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The Seven Kingdoms #9
The Bluebird
Unwanted, Undesired, Unloved… Will this ugly duckling find true love?
Paloma is a fairy unlucky in love. When a devastating betrayal sends her into the arms of Orson, a roguishly handsome ogre.
But this one-time encounter results in a mating bond and a terrible dilemma. If she leaves his side, she will pine to death. But if she tells him about the bond, he might kill her to free himself.
Paloma’s only hope for survival is to make Orson fall in love with her, but how can that happen when he is betrothed to another and despises fairies?
Paloma is a fairy unlucky in love. When a devastating betrayal sends her into the arms of Orson, a roguishly handsome ogre.
But this one-time encounter results in a mating bond and a terrible dilemma. If she leaves his side, she will pine to death. But if she tells him about the bond, he might kill her to free himself.
Paloma’s only hope for survival is to make Orson fall in love with her, but how can that happen when he is betrothed to another and despises fairies?
- GenresFantasy
264 pages, Paperback
Published May 23, 2018
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111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 7, 2021
Not my favorite.
I started to grow to really like Lord Bluebeard in Cendrilla’s books, but started to get frustrated with the back and forth between him and Armin. And then I got downright disgusted when Armin proposed she have several husbands. So I turned to google just to find out who(m) she ends up with....only to find no answer.
I really, really, really like Paloma. A LOT. MORE THAN Cendrilla. By book 6, I was done with her. I couldn’t identity with her or her feelings or actions anymore and all I wanted to do was eye roll, find out what happens and be done with it.
So I figured I’d skip ahead to Paloma and Bluebeard’s story to see how that plays out and if there really IS something to the two of them...and really fell for the two of them being together. But this story is a supreme disappointment.
It is full of too much angst and disappointment and to see how each starts out and then changes over time... specifically Bluebeard. He doesn’t deserve Paloma OR Cendrilla. What a turd!!
Paloma is way more than Cendrilla could ever be as a person. At least as far as THIS story goes. However, her actions (as well as Bluebeard’s) seem different in this context than when reading the main books. So I suppose it’s just another way for me to be manipulated by the author’s writing. (I’ve often felt that way in the main books - a great example is Jack. Can you say sudden and complete character about-face?! I suppose the same for Bluebeard through the story, though over a slower period of time. )
But I digress... I think Paloma is a wonderful character who gets dealt crap over and over again, yet she still lives with morals, integrity and self-respect. She may not have a bleeding heart for every single victim like Cendrilla does, but Cendrilla is a little bit (okay, a lot) of an idiot in that regard. Paloma is a beautiful match to Lord Bluebeard. She is gorgeous, humble and just so likable. And it makes me disgusted more and more with both Bluebeard and Cendrilla.
And to see the ending where she’s actually able to conceive an heir for him and his ho hum reception to it and to her? It not only makes me angry with him, but also Cendrilla. Because Paloma was always only ever trying to help her. Further, why didn’t Paloma divulge that they were siblings at the end there? Why couldn’t they have reconciled as sisters - a bond that SHOULD BE much stronger than a husband/wife/lovers bond. Why couldn’t the author have devised a way of everyone living ‘happily ever after?’ The real world is the messy place. I read to escape it and to find what can’t be found here - happiness, fairness, peaceful resolutions, love & happily ever after.
This didn’t happen here with this series and I suppose I’m only glad I didn’t waste more of my time on the other 3 unread books in this series as well as the next series to come.
I started to grow to really like Lord Bluebeard in Cendrilla’s books, but started to get frustrated with the back and forth between him and Armin. And then I got downright disgusted when Armin proposed she have several husbands. So I turned to google just to find out who(m) she ends up with....only to find no answer.
I really, really, really like Paloma. A LOT. MORE THAN Cendrilla. By book 6, I was done with her. I couldn’t identity with her or her feelings or actions anymore and all I wanted to do was eye roll, find out what happens and be done with it.
So I figured I’d skip ahead to Paloma and Bluebeard’s story to see how that plays out and if there really IS something to the two of them...and really fell for the two of them being together. But this story is a supreme disappointment.
It is full of too much angst and disappointment and to see how each starts out and then changes over time... specifically Bluebeard. He doesn’t deserve Paloma OR Cendrilla. What a turd!!
Paloma is way more than Cendrilla could ever be as a person. At least as far as THIS story goes. However, her actions (as well as Bluebeard’s) seem different in this context than when reading the main books. So I suppose it’s just another way for me to be manipulated by the author’s writing. (I’ve often felt that way in the main books - a great example is Jack. Can you say sudden and complete character about-face?! I suppose the same for Bluebeard through the story, though over a slower period of time. )
But I digress... I think Paloma is a wonderful character who gets dealt crap over and over again, yet she still lives with morals, integrity and self-respect. She may not have a bleeding heart for every single victim like Cendrilla does, but Cendrilla is a little bit (okay, a lot) of an idiot in that regard. Paloma is a beautiful match to Lord Bluebeard. She is gorgeous, humble and just so likable. And it makes me disgusted more and more with both Bluebeard and Cendrilla.
And to see the ending where she’s actually able to conceive an heir for him and his ho hum reception to it and to her? It not only makes me angry with him, but also Cendrilla. Because Paloma was always only ever trying to help her. Further, why didn’t Paloma divulge that they were siblings at the end there? Why couldn’t they have reconciled as sisters - a bond that SHOULD BE much stronger than a husband/wife/lovers bond. Why couldn’t the author have devised a way of everyone living ‘happily ever after?’ The real world is the messy place. I read to escape it and to find what can’t be found here - happiness, fairness, peaceful resolutions, love & happily ever after.
This didn’t happen here with this series and I suppose I’m only glad I didn’t waste more of my time on the other 3 unread books in this series as well as the next series to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2021
This installment of Cordelia Castel’s Seven Kingdoms series actually occurs mostly before the previous books in the franchise, opening with the fairy Paloma, a minor character in previous books (and I definitely don’t remember her all that well), in the village hall in Bluebird Territory, watching musicians play, and faces potential banishment from not getting a courtship mate, and indeed doesn’t get a partner, with her stepfather consequentially disdaining her. Meanwhile, a younger Orson Bluebear has captured the Fairy Prince Evander, with his mother lauding him, although his father is angry at him stowing away, and promises Orson an arranged marriage.
Paloma seeks her true father, going en route to the Seven Kingdoms and getting a potential mating opportunity with Orel. Orson, in the meantime, is promised a girl named Albina, and ultimately crosses paths with Paloma, for whom he has feelings, although he marries Albina regardless. Certain circumstances would lead their marriage to end, after which Orson hears about the missing Princess Gullinbursti, daughter to Queen Hippohyus. Paloma receives a promotion to Sergeant for her role in locating the imprisoned Prince Evander, having been able to conceive a child with the Queen of Ogres during his captivity in Steppe.
Orson soon forms a mating bond with Orson, wishing to conceive an heir to House Bluebeard, and receives the task of finding and protecting Princess Gullinbursti, soon marrying Argyropus, circumstances again causing their marriage to end, with his next mate being the ogress Java, who doesn’t care much for Paloma. Circumstances would again cause Orson’s marriage to end, and he eventually enters the Seven Kingdoms, making contact with Granny Escroc, who at one point incinerates someone’s house as retribution for harassment, and has potential information about Gullinbursti’s whereabouts. While Orson keeps Paloma as a mate, she is unsupportive of his desire to mate with the missing Princess.
Orson eventually discovers the squalid living conditions of Princess Gullinbursti, known by those close to her as Cendrilla, and wishes to rescue her, although her guardians are reluctant to let her go, and he seeks to become Ambassador of Steppe, still keeping Paloma as a companion. Orson spends some time getting used to the United Kingdom of Seven and its working, and his position as Steppe’s Ambassador requires him to spend most of his time in the city of Metropole, although he visits Cendrilla’s residence as often as he can, and her sixteenth birthday ultimately comes.
At one point, Cendrilla literally gets sick with fright, although she too becomes a heroine to the downtrodden, and enrolls in the Anti-Magic Academy, where she does poorly, something Orson wishes so that she receives her expulsion and doesn’t develop the school’s persecutive attitude. Paloma and Cendrilla find themselves imperiled again, and the epilogue occurs nine months later. Overall, while it wasn’t perfect, given some minor confusion as to the dramatis personae, I found this one of the better Seven Kingdoms stories, given its elaboration as to the backstory of Lord Bluebeard and revelation as to the fates of his prior marriages, and those who enjoyed other books will likely get a lot from it.
Paloma seeks her true father, going en route to the Seven Kingdoms and getting a potential mating opportunity with Orel. Orson, in the meantime, is promised a girl named Albina, and ultimately crosses paths with Paloma, for whom he has feelings, although he marries Albina regardless. Certain circumstances would lead their marriage to end, after which Orson hears about the missing Princess Gullinbursti, daughter to Queen Hippohyus. Paloma receives a promotion to Sergeant for her role in locating the imprisoned Prince Evander, having been able to conceive a child with the Queen of Ogres during his captivity in Steppe.
Orson soon forms a mating bond with Orson, wishing to conceive an heir to House Bluebeard, and receives the task of finding and protecting Princess Gullinbursti, soon marrying Argyropus, circumstances again causing their marriage to end, with his next mate being the ogress Java, who doesn’t care much for Paloma. Circumstances would again cause Orson’s marriage to end, and he eventually enters the Seven Kingdoms, making contact with Granny Escroc, who at one point incinerates someone’s house as retribution for harassment, and has potential information about Gullinbursti’s whereabouts. While Orson keeps Paloma as a mate, she is unsupportive of his desire to mate with the missing Princess.
Orson eventually discovers the squalid living conditions of Princess Gullinbursti, known by those close to her as Cendrilla, and wishes to rescue her, although her guardians are reluctant to let her go, and he seeks to become Ambassador of Steppe, still keeping Paloma as a companion. Orson spends some time getting used to the United Kingdom of Seven and its working, and his position as Steppe’s Ambassador requires him to spend most of his time in the city of Metropole, although he visits Cendrilla’s residence as often as he can, and her sixteenth birthday ultimately comes.
At one point, Cendrilla literally gets sick with fright, although she too becomes a heroine to the downtrodden, and enrolls in the Anti-Magic Academy, where she does poorly, something Orson wishes so that she receives her expulsion and doesn’t develop the school’s persecutive attitude. Paloma and Cendrilla find themselves imperiled again, and the epilogue occurs nine months later. Overall, while it wasn’t perfect, given some minor confusion as to the dramatis personae, I found this one of the better Seven Kingdoms stories, given its elaboration as to the backstory of Lord Bluebeard and revelation as to the fates of his prior marriages, and those who enjoyed other books will likely get a lot from it.
June 21, 2018
The Bluebird was a great addition to The Seven Kingdoms series. I would recommend reading all of the previous books before this - otherwise, you are going to run into some spoilers.
I would recommend that anyone who is reading the series, reads this book. It helped me connect the dots in regards to Orson's relationship with Paloma, which seemed a bit random after he relentlessly pursued Rilla in the previous books since the story follows Paloma and Orson from a young age to finding Rilla. It was also cool to learn how the fairies came to work with the ogres/witches despite their violent past (the fairy-ogre war).
Also - this is listed as book 9 in the series, but what is book 8?
I would recommend that anyone who is reading the series, reads this book. It helped me connect the dots in regards to Orson's relationship with Paloma, which seemed a bit random after he relentlessly pursued Rilla in the previous books since the story follows Paloma and Orson from a young age to finding Rilla. It was also cool to learn how the fairies came to work with the ogres/witches despite their violent past (the fairy-ogre war).
Also - this is listed as book 9 in the series, but what is book 8?
June 10, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book, which is the story of Paloma and Lord Bluebeard's relationship, and what REALLY went on between them. You'll definitely need to have read the rest of the series before reading this one (it's full to bursting with spoilers!) but for those who have, I'd definitely recommend it - it explains SO much! I just find it a little sad for Paloma, but an otherwise excellent story. I wonder who'll be next?
January 30, 2024
Just... same review as The Seven Kingdoms #1
And I'm glad this is over. The ending, sarcasm aside, was lovely.
But I am upping my rating for all the books to 2. I did have to acknowledge that Castel doesn't gloss over the ugliness of people and that physically ugly people can be the most beautiful. Full of tropes still? Yes. Still an an unending oh gods please just stop for more than a day? Yes. Am I picking up speed to near skimming and not missing literally anything? Also yes.
And I'm glad this is over. The ending, sarcasm aside, was lovely.
But I am upping my rating for all the books to 2. I did have to acknowledge that Castel doesn't gloss over the ugliness of people and that physically ugly people can be the most beautiful. Full of tropes still? Yes. Still an an unending oh gods please just stop for more than a day? Yes. Am I picking up speed to near skimming and not missing literally anything? Also yes.
June 28, 2018
This cleared up so much regarding Palamo and Orson. I was captivated from page one right to the end. I felt so helpless for Orson and my heart broke for him. So many things were answered in this book when it came to Cendrilla not to mention the plot twist!!!!
October 22, 2018
Holy cow. Now I understand!!!
This story brings together all the other books in the series and hives insight to Paloma and Orson. I finally understand why things went so wrong and so right. Not only an eye opener but a definite page turner.
This story brings together all the other books in the series and hives insight to Paloma and Orson. I finally understand why things went so wrong and so right. Not only an eye opener but a definite page turner.
January 28, 2020
The seven kingdoms of let fly.
The lost two story was very backwards and unfulfilled. It makes you regretted starting this series. Why make the story with such great built up only to make it a great let down?
The lost two story was very backwards and unfulfilled. It makes you regretted starting this series. Why make the story with such great built up only to make it a great let down?
June 26, 2020
Strange
I am not familiar with which fairytale this was supposed to be an interpretation of, and found it confusing as a book nine, as I had just finished book eight where Cendrilla was a powerful enemy of the Snow Queen. Was she the same person?
I am not familiar with which fairytale this was supposed to be an interpretation of, and found it confusing as a book nine, as I had just finished book eight where Cendrilla was a powerful enemy of the Snow Queen. Was she the same person?
June 26, 2020
same ole same ole
It must be because all the series was written at close to the same time. This was a boring rewrite of the Seven Kingdoms series. Nothing new & nothing to recommend it to another reader. I was very disappointed.
It must be because all the series was written at close to the same time. This was a boring rewrite of the Seven Kingdoms series. Nothing new & nothing to recommend it to another reader. I was very disappointed.
September 20, 2021
Great look at one of the big questions in the main series-what exactly was the relationship between Paloma and Bluebeard. It is great and gives the other books much more depth. It does, not surprisingly, have lots of spoilers, so is best read after the main series.
September 19, 2018
She finds her mate...
Paloma is Puka fairy that can change into a bluebird who becomes bonded to Orson. Will she stand by him regardless of what he does?
Jo-Ann Doyle
Paloma is Puka fairy that can change into a bluebird who becomes bonded to Orson. Will she stand by him regardless of what he does?
Jo-Ann Doyle
January 18, 2022
Wow now I fully understand the relationship between Orsen and the Bluebird what a touching story. It truly changed my opinion of the Bluebird Palmoa.
October 29, 2022
Too much focus on sex and very little plot.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews