Such a beautifully tragic book. Cashore's novels are all so character driven, they come across as so real. This book was such an emotional ride, I cried at certain parts. 
 The characters broke my heart; especially Thiel. Every time he came onto the page, I teared up for this broken, tired and gravely depressed man. And near the end, when everything came to light, I bawled like a baby for him. (view spoiler)[It wasn't just his death, it was how broken he was, how guilt stricken and how much he just wanted to protect Bitterblue from it all. To me, she should have loved him more, grieved for him more, as he was more of a father figure then Leck ever was.(view spoiler)[ 
 Bitterblue was a strong, emotional character who lost her top and lied a lot when she wanted to. For an eighteen year old queen, being kept in the dark by her trusted advisors, she had plenty on her plate and frustration is understandable. 
 Love how it says romance on the inside flab. More romantic than Fire? Sure, Saf and Bitterblue had a little...fling dare I call it? But it felt as if Bitterblue and Giddon got along and possessed a more stable [and romantic] relationship than she and Saf ever did. And there was honesty and trust! Every relationship needs that! And Saf was rarely in the book to make this extremely subtle romance, a romance. True, Bitterblue is not a romance. But that romance was a subplot. 
 The bridges, pretty neat! I loved them and wished there were more cheerful bridge scenes. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]