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.

October 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-Elisa, teenaged Queen of Joya d'Arena and Godstone bearer, leads her small but fiercely loyal group of friends and protectors in pursuit of her enemies, who have taken Hector, the man whom she's finally admitted she loves. The journey takes her into the heart of the Invierno lands, where she discovers their terrible secrets. She also experiences loss, betrayal, and the pain of making impossible decisions, and she learns to trust her instincts, intellect, and magic. Elisa continues to be a heroine worth rooting for as she grows in both physical and emotional strength, and by the fairy-tale ending, readers will have no doubt that her newly formed empire will thrive. Supporting characters and setting are equally compelling. The fast-paced story is filled with action and violence, as well as a few sexual situations that take place mostly offstage. An altogether satisfying conclusion to an entertaining trilogy.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2013
This trilogy ender (The Girl of Fire and Thorns; The Crown of Embers, rev. 1/13) begins with Queen Elisa on the run, her kingdom both overtaken by a usurper and threatened by invasion from the seemingly unstoppable Invierne, most of whom can access the same Godstone magic that makes Elisa unique among her people. Political goals align, for the moment, with her personal mission to rescue love interest and former Royal Guard captain Hector. Doing so brings her deep into Invierne territory, and she attempts to broker a treaty with them, hoping that it will be the key to retaking her kingdom. This book suffers a bit from all the survival drama of Elisa and co. running around in the wilderness while the political intrigues spin their wheels. However, once the gang reaches Invierne, Carson's skills kick in to deliver a satisfying wrap-up to the series' complex web of plot lines. This is that rare series in which each volume is better than the last, particularly in regard to Elisa's characterization. Here we see her come into her own considerable strength, which stems from a realistic combination of smarts, stubbornness, and grueling hard work and makes her an admirable leader, a position that her relationship with Hector, romantic and yearning as it is, never undercuts. An action-packed and thoughtful end to an ambitious series. claire e. gross

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

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.

January 1, 2014
Queen Elisa ([cf2]The Girl of Fire and Thorns[cf1]; [cf2]The Crown of Embers[cf1]) is on the run, her kingdom both overtaken by a usurper and threatened by invasion from the Invierne. Political goals align, for the moment, with her personal mission to rescue love interest Hector; doing so brings her deep into Invierne territory. Carson delivers a satisfying wrap-up to the trilogy's complex web of plot lines.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)