Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight?she?s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king?s thug.
When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po?s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace?or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.
With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.
(20080901)
Amazon.com Review If you had the power to kill with your bare hands, what would you do with it?
Graceling takes readers inside the world of Katsa, a warrior-girl in her late teens with one blue eye and one green eye. This gives her haunting beauty, but also marks her as a Graceling. Gracelings are beings with special talents?swimming, storytelling, dancing. Katsa's Grace is considered more useful: her ability to fight (and kill, if she wanted to) is unequaled in the seven kingdoms. Forced to act as a henchman for a manipulative king, Katsa channels her guilt by forming a secret council of like-minded citizens who carry out secret missions to promote justice over cruelty and abuses of power.
Combining elements of fantasy and romance, Cashore skillfully portrays the confusion, discovery, and angst that smart, strong-willed girls experience as they creep toward adulthood. Katsa wrestles with questions of freedom, truth, and knowing when to rely on a friend for help. This is no small task for an angry girl who had eschewed friendships (with the exception of one cousin that she trusts) for her more ready skills of self-reliance, hunting, and fighting. Katsa also comes to know the real power of her Grace and the nature of Graces in general: they are not always what they appear to be.
Graceling is the first book in a series, and Kristin Cashore?s first work of fiction. It sets up a vivid world with engaging characters that readers will certainly look forward to following beyond the last chapter of this book. (Ages 14 and up) --Heidi Broadhead
Fast and Enjoyable Read November 20, 2008 I am a huge fantasy fan and recently I have been reading a lot of young adult fantasy novels. Although I pushed off reading this for a while (too many books with vampires) I thought this was up their among the best of my recent reads. A good combination of romance and adventure that doesn't dumb things down for the young adult audience. The combination lead to a spectacular read that was difficult to put down. Enjoy it.
WHAT A TREAT!!! November 20, 2008 I LOVE it when you can watch a movie or read a book and it's SO well thought out and so unique that it can take you away to another place to simply chew on and enjoy. Graceling does this! I could not put it down so unfortunately, laundry didn't get finished in the past couple of days!
Like other reviewers, I don't see a need to post details of the story line when so many others have...I PERSONALLY don't care for reviews on books when reviewers post details...SOME details turn out to be spoilers for me.
Graceling is not too long where it take eons to complete which is really nice but not too short where you feel short changed with details in the story and where it takes you. My ONLY complaints are that...I do NOT and would not recommend it appropriate for 14yr olds...I think I'd lean more towards 17 or 18 years old. Another is I would have liked to order more of the tattoos! My boys fought over it and keep asking me to buy more 'sword' tattoos!
It was exciting and romantic without being obviously 'mushy' romantic which I appreciated, full of 'girl power' without being cheesy. I thought the author did an excellent job in allowing the main character, Katsa, 'evolve' into her own...strong character to match her physical strength.
I think this would make an excellent extra gift this Christmas - I appreciate having it and have plans to read it again!! I'd highly recommend this for an older teen - young adult - adult...say 17-18+ female.
good but can be forgettable November 19, 2008 Graceling was enjoyable enough to get me to finish the book, though i have a few complaints. I love a novel that allows the reader to relate to the heroine and to put oneself in her position, but i didn't feel that connection with Katsa and her not narrating didn't help the situation, and a there were some pages of unessential information. On a good note I was pleased to read about Katsa's strength, its not many times you read about a women being physically stronger than men or even the hero(Prince Po), by the way whom i loved! Prince Po is such an attractive character. His humility, passion and love will have me reading the other books in the trilogy.
All in all i recommend Graceling for those who crave an easy fantasy read!
Great Read November 19, 2008 This book was fun to read, it doesn't take a long time to read and is very entertaining, I think most people would like it.
Loved It! Could Not Put It Down! November 14, 2008 I absolutely loved it! seriously stayed up all night reading it! i just had to know what happened! You will fall completely in love with the characters, especially if you are somewhat afraid of being control by someone else! I could completely relate with the main character on how she did not want to be told what to do and how to live. She was amazingly strong physically and just needed someone to show her how amazing she is mentally as well! Although the writing itself is not the best, the story and characters are! I defintely recommend reading this book!
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