This is the first book since The Deathly Hallows to steal my heart, beat it to a pulp, gently place it back where it belongs, and attempt to heal it, briefly. 
 This was a harrowing, yet beautiful, ending to the series. I felt nearly every emotion while reading this book. I don't think I realized how much I loved or cared about everybody until this book. 
 Something that I loved, perversely, was how broken everyone in this book is. It feels right. I loved Bitterblue's fragility. So many books recently have forced-strong female characters, as if they need to prove they can be the main lead. Bitterblue was perfect. Broken, self-conscious, fragile... but brave. Daring. Caring. Independent. Doesn't take crap. The complexity of her was masterful. 
 The people WOULD have been that broken, that insane, after 35 years under a sadist's rule. It wouldn't have been easy to sort or or make right, and I'm glad that it wasn't written that way. 
 As far as Bitterblue's love life goes: (view spoiler)[ I hope she ends up with Giddon. They have shown their compatibility, and she trusts him. He is a good match for her, and could help her lead. Their chemistry is solid and strong, stable. Bitterblue's lust/passion fling with Sapphire was just that: her required life experience of having loved and lost, a fling that could never be. There were several hints throughout the book that Bitterblue and Giddon would be together, and that's what I'm going to believe. (hide spoiler)] 
 I loved seeing the two worlds come together in the third book: Katsa's and Fire's. It felt like the world was righting itself when that took place. 
 Death's Who's Who at the end of the book is a complete and utter treasure. I found myself giggling madly while wiping tears from my eyes. Death himself is a treasure. 
 I recommend this book to lovers of fantasy. Whereas the first two books, Graceling and Fire, I would recommend for teens and older, Bitterblue deals with tougher concepts, and I'd recommend parents read it first before deciding for their kids. 
 This is a story I'll keep in my heart forever. I'll definitely reread them all in the future, and anything else written by Kristin Cashore. What a masterful storyteller.