Week 49 Review: Seasparrow

From Goodreads:

The fifth novel in the bestselling and award winning Graceling Realm series focuses on Hava, Queen Bitterblue's spy, and her harrowing journey back to Monsea after the events of 2021's Winterkeep.

In the immediate aftermath of the events of Winterkeep, Bitterblue and her entourage begin the journey back to Monsea with the only copies of the formulas for the zilphium weapon. Bitterblue must decide what she will do with her world-shaping power. But before they've even made it halfway home, storms drive their ship off course and then wrecking them in the ice far north of the Royal Continent. The survivors must make a harrowing trek across the ice in order to make it back to Monsea.

Seasparrow is told entirely from the point of view of Hava, Bitterblue's personal spy and secret half-sister. And while Bitterblue grapples with how to carry the responsibility of a weapon of mass destruction, Hava must decide what she will do with herself in the new world Bitterblue will make.

My Review:
Oh, it was really great to read this book! And unexpected, because book 4 came out early last year, and usually there's a pretty decent gap between Kristin Cashore's books. But she did start writing this one right after her boat trip in 2018, so that does make sense! 

This book takes place after all the things that went down in Winterkeep. And unlike that book, we're only in Hava's head. It's also the first book that she's written and published in first person, and with short chapters. Because that's who Hava is, and how she narrates. She's really introspective, and just like her ability allows her to hide, anything but first person would also do the same. So I loved that.

Part of this book is the fact that they have the formulas for the zilphium weapon-and that Bitterblue has the biggest known cache of zilphium. While Bitterblue has to decide how she wants to deal with that situation on a global political scale, Hava has to deal with the smaller picture. 

I just loved this story, learning about Hava and how her life was like under the King, because of his power, and his sick inclinations towards children and causing pain. What her ability has meant for them. And oh, this story with a wrecked ship and a survival story, and all the various elements, it all came together really well! I'd love it if we got more in this world, it's just gotten so big! 

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next! 

Author: Kristin Cashore
Series: Graceling Realm #5
Read: December 7th, 2022
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2022 Book and a WoW Book!  
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published: November 1st 2022

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars