Will there every be a Graceling Realms book that doesn't hurt me emotionally???
This book takes place shortly after the events of Winterkeep with Hava's point of view. Hava is such an interesting character that I was excited to get inside her head and see her perspective on things. She is a character who is also dealing with the aftermath of King Leck and is struggling to find her place in the world.

It's no secret that I enjoy seafaring stories, arctic stories, and survival stories. So having all three wrapped up into one book was such a treat. But this book is a survival story, and it is often hard and sad. Cashore sure does love her mountains and snow and caves though! There was a large cast of characters in the book, as we were reading about a ship's crew, but it didn't feel overwhelming.

Like any Graceling Realms book, there is a mystery at the center of the book, and this intrigue follows the characters all across the globe. There is a a good dose of mystery and appearances from characters of previous books. Hava's point of view is different though, in the way she interacts with people and perceives them. This was a welcome difference, but also reflective of who she is as a person, and the struggles she has gone through. She is still dealing with a lot, and her character arc is steeped with her identity and struggles of self.

There were unexpected themes of disability and motherhood, and without getting into spoilers, much more of the wonderful Blue Foxes introduced in Winterkeep . I think the Foxes were my favorite part of this book, and helped make an otherwise bleak and sad book have moments of happiness and humor.

Based off the ending, I expect at least another Graceling Realms book, although from which character's point of view, I can't begin to guess!