This second installment of the Graceling series tells an alternate story that predates Graceling by a couple of decades. This gives a slight history of Leck and how his Grace began. After a brief introduction of Leck’s birth and patronage, the story shifts into the land of monsters, where magical and colorful beasts attract humans and human-like monsters to their death. Their beauty can cause madness, and some even entrance humans into rushing to their death. The human version of the monsters are just as beautiful and deadly. Their beauty, rainbow-colored hair, skin, gaze, and voice can cause a multitude of reactions, bringing humans into their power. These “monsters” have the power of mind control and can sway almost any man or woman with a simple thought. The story opens with Fire, one of the last “monsters”, raised by the cruel and powerful Cansrel, who led the late-king Nax, and his kingdom, into ruin. She lives away from the royal city with Archer and Brocker. The kingdom has slowly been rebuilding its strength, with the aid of Nax’s two sons, Brigan and Nash. A new threat in surrounding lands and ruling parties, Mydogg, the Pikkians, and Gentians, are threatening the new peace with war. Nash and Brigan call on Fire to try to help them understand who the real enemies and allies are, and where any possible threats may originate. She is terribly afraid of becoming overbearing and ruthless as her father was, and tries to avoid the true extent of her power.
This was harder to start than Graceling for me, I’m not exactly sure why. I’ve strained for so long to read, read, read as much and as fast as possible that I think I just hit a wall. Once I got past Leck’s gruesome introduction and the confusion at Fire and Archer’s names and powers, I became enthralled in Fire’s character and depth. Since I was expecting more of the Grace’s and a continuation of the Graceling storyline, this second installment did throw me for a slight loop. Fire’s character was intriguing and sensitive, but also extremely defensive and sheltered. I loved seeing her come out of her shell mentally as well as physically. She finally began to use her power to good use, and didn’t allow for it to control her. I liked Brigan’s strong silent resolve and his blossoming into a brave and strong love of Fire’s. Her relationship with Archer was just plain odd, but I guess satisfied her need for affection without actual love or obsession. She found a player that she could be with that she knew wouldn’t become obsessed and fawn over her unnecessarily. There were brief glimpses of Fire’s relationship with her evil father, which were oddly sweet. She was the only one he trusted and didn’t overpower, and it was interesting to see his version of love for her. I would really love to see if Fire had children and how they would turn out. Yes her father was evil, but other than his history, I don’t recall there being any other “evil” monsters. Just because there was one, doesn’t mean all the “monsters” would be the same. Oh well. On to Bitterblue! Hope its as fantastical as these past two 🙂
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Flippin' pages and takin' names 