Bitterblue

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is grappling with the realization that the adults in their life are fallible or when they are struggling to reconcile a painful family history with their own identity. Bitterblue follows a young queen who must uncover the suppressed, traumatic history of her kingdom, which was ruled for decades by her father, a manipulative sociopath. As she navigates a web of secrets and lies, she learns that true leadership requires the courage to face uncomfortable truths rather than burying them. It is a deeply psychological and sophisticated fantasy that explores themes of systemic trauma, the ethics of memory, and the burden of legacy. Given its mature exploration of grief and restorative justice, it is best suited for older teens aged 14 and up who are ready for a complex, emotionally demanding narrative.