I read a lot of good books. I read a good amount of great books. But every now and then a book comes along that defies description, a book for which no superlative is superlative enough, a book that makes me shout unintelligible words as I’m reading at 3:00 in the morning because THINGS just happened and the words are so PRETTY and I can no longer be expected to contain my EMOTIONS.
One of these books is Kristin Cashore‘s Bitterblue.
For the record, I adore Graceling and Fire as well. Fire was my favorite, before I read Bitterblue. Now, I just don’t know because, while Fire moved me in ways no other book had before, Bitterblue . . . Bitterblue was transcendent.
ALLOW ME AND UNICORN TO EXPLAIN:
Five days ago, it BEGINS. Friend, librarian, and book blogger BRITNEY, fresh home from ALA Midwinter, bestows upon me the oracle of oracles. At the reference desk, a happy dance unlike any other happy dance I have happy danced before ensues.
I read the prologue surreptitiously between patrons.
I strongly consider abandoning my post.
UNICORN and I race home after work, for once not thinking about what to eat next.
I pack all weekend for my move, in constant agony, taunted by the book sitting “innocently” on my nightstand.
I finish packing. I BEGIN IN EARNEST.
Page 88:
Page 196:
Page 249:
I break for food. QUICKLY.
Page 307:
Page 372:
Page 406 (when I realize the inevitable):
Page 429:
Page 474:
EVERY PAGE FROM THERE UNTIL THE END:
If that doesn’t get you excited about Bitterblue, I don’t know what will. I mean, that’s an OFFICIAL Firefly announcement up there. Just think about that.
I couldn’t contain the LOLs coming out of my mouth! And now that I have processed this illustrative guide to ‘Reading Bitterblue’ I weep! For I will not get to read this for some time now!! Devo. But I will re-read Graceling and Fire to keep my mind sedated xoxo thanks for the efforts!!
As if I weren’t desperate enough already…
The months doth stretch long and hard. I shall salve my sadness with copious readings of GRACELING and FIRE.
I *LOVE* this review! It had me LOLing and super excited about reading Graceling (and Fire and Butterblue). You are awesome!
And now I need a SB cape!
OMG DANCING FRAND WHY YOU SO SUPER?
This is officially the best thing I have ever seen.
Lolo
Hahahahaah this was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!
I am stalking and entering ALL THE ARC GIVEAWAYS in rabid hopes of maybe possibly hopefully getting my hands on this before release.
Congrats on getting to read it! So happy to hear it was amazing.
Oh, how I loved this post! And now I can’t even stand the fact that Bitterblue won’t be able to be in my hands until MAY! I “may” die waiting.
And that commercial was High-larious! [said in a Jayne voice]
BEST REVIEW EVER! The drawings, works of art, I tell you! Loved them all.
I can’t wait for this book. There are things, unmentionable things, I would do to get this book.
Hey Claire,
I think I loved this post almost as much as you loved BB. LOL
You gals rock & I’m so glad to have and have had the opportunity to work with you both.
Not only are you a brilliant writer, but you’re no slouch in the illustrating department either
Kudos to SB for standing in line to acquire the book that we’ll likely all get to read before she will.
Cheers!
i can’t even believe you got to read BITTERBLUE! i’m green. or am i blue?
love the drawings. keep up the silliness!
Your review-in-pictures was far more convincing and eloquent than any written review I could ever have read…
As I was reading your comic I was reliving the book. Love it! And your skill in Paint is Amazing!
Um… this is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I just started Fire and Lo is going to give me Bitterblue when she’s finished. RIGHT, LOLO? *stern face*
RIGHT, PQ.
Love this post! And the pictures totally make it!
-Meredith
This review is made of epic win.
Yes. This. Exactly.