Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“This is a spell-binding book. It is not often that all three books in a series are equally enthralling. Those who love Tamora Pierce and Kristen Cashore will love the tales of Elisa.”
The Bitter Kingdom (Girl of Fire and Thorns Series #3)
by Rae CarsonView All Available Formats & Editions
The New York Times‒best-selling series!
"Carson joins the ranks of writers like Kristin Cashore, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tamora Pierce as one of YA's best writers of high fantasy."—Locus
In the deeply satisfying conclusion to the bestselling Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen Elisa
… See more details belowOverview
The New York Times‒best-selling series!
"Carson joins the ranks of writers like Kristin Cashore, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tamora Pierce as one of YA's best writers of high fantasy."—Locus
In the deeply satisfying conclusion to the bestselling Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen Elisa travels into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.
Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion—a champion to those who have hated her most. Riveting, surprising, and achingly romantic, Rae Carson has spun a bold and powerful conclusion to her extraordinary trilogy.
Editorial Reviews
Horn Book Magazine
“This is that rare series in which each volume is better than the last. … An action-packed and thoughtful end to an ambitious series.”Marie Lu
“What a conclusion to a spellbinding trilogy! The Bitter Kingdom cements Rae Carson as one of the best fantasy authors to grace the shelves. I love this series to pieces, and so should you.”Beth Revis
“The perfect conclusion to one of the most brilliant modern YA fantasies on the market today. Readers will love this whole series, and while I didn’t want to leave Elisa’s world, The Bitter Kingdom hits all the right notes. This is YA fantasy as it should be.”Publishers Weekly
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. (Sept.)VOYA - Susan Allen
The final book in the Fire and Thorns series, The Bitter Kingdom picks up where The Crown Of Embers (HarperCollins, 2012/Voya October 2012) ends, with Elisa and her small band of allies chasing the Inviernos who captured Hector, Elisa's love. Bitter Kingdom is located in a cold, snowy world that sets it apart from previous settings and it is in this environment that the long journey to locate those that have taken Hector takes place. After the Inviernos are located, there are adventures that include cave scorpions, mines, and magic. Elisa has grown and changed tremendously by this point in the story, but her character continues to be pushed and tested. Readers will no longer recognize the chubby, self-loathing princess of the Girl Of Fire And Thorns (HarperCollins, 2011/Voya December 2011). As her outer body transforms into a strong, fire-tested queen, her inner person opens up to trust and love. Instead of the story being entirely from Elisa's point of view, a few chapters are told from Hector's and this helps with the character development of Hector and Elisa. The series' themes of acceptance, growth, and being true to oneself are solidly portrayed. This is a spell-binding book. It is not often that all three books in a series are equally enthralling. Those who love Tamora Pierce and Kristen Cashore will love the tales of Elisa. This title also can be read as a stand-alone. Reviewer: Susan AllenChildren's Literature - Julia Beiker
In this final book of “The Girl of Fire and Thorns” trilogy, our young heroine, Queen Elisa must continue her trek through unforgiving terrain to save her beloved Hector and her homeland from multiple threats. Along the way, she learns more about herself and her magic through the help of her comrades. Every time the travelers accomplish one goal, at least two more arise, ensuring there is ample action to keep this plot-driven story going through each twist and turn. Rae Carson effectively uses both Elisa and Hector’s different viewpoints at the beginning, showing readers occurrences in both places before merging them into one. There is little character development in this title and it is recommended that books in the series are read in order. A young adult fantasy, the storyline and setting take the reader to a world where anything is possible. Fans of the series will enjoy this action-packed conclusion. Reviewer: Julia Beiker AGERANGE: Ages 8 up.School Library Journal
10/01/2013Gr 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
Kirkus Reviews
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 né 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)Product Details
- ISBN-13:
- 9780062026569
- Publisher:
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date:
- 08/26/2014
- Series:
- Girl of Fire and Thorns Series, #3
- Pages:
- 448
- Sales rank:
- 89,665
- Product dimensions:
- 5.20(w) x 7.80(h) x 1.20(d)
- Age Range:
- 13 Years
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