I love this series, and I'm so excited to dive back into this fantasy realm when Winterkeep is published. It's one of my all-time favorites, and I love the new covers that were recently released.

Well this book will either delight fans of this series or sorely disappoint them. I had the opportunity to read a preview and it was fun revisiting Bitterblue now she's a Queen. Although as this story begins its Giddon the deposed Lord who appears to be the main protagonist and he's clearly in love with Bitterblue although firmly in the friend corner. Bitterblue gets word the two of her ambassadors didn't drown naturally and its looking likely that there's a strong reason for her to travel to Winterkeep to solve not one mystery but two !
It's hard to rate this as I'm keen to read more but not sure just how the story will progress. I like Giddon though and really want him to be happy. I think there will be much intrigue and political machinations as the book progresses and I do hope that there's an awful lot less of Bitterblues various exes but only time will tell.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I read somewhere that you could read these books as a standalone....I can't tell if that's true or not and I suspect what I just read contained spoilers for the previous books.

I mentioning this for context of my feedback.


I love the cover, and am intrigued by the story's premise...it was good in the first chapter too. because Giddon had a purpose. A course of action that I was curious about and could follow along. But it got so slow and info dumpy starting at ch 2 and I was wondering when the plot was going to begin. It all felt like one of those sitcom episodes where the old casts return to the scene and everyone who knows them is screaming, while new viewers are waiting for the show to get on with it.

Who knows maybe if I start the series I'll think of this book differently????

I only received a short preview of this book but what I read so far I loved. I am already hooked and can’t believe I now have to wait to read the rest! I’m a huge fan of Kristin Cashore and her previous books in this universe are all in my all time favourite books list. I’m excited to continue reading about Queen Bitterblue now she is older and further explore the politics and magic of this world. I already love the protagonist of this book Giddon and am very intrigued by his work with the Council. I will definitely be preordering this book!

Thank you for the free excerpt from Netgalley! This is the fourth book in the Graceling series, featuring Bitterblue. I am so so so psyched for this sequel. I have been such a huge fan of this series, and Graceling was one of the book to really get me into YA Fantasy. Reading this excerpt just made me want more and I cannot wait to be able to read the whole thing!

I'm a big fan of Kristin Cashore, and I've been really looking forward to reading more books in the Graceling series! I'm super excited to dive back into this world and see where my favorite characters are now.

I have adored every other book in this series, and, judging from the excerpt, this next book will be no different. Once again, Cashore wields her poetic writing to tell a magical story. I cannot wait to see how the plot plays out in this novel.

I have loved all the books in this series. I can't wait to read another. This was an excerpt. I'm intrigued and will try to be patient to be able to finish this book.

For the past five years, Bitterblue has reigned as Queen of Monsea, heroically rebuilding her nation after her father's horrific rule. After learning about the land of Torla in the east, she sends envoys to the closest nation there: Winterkeep--a place where telepathic foxes bond with humans, and people fly across the sky in wondrous airships. I only read an an exert of this book and I enjoyed reading it.

I’ve been an avid fan of this series since I first read Graceling ten years ago, so I was super excited to return to this world — and this short preview didn’t disappoint! There are already some political machinations and mysteries at play in the book, as well a re-introduction into some our most beloved characters from this world. I think the beginning of this book sets up an exciting story with the possibility of exploring new sides of characters we haven’t seen from this world, as well as continuing to entertain readers with intricate plots that unfold in exciting and unexpected ways. I can’t wait to see where this story goes!

How exciting it is to finally be revisiting the world of GRACELING after so long! I fell in love with this series a long time ago, and I was excited to see this book appear on my radar (and on Netgalley!) While I'm sad this was only an excerpt, I'm glad I was able to read what I did before the book's release.

One thing is sure, I'm definitely going to have to re-read the first three books before I dive into the new one. It's been almost a decade since I first read Bitterblue, and I remember virtually nothing about the book. The beginning of Winterkeep as read in this excerpt reminded me a little of how the book was resolved, but not much in between (or how the other two books are connected.) So I will definitely be re-reading and I'll make sure to pick this book up when it comes out!

Thank goodness there is only a month left til Winterkeep comes out because I'm now even more hyped. I've been in love with the Graceling Realm series for over 10 years and I get so happy every time Cashore takes us back. She is such an amazing writer and I'm happy to report, based on this sneak peek alone that she still has it. She swept me right back up and I enjoyed it. I'm intrigued at the new characters but I'll wait til I read the full book to pass final judgement but great start!

Winterkeep has great potential. The reader is introduced to Giddon. He is smuggling a family over the border to safety because one of the daughters has come into her power. At the same time, 2 men in Bitterblue's service disappear at sea going to Winterkeep. The issue I have is that the writing is not fluid and it takes me time to decipher/envision what Cashore's writing style. Even though I find the writing style choppy the story is interesting. In this brief look provided by NetGalley several characters are introduced. Bitterblue, The Queen of Monsea . Giddon, a Duke that lost his title in his own country so is now in Monsea at service to Bitterblue. Hava, a spy for Bitterblue and also the sister. Two other characters that are off traveling. Even though this feels like a rough draft I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds.

I loved the Graceling books, and I had hoped there would be a continuation to the series. I was thrilled to hear about Winterkeep earlier this year. This preview (chapters 1-3) has left me eager to read more! Continuing books in a series can often be disappointing, but the beginning of Winterkeep is strong. I'm looking forward to reading more!

I have only read the excerpt offered by NetGalley and will have to wait until the release date to read the entire thing, but if the first few chapters are anything to go by, this is going to be a delightful continuation of the Graceling series. I love being back in this world with these characters and can't wait to read more!

WOW!! I can’t wait for this book to come out! Kristen Cashore is one of my favorite writers. I absolutely love this series. This book has a really great start and I’m sure it will have an even better ending.

I was excited to read the excerpt. While I enjoyed it I really need to go back and re-read the previous books. The author was good about keeping the story contained to that volume I spent the time trying to remember past character stories. But this is my issue and not any problem with the excerpt.

Ugh, I cant wait for this book. I cant imagine it to be bad. Being back with these characters is the homecoming I needed.

I probably won't pick this up when it comes out. I found Bitterblue to be the most boring installment of the original series, and unfortunately it doesn't seem that I find her any more interesting now. I'm not sure exactly what it was about it, but this just didn't hold my interest.

I am so happy to go back to the Graceling world. It has been years since I read Bitterblue and was so excited to hear about a new book, As I was reading the excerpt things kept coming back, I am loving where the plot is heading and I cant wait for Winterkeep to be published.