Books 21-40 of 2012

This is my follow up the my last post, the first 20 of 2012.

Books 21-40 that I read this year are:

Of these 20 books, the ones that stand out to me are:

If Only - Carole Geithner

Legend - Marie Lu

Bitterblue - Kristin Cashore

Wither - Lauren DeStefano

The Selection - Kiera Cass

Waiting on Wednesday (4) - Bitterblue

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Waiting on Wednesday is a post where you can let people know what upcoming books you're anticipating!

This week I am waiting on:

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

May 1, 2012 - Dial

Not a lot has been released about the story of Bitterblue, but from GoodReads: "Bitterblue is a companion book to both Graceling and Fire and takes place in the seven kingdoms eight years after Graceling. This third book will tie all three books together in some way. Bitterblue is the sixteen-year-old protagonist, and Katsa, Po, Giddon, Helda, and other characters from Graceling will be part of the fabric of the book."

And from Cashore's website: "Bitterblue is a companion book to both Graceling and Fire and takes place in the seven kingdoms eight years after Graceling (not six, as I'd written previously). As you may have gathered, the protagonist is Bitterblue. Yes, Katsa, Po and others from Graceling do appear in the book. Bitterblue will be released on May 1, 2021 in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It will be released in a few other countries/languages as well; I'll supply that information when I have it."

Why I Want It:

I loved both Graceling and Fire, both were so much fun to read and really got me started on reading more YA Fantasy novels. Bitterblue's part of the story in Graceling was really well done and ever since there was talk of a Bitterblue novel a few years ago, I have been waiting to find out when it comes out. I'm so excited that there's a date for it now, and can't wait to read it!

Last week's Waiting on Wednesday

Graceling - Kristin Cashore - 2008

Title: Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore

Year: 2008

Overall: * * * * * (5/5)

GoodReads blurb: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight — she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme, and in her case horrifying, skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace — or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away... a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Plot: * * * * *

Characters: * * * * 1/2

Stlye (writing style): * * * *

My Review: This was actually a reread for me. I read this for the first time in early 2009, and I think I waited just the right amount of time to read it a second time through, because somehow I had forgotten much of the plot. I remembered the basics about the characters, but I had forgotten the intricacies and small details of the characters and the land that makes up the 7 Kingdoms. I still love Katsa and Po so much, but upon a second reading, I realized how much I enjoyed the secondary characters. Raffin & Bann, Bitterblue, Ror & Skye. Cashore does such a great job of giving each character a unique voice, or sense of humor, just something that makes you forget that all of these characters came from the mind of one person. I really want to reread Fire now!

To Buy: Amazon

Currently reading: Matched by Ally Condie (2010)