Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - Comments

Bitterblue has become Queen of Monsea since her father's death. She lives in a world with people who have Graces--to read minds, to create top quality swords, or even to swallow balloons without becoming ill. There's so much to see, but Bitterblue is stuck in her castle all day, being bombarded by paperwork that doesn't amuse her at all. Her own staff is what's keeping her there. So, when she finally sneaks out of her castle, it isn't a surprise that she falls in love with her city, and is horrified at its condition. She had been told that it was better than that, that the ruin that her father had create was blossoming. But, she's about to find out, that things are much worse than her advisors have been telling her.