Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns, #3)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Bitter Kingdom

(Girl of Fire and Thorns #3)

Rae Carson

4.21 · Rating details · 34,969 ratings · 2,824 reviews

The champion must not waver.
The champion must not fear.
The gate of darkness closes.

Elisa is a fugitive.

Her enemies have stolen the man she loves, and they await her at the gate of darkness. Her country is on the brink of civil war, with her own soldiers ordered to kill her on sight.

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Lucero-Elisa né Riqueza de Vega, bearer of the Godstone, will lead ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 433 pages

Published August 27th 2013 by Greenwillow Books (first published April 14th 2013)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Bitter Kingdom, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

YA Novels of 2013

1,573 books — 11,015 voters

Can't Wait Books of 2013

2,490 books — 12,185 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.21 ·

Rating details

· 34,969 ratings · 2,824 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns, #3)

Sep 29, 2012 Keertana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kick-ass-heroines, 2013-favorites, rainy-day-re-reads, arc-galley-and-first-reads, swoooon

Goddamn. Rae Carson, you are a genius. A genius among geniuses. If you only promise to write books that are this good in the future, I will raise a pedestal in your honor. No joke.

The Bitter Kingdom is damn near perfect. Hell, it probably is perfect but since I'm too blinded by the perfection that is Hector, I'm unable to call anything else perfect in comparison to him. *swoons*

Top 5 Reasons To Read The Bitter Kingdom. (In case you needed any convincing...which you HOPEFULLY don't because if yo ...more

flag 113 likes · Like · see review

Jun 21, 2013 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it really liked it

Shelves: assassin, religious-spiritual, siblings, romance, ya, alternate-universe, on-the-run, quest, book-boyfriend, nobility

This book, while technically perfect and a highly enjoyable read---fell a bit short of my expectations. I've enjoyed the other books in the series, but I don't know...I can't exactly pinpoint it, but this book just didn't leave me completely satisfied; it just feels like I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. I said it was technically perfect, and I meant it. The writing is great, the plot is quick-paced, and action-filled; character development was well-done. It does have its faults, but t ...more

flag 68 likes · Like · see review

Dec 09, 2011 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: harper-collins, i-ship-it, kindle-books, fantasy, favorite-heroines

HECTOR!!!!

Hector has quickly become one of my favorite YA book boys. I'm not even sure what's so swoony about him, besides the fact that he's marvelous. If you've read the books, you know. You just know. Once he shaved that moustache, it was one big swoonfest every time he stepped into the scene.

I also really loved the new setting in this book! Girl of Fire and Thorns had a desert feel to it, and Crown of Embers had more of a tropical thing going on. But Bitter Kingdom is definitely set in a col ...more

flag 69 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2017 Jeff rated it really liked it

you know what?

I like Hector.

flag 61 likes · Like · see review

Dec 13, 2015 Norah Una Sumner rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, family-theme, romance, series, all-time-favs, fantasy, great-female-characters, great-male-characters, love, made-me-cry

“You look beautiful," Alodia says.
I startle at the compliment. Then I smile. "I’m beautiful to the one person who matters."
She nods. "Hector’s mouth is going to drop open when he sees you.”
“I hope so. But I meant me. I’m beautiful to me.”

This trilogy definitely holds a special place in my heart.The characters are so wonderful,especially Elisa who develops so much as a character and Hector who shows us what an unconditional love is.I've never been prouder of a book character before ...more

flag 41 likes · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2012 Aimee rated it it was amazing

This book. This series. Wow. There are few books that have left me waiting anxiously for what seems like a long time to not end in disappointment. I couldn't imagine, when I started this book, how it would all turn out. I speculated and dreamed up my own ending while waiting to get my hands on this and for once, the book was so much better than anything I could dream up on my own.

Very rarely do books like these end in a way that I thought was just darn perfect. Usually there is something in the ...more

flag 35 likes · Like · see review

Mar 01, 2013 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 4-5-stars, fantastic-fantasy, audio-challenge-2020, book-boyfriend-material, ya, o-captain-my-captain, chick-i-want-to-hang-out-with, re-read, 2020-reads, buddy-read

Re-read time

I'm so happy. This series has held up so well. it is one of my favorite underrated series, with one of the best slow burn romances in it. Also, how could I ever forget Red Sparkle Stone, she is amazing.

description

It would destroy me to have you just a little

The Bitter Kingdom is the perfect ending to the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Rae Carson has hit this one out of the park with the addition of a few new characters and the resurrection of other favorites from the first two books in th ...more

flag 34 likes · Like · see review

Dec 16, 2015 Nastassja rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: fantasy, best-young-adult, dark-haired-heroine, young-adult

“I am queen of Joya d’Arena and bearer of a living Godstone. I kneel to no one.”

Final books are always the hardest for me to write about. It is the end, and I know that there wouldn't be any sequels and things will stay the way they ended. At some point I am relieved how everything ended but some resolutions left me disappointed.

The plot. The crown of embers ended with Elisa and Co on the run. They must save Hector, find out the truth about Godstones, and then Elisa must again prove to be the ru

“I am queen of Joya d’Arena and bearer of a living Godstone. I kneel to no one.”

The plot. The crown of embers ended with Elisa and Co on the run. They must save Hector, find out the truth about Godstones, and then Elisa must again prove to be the ruler of her people and restore her rights as a queen. This part of the trilogy was action packed, without any stops to catch a breathe and think. I believe I have a few white hairs after finishing the book. But it was worth it. We finally have a map and now can see what is where and how to get there. The first part of the book was my favorite. When the characters traveled through abandoned mines, I've become claustrophobic. It was a scary place, really, and the creatures that roam the place... well, let's just say they are not pleasant. Brrrr. Also, we've got some answers but not all of them and some things are left unsaid.

“It is human nature to concoct explanations to fill the great void of the unknown.”

I get that we can't have everything we want, but I hoped for more closure maybe? Things are kind of ended up abruptly for me and I was not prepared to say goodbye. The second book stays my favorite, this one is on the second place.

The characters. Elisa was the strongest character in this book. She almost didn't doubt herself and proved to be a true queen. But I missed the weaker Elise, the one who endured and suffered and won hard. It made her more human to me, not regal but alive. I still am proud of her and her accomplishments, but somehow power made her less interesting character. Though, most moments with her were still amazing and Elise is still one of the best female characters in YA for me.

It’s possible I’ve been through too much, lost too much. War damages different people in different ways; Hector taught me that. King Alejandro became spineless and incapable. His father before him was rash and unpredictable, if I’m to believe court gossip. Perhaps this is my damage. Maybe I am numb to fear because I am broken.

What I really loved about Elise, that she puts more trust in herself than in god now.
The truth is, I’m not sure if God looked out for us, or if we won the day ourselves. I’m not sure of anything about him anymore.

Peace is such hard work. Harder than war. It takes way more effort to forgive than to kill.

Poor Elise, imagine to be on a run almost for a year (I am counting all three books in one); it can be very tiring, especially when you always have to worry if this is a day when doom will finally catch up with you.
These are the kinds of decisions I hate. It seems my choices too often are reduced to a single question: How would I rather die? Starvation? Scorpion venom? Falling to my death?

Yeah, hard choices.

We have chapters from Hector's POV in this book and I liked being in his head. He was strong and wonderful and protective. His relationship with Elise is slow-burning and intense and sensual. I totally ship this couple

“But I’m powerless,” I whisper.
“Yes, powerless,” he echoes. “Which is why I have no desire to do this.” He kisses my forehead, letting his lips linger. “Which is why I can easily say no to this.” He presses his lips to mine, teases them open, and kisses me long and deep. “And why I am not utterly compelled to do this.” He yanks my body against his, and his hand slips under the hem of my shirt. “Do you see, Elisa?” he says, his voice dark. “How little power you have over me?”

He has not stopped grinning like a little boy about to open his Deliverance Day gifts. He leans closer until our lips are a finger’s breadth apart. He brushes a strand of hair from my neck, and I shiver. “If we were alone right now,” he says, “I would . . .”
“I would let you.”

“I love you too,” he whispers in my ear. “Wholly. Madly.”
“Does this mean you’ll marry me?”
“I suppose.”

But. BUT. In the second half of the book Elise was way stronger than Hector. She and only she had to make hard decisions. Hector kind of dangled in the background, and I found that his personality dimmed, and there were other much more interesting characters like Storm. Oh Storm, you are my favorite. He's got a really good character development in this book. I have a serious crush on him. Storm seems so careless on the outside but he cares and oh, how deep he cares.
Storm chuckles. “Queen, chosen one, horse thief. Let it never be said that you are not accomplished.”

He catches Mara and me staring and rubs his hair, frowning. “It will grow back,” he assures us. “By the time we reach Invierne, it will be less shameful.”
“I’m relieved to hear that your vanity has weathered this egregious trial unscathed.”
“Thank y— Oh. Sarcasm again.”

I know, he is so self-assured sometimes, but I adore him.
Storm leans toward her and says in a teaching voice, “Joyans consider it is rude to express one’s true opinion unless it is unequivocally flattering.”
Her brow furrows. “Then how do they express anything at all?”

Haha, indeed, how!
In the afternoon, Storm suggests we make snowshoes. We’ve never heard of such a thing, and we ask him to demonstrate, but he scoffs, saying, “I was a prince of the realm. I bought snowshoes—I didn’t make them.”

“A deathstalker,” Hector says. “Larger relative of the common cave scorpion. They glow when frightened. Their sting is painful and mildly poisonous but not usually serious. The problem is when they swarm. Multiple stings can be lethal.”
“Ugh,” I say.
“Yes. I agree they are ugh,” Storm says.

Really, every moment in Storm's company is a pleasure. If I would compare him to other fictional princes I like, it would be Nikolai from Grisha trilogy. I want a separate spin-off from Storm's POV.

I love the friendship between Storm and Elise. It started rocky but transformed into something really precious:

My heart twists. Storm and I have gone from enemies, to uneasy allies, to grudging friends. I would never tell him so, but I am fond of him.

Talking about the topic of friendship in this book, I'd say it has the best kind of friendship - the one that fought for through thorns with bloody fingernails:
I look around at my companions. “This might be it. The gate of the enemy. None of you are required to accompany me. It’s your choice.”
Belén shrugs. “It’s a perfect plan.”
“As easy as falling in love,” Mara adds.
“Foolproof,” Hector agrees.
I don’t deserve such friends. I blink against the sting of threatening tears and say, “All you Joyans are filthy liars.”

Female friendship is amazing. I have no words, I always wanted a sister and what Mara and Elise have is precious:
There’s a hole inside me that she fills, something I wouldn’t get from being queen or winning a war or even being with Hector.
“You’re the sister I never had,” she adds.
“And you’re the sister I always wish I had.”

Overall.This book was great. Last books of the trilogies are not always fulfilling; often they are disappointing. Compared to them, The bitter kingdom is an amazing conclusion to an amazing series. But still, I can't shake the feeling that something is lost to me, something more; the ending did not make me as happy and filled with satisfaction as I'd like to be when finishing a series I really enjoyed. Maybe it's me and everything is alright with this book, I don't know... It is a highly recommended series from my side and one of the best fantasy YA I've read this year.

...more

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

Jan 14, 2016 Jillian rated it really liked it

**4.5 Stars**

A fantastic ending to an amazing trilogy. Elisa's character development was phenomenal. She started out as this character with so much self doubt and fear and ended with so much confidence and bravery. Elisa is one of my favorite female heroines of all time.

I had to take away 1/2 a star because I probably should have read this sooner. It took me a little longer to reconnect with the story and the characters, but once I did I was just so engrossed.

Also, I was just freaking swooning ...more

flag 24 likes · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2014 Liz rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, favourite-heroine

Usual heroine:
"You steal the man I love? Well, I'm going to cry in the corner for half a book, feel sorry for myself and then just do my best and try to get to you while being stupid once in a while to make the book exciting."
Elisa:
"You steal the man I love? Ha! I will first get a backup plan for my kingdom and then follow you saving lives, yours included, being totally badass, relying on the intelligence of my beloved, and acting like a true warrior."

Seriously though. When everything is taken from Elisa she simply decides to take this exact everything back and to take it one step further by securing the peace between the nations, creating alliances and saving lives. Oh, and becoming champion of course.
There is no hesitation, no doubt in Elisa. This girl used her brain from the very first page of the entire series, but in the final book she becomes a true monarch.
Determined, with an iron will, intelligent and wise.
She stays unbowed without losing her humanity and her heart. Fortunately, she doesn't degrade to a weakling and doesn't give up. To her credit, she doesn't even think about it.
I think we all noticed that in many ~~actually most~~ books the heroines still have some damsel-in-distress traits and very typical weaknesses.
Think about it, how many books did you read where the heroine is not only a queen, has to fulfill a prophecy, is very far from being physically perfect and is presented strong-willed and assertive? I am sure, not many.

Hector is proves that he is a real man in this book. He doesn't doubt Elisa, he is nobel and loyal as always, and he teaches a very important lesson to the reader- sometimes you have to let somebody save you. I loved him in this book.
I don't want to ramble a lot, to be honest. Do you know the feeling when you could complain in a one-star review for ages, but don't want to write a lot in a five-star one?
Yeah.
Secondary characters were as deep and alive as the main characters, the plot was full of interesting twits and turns and didn't lack action. The setting was new and exciting, especially the mines. The plot development and the world itself was very original, it didn't remind me on any other series I've read, which I was thankful for.

Definitely going to come back to this series more than once. I highly recommend it to all those who love fantasy and those who love strong protagonists and something new and refreshing!
Have fun! ...more

flag 24 likes · Like · see review

Feb 14, 2016 K. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016, audience-young-adult, setting-fantasy, plus-sized-narrator, library, 2019, fantasy, bipoc-narrator, own-it-hard-copy, 2017

Trigger warnings: war, death, animal death, violence, slavery, torture, (view spoiler).

4/7/2019
Sticking with 5 stars this time around, although let's be real: a decent chunk of that is because I ship it a frightening amount.

9/2/2017
On reread, I'm bumping this up to 5 stars. The relationship is perfection. Elisa has come so far from the shrinking violet we met in the fi ...more

flag 23 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2018 Deborah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the third and final book in this series and for me the best one so far. It’s true that I’ve had a bit of a bumpy ride at times but overall I’ve really enjoyed this series.

I had several issues especially with the first book but despite the problems this series has turned out to be addictive reading. I found I just couldn’t put it down.

There’s already loads of great reviews so I’m keeping mine short and sweet.

The fact is I’ve not been very generous with my ratings because things bothered ...more

flag 22 likes · Like · see review

Jun 07, 2012 Sara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: a-new-world, books-i-own, magic-of-some-form, liked-the-title, someone-i-want-to-sleep-with, it-is-a-girl, hair-is-black, read-in-2013

I need this book like Bella needs Edward; in a totally inappropriate, co-dependent and life-consuming way.

2013... I want more of my Hector now.

After reading

4.5 stars. Incredible.

flag 21 likes · Like · see review

Apr 15, 2014 Shannon (kitchandpages) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Heartfelt and sweet ending to this series. I had a lot of fun marathoning it this week :)

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Jan 15, 2013 Marija Jesretic rated it really liked it

Just finished #2 and oh.my...GLOOOOB! ; ___ ; HECTOOOOOR, OUR LOVE! When everything was getting SO GOOD. Oh, Rae Carson, you know how to push all of our buttons. Thank you much!
Who's the damsel in destress now? ;D ...more

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

May 19, 2013 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it really liked it

Shelves: just-another-book-crush, magic, reviewed-in-2013, amazing-writing, my-flat-army, arc-2013, fantasy, young-adult, role-models, all-the-right-choices

A trilogy that started with superb worldbuilding and atypical characters in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and continued with court intrigue and an epic love story in The Crown and Embers deserved no less than a stellar conclusion. It was with no small amount of trepidation that I picked up Bitter Kingdom into my shaking hands, afraid but eager to learn Elisa and Hector’s fate.
In Crown of Embers, we left Elisa and Hector in a dreadful situation, apart and with far too many obstacles between them, A trilogy that started with superb worldbuilding and atypical characters in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and continued with court intrigue and an epic love story in The Crown and Embers deserved no less than a stellar conclusion. It was with no small amount of trepidation that I picked up Bitter Kingdom into my shaking hands, afraid but eager to learn Elisa and Hector’s fate.
In Crown of Embers, we left Elisa and Hector in a dreadful situation, apart and with far too many obstacles between them, with little hope for the future they both deserved. With that, The Bitter Kingdom promised to be a journey like no other, emotional, intense and entirely satisfying. I dare not imagine the pressure Carson was feeling while writing this finale, but I applaud her for handling it splendidly.

For the most part, Rae Carson gave her trilogy exactly the ending it deserved. We were allowed to witness our favorite characters grow, become even more independent, determined and fierce. We got to see them fight not only for the rights that were given to them by birth, but also for those they’ve acquired through bravery and intelligent handling of every situation. In the end, we were given plenty of time to say goodbye with bittersweet smiles on our faces. But was it all enough? Yes… and no.

There were, admittedly, times when I felt that pages/words could have been put to better use. Bitter Kingdom, while epic in so many ways, slowed down and almost dragged in places. The journey through the desert felt unnecessarily long and tedious, and the tunnels that came later gave me the exact same feeling. I wanted to be with these characters, but I wished they would take me somewhere else.

What The Bitter Kingdom offered that wasn’t there before were several chapters from Hector’s point of view. Usually, introducing another POV so late in a trilogy can be a double-edged sword, but for obvious reasons (i.e. our never-ending love for him) Hector’s was most welcome. I was afraid he’d lose that slightly enigmatic air about him, but even with these glimpses into his thoughts, he remained as fascinating and desirable as ever… if not more.

Along the way and perhaps despite the circumstances, Elisa became a force to be reckoned with. In The Bitter Kingdom, we find her ready to fulfill her role as the queen and bearer of the Godstone. That lost, silent girl we met in Girl of Fire and Thorns is long gone and in her place is a woman and a warrior, intelligent and fierce. Seeing her finally accept herself filled my heart with enormous pride and joy.

While this trilogy isn’t free of faults, it’s still a wonderfully imaginative YA fantasy I’ll never hesitate to recommend. I’m also quite sure we’ll see many more great books from Rae Carson and I’m anxious to learn what comes next.

A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

Jul 07, 2015 Kells Next Read rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebook, fiction, fantasy, young-adult

I'm a good leader, but you're a great ruler. I am strong enough-man enough-to be subject to you.

I know that it took me long to finally finish this amazing trilogy but I don't regret it one bit. It's always such bitter sweet sorrow for me when reading the final in a Fantastic read. All the characters we great. I will especially miss Storm, Elisa and Hector. These three specifically made this read a roll coaster of gratifying pleasure.

I love Carson's style of writing and the lead heroine Elisa wa ...more

flag 16 likes · Like · see review

Apr 01, 2016 The Captain rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult

This was the last book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy – the first two being The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers (Girl of Fire and Thorns). This was a great ending to a wonderful series. A lot of this novel takes place in the realm of the enemy, and it was excellent to see Storm’s homeland. Elisa finally grows into who she is supposed to be with some major surprises along the way. Romance blooms, politics are played, and a fight is had to reclaim a kingdom. This novel also gives u ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Mar 31, 2017 Maggie ☘ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: high-fantasy, intriguing-world-building, underrated-gems, magic, amazing-reads, best-of-the-best, kick-ass-heroines, awesome-female-friendships, great-reads-2017, charismatic-characters

“You look beautiful," Alodia says.
I startle at the compliment. Then I smile. "I’m beautiful to the one person who matters."
She nods. "Hector’s mouth is going to drop open when he sees you.”
“I hope so. But I meant me. I’m beautiful to me.”

description

When I started Fire and Thorns I definitely did not expect it to become one of my favourite high fantasy series of all time, and yet here I am absolutely loving it.
The first book was enjoyable enough, it was the second two instalments that made me fall in ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2013 Angelica rated it really liked it

Shelves: authors-i-love, awesome-heroines, fantasy, release-2013, why-must-it-end, four-star, witches-wizards-magic, action, super-powers, awesome-heroes

Before Reading:

This book can not come out any sooner can it? I NEED IT LIKE A DROWINGNG MAN NEEDS AIR! (You all know where I got that from.) I've got to wait till August?!?!?!

After Reading:

“I think sometimes when we find love we pretend it away or ignore it or tell ourselves we’re imagining it. Because it is the most painful kind of hope there is.”

This is a very “quick” and horrible a review because I have procrastinated and I never want to right a review after I’ve read ano ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2018 h o l l i s rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018-reads, a-smattering-of-lols, finished-in-june-2018, overdrive, heroines-i-love, not-a-bunch-of-twenty-somethings, men-in-uniform, made-me-cry, swoony-crush-worthy-boys, heroes-to-root-for

I mean, what do you expect? I love this series with a fiery passion. Of course it gets a five. But it gets that five because this finale is so much of what YA fantasy isn't. It is unique, remarkable, exceptional, and the character growth, the journeys, are all so realistic and wonderful. And the romaaaaance. Don't even get me started.

I'm not sure this one sucked me in as much as the other audiobooks but that is definitely my fault as I found myself distracted, and rewinding, constantly. Again, m ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2014 Eilonwy rated it really liked it

Shelves: a-bit-on-the-long-side, good-mythology, heartbreaking, heartwarming, love-the-romance

After a bit of dragginess in the middle, this book redeemed itself with a worthy confrontation with the villain, and a perfect character arc and body-acceptance arc for Elisa. This is definitely one of my favorite trilogies.

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Jul 10, 2011 Jodi Meadows rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-love-beyond-reason

Dear commas.

This book.

THIS BOOK.

Please note the shelf placement. That's very important. ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Feb 19, 2013 Cinda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, ya, ohio-authors

Fantastic ending to a fabulous trilogy. I just love Hector being awesome...

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2018 Holly rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018

Enjoyed this trilogy and found this to be a very satisfying conclusion.

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2013 Ferdy rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, good, teens-saving-the-world, liked-the-world, decent-secondary-characters, likeable-hero, powers, teenagers-with-powers, decent-heroine, likeable-heroine

3.5 stars - Spoilers

-Mostly enjoyed it, the action, characters and romance kept me hooked. However, I was disappointed that the majority of The Bitter Kingdom was basically a long journey - I hate it when a story mainly consists of a journey, I don't find it imaginative or particularly entertaining.

-One of the best aspects of the series was the character growth of the heroine, Elisa. She started off fat and useless and transformed into a confident leader. It was refreshing to read a YA heroine w 3.5 stars - Spoilers

-Mostly enjoyed it, the action, characters and romance kept me hooked. However, I was disappointed that the majority of The Bitter Kingdom was basically a long journey - I hate it when a story mainly consists of a journey, I don't find it imaginative or particularly entertaining.

-One of the best aspects of the series was the character growth of the heroine, Elisa. She started off fat and useless and transformed into a confident leader. It was refreshing to read a YA heroine who was a positive role model, most YA books tend to have heroines who constantly whine and who only think about their love interest. Elisa cared about other people and things, her love life wasn't her main priority. I was kind of hoping that Elisa wouldn't end up quite so perfect, her growth was admirable but by the end she did come across as a bit of a Mary Sue. I was glad that she wasn't an intolerable sort of Mary Sue though, she still managed to be likeable.

-I enjoyed the different friendships between Elisa, Belen, Storm and Mara - I prefer it when the heroine isn't a loner, and has important relationships outside of the hero.
Heroines who have friends and family just come across as more layered and complex to me, whereas loner and orphan heroines who have no friends usually read as one dimensional to me.

-I wasn't a fan of Alodia, the way she was with Elisa was awful — she treated Elisa like a child and never gave her a chance to grow. I wish Elisa hadn't been so forgiving and understanding about all the secrets Alodia kept.

-I loved Elisa's and Hector's relationship, they had so much respect and love for each other. Most YA romances tend to be cliched or forced or even abusive. So it was nice reading a sweet, healthy relationship that made sense - Hector's POV only made their romance that much more swoony.

-The worldbuilding and secondary characters were done well. But I wasn't impressed with the actual story, I liked how determined Elisa was to save Hector and her country but I wasn't impressed that most of the plot was just a long journey. I dislike books that consist of the protagonists traveling different places - I always feel like something's missing in stories like that.

-I wasn't happy with not finding out the exact meaning behind Elisa's godstone destiny. Such a big deal was made out of her godstone, I would have liked its purpose to have been a key element in the resolution of the plot, the fact that it wasn't was a let down. The oasis was so random, what was so important about it? Why did Elisa need to discover the oasis? I'm kind of hoping there's a spin-off which explains the mystery behind it.

-All in all, the Fire and Thorns trilogy wasn't the most exciting fantasy series but it was still entertaining, and was thankfully free from over the top teenage angst.

**ARC from Edelweiss
...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Sep 10, 2013 Andy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: changed-my-life, 2018-read, reread, read-2014

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!!

I think I loved this even more than the other two because 1-Elisa is so confident and uses her intelligence as a power to scheme which is so damn magnificent! and 2- BECAUSE HECTOR HAS A POV AND I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

I really enjoyed the dual perspective between Hector and Elisa, their povs perfectly compliment each other just like they do. Hector is like literally the best and I have a love/hate relationship with his tendency to sacrifice himself for Elisa. I understand, but ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

May 23, 2019 majo rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-to-buy, fantasy-high-fantasy, finished-trilogies, 4-stars, characters-i-love, fantasy, year-2019, fantasy-medieval-inspired

There's a moment when the main character Elisa says that "she is beautiful to the one person who matters" and then she says "I meant me. I'm beautiful to me" and if that doesn't show you the kind of message that this trilogy is all about, I don't know what will. ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Feb 10, 2019 Elizabeth Dragina rated it did not like it

*reels backward*

I have so many things to say.... where do I begin???

First off I knew going into this book I wasn't going to appreciate it. I have read the 1 + 2 ones and knew why I was reading this. I was reading it to warn others. STAY AWAY!! There are so many problems and bad morals for Christian's to be reading in this, it is not good for our minds or souls. So I was prepared to read just to give a review and now that I've finished I'm more disappointed than I care to admit.

Rae Carson had g ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2017 Alaina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: supernatural, favorites, fantasy, historical-fiction, romance, sci-fi, 2017, young-adult, fiction, paranormal

This book was so good!

I think this was my favorite out of the whole series - maybe. I loved Elisa throughout the whole book and how she just grew more into her own character. I loved all of the friends she made along the journey too. Honestly, they were hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing so much that I was starting to cry. I seriously loved Storm throughout this book too and I was just wanting him and Elisa to get together throughout the entire book - screw Hector!

Ugh! Speaking of Hector, h ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson --> starting 1 March, 2018	11	10	Mar 13, 2018 11:35AM
100+ Books in 2021: Annemarie's Books for 2014	1	9	Oct 26, 2014 08:53AM
David Estes Fans ...: The Bitter Kingdom Buddy Read	16	24	Jul 01, 2014 01:44AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Fantasy

720 users

Young Adult

298 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Fantasy

182 users

Fiction

140 users

Romance

97 users

Young Adult > Teen

60 users

Fantasy > Magic

57 users

Fantasy > High Fantasy

56 users

Adventure

54 users

Audiobook

45 users

See top shelves…

About Rae Carson

Rae Carson

5,775 followers

Rae Carson was born in 1973 in California and now lives in Arizona. She developed an enthusiasm for storytelling in her earliest childhood. She studied social sciences and worked in various industries after graduating from university before she realized her dream and became a writer. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is her debut novel.

In her own words, she "write[s] books about teens who must do brave ...more

Other books in the series

Girl of Fire and Thorns (4 books)

Books by Rae Carson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)

The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns, #2)

Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)

Like a River Glorious (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #2)

Into the Bright Unknown (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #3)

More…

News & Interviews

6 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week

Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. To create our...

Trivia About The Bitter Kingdo...

3 trivia questions
1 quiz

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from The Bitter Kingdom

“I think sometimes when we find love we pretend it away, or ignore it, or tell ourselves we’re imagining it. Because it is the most painful kind of hope there is.” — 282 likes

More quotes…