The Bitter Kingdom

Starred review from July 1, 2013
The action-packed conclusion to Carson’s excellent trilogy opens hard on the heels of 2012’s The Crown of Embers: young Queen Elisa and her companions trek into enemy territory to rescue the man she loves, while a traitor back home attempts to overthrow her. Elisa’s journeys take her to the wintry lands of Invierne, where she hopes to destroy the source of the Inviernos’ magic and bargain for peace; to the Basajuan desert, where only her most audacious plans have any chance to stop the war; and home to try to regain her throne through wits and political skill. The plot takes time to gather momentum, but Carson moves the story along with terrific world-building and character development. She also tackles classic fantasy tropes, springing off into unusual and refreshing directions that reinforce her story. Elisa learns to wield the full power of the Godstone, but it’s her brains, courage, and ability to inspire people that continue to bring her success. Carson brings her series to an end with a thrilling climax, but readers will hope more adventures lie ahead. Ages 13–up. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Leavell Literary Agency.

February 1, 2014
Gr 8 Up-Elisa is your classic reluctant queen, full of self-doubt and lacking in confidence in the first book, widowed and forced to become a ruler in the second. In the third (Greenwillow, 2013), she must free the man she loves, Hector, while seeking the source of the power that fuels her Godstone. There's something for everyone here. Elisa and her companions have to cross hostile territory, fight to free Hector, deal with people who would sell them out in a heartbeat, survive monster storms, and battle giant scorpions in treacherous mining tunnels. It may take a bit of time for listeners unfamiliar with the earlier books to become fully immersed in the story, but the author's world and characters are extremely well crafted and there's plenty of action. Potential listeners should be aware that there is violence and death, but neither come across as gratuitous. Jennifer Ikeda, the primary narrator, does an excellent job of pacing. Her voice changes for different characters and for the pronunciation of unusual names. Teen readers who love great fantasy, such as Tamora Pierce's books, will certainly find this title worth listening to, but should read or listen to the earlier entries in order to fully enjoy them.-"John R. Clark, Hartland Public Library, ME"

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A queen can defeat the conde who stole her throne, but it means nothing if her land is destroyed by fire-throwing invaders. Queen Lucero-Elisa ne Riqueza de Vega--Elisa to her friends--has lost her throne, her bodyguard/nurse and her beloved (The Crown of Embers, 2012). All she has left is the Godstone in her navel, and it's brimming with more power than ever before. Slowed by the need to protect a helpless child, trained in magic by a failed sorcerer, threatened even by the weather--she's traveled so far ice falls from the sky!--Elisa knows her first priority is to protect her country from the invading Invierno animagi. The Inviernos, tall, fair-skinned and not-quite human, believe that generations ago, Elisa's people came to this land and destroyed their magical birthright; now they want revenge. Despite the Godstone marking her as a once-in-a-century prophesied heroine, Elisa must save the day with her "only lasting power," her smarts. This well-read girl spent her childhood studying warfare and international diplomacy and has the skills to lead both a war party and a country. Her foretold destiny is resolved with a marvelous and refreshing twist on literary tropes. A smashing ending to a trilogy that began with problematic body hatred but developed into the stellar journey of a girl who would be queen. (Fantasy. 13-16) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from July 1, 2013
A queen can defeat the conde who stole her throne, but it means nothing if her land is destroyed by fire-throwing invaders. Queen Lucero-Elisa ne Riqueza de Vega--Elisa to her friends--has lost her throne, her bodyguard/nurse and her beloved (The Crown of Embers, 2012). All she has left is the Godstone in her navel, and it's brimming with more power than ever before. Slowed by the need to protect a helpless child, trained in magic by a failed sorcerer, threatened even by the weather--she's traveled so far ice falls from the sky!--Elisa knows her first priority is to protect her country from the invading Invierno animagi. The Inviernos, tall, fair-skinned and not-quite human, believe that generations ago, Elisa's people came to this land and destroyed their magical birthright; now they want revenge. Despite the Godstone marking her as a once-in-a-century prophesied heroine, Elisa must save the day with her "only lasting power," her smarts. This well-read girl spent her childhood studying warfare and international diplomacy and has the skills to lead both a war party and a country. Her foretold destiny is resolved with a marvelous and refreshing twist on literary tropes. A smashing ending to a trilogy that began with problematic body hatred but developed into the stellar journey of a girl who would be queen. (Fantasy. 13-16)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.