at least in my case, one is left with the feeling that there is more to be found out about the past.

We meet new friends and enemies, we say goodbye to some dear old and new and we are left with a lot of hope for the future.

An extremely worthy ending for my favourite YA fantasy trilogy and very well deserved 4 and a half stars!!

**3.5 STARS**

I think Rae Carson is in the top tier of fantasy authors-- YA or Adult. Her wordsmithing and world-building is extraordinary, and I'd have no hesitation at all to recommend the FIRE AND THORNS series to my husband or anyone else that's in the mood for a good read.

However, having heaped on the praise I have to say that for me Book #3 fell short of my expectations. It started out brilliantly, as usual, with excellent character development and plotting, but somewhere about the half-way point it hit a rocky path from which, in my view, it never fully recovered.

***SOME MINOR SPOILERS *** ***SOME MINOR SPOILERS ***

Without trying to give up too much info here are my complaints:

a) there was an excursion that just seemed entirely unnecessary. It was awkward enough that I stopped reading and asked myself why the author was taking us down this path.

b) the pacing seemed rushed at the end. Which, oddly enough, made things a bit boring.

c) and worse, the success of our heroic band suddenly became dependent upon a newly introduced character--Mula.

Rushed and side-tracked I can handle, but the artifice of having every 'fix' depend upon a newcomer just didn't work for me.

***END of MINOR SPOILERS ***

So I already know that when I reread this series --and I will reread it as it's brilliant-- I know I won't go past the half way point in BITTER KINGDOM. Basically because what I will remember of the ending will suffice to make this a satisfying read.

NOTE: despite my slight disappointment, I give this series 5 Stars. Well worth the time.

I find writing reviews for the last book in a series to be really hard. If you’ve made it to the last book then you probably really enjoyed the series and already used all the best adjectives to describe it. Then there’s the whole goodbye part, and as we all know goodbyes are hard. So with all of that being said this review will be short and sweet.

I love this series. Every book has led me on a new adventure while reminding me why I loved these characters to begin with. The writing is always good and I’ve never felt like the author was reaching too far. Everything just flows smoothly, and while each character grows, they always remain true to who they really are.

I would love for these books to go on and on but I think Rae stopped this series at a good point. By the end of The Bitter Kingdom we have a solid conclusion, and I feel like even though Elisa and company have been through hell their stories end on a high note. This series has become one of my absolute favorites and if anybody asks me for a new fantasy series, Fire and Thorns will be at the top of my recommendation list.

You can find more of my reviews at <a href="http://endless-reads.net/" target="_blank">Endless-Reads.Net</a>!

This review is for the whole series, which I thoroughly enjoyed, including the extra novellas.
It was the first book that grabbed my interest from page one for quite some time, and then held it non-stop; I inhaled the whole series in about a week. It was very refreshing to have a heroine whose looks are not the conventional petite-blonde-blue-eyed, but rather a dark-skinned, dark-haired, overweight princess (and the enemy kingdom populated with blue-eyed blondes). More importantly she was relatable and likable, as well as fierce, loyal, intelligent, and decisive. After being married off without any say-so, she slowly strove to find her agency and became a force to be reckoned with no matter the circumstances.

I initially groaned at the romantic triangle set-up in the first book, but was delighted at how unconventionally it ended - and that it wasn't dragged out across all three books. I also found the monotheistic religion in the books a refreshing change as most fantasies these days go for pan- or polytheistic religions. And it was nice to see Elisa wrestle with what her faith and fate meant; being singled out for the honor of being a godstone didn't magically provide her with all the answers or an unwavering unquestioning faith in either god or herself.

In sum this series is a non-stop adventure with well-written, interesting characters that is refreshing in its refusal to follow common fantasy tropes.

I’m always sad to see one of my favorite series come to an end. I’m also usually scared they won’t end the way I want. That seems to happen often. The Bitter Kingdom was nothing short of an incredible ending to an incredible series.

The Crown of Embers left us all with our hearts in our throats. I didn’t know if I could survive the wait for The Bitter Kingdom! But survive I did, thankfully, because I had to see how Elisa and Hector’s story ended.

It was action packed from page one. It’s a testament to Rae Carson’s writing that I had a baby about 30% into the book and I was able to pick it back up about 2.5 weeks later and never lose an ounce of interest. I probably never would have picked any other book back up.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot since this is the 3rd and final installment in the series. I was just as swept away and in awe of Carson’s skills as I was with the other books, if not more. The whole book was just incredible. I know that’s not a very original statement, but that’s all I’ve got. There were so many story lines entwined. Just when I thought things couldn’t get more exciting they did.

To sum it up, The Bitter Kingdom was everything I wanted. This series is intelligent and utterly unique. Even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy you would find something to love on this trilogy. I’m sad to see its end, but I’m beyond thrill with how things turned out.

One the best trilogies I've read. The writing is superb with the strong memorable characters. I love Elisa,Hector and the rest of the cast: Belen, Mara, Storm and Mula. All three books are excellent but "Bitter Kingdom" is my favorite with a satisfying ending and told from both Elisa and Hector's POV. The love between Elisa and Hector slowly builds throughout the three book and with "Bitter Kingdom" you see how strong their bond is to each other. I have to admit when I first read the first chapter of "The Girl of Fire and Thorns", Elisa, the heroine in the story did not impress me. Elisa is sixteen years old, insecure, forced to marry a man she doesn't know or love for political reasons, calls herself a "sausage child bride". But how Elisa grows into her strength and beauty as the series progresses. Elisa is one of the best heroine written. She's clever, strong, brave, intelligent, loyal, passionate and caring. I cannot say enough how much I love Elisa's character. A great role model and a must read book for all females young and old. And how I love Hector, so strong and loyal! You will read this series fall in love with Elisa and her friends. Story is full of adventure and some heartbreak but most certainly worth the read!

I hate it when the concluding book of a trilogy disappoints and you are left wondering what happened and what it was all for. I am relieved to say, that is NOT the case with this book. This book is even MORE epic than the first two. There are three major battles in three separate kingdoms, with even more at stake than ever before. I love how Elisa's character has transformed from a young girl, filled with self-doubt from the first book, into self-assured and powerful monarch and woman at the end of this book. An added treat is a few chapters are told from Hector's POV. So if you enjoyed the novella, The King's Guard, you will love that addition. Almost everything is tied up and I am left with a wonderfully satisfied feeling. Yes there are still a few minor loose ends (like what on Earth was the point of the oasis? And does Storm marry a certain noble?), but I am more than happy with this final installment. So if you enjoy YA fantasy with a strong female lead, you will LOVE this!

Land of the Unaltered (Confederation Chronicles)

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! the series just gets better and better! full of action and adventure, Rea Carson really knows how to tell a story!

In this amazing Conclusion of Rea's Fire and Thorns Trilogy everything will come to a head as Queen Elisa struggles to save her kingdom and save the man she loves.

Trekking across the desert once more, a fugitive from her own people, Elisa must get Hector back in order to save the kingdom and her sanity. Lured by her enemies to the Gate of Darkness because of her Godstones power, Elisa must find a way to maneuver them into the peace her people so desperately need. Will she fulfil the prophecies that God has ordained of her? or like all the other will she parish under the pressure?

This book was amazing! I can't believe the series is over as I loved it sooo much! I loved Hector and Belen they were my favs! they always stuck by Elisa's side, no matter what. I also loved little Mula in this one! she was so full of spirit and life!

if you haven't read this series yet I highly recommend it! it is an amazing series and Rea Carson is a smashing writer! its a adventurous time that you will not want to miss out on!

I read all three books in the original series. I can't believe how quickly the author pumped these out, yet each book has great quality. I have described Elisa as the reluctant hero. Her,e she finally comes into her own and becomes the rightful ruler of her country. Even Katniss of the Hunger Games fought off being any more than an icon and had no interest in becoming a ruler herself. Elisa successfully navigates rewarding the loyalty of her small pack of friends with her need to not be conquered and save her people, while creating treaties with her enemies. It may be a little unrealistic that her crew can do so much with so little but they are crafty, mostly led by Elisa's leadership and cunning. It also successfully navigated between the supernatural with the natural. That was my criticism of Stephen King's Rose Madder, that after successfully being one step ahead of her foe throughout 3/4 of the book, he had to rely on the supernatural in order for her to eventually overtake him. Also, the romance Elisa had lacked an unnecessary triangle and sappiness. Overall, good read. Do the whole series!

I cannot believe this is the last of the series. There really wasn't anything from this series that I didn't like. From the characters and storylines the writing style it is in my top ten must reads. And something I will continuously come back to read. I really loved every character and each one had their own unique strengths and weaknesses and by working together they learned from each other and helped one another. Throughout each book they grew up and that's because they were constantly put through rigorous tests. I had major feels after reading this book; one because it is the last of this wonderful series and beloved world and two this book packed in some twists that made me bring out the tissue. Mainly for the bitter sweet ending that ended in my opinion the only way it should have giving us closure to the lives of characters that may not be real but were for a time to us.

It would destroy me to have you just a little

The Bitter Kingdom is the perfect ending to the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Rae Carson has hit this one out of the park with the addition of a few new characters and the resurrection of other favorites from the first two books in the series. In addition there are scenes from Hector's POV with added so much depth and understanding to his character that I loved him even more, if that was possible.

The Bitter Kingdom starts almost immediately after Crown of Embers and Elisa is on the way to find and save Hector. With the help of Mara, Belén and Storm, Elisa travels into enemy territory to destroy the power source of the Invierne and save the man she loves. This is such an action packed story full of trials, obstacles and adventures. Just when one problem is solved another jumps into its place, the road to Inveirne and back to save Elisa's own kingdom is perilous.

Elisa really grows into herself on the journey and finds a special strength within herself from an unexpected place, she is not just the bearer of the Godstone, she is a great ruler in her own right. Elisa is strong and powerful in this book, brave and wickedly smart in her political maneuverings. More than once I was shocked and impressed at the strength she showed and the way she arranged all the alliances.

But there are plenty of tender moments shared between Elisa and Hector along the way to make your heart flutter a little.

"I am strong enough, man enough, to be subject to you."

Because that is one of the things I loved best from Crown of Embers and this book as well. The growing love between Hector and Elisa that seemed completely organic and `real' never forced or absolutely perfect.

I think sometimes when we find love we pretend it away or ignore it or tell ourselves we're imagining it. Because it is the most painful kind of hope there is.

The break out character in this story for me was Storm though. He stole the show a few times and I loved the bond that he formed with the group of travelers. He was a great addition to the story and sometimes in his innocence of sarcasm was too funny. He acts harsh and hard but he is fierce and became one of my favorite characters. Red is also a new favorite of mine, she was such a cute child and really added heart to the overall story.

Elisa is wise beyond her years; she has traveled so far from the Girl she was in GoFaT to the woman she is in The Bitter Kingdom. It is bittersweet to leave this series, but I loved how it is tied up with just enough opening for you to think about what will happen later in Elisa's life and kingdom and I left this world with a big smile on my face and happiness at the overall outcome and fates of those in the story.

Overall Series Ratings Were:
Girl of Fire and Thorns 3.5 stars
Crown of Embers 5 stars
The Bitter Kingdom 4.5 Stars

A wonderful ending to a fabulous trilogy. This trilogy was filled with heartache from the beginning and I was often frightened of the ending. There was so much opportunity for death, destruction, and heartache. I kept telling my self, "They can't kill _______!" An hoping it was true as I frantically read to see if I was right. There was as much action, peril, and surprises as the previous books in the series.
The best part was Elisa. Her character is one of the strongest, bravest, most intelligent, and creative female character that I have read. She doesn't start out that way! Throughout this last book her courage and fortitude really shine. Even when you circumstances cause you to believe the time has come for her to....I don't know wallow a bit. She doesn't. She accepts it an keeps going.
Although this was the perfect ending to the story, it was a bitter end because we will have no more Girl of Fire and Thorns.

**4 Stars**

Not as good as the first two. Although I can't believe it is over. The book was very slow in the beginning. It was a lot of travel, and not much going on otherwise. The ending was very exciting though, but I wasn't happy with how Elisa acted towards her friend and sister. But, I understand her reasoning and need behind it.

Ahh... finally.... Hector. There isn't anyone who didn't see this coming, but that doesn't mean it wasn't welcome. I am so very happy they ended up together. I'm just not sure how I felt about Mula... even though I saw that coming as well. She did grow on me though. The completion of Elisa's purpose was a little anti-climatic. But then again, I guess it is supposed to be as we don't know the real purpose at this time.

I still can't believe the series is over. I look forward to reading whatever Rae Carson decides to write next. (I hope it is another high-fantasy).

Grade: 90%
Rating: ★★★★★

Well, ladies and gents, Elisa in this book finally becomes a woman.... Yes, yes there is sex in this book, but it is very mild and can easily be skipped if that isn't your cup of tea or someone of the younger audience read the first two books and wants to read the last book. The author does not go into great detail, only shows the reader how intense Elisa and Hector feel for each other and then she cuts scene. I, again, was disappointed with some parts of the book, it was rather boring at one part during a storm, and one thing seemed unrealistic.

The Bitter Kingdom was a wonderful ending to the Fire and Thorns trilogy. This book was fast-paced and action packed! The obstacles Elisa and her group encountered during the monsterous journey in this story had me glued to each page. It has been a joy reading of Elisa's emotional and spiritual journey throughout these books. She is such a relatable character. Oh and how I've come to adore Hector, sigh...

I was left with unanswered questions, but near the end of this book the author shows the reader that Elisa has the same questions that remain unknown to her. This is the author's first trilogy (with book 1 being her very first book!) and she did an amazing job! I thoroughly enjoyed these books and would recommend them to anyone who enjoys the fantasy genre and has respect for spirituality.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy is the fantasy series that I have been waiting impatiently for for years. Rae Carson crafts a magical world, molds endearing characters (even the minor ones), and writes an enriching story. You will be left laughing, crying, praying, and gasping at scenes put together by a master author.

In Bitter Kingdom, the conclusion to this epic trilogy, we follow Elisa as she completes her destiny. We are introduced to a plethora of new characters, and reunited with some old friends. There are ups and downs, but as always Elisa keeps barreling forward. Carson leaves no stone unturned, and truly writes an amazing and satisfying conclusion to a breathtaking series.

I recommend this book for anyone and everyone, but most importantly for younger girls (16 and under). Elisa's personal struggles and inner questions will really strike a chord with the younger generation, and her ability to overcome will empower girls of all ages. It is hard to find books nowadays that are not only written well, but also carry a strong message. This series does all that, and then some.

While I am sad to see Elisa's story end, I am very happy to know that this was only Carson's first attempt at professional writing. I will be waiting impatiently (yet again) for her next work of art to grace bookshelves.

"The Bitter Kingdom" is a great end to a fantastic series. I honestly could not have imagined a better end to this trilogy. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say too much. Elisa is the heroine we wish we could be (with or without the godstone). She's freeing herself of the expectations of others and really becoming the leader even better than her country/world needs/deserves. I loved this series and this last book! It's so well-written and keeps you captivated through each step of Elisa's journey.

The last book wasn't my favorite but the ending didn't leave me wanting a better ending. Though it did have me wondering the possible stories of the other characters like Storm and Red. I think it would be a great spin off series. I liked about 70% of the book. I didn't like the travel from the enemy lands to queen cosme's land nor the ending siege at Elisa's home. It could've been better especially the fight scene with Elisa. I mean she's been practicing for months so it could've been more exciting. But all in all I would recommend anyone to read the trilogy.

On their quest to rescue Hector, the remaining four, Elisa, Mara, Belen, and Storm trek deep into the snowy cold mountains of Invierno and discover an unwilling victim of the Inviernos, chained to a tablet in an underground volcano as a living sacrifice and a conduit for the zafira, a source of magic. The situation brings to mind the story of the Omelas, where the city prospers if a child is chained alone in a room. Overall, this tale is very much like an Aragorn-Arwen love story determined by the outcome of war.

This story is 80% action/ adventure. 10% comedy/romance with no sexuality. 10% bloody warfare with medieval weapons. It falls into the fantasy genre with "The Lord of the Rings," but is much like historical fiction set in the medieval age except that it has "Merlin" magic with sorcerers using the blood of willing victims to feed their magic. I would recommend this to an audience of 13+ because of the violence. 5 out of 5 stars.

http://larmstrong73.blogspot.com/

This was a pretty good conclusion and easily the best book of the series.

My only strong complaint was that the characters didn't react very realistically in more traumatic situations. For example, after the death of an estranged loved one, Storm lets out some high pitched keening, and then is fine the following day. Elisa has an understandable identity crisis toward the end of the book, and after a day or two and a few words from another character, she adopts a new purpose and is fine.

Otherwise, a good read.

This book blew me away. All expectations I had were blown out of the water completely. Rae Carson is a force to be reckoned with, no questions asked. While I'm sad to see this series go, I can honestly say that I am completely satisfied with the extensive and amazing journey Carson took me on.

One of my favorite things about Carson's writing is that it is not only beautiful, but there are also entertaining moments littered throughout the story. For a serious book full of life or death situations and decisions, I found myself laughing several times. Carson has this dry sense of humor that she inserts at the most random of times to lighten the mood of impending doom. One of my favorite examples of such humor was actually delivered from the hands of Elisa on page 60 of my ARC:

Mara's mare head-butts my lady-in-waiting in the chest. Grinning, Mara plants a kiss between her wide, dumb eyes, then murmurs something.
Have you named her? I ask.
"Yes! Her name is Jasmine."
I grimace. "But jasmine is such a sweet, pretty flower."
Mara laughs. "Have you named yours?"
"Her name is Horse."
She rolls her eyes. "If you want to get along with your mount, you have to learn each other's language. That means starting with a good name."
"All right." I pretend to consider. "What about Imbecile? Or Poops A Lot?"

Clearly, Elisa hates horses (much to everyone's amusement).

My favorite aspect of this story was Elisa. Her character arc in this final book can only be described as phenomenal. We watched an insecure girl grow to be a magnificent queen who understands the weight of her title. She's simply perfect. I can't even begin to describe how much I love Elisa solely because she's the way a young adult heroine should be. She's strong, independent, witty, and intelligent. And she is the type of character that I would want my kids to read about when I become a Mom way way in the future.

Hands down, what I loved most in regards to her character evolution in this book was the fact that she discovered that her overwhelming heart and heroism comes from herself. Her heroics come from her being someone who is bred to be a queen who knows how to properly wield her insane power as opposed to her reliance on God and her religion or supreme connection with her Godstone. To put it simply, Elisa discovered she was badass just because she was born to badass, not because her Godstone made her that way.

As always, Hector was amazing as well. Not only is he incredibly handsome and intelligent, but he finds himself in new, precarious situations that seem nearly impossible to get out of. But Hector is not only hot, but cunning, and he can fight his way out of nearly every situation. He proved to be a solid support system for Elisa in this book. To top it all off, there were even a few chapters in this book in his perspective. It was rather intriguing to be in the Commander's head, to see how he thinks and feels since he's so good at remaining expressionless at times. Now that I got a taste of his thought processes, I'm begging for more. I'd love a full story in his perspective. Oh well, one can dream!

The romantic plot line that took two books to build also exploded in this one. It was refreshing to see some characters be rewarded the way they should be because they were so pure and amazing. Everyone who got together in this one deserved each other. I can name three pairings off the top of my head and I found myself utterly satisfied with all of them, even if there were awkward and desperate moments throughout their road to happiness. The romance lover in me is utterly satisfied.

We met a new character in this story named Mula. Mula came along because of Elisa's righteous self and desire to do good, especially to all who deserve it. Mula, meaning mule, is a slave child from a free village that is half Invierno and half Joyan. She's got beautiful eyes, but she's looked down upon because of this. However, despite being tender and small, she's fierce and intelligent and perhaps the most loyal character I have ever seen. I loved every second of her being there, especially her intense attachment to Mara. Speaking of which, Mara and Belen were just as amazing as always. Watching their relationship progress was a very nice back plot. While they were essential to the plot, they didn't have personalities as powerful as Elisa, Hector, Mula, and Storm, but that doesn't stop them from being any less entertaining or imperative to the group's survival.

Storm, surprisingly, was among my favorite characters in this. He undergoes an extensive character arc that allows him to realize not only what it is to have true friends and allies, but what it's like to be committed to a cause worth dying for. We learn how to perfect the art of deception without lying through him. And we experience an insane amount of new world-building at his hands. I thought that this was perhaps the most extensive world-building I have ever seen prior to reading this novel. Carson found a way to make this world even more solid, even more magical, via Storm and the tales of the Invierno's world. Elisa and her crew traveled into the realm of the enemy and came out with more knowledge than you would have believed. It's absolutely breathtaking to realize how much thought went into creating such a complex world with conflicting mythologies and creation myths.

Storm also provided a great amount of the comic relief. Shocking, I know, but his inability to understand banter and certain human emotions because of the stone-cold logic he was raised with is nothing short of sheer hilarity. It's very easy to get attached to the man that was once the enemy, and I think that's a very nice feat for Carson to have pulled off.

In the end, I could not have asked for a better story. There is scheming, there is death, there are battles, and constant political maneuvering. There is beautiful attention to detail and twist after twist after twist. But there isn't as much brutality as one would expect. In hindsight, Elisa did get everything she wanted. Occasionally there would be an obstacle in her path obscuring an easy road to their goal, but they'd always end up there with little to no great damage to direct relations of hers. I think that, in reality, such things that Elisa achieved would be slightly harder to achieve.

However, with that in mind, this was one epic tale written by an absolutely brilliant author who deserves to be recognized by all. If you have not picked up this series yet, you simply must. It's one that cannot be ignored.

Rae Carson, it hurts to bid this beautiful world of yours adieu, but I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next.

*** If you are not up-to-date in this series, there will be spoilers for The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers in the following review. ***

When we last left Elisa & Co. in The Crown of Embers, the situation was admittedly a little dire. And by a little, I really mean, "the fiery pit is right this way, and please, take a complimentary hand basket as you plunge straight into it." More specifically, at the end of the last book, Elisa found herself at risk of losing her country to traitors and civil war, betrayed by a confidante, and the man she loves being forcibly taken from her by her enemies. What Elisa does have in her favor however, is a greater understanding of herself, better knowledge of her limits, what she's capable of, what she's willing to risk, what she's not willing to lose, a new-found confidence, a sense of purpose and conviction, and an impressive and growing grasp of political strategy. Plus, a handful of trustworthy and loyal friends. And really, aren't those some of the most effective weapons a girl - a queen - can have in her arsenal? Bad dudes, beware.

Elisa. Though this series is incredibly sweeping and epic, though the fate of the nations hang in the balance, the crux of the Fire and Thorns trilogy has always, ever been the development of Elisa. Elisa discovering, deciding and accepting who she is, the woman she wants to be, and the queen she must be. Her character arc over the course of these three books has possibly been the absolute best I've ever read. From the naïve, timid, uncertain, practically (and purposefully) useless girl who was sure her divine destiny must be some kind of cosmic oversight, to who she's becoming - the independent, confident, capable, cunning warrior queen who both embraces and makes her own path. Elisa's development as a character is gradual, believable, and despite her somewhat fantastic and magical circumstances, universally relatable. She's a character that feels very human and authentic - unfinished, imperfect, but in progress. Remarkably self-aware, she struggles to know herself inside and outside of the greater context of her destiny and political position. And it's this inner conflict, her willingness to wrestle with the tough questions, to have her mettle tested, her character tried by fire, that makes her such a fantastic character.

Though Elisa makes some major breakthroughs in The Crown of Embers, her journey is far from over. In The Bitter Kingdom, I love in particular her internal war between acting on her instincts as an individual and acting according to her duty as queen and protector of a kingdom - making those hard decisions for the greater good. Elisa as an individual and ruler can never be two mutually exclusive ideas - both sides of her, of course, make up a whole. She's already realized in The Crown of Embers that she must let her own convictions influence her political decisions. But she's also being constantly reminded that being a good leader means sacrifice, great and small, and it's interesting to watch her respond, adapt, maneuver through a variety of situations, weighing both her individual feelings and the best course of action when they contradict each other.

Hector. Oh. Seriously, where do I even begin with Hector? I mean, Rae's pretty much given us the best romantic lead OF. ALL. TIME. Not that Hector doesn't have his faults. He's not perfect, not invincible, not a "paragon of male virtue" or anything quite so ridiculous as that. But he's just...so... honorable, his love of Elisa such a beautiful thing, his counsel wise, his loyalty unquestionable, his duty unwavering. He respects Elisa's independence, her authority, her ability to lead, her decisions, her instincts. He protects Elisa, but at the same time helps her learn how to protect herself not just physically, but politically in Joya d'Arena's political shark tank. Hector is a rock for her to lean on, but he also is a force that pushes and challenges her to be more self-sufficient, to realize her full potential as a person and a ruler. And this, ultimately, is why I love him.

So, "previously on the continuing saga of Fire and Thorns..." we saw Hector taken prisoner and hauled away by the diabolical Invierno Franco who issued an ultimatum to Elisa: come to Invierne and surrender herself, or Hector gets the axe. While I'm not going to even hint at what happens with his story, I will say this, "Dual narration, y'all!" High fives for EVERYONE! Yup. I about keeled over from sheer joy when I saw that first chapter heading with Hector's name splashed across it... but I managed to pull it together so I could make it to the end of the book. <whew>

Storm. He surprised me, in many ways in this book, but chiefly in that he managed to become one of my favorite characters in this entire series.

New-Character-That-Shall-Remain-Unidentified. When will I learn that Rae doesn't write token or throwaway characters? <gives self a stern look> I underestimated this particular character greatly at the beginning, and now...now, I know better. I grew to absolutely adore this particular character.

Romance. Every relationship has it's problems, but I was keenly interested in seeing how (and if) Hector and Elisa's relationship would proceed from where they left off in The Crown of Embers, which was a rather rocky place - her having lied to him about her intentions to find the zafira, and him being understandably upset and hurt - a place of cool politeness and distance. And then he was captured, which brought things into perspective a little more sharply for them both. And then, if it wasn't already complicated enough, after Hector was dragged away, out of political necessity, Elisa officially announced their engagement... without actually asking Hector to marry her.

So. Breach of trust. Impending death. One-sided engagement. You know... just a few teensy, tiny hurdles on the road to happily ever after.

And though the story is about much more than Hector and Elisa's romance, it's definitely a large driving force in the story. It's a part of Elisa's taking charge of her own destiny, and it is fantastic. It's passionate, and wonderful, yet Rae does a good job keeping it all in perspective.

Story. I'm not sure how Rae does it, but with every book in this trilogy, the story gets a little more exciting, a little more fast-paced, a little more epic. And truly, it does have that epic feel. It's a story with so many facets, with a large cast of fully-realized and varied characters, with multiple, complex arcs big and small, stuffed to the brim with all sorts of dangers, romances, intrigues, and adventures... and it just all comes together so seamlessly. Desert treks, rebel camps, sorcerers, a world with magic at it's core, shipwrecks, daring escapes, ancient feuds, heart-stopping twists, court intrigue, bows `n arrows, highwaymen, lost love, new-found love, loss, grief, betrayal, a journey over and under a mountain - this trilogy has it all, and The Bitter Kingdom is no exception. Seriously, politics have never been so breathlessly exciting.

Overall. Epic. Brilliant. Romantic. Thrilling. The Bitter Kingdom surpassed all my expectations, and is the perfect conclusion to this fantastic trilogy. This! This is fantasy well-done.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
Book Three of the Fire and Thorns series
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

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.

What I Liked:

SPOILER FREE REVIEW! I think. Well, read at your own risk. Definitely spoilers for Book One and Book Two. But I think I did a good job of keeping spoilers out of this review for Book Three.

Ahhhh, I loved this book so much! I can't believe this series is over! I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns two years ago, and I didn't absolutely love it. It was good, but I wasn't a huge fan, and I didn't really remember much of the book. Two years later, I attempted to read The Crown of Embers, and loved it! I read it because I knew I'd have to read this one - this one being a requested eARC.

Well, despite the fact that I didn't completely love the first book, didn't really remember it, but then really liked the second book, I was completely blown away by this conclusion! The second book ended in a cliffhanger, and I know a lot of people who read it but haven't had the chance to read The Bitter Kingdom were in agony. I was lucky in that right after I read book two, I jumped into book three. So, the cliffhanger didn't seem so bad.

Carson splits this book up into several sections. First, Elisa is on a mission to get Hector back. Then, she needs to go to the land of Inviernos to settle things. Then, she needs to go back to Cosme's land, to meet with Cosme and Alodia (the meeting of the queens that was mentioned at the end of book two).

With Elisa is Mara, her loyal handmaid, Belen, her loyal friend and guard (since Hector was captured), Storm, an Invierno-turned-loyal-subject, and a new addition - a small child named Mula. She's about Prince Rosario's age, give or take. While chasing Hector's captors, Elisa and her companions stay at an inn, where they see this young mixed-breed girl being treated badly. Elisa frees her of the inn, and Mula joins them in the search for Hector.

I feel like this isn't a spoiler, but they eventually find and rescue Hector. Actually, he was doing a pretty good job of rescuing himself. But anyway, that was nice. One of my favorite scenes is when Elisa tells him she has engaged the two of them to be married. Poor Hector!

So Hector comes with them to the Invierno capital. Things happen. Storm and his sister Waterfall get them an audience with their father (I believe it's their father). Things happen. Then Waterfall joins the group in heading back to meet Cosme. More things happen. Then, the final battle.

I loved the plot of this book. Not once was I bored, or about to throw my Kindle at the wall. And Carson has a way of throwing things into the plot that you don't see coming, but that are totally necessary to the story. I like what she did with Elisa and the oasis - that was unexpected.

The romance is so sweet. I am convinced that Hector is the best male heroine in Young Adult literature that I have encountered. When I say "best", I mean he is honorable, loyal, courageous, selfless, committed... I could go on. He is so sweet and powerful and protective and amazing. Margot from Epic Reads and I started a meme on Twitter - #GoodGuyHector. He's an all-around good guy! He's definitely one of my favorite heroes.

Did I mention that Hector's point-of-view is occasionally thrown around in this book? YES! It's not just Elisa! We get Hector's view on things every few scenes! It's awesome!

I think this book - and series - ended extremely well! You know that sad feeling you get when a series is over? I experienced no such thing. Carson ended this series so perfectly, and I loved it. I was so happy when this book ended - especially the way it did.

What I Did Not Like:

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I've had this problem since the beginning of the series. Usually, I'm really good with remembering names of people, places, things, etc., in fantasy novels and books in general. But I seriously could NOT keep up with the amount of names for all the places in this book. And some of the people's names slipped through the cracks as well. There are so many terms and people and places that aren't in English that I had a hard time remembering. For the life of me, I have no idea what any of the places are called - except Brisadulce, and Joya something.

I feel like this can't just be me. I had this problem in book one, book two, and book three. Usually, I do an excellent job of categorizing and remembering all of the weird terms and names. In this book (and series)? Not so much.

Would I Recommend It:

Yesssss! This is an awesome high fantasy series that I started out sort of shaky but ended up completely loving. The romance is amazing, but the politics and other plots of this story is what made it truly unique.

Rating:

4 stars. I hope any and/or all of you reading this review will check out this series! I'm so glad I stuck with it.

I was a little worried that this book would disappoint me the way I've been disappointed with other final books in a series. I shouldn't have worried because The Bitter Kingdom was fantastic.

Elisa is one of my favorite YA fantasy characters. She has grown so much over the course of the series and she is not a perfect leader but she is brave and intelligent and caring. She also proved that she won't back down from making tough decisions. In The Bitter Kingdom, Elisa is tested to the breaking point but she still believes in herself and keeps going.

I appreciated the world building of this series and its political intrigue especially. I enjoyed learning more about the Godstones and the history of the Inviernos and Elisa's people. At first the Inviernos appear in the series as one might expect of a stereotypical villain but then in The Crown of Embers, Rae Carson shows readers their humanity through the character of Storm. She further develops that theme of looking beyond surface differences and prejudices in The Bitter Kingdom.

I love the respectful relationship between Elisa and Hector that blossomed from friendship to love. I think Hector is a character who is Elisa's equal. It is really sweet when Elisa realizes that he loved her before she lost the weight and became the more confident person she is at the end of the book.

I really like the secondary characters in this series and grew to like Storm in this book. While Mara and Belen are also important to the story, I was disappointed to not see as much of Cosme. It made sense with the plot but I had hoped they would still be close friends.

There is plenty of action as well as the political intrigue though there are times when it is just Elisa and her friends battling the elements in a very harsh journey. It was great to see Elisa show her leadership, courage, and intelligence in this really satisfying conclusion. I will miss this series but I am very glad that it ended well. This is one of my favorite teen series and one of the best teen fantasy series out there at the moment. I can't wait to see what Rae Carson does next.

It is with ease that I give The Bitter Kingdom 4.5 out of 5 stars. While it might not have been my favorite of the three novels (that easily goes to part one), The Bitter Kingdom was a brilliant novel that really brought to a stunning finish everything that began in The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

The novel was filled with beautiful imagery and wonderful drama. There was one twist after another that kept the characters moving. It seemed they never got a break until the very end. Elisa really came into her own as a person in this novel, and I absolutely loved how she finally realized that it was only important how she saw herself. She faced her feelings about her sister, her prejudices about the Inviernos, and her prejudices about herself. I loved how, in the end, she loved herself.

Another thing I absolutely adored about this novel was the fact that we got to see some of the story from Hector's point of view. That is one of the things that will keep me coming back to this novel again and again.

The only thing about this novel that I didn't like was that the rescues sometimes seemed too quick and easy, but this was overwhelmed by the fact that something new always popped up to challenge the characters.

Overall, The Bitter Kingdom is a breathtaking story about how being special is all about how you see yourself. Rae Carson is easily a master of fantasy.

I truly enjoyed reading this trilogy and will reread again and again as I do other author's books I love. Wouldn't it be nice if all books could be of this quality; however, all things being relative - this may not suit everyone. I am constantly amazed at the 5 stars other readers give books that I do not rate that highly and I do try to be liberal with my ratings unless the book really puts me in a snit. That being said, every book has its own category in my opinion so I rate them for the quality in that particular category. THANK YOU Rae Carson for providing me so much enjoyment !

Where to begin? I am an avid reader and am always pleasantly surprised when I discover a story that is unique. This trilogy is one of those pleasant surprises. I love the characters that come to life in these pages. The plot is different, unique and intriguing. It reminds me of Kristin Cashore's Graceling and yet it is unlike other stories I have read. This is a glorious sweeping adventure with swoon worthy romance, intrigue and betrayal. A definite must read and I desperately hope for more of Cosme an Alodia's stories. Thank you, Rae Carson.

After having enjoyed reading books one an two, disappointments here. Old characters taking on new ones along for an action packed Saturday matinee. Nice!y tying up loose ends but leaving plenty of room for future fun!

In my opinion, Crown of Embers and The Bitter Kingdom were way better than The Girl of Fire & Thorns. Maybe there was just too much setting up in book 1. Which paved the way for books 2 and 3, I guess. I enjoyed The Bitter Kingdom. I enjoyed it even more when the magic was taken away. Some parts were still a little too easy, too perfect, but it came together well. I don't feel bereft after finishing the trilogy, like others I've read.

Bitter is right. Bittersweet. Endings to series always are. Most of the time, they're satisfying but it means it's all over. No more adventures with these characters we've come to love; no more journeying through this world that Rae Carson has created for us; no more watching Elisa growing up to amazing woman she is today. Bittersweet. But perfect.

I loved, absolutely loved the fact that we got to read some of this story from Hector's point of view. We saw what he went through while he was captured, how brilliant his mind really is and also how much he thought of Elisa. He tried so hard not to think of her because it made everything worse but when you love someone you can't help but think about them; especially during dark times. But it's Hector and I think I literally squealed when I got to that first chapter from his point of view.

This book was just filled with so much awesome, so much adventure and I have to tell you; if you look at the Elisa we first met in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and then look at the Elisa we see as we say goodbye you're probably scratching your head wondering how they're the same person. I know I am. It just blows me away how much her character has changed and matured over her difficult journey.

OH! One thing I loved about this book that I didn't really see in Crown of Embers was her thinking about Humberto. There's a lot of him mentioned in this book and it warms my heart to know that he's still fresh in her mind. Yeah, I love Hector, I really do but I loved Humberto, too and I was deeply saddened about his fate in the first book.

I would never want to be Queen or any sort of ruler. The amount of responsibility you have would just be too overwhelming. The difficult decisions Elisa has to make throughout this book would make me want to jump off a building and leave it to someone else. I know, very selfish of me but I just don't have the capability of doing it. So mad respect to Elisa for that. Especially when it comes to her sister. Her sister is one I'm still not the biggest fan of (though after reading her novella I have more respect for) and there's so much left between them that when they meet toward the end of this book, it's hard to read. You feel for Elisa especially when they discuss their father.

One of my favorite scenes in this book was when Elisa told Hector that she had announced their engagement. His response was just perfect. I just can't tell you how much I love these two, as a couple and as a team. I really don't know of many other couples in YA that I love as much as these two. That's saying a lot with how many books I've read and how many couples I do like. But these two are just so powerful, honest and perfect.

If you're reading this review I'm hoping it's because you've read the other books because if you haven't then I'm sorry. I gave you fair warning. If you've read the other two books then this is obviously a book you must read. It's a perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. Still saddened that it's over but overall, I'm happy with the ending. Like they say, all good things must come to an end. This is also another one of those books where I loved too much that words escaped me.

Reviewed by Jessica @ Step Into Fiction

I'm not entirely sure why I didn't enjoy this as much as the first 2...I think it has something to do with 3/4 of it being about their journeys! It was just a little boring and dragged a lot except for one section in the middle and then the end. I was surprised to almost have to force myself to keep reading a few times rather than starting a different book I had waiting. Also, the ending seemed to fall into place a little too easily. As a whole I did enjoy this series, but my overall rating definitely went down after reading this one, just not gripping enough.

This trilogy was beautifully written. I enjoyed the world that Rae Carson created. The second book was so sad that it gave me pause, but the third was even better than the first. Good triumphs over evil as it should!

I am for sure not of the YA demographic, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the series. The characters were memorable and engaging. I entirely forgot that Elisa was a teenager.

The one question that I was left with in the end is how Elisa's people arrived. I was very, very intrigued by the references of blood mingling and that the two races should've been able to intermarry. This would make a great new book and give an explanation to many unanswered questions.

I truly enjoyed reading this trilogy and will reread again and again as I do other author's books I love. Wouldn't it be nice if all books could be of this quality; however, all things being relative - this may not suit everyone. I am constantly amazed at the 5 stars other readers give books that I do not rate that highly and I do try to be liberal with my ratings unless the book really puts me in a snit. That being said, every book has its own category in my opinion so I rate them for the quality in that particular category. THANK YOU Rae Carson for providing me so much enjoyment !

Where to begin? I am an avid reader and am always pleasantly surprised when I discover a story that is unique. This trilogy is one of those pleasant surprises. I love the characters that come to life in these pages. The plot is different, unique and intriguing. It reminds me of Kristin Cashore's Graceling and yet it is unlike other stories I have read. This is a glorious sweeping adventure with swoon worthy romance, intrigue and betrayal. A definite must read and I desperately hope for more of Cosme an Alodia's stories. Thank you, Rae Carson.

After having enjoyed reading books one an two, disappointments here. Old characters taking on new ones along for an action packed Saturday matinee. Nice!y tying up loose ends but leaving plenty of room for future fun!

In my opinion, Crown of Embers and The Bitter Kingdom were way better than The Girl of Fire & Thorns. Maybe there was just too much setting up in book 1. Which paved the way for books 2 and 3, I guess. I enjoyed The Bitter Kingdom. I enjoyed it even more when the magic was taken away. Some parts were still a little too easy, too perfect, but it came together well. I don't feel bereft after finishing the trilogy, like others I've read.

Bitter is right. Bittersweet. Endings to series always are. Most of the time, they're satisfying but it means it's all over. No more adventures with these characters we've come to love; no more journeying through this world that Rae Carson has created for us; no more watching Elisa growing up to amazing woman she is today. Bittersweet. But perfect.

I loved, absolutely loved the fact that we got to read some of this story from Hector's point of view. We saw what he went through while he was captured, how brilliant his mind really is and also how much he thought of Elisa. He tried so hard not to think of her because it made everything worse but when you love someone you can't help but think about them; especially during dark times. But it's Hector and I think I literally squealed when I got to that first chapter from his point of view.

This book was just filled with so much awesome, so much adventure and I have to tell you; if you look at the Elisa we first met in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and then look at the Elisa we see as we say goodbye you're probably scratching your head wondering how they're the same person. I know I am. It just blows me away how much her character has changed and matured over her difficult journey.

OH! One thing I loved about this book that I didn't really see in Crown of Embers was her thinking about Humberto. There's a lot of him mentioned in this book and it warms my heart to know that he's still fresh in her mind. Yeah, I love Hector, I really do but I loved Humberto, too and I was deeply saddened about his fate in the first book.

I would never want to be Queen or any sort of ruler. The amount of responsibility you have would just be too overwhelming. The difficult decisions Elisa has to make throughout this book would make me want to jump off a building and leave it to someone else. I know, very selfish of me but I just don't have the capability of doing it. So mad respect to Elisa for that. Especially when it comes to her sister. Her sister is one I'm still not the biggest fan of (though after reading her novella I have more respect for) and there's so much left between them that when they meet toward the end of this book, it's hard to read. You feel for Elisa especially when they discuss their father.

One of my favorite scenes in this book was when Elisa told Hector that she had announced their engagement. His response was just perfect. I just can't tell you how much I love these two, as a couple and as a team. I really don't know of many other couples in YA that I love as much as these two. That's saying a lot with how many books I've read and how many couples I do like. But these two are just so powerful, honest and perfect.

If you're reading this review I'm hoping it's because you've read the other books because if you haven't then I'm sorry. I gave you fair warning. If you've read the other two books then this is obviously a book you must read. It's a perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. Still saddened that it's over but overall, I'm happy with the ending. Like they say, all good things must come to an end. This is also another one of those books where I loved too much that words escaped me.

Reviewed by Jessica @ Step Into Fiction

I'm not entirely sure why I didn't enjoy this as much as the first 2...I think it has something to do with 3/4 of it being about their journeys! It was just a little boring and dragged a lot except for one section in the middle and then the end. I was surprised to almost have to force myself to keep reading a few times rather than starting a different book I had waiting. Also, the ending seemed to fall into place a little too easily. As a whole I did enjoy this series, but my overall rating definitely went down after reading this one, just not gripping enough.

This trilogy was beautifully written. I enjoyed the world that Rae Carson created. The second book was so sad that it gave me pause, but the third was even better than the first. Good triumphs over evil as it should!

I am for sure not of the YA demographic, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the series. The characters were memorable and engaging. I entirely forgot that Elisa was a teenager.

The one question that I was left with in the end is how Elisa's people arrived. I was very, very intrigued by the references of blood mingling and that the two races should've been able to intermarry. This would make a great new book and give an explanation to many unanswered questions.

This is the third, and final, book in one of my favourite series this year. I only came across it when, after finishing Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, the first book popped up in my the store recommendations. I was having serious withdrawals from Siege and Storm and needed another fantasy book, so I downloaded The Girl of Fire and Thorns to my kindle app. I loved it so much and immediately downloaded the second book, The Crown of Embers. This also had me fangirling so hard so I tried to download The Bitter Kingdom only to find out it didn’t release for another month! After and excruciating month of waiting I bought the book and dove in head first.

I’ve waited a week since finishing this book to write a review and yet I still don’t really know what to think. I enjoyed it certainly, but it was not the ending I was expecting. To be honest I have no idea what I was actually expecting it just wasn’t this. The ending, for me, was far too neat. It was all wrapped up in a pretty bow and I’m not really a fan of that.

However the book as a whole was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I couldn’t put it down and finished it within two days. There weren’t any major characters in this book that were not present in the previous book. However there wasn’t any further character development over the previous book either. The characters did not have any growth over the course of this book whatsoever. However it can probably be argued that all necessary character growth had had happened in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers.

There was also no development in the romance department either. We knew all of the details of the romances in this book from earlier on in the series with nothing new being added in this book.

As I write this review I think I’m starting to realise why I did not love this book. It seemed as though it was simply a carry on from The Crown of Embers, and not in the way a third book following a second should be. It simply felt like the second and third book had been one book and was simply split down the middle. I personally prefer books that are distinctive from one another.

The pacing in the book was very fast paced and led to me being unable to put the book down. I was kept on the edge of my seat as I wondered whether Elisa and the others would be able to get themselves out of each terrible situation they found themselves in.

While I’m not sure whether I would recommend this book, I would definitely recommend the series as a whole for fans of fantasy and adventure.

I really liked the final book in this trilogy. Elisa has grown a lot throughout the series. A little ways into the story, I started to wonder if we were going to end up with a horribly tragic ending or if things were going to come together. I have to say I was really happy with the ending. If the author really wanted to stretch things, I'm sure she could come up with another story arc set in this world.

If you are a fan of this series, I definitely recommend reading this book.

It has been an honor to follow Elisa from awkward girl and improbable bearer of the Godstone, to a warrior queen and great ruler. Tasked with saving Hector, saving another kingdom, negotiating peace, and winning back her own kingdom, Elisa proves herself a great strategist. She really learns to fill her role as a queen, making the difficult decisions even when knowing they may result in death. However, it is her ability and willingness to make many decisions apart from her appointed role -- to trust an Invierne, to adopt a child -- that define her as a person. Elisa learns who she is despite the power of her position and Godstone. It is that added wisdom and compassion that elevates her to greatness. (Elisa, I learned a lot from you. Thank you!)

This has been an amazing journey, I am pleased with the conclusion but I am sad that I must say goodbye to so many characters that I have grown to love. This story kept me awake throughout the night with anticipation, anxiety, excitement, fear. This is an extraordinary and marvelous series. If I could give it more than five stars I would.

I'll preface this by saying that in general, I'm not much of a fantasy reader. But I LOVED this trilogy. Rae Carson has such a gift for writing characters who leap from the page, and creating realistically gripping situations in an imaginary world. Honestly, I became so invested in these characters, I could read another dozen books in this series. I can't wait to read whatever Rae Carson does next!

I loved this series. A great display of female character and true meaning of what makes a female strong and powerful. It comes from true confidence and love of oneself. Fully accepting yourself and embracing what you bring to those around you. I fell in love with the characters. Their devotion and loyalty. I enjoyed the love story and the unpredictability of each chapter. Read it!!!

I loved this trilogy!! It was so inventive and so imaginative with all the aspects of a great story that continually keep you on the edge of your seat.

Bitter kingdom is the perfect ending as Queen Elisa has to face some huge battles, as she enters the enemy gate, and continues to learn more about the God stone.

So glad I found these books. Considering all that the characters did in these books, they were so well written, that I did not have the problem of trying to figure out what was going on. Definitely will read Ms. Carson's other series.

I really loved this YA series. It held my attention the entire time. I felt invested in the characters. The storyline was exciting and interesting. It had a very unique setting. It also threw a lot of curveballs. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read.

Loved the action and heart of the story. Loved the way the main character grew into the person she could be content with. Loved her spirit and compassion for others. Remarkably good. Enjoyed sharing her journey and adventures.

Loved this series! Really enjoyable easy read with fantastic characters.
My only qualm, and its relatively small, comes with the authors lack of knowledge/research about the horses. Being a horse trainer myself it was a bit distracting (and somewhat humorous) that Elisa "kicked her horse in the withers" to get it to go. The withers is the top of the horses shoulder just at the base of the neck in front of the saddle. Also, the poisoning of the horses by Hector could not result in vomiting as horses physically cannot vomit. They colic when they have stomach upset which can, and all too often does, lead to death.
That distraction aside, I was a bit sad to actually finish the trilogy and will miss the characters. Happy to have a heroine who is not infallible and "perfect".

See more of my reviews on Birth of a New Witch! My copy was an ARC I received from the publisher via Edelweiss.

Most of my friends love this series, but I seem to be a black sheep when it comes to Carson's fantasy trilogy. Sure, it's fun, but there's been something crucial missing from each installment that kept me from feeling anything more than mild appreation of it. I came in hoping . The Bitter Kingdom is a strong finale, but it's also pretty racist in how it represents Elisa and the Inviernos.

If anything has changed since The Girl of Fire and Thorns, it's Elisa. Her character arc from then to now is beautiful in how she's grown more confident, settled into her role as a ruler, and learned to do what has to be done for the good of the people. She demonstrates her ability to be cutthroat when she has to multiple times throughout this novel and she never gives up. Carson's story is by and large well-paced. Some of the journeys drag on too long and other parts move too quickly to fully allow readers to feel what just happened, but rarely did it feel as long as the 448 pages the novel actually is.

The parallels between Elisa's world and ours are well-written and horrifying in equal measure. Elisa's society and people are clearly European; when they arrived, they forced the Inviernos from their native lands in order to settle there themselves and the courts seem to bear a lot of European influence as well. Much of the vocabulary has a Spanish flavor, especially our antagonists' names; "inviernos" is how one says "winters" in Spanish and this is why I have never been able to take our antagonists seriously.

With their long, formal names and how Elisa's people kicked them out of their homelands to a place inhospitable to them and bereft of their cultural heritage, Inviernos are clearly the Native Americans here. They've got a very good reason to be bitter at Elisa's people and have taken their anger to the point of war, though they're clearly the antagonists (that's a whole other stew to consider post-review). It reminds me of the conflicts between Native Americans and Americans in the Great Plains during the 1860s and 1870s, though Americans were the aggressors there.

These parallels is where my claim the book is racist comes from: the colonialist overtones these parallels provide. Elisa is at one point positioned as the Inviernos' champion because she is supposed to be one of them. Just to repeat it a little more simply, our colonialist-European-parallel heroine is positioned as the God-chosen hero of a people with clear parallels to Native Americans.

Really? REALLY? Suppose she is one of them. She is so far removed from that ancestor that it's practically a nonissue now, as is the fact she isn't white due to the parallels between her racial-ethnic group and Europeans in this world. Being able to use magic and having a Godstone in her belly does not make her an Invierno nor their God-chosen hero. It makes her a member of the racial-ethnic group that forced their off their land and made to live in a place that is slowly killing and/or weakening them. Considering she wasn't born with the stone or the magic, she displays no dominant traits of her long-ago ancestor.

A question comes up later as to whether or not God intended Elisa to do as much as she has or if it's something she chose to do herself. This is a rather important question in this context because if God intended her to be the Inviernos' supposed champion, this entire world is inherently racist. If Elisa chose it, it's just her. Either way...

Carson's next work is the first book in a fantasy trilogy set during the Gold Rush, but considering how each book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy either failed to improve on the previous entry or barely improved on it, I'm having second thoughts. If its quality is going to be on level with this, it's not going to do me any good to read it.

This series is one of the best I have read and sits justifiably along Game of Thrones and Hunger Games. Her third book continued keeping me on the edge of my seat until almost the very last page. I know that I will be reading this series many times over and look forward to it.

Like maybe from a critical stand point this should be a slight bit lower but gosh I have so much love for this book and this series and these characters that I don't even care. ?

I have not fallen in love with characters like this and been so I vested in relationships since reading Throne of Glass and Six of Crows. I'm acting like I read these years ago but you know, what ever. ? Like a fat, person of color main character who learns how to become the most confident and badass woman out there?? I just have no words. Thinking about Elisa makes me feel so empowered.

There's so many more amazing quotes and scenes in this last installment. So many precious and beautiful moments between Elisa and Hector and even more incredible character development. Like that scene of there first time just had me crying.

"It wasn't perfection, but it was perfect."

This isn't even a coherent review but basically all you need to know is that this is an absolutely incredible series that everyone needs to read This is definitely going on the list of favorite series of mine. ?