Bitter Kingdom–CONTEST OVER
Thanks for stopping by! The contest for Bitter Kingdom ARC is OVER.
Do stop by again for future sentence games!
Coming in September, it’s The Bitter Kingdom, the highly anticipated third book in Rae Carson‘s fabulous YA Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy.
Because of Rae’s well known fondness for the feline species, I am replacing the usual dog-with-ARC picture and instead present you with this:
I call it “KITTYRAGE.”
Or maybe it’s “KITTYLRRRVE.” Seriously, my cat has a Thing for Hector.
YOU can win an ARC (an early review copy) of this book by playing the sentence game!
All you have to do to enter is pick a number between 1 and 433 and post it in the comments. I’ll respond with a sentence from that page in the book. When we’re all done (12:00 midnight on Friday), I’ll do a random number generator thingy and that person will be the winner, and I will send you the book.
Come back and read all the comments, and you’ll get some Hectorlicious sneak peeks!
[Oh, and if two (or more!) people pick the same page, that’s fine–if that page number is the winner, I’ll just do another random generator thingie for that page.]
Good luck!
08/14/2013 at 6:47 pm
Aaaaah, The Bitter Kingdom!! *flails*
My number choice is gonna be 42 (life, the universe and everything, you know…).
08/14/2013 at 6:51 pm
Yay!! My favorite number evah. And here’s a line from page 42 (a line that makes me go “GAHHHHH!”)
To trade my life for Hector’s.
08/14/2013 at 6:54 pm
*dies*
08/14/2013 at 6:52 pm
Best number 🙂
08/16/2013 at 5:43 pm
66
08/17/2013 at 12:01 pm
66!
Storm nudges me forward, but I can’t stop staring.
08/14/2013 at 6:50 pm
Number 19
08/14/2013 at 6:54 pm
From p 19. Elisa is up to something:
I sigh loudly. “Please, sire, I won’t cause any trouble. It’s just that my husband is still in there, snoring up a sandstorm, and I couldn’t take it a moment more.”
08/14/2013 at 6:50 pm
I’m gonna go with 415! 🙂
08/14/2013 at 6:53 pm
Sure thing! From p 415. This is Hector’s POV. He’s just gotten punchy with the general:
“Drag him outside,” I order, shaking out my hand.
08/14/2013 at 6:52 pm
The Bitter Kingdom! So cloooooose!
Because Pili has picked my usual favorite number (for the same reasons, hi friend!) I will go with 24.
08/14/2013 at 6:56 pm
Twenty-four. That works!
As we’re mounting up, Mara leans over and says, “I hit a pigsty. With my arrows.”
08/15/2013 at 8:45 am
YAY for 42! *waves at Meg*
08/14/2013 at 7:18 pm
263–it’s a happy prime, and just past the halfway point of the book.
08/14/2013 at 7:26 pm
Happy prime! BUT sadly, page 263 is BLANK. I’m not kidding. Look:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22581660@N07/9509787273/lightbox/
Do you want to keep this one, just in case, or try another number? 😀
08/14/2013 at 7:32 pm
I’ll switch to 293. Also happy prime, but hopefully not blank.
(My brain just needs a REASON to choose the random number…)
08/14/2013 at 7:34 pm
Okey-dokey! From p 293:
“You love her,” I say gently.
08/14/2013 at 7:27 pm
this is a fab idea, omg!
anyway, i think i’ll go with 63~~
08/14/2013 at 7:30 pm
Coolio! From p 63, you go Elisa:
Mostly, though, I want to see it because during the last year I have learned, through much heartbreak, that the things people work hardest to keep me ignorant of are the things most worth pursuing.
08/19/2013 at 7:47 pm
that is amazing. oh my god, i can’t wait for this book.
08/14/2013 at 7:37 pm
My pick is 144.
08/14/2013 at 7:39 pm
Okay, I’m not even joking again, but 144 is BLANK. You want to try for another one?? 😀
08/14/2013 at 7:41 pm
I guess I’ll try 140. Keeping my fingers crossed that it’s not blank.
08/14/2013 at 7:43 pm
Eep! From p 140:
Hector’s face is resigned, and I know he understands, even if the others don’t.
08/14/2013 at 7:38 pm
My 20th birthday was yesterday, so I’m gonna have to go with 20! So excited for the book and I love the game idea!!!
08/14/2013 at 7:40 pm
Sure thing! From p 20:
I feel sick. But no, I don’t have a better idea.
08/14/2013 at 7:45 pm
26!
08/14/2013 at 7:54 pm
From p 26. HECTOR:
The true power of a Royal Guardsman lies in observation, and they have not thought to blindfold me. Overconfident fools.
08/14/2013 at 8:11 pm
What a fantastic idea!
222 please.
08/14/2013 at 8:19 pm
From p 222!
“I can’t outrun them right now,” I mutter to Hector.
“Then we fight.”
08/14/2013 at 8:40 pm
I’m gonna guess 266! 😀
08/14/2013 at 11:33 pm
Okay, well. Page 266 is BLANK. ARGH. Want to try again with another one? 😀
08/14/2013 at 8:45 pm
Page 433 – I love last lines (as long as it’s not a spoiler…..)
08/14/2013 at 11:33 pm
Okay, no spoiler here. Much. From p 433, my book-boyfriend Hector speaking:
“I am strong enough–man enough–to be subject to you.”
08/14/2013 at 9:01 pm
Hmmm… How about page 394?
08/14/2013 at 11:31 pm
YEsssss. I’m giving you four sentences here because it’s such an awesome moment (srsly, I got chills reading this scene):
I gaze out over the small sea of bowed heads, breathing deep of the moment, savoring it. My Guard. My people. My power.
08/14/2013 at 10:33 pm
I just read The Girl of Fire and Thorns last week and loved it. I’ll be reading The Crown of Embers next week, so this contest could not come at a better time!
How about 127?
08/14/2013 at 11:30 pm
Oh, lucky you, on your first time through the books!! From p 127, a fight:
Hector springs to his feet. “Knife!” he yells, reaching a hand toward me but never taking his gaze off his enemy, who is bent over, gasping, in the dirt.
08/17/2013 at 3:11 am
Nice. Hector in action. 🙂
08/14/2013 at 11:25 pm
255 🙂
08/14/2013 at 11:27 pm
You got it! From p 255. A tense moment!
She puts a finger to her lips and says softly, “We go quickly and quietly. Do not make a sound.”
08/15/2013 at 12:59 am
200 please 🙂
08/15/2013 at 1:23 am
200 it is!
“You will release these prisoners into my custody,” Storm says in a soft but lethal voice.
08/15/2013 at 1:51 am
Number 215. 🙂
08/15/2013 at 1:55 am
Okay! From p 215 (and I wish I could put in the entire scene here, *sigh*):
“Hold on! I’m coming,” Hector calls.
08/15/2013 at 3:09 am
This is a fantastic idea!!!
Page 333, Please!
08/15/2013 at 12:15 pm
Okay, weird. Three people in a row just chose p 333. Which is okay, but WEIRD. From p 333:
“Empress,” Hector whispers in my ear.
08/16/2013 at 5:17 pm
HECTOR IS GOING TO WHISPER IN ELISA’S EAR, OHMYGAHHHHHHHH.
08/15/2013 at 4:47 am
333….so excited!!!
08/15/2013 at 12:14 pm
Two 333’s in a row! But that’s okay. Elisa again:
“You know what I’m capable of.”
08/15/2013 at 11:58 am
I”ll go with 333 (with hope that it is not a blank!)
08/15/2013 at 12:13 pm
From p 333, Elisa:
“Please, put aside a few thousand years of mindless hatred toward me and my people and think for just a moment.”
08/15/2013 at 4:42 pm
Page # 266
08/15/2013 at 4:44 pm
Oh, I saw that you said 266 is blank. How about 162?
08/15/2013 at 7:02 pm
🙂 Sure thing! From p 162:
“You could not keep her against her will,” Storm says. “She is too powerful.”
08/15/2013 at 5:23 pm
Oh, my book was just talking about Girl of Fire and Thorn last night. 137, please!
08/15/2013 at 5:23 pm
Book Club, I mean. Got far too excited there.
08/15/2013 at 7:03 pm
Lucky book group!! And okay, three lines from p 137 because Hector and Elisa.
“Why are you staring at the commander?” says Mula, and I jump.
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
08/16/2013 at 12:30 am
Oh man, I already have chills just reading those small snippets. How about 376?
08/16/2013 at 1:30 am
I know, right?
And from p 376:
Mara groans. “Sewers. Caves. Why does it always have to be sewers and caves?”
08/16/2013 at 3:30 pm
98, please!
08/17/2013 at 12:04 pm
From p 98!
Storm leads us now, as we leave the timberline far behind.
08/16/2013 at 5:16 pm
318!
08/17/2013 at 12:05 pm
p 318!
“The most powerful sorcerers in the world.”
08/19/2013 at 1:40 am
Hey, you are the winnah! I’ll pop you an email, too. Congrats!!
08/16/2013 at 5:20 pm
I’m so excited for this book! 430?
08/17/2013 at 12:07 pm
It IS exciting! Okay, huge moment on this page, but I’m not putting it in for fear of spoilerage. Another line from p 430:
So why am I restless?
08/16/2013 at 5:28 pm
page 222 please 🙂
08/17/2013 at 12:07 pm
Hi Snagy! From p 222:
Storm’s face has a sickly pallor.
08/16/2013 at 5:29 pm
Bitter Kingdom. The book I want to read ASAP! I am thinking about 273.
08/17/2013 at 12:08 pm
Good choice! From p 273:
“My sister!” Storm cries out, rushing forward.
08/16/2013 at 5:30 pm
227
08/16/2013 at 5:30 pm
Could I have 403 please?
08/17/2013 at 12:09 pm
You may! From p 403:
I stick my thumbnail between my teeth and start chewing.
08/16/2013 at 5:42 pm
I’m going to say page 75. Can’t wait to read this!
08/16/2013 at 5:57 pm
The Bitter Kingdom is my most anticipated read this year! Crown of Embers killed me! Thanks for giving us a sneak peak. What about page 378?
08/17/2013 at 12:10 pm
From p 378:
She is barely a mote in my vision, but Hector has the eyes of a hawk.
08/16/2013 at 6:19 pm
SO excited for The Bitter Kingdom!!
pg. 407, please:)
08/17/2013 at 12:11 pm
SO exciting! From p 407:
Forty of my men follow me into the tunnel.
08/16/2013 at 6:42 pm
279!
08/17/2013 at 12:12 pm
You got it! From p 279:
I know I’ll never do it, even though my current path means danger and maybe even death.
08/16/2013 at 6:55 pm
Page…umm….430 🙂
08/17/2013 at 12:13 pm
Okay! From p 430:
But sleep does not come.
08/16/2013 at 6:56 pm
Page #9 for me!
08/17/2013 at 12:13 pm
From p 9!
It’s possible I’ve been through too much, lost too much.
08/16/2013 at 6:57 pm
25
08/17/2013 at 12:14 pm
From p 25:
We did it. We became horse thieves.
08/16/2013 at 7:00 pm
Is it release day yet?! 81, please!
08/17/2013 at 12:15 pm
Not YET! From p 81:
“God despises liars,” Storm says, and I shoot him a pained look.
08/16/2013 at 7:02 pm
CAN NOT WAIT! page 214
08/17/2013 at 12:15 pm
😀 From p 214:
I take a deep breath, steeling myself to let go.
08/16/2013 at 7:02 pm
Can’t wait to read this! I’ve been on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next!
How about page: 224
08/17/2013 at 12:17 pm
Good choice! From p 224, Storm speaking:
“Even though the sacrifice is dead, our nation need not perish.”
08/16/2013 at 7:03 pm
386
08/16/2013 at 7:10 pm
I can’t wait for the new book!(insert fan girl squeal here)
08/17/2013 at 12:18 pm
Squees back! From p 386:
The guard clears his throat. “Would you mind … for our record-keeping, you see … telling us what took you away from the city?”
08/16/2013 at 7:04 pm
You all should have played this right and kept guessing the same page. I want someone of page 376!
08/17/2013 at 12:19 pm
From p 376!
I wave it off, recognizing his I-have-failed-to-protect-you tone.
08/16/2013 at 7:09 pm
Page 6? (So close to the beginning, but 6 is my favorite/lucky number so.)
08/17/2013 at 12:20 pm
Excellent choice! From p 6, Elisa and Storm here:
He’s right, but I’m not giving him the satisfaction of conceding.
08/16/2013 at 7:11 pm
PG. 300…
Hope it’s not blank 🙂
08/17/2013 at 12:20 pm
Not blank! From p 300:
“Try again. A little more power this time.”
08/16/2013 at 7:11 pm
399! 😀
08/17/2013 at 12:21 pm
Sure thing! From p 399 (tunnels again, Mara!):
Hector will take his most seasoned warriors through the tunnels that lead to the catacombs and into the palace.
08/16/2013 at 7:11 pm
Oh oh I lovee Hector I MEAN, THIS SERIES. THIS SERIES. And Hector. *sigh* It all comes back to Hector o_o Tehehe.
Page 190? :O
08/17/2013 at 12:22 pm
Iknowright?
From p 190:
In order to help her, I must leave her.
08/16/2013 at 7:15 pm
58. Giddy-up!
08/17/2013 at 12:23 pm
From p 58:
One of the greatest frustrations about being the only chosen one in four generations is that there is no one to tell me what to do.
08/16/2013 at 7:15 pm
I’m going to go with 55
08/17/2013 at 12:24 pm
55 it is!
I work through Hector’s training exercises.
08/16/2013 at 7:19 pm
36
08/17/2013 at 12:24 pm
From p 36:
The sword at my neck wavers.
08/16/2013 at 7:23 pm
How about 22?
08/17/2013 at 12:25 pm
Hi Georgia!! From p 22:
Please, please don’t bite me.
08/16/2013 at 7:28 pm
88!
08/17/2013 at 12:26 pm
88 it is! Storm here:
“I am nobody,” he says instead, his eyes downcast.
08/16/2013 at 7:29 pm
How about 31?
08/17/2013 at 12:27 pm
Sure! From p 31. Mara:
She sighs. “Oh, Elisa.”
08/16/2013 at 7:34 pm
Page 5
08/17/2013 at 12:27 pm
From p 5!
But camels won’t take us where we must go. We need horses.
08/16/2013 at 7:36 pm
I’m going with page 288
08/17/2013 at 12:28 pm
Sure thing! From p 288:
A drop of venom collects at the tip.
08/16/2013 at 7:46 pm
I think Pili explained my own reaction pretty well. 😀
11?
08/17/2013 at 12:29 pm
Mine too! From p 11:
Belen gives her an admiring look, and she blushes.
08/16/2013 at 7:57 pm
Page 85?
08/17/2013 at 12:29 pm
Sure! From p 85:
“You bought me,” she whispers. “You bought me.”
08/16/2013 at 8:02 pm
So fun to read all the snippets! I’ll go with 314. 🙂
08/17/2013 at 12:31 pm
Isn’t it! A great bunch of sneak-peeks for the book! From p 314:
The last time I was here I was placed under house arrest, and the first boy I ever loved was murdered.
08/16/2013 at 8:06 pm
Number 88!
08/17/2013 at 12:31 pm
Sure! From p 88:
I can’t be slowed down, and I can’t worry about yet another life.
08/16/2013 at 8:06 pm
Number 369! 😀
08/16/2013 at 8:07 pm
I’m having too much with the little snippets! I don’t know what I’d do when we finally get the whole book!
08/17/2013 at 12:32 pm
I know!!! Sadly, p 369 is BLANK but it still counts as an entry!!
08/16/2013 at 8:07 pm
I love this series. YOU are so amazing for humoring us. Thank you! How about 277?
08/17/2013 at 12:33 pm
Aw, thanks! From p 277:
“Mara, can you get a fire going?” Hector asks. “I need to heat up my dagger.”
08/16/2013 at 8:10 pm
My lucky number! 20! 🙂
08/17/2013 at 12:34 pm
Hope it’s lucky this time! From p 20:
“The horses will panic. They’ll be impossible to catch.”
08/16/2013 at 8:21 pm
Oh man this is the hardest choice I’ve had to do! Um page 355 please? Thank you!
08/17/2013 at 12:35 pm
😀 From p 355, Elisa to Alodia:
“I’ve missed you,” I say.
08/16/2013 at 8:23 pm
272
08/17/2013 at 12:36 pm
Sure thing! From p 272:
So long as I have the Godstone, I have light.
08/16/2013 at 8:30 pm
Page 111
Thanks for sharing the teasers and the giveaway!
08/17/2013 at 12:44 am
You’re very welcome! From p 111:
“Who’s Hector?” Mula asks.
08/16/2013 at 8:33 pm
416. I cannot wait for this book!
08/17/2013 at 12:43 am
Not long now! From p 416:
“Welcome, queenling,” Eduardo says, his close-cropped beard twitching with amusement.
08/16/2013 at 8:39 pm
Oh. My. What’s with all the blank pages? Last time I read blank pages in a book, someone was supposedly dead!
Anyway, page 3! (We’ll go with the beginning. =D)
08/17/2013 at 12:42 am
Eep! From p 3:
My blood boils, from heat and from anger.
08/16/2013 at 8:41 pm
Clever give-away method.
How about page 234?
08/17/2013 at 12:41 am
Glad you like it! From p 234:
Hector sits on a nearby boulder, scraping one of his daggers with a whetstone.
08/16/2013 at 9:07 pm
Gosh this is the best idea ever! Just made me like 30 times more excited for the book to come out!!
Okay, how about page #118?
08/17/2013 at 12:40 am
😀 P 118 sounds good to me!
The cold is so overwhelming, so everywhere present, that I almost don’t notice when my Godstone turns icy with warning.
08/16/2013 at 9:11 pm
I pick number 259.
Can’t wait for the book to come out!!!!!!!!
08/17/2013 at 12:39 am
Yay! From p 259:
Mara groans. “Of course we will.”
08/16/2013 at 9:12 pm
Oh, I’m SO nervous. Okay. Number 136. Love you, Hector!
08/17/2013 at 12:39 am
Ah, Hector! From p 136. You’ll have to wait to see what he’s talking about here. 😀
“As my queen commands.”
08/16/2013 at 9:12 pm
number 250!
08/17/2013 at 12:38 am
Okay! From p 250:
Everyone looks to me for a decision.
08/16/2013 at 9:16 pm
320! Just because nobody ever thinks about 320.
08/17/2013 at 12:37 am
Why is that!?? From p 320:
“That was a trebuchet,” I tell them.
08/16/2013 at 9:37 pm
This is such a cool idea! #134, please!
08/17/2013 at 12:37 am
😀 From p 134:
“The truth, Hector, is that it scares me, how powerful I’ve become.”
08/16/2013 at 9:44 pm
73 please
08/17/2013 at 12:36 am
Sure thing! From p 73:
“Mara and I are going to order baths.”
08/18/2013 at 7:51 pm
thank you so much 🙂
08/16/2013 at 9:55 pm
264….. I think? lol
08/17/2013 at 12:35 am
Hm! P 264 is blank! Do you want to choose another one? (this page will still be entered in the contest…)
08/17/2013 at 5:00 pm
ahh sure 372
08/18/2013 at 6:32 pm
Too late! The contest ended on Friday. Try again sometime!
08/16/2013 at 9:56 pm
Page 73, please. That’s the number that just popped into my head.
08/17/2013 at 12:34 am
An excellent choice! From p 73:
“By your leave,” Storm says, “I’d like to find a barber to trim this loathsome black from my hair.”
08/16/2013 at 9:58 pm
Page 4
08/17/2013 at 12:32 am
From p 4!
“A queen shouldn’t have to steal her own horses,” Mara says.
08/16/2013 at 10:02 pm
What a wonderful contest. Thank you!
Page 99 please.
08/17/2013 at 12:32 am
Thanks for playing! From p 99:
Between jagged peaks, we catch glimpses of storm clouds that are blue near to black and crackling with lightning.
08/16/2013 at 10:14 pm
pg. 299
08/17/2013 at 12:30 am
From p 299!
“Maybe scorpions are edible,” Belen says, and we all shoot him a collective glare.
08/16/2013 at 10:52 pm
417! 🙂 (loving the kitteh pic, btw)
08/17/2013 at 12:29 am
The kitteh approves of your approval! From p 417:
“You just admitted treason.”
08/16/2013 at 11:18 pm
215 please 🙂
08/17/2013 at 12:28 am
Okay! From p 215:
Hurry, Hector.
08/16/2013 at 11:42 pm
Page 307 Please
08/17/2013 at 12:28 am
From p 307!
“Please tell me it doesn’t involve a cave or sewer,” Mara says.
08/16/2013 at 11:56 pm
I just saw that you said page 266 is blank! So my new number is 354. Thank you!
08/17/2013 at 12:27 am
From p 354. Hoo boy, there’s a big spoiler on this page. Which I’m not going to post here. Instead:
“I accept,” Storm says, with a slight lowering of his head. Just enough deference, I note, to show respect without appearing cowed.
08/17/2013 at 12:32 am
77 🙂
08/17/2013 at 12:51 am
39…a special birtday coming up.
08/17/2013 at 1:01 am
Maybe it’ll be the winnah!
I’m somehow more horrified by this killing than the other two.
08/17/2013 at 1:04 am
2. I’ll bet a whole lot of not much is happening yet.
Lol
08/17/2013 at 2:22 am
Oh, you’d be surprised! From p 2:
I stop cold and spin, anger bubbling in my chest.
08/17/2013 at 1:43 am
This is so much harder than i thought it would be!
but i choose 17! (hopefully im not too late!)
08/17/2013 at 2:23 am
Not too late!! From p 17:
A guard passes the opening at steady intervals.
08/17/2013 at 1:52 am
I love this series! How about 288?
08/17/2013 at 2:24 am
😀 Sure thing! From p 288, and it was hard to keep from putting this one in ALL CAPS:
The mother of all scorpions.
08/17/2013 at 2:31 am
Page 194
08/17/2013 at 2:37 am
Okay! From p 194:
The arrow zings through the air, cracks against the window, glances off and whirls end over end to the ground.
08/17/2013 at 2:45 am
44
08/17/2013 at 2:48 am
“I was trained to defend myself and to kill without hesitation because I am a prince of the realm.”
08/17/2013 at 2:50 am
Is 99 taken?
08/17/2013 at 2:58 am
Somebody else chose it, but that’s okay! From p 99:
Though we bought Mula a pair of sturdy bots in the last village, they always end up tied over the pommel of Mara’s horse.
08/17/2013 at 3:34 am
Should I pick a new #?
180?
08/17/2013 at 11:52 am
Sure–180 it is!
Hector’s eyes dance in the torchlight.
08/17/2013 at 3:27 am
P. 432
Should be interesting 🙂
08/17/2013 at 4:01 am
Agh, it’s midnight right now where I am! If it’s not too late, I choose 11, which has always been my favorite number. (oddly enough, also the answer to my security question).
08/17/2013 at 11:57 am
Close enough! From p 11:
“I’ll stand with Storm,” Mara says. “Or hide nearby and shoot arrows from the ridge.”
08/17/2013 at 4:16 am
I’m going with # 1
08/17/2013 at 11:56 am
Ooh. From p 1:
Otherwise he dies, and the country we’ve sacrificed so much to save descends into civil war.
08/17/2013 at 7:30 am
Page 123 please! 😀
08/17/2013 at 11:54 am
Page 123!
I take the barest moment to catch my breath before whispering, “I’ll find Hector.”
08/17/2013 at 11:22 am
My number would be 257. Thanks
08/17/2013 at 11:53 am
You got it! From p 257:
A great crack rends the air, followed by the smack of branches and a muffled crash.
08/17/2013 at 1:19 pm
8 please.
08/17/2013 at 1:20 pm
ello! The contest is overrrrr! Do stop by again sometime for the next sentence game!
08/17/2013 at 4:44 pm
245
08/18/2013 at 6:33 pm
Hello! The contest has ended! Do stop by again sometime.
08/18/2013 at 10:58 pm
I’m so excited for the book!!! Number 419…
08/18/2013 at 11:01 pm
But the contest is over–Alas!
08/18/2013 at 11:16 pm
Oh bummer, thanks for doing it all the same!!!!
08/26/2013 at 8:50 pm
page 402
08/26/2013 at 9:33 pm
Hey, the contest is long over! But try again soon–I’ll be giving away a new ARC this week!