The Bitter Kingdom

Gr 8 Up—Elisa is your classic reluctant queen, full of self-doubt and lacking in confidence in the first book, widowed and forced to become a ruler in the second. In the third (Greenwillow, 2013), she must free the man she loves, Hector, while seeking the source of the power that fuels her Godstone. There's something for everyone here. Elisa and her companions have to cross hostile territory, fight to free Hector, deal with people who would sell them out in a heartbeat, survive monster storms, and battle giant scorpions in treacherous mining tunnels. It may take a bit of time for listeners unfamiliar with the earlier books to become fully immersed in the story, but the author's world and characters are extremely well crafted and there's plenty of action. Potential listeners should be aware that there is violence and death, but neither come across as gratuitous. Jennifer Ikeda, the primary narrator, does an excellent job of pacing. Her voice changes for different characters and for the pronunciation of unusual names. Teen readers who love great fantasy, such as Tamora Pierce's books, will certainly find this title worth listening to, but should read or listen to the earlier entries in order to fully enjoy them.—John R. Clark, Hartland Public Library, ME