Author: Kristin Cashore
Release Date: October 1, 2008
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Pages: 471
Source: KPL
Stars: 5/5
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.MY THOUGHTS:
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.
(summary taken from Goodreads)
Can someone please teleport me into this book? I honestly want to live in there and never come back!
Books set in completely different worlds always have more pressure to have perfect descriptions, but Kristin Cashore exceeded all expectations I had! Graceling was a fantasy book at its coolest. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, cool powers (called Graces) I wish I had, and the history of the Seven Kingdoms was done so flawlessly that I could envision everything perfectly.
I adored Katsa! She was strong and determined and Graced with killing, but she also had such a huge heart. I loved her even more with Po (with his grin-worthy name and swoon-worthy attitude), and the whole adventure in this book only brought me to admire her more. It was unlike anything I'd ever read before!
When I started Graceling, I didn't expect too much, so I was blown away by how breathtaking it all was! It was original and magical and well-crafted to say the least. Kristin Cashore is definitely an author I'm going to watch out for from now on! :)
BUY or BORROW?: If you're a fan of fantasy, then this is a must-have on your shelf!
-Mimi
Posts
I'm reading the companion/prequel novel Fire right now and really enjoying it. Graceling is next on my TBR and from what I've heard I can tell I'm going to love it. Great review Mimi!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this book! You should try Fire next.
ReplyDeleteThis really makes me want to re-read Graceling! I loved it for those very same reasons - I couldn't stop gushing about it when I had finished it! Awesome review :)
ReplyDeleteI have this one but I haven't read it yet. Now, I really want to read it. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI just read this last month and I enjoyed it too! I loved Bitterblue so really excited for the 3rd book to come out. I just bought Fire 2 weeks ago :) Wonderful review, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
I've heard this book is amazing, it's one of those "I need to make time for this book" books for me. Things keep popping up and keeping me from it and I need to just stop making excuses and read it:) I love the fantasy element and I can't wait to meet Katsa!
ReplyDeleteHi Mimi, new follower here. Love your blog. I read Graceling a while back and remember being so impressed with the MC, and Po (of course) and the wonderful prose. I think I have re-rea it a couple of times too...lol
ReplyDeleteI loved Katsa too; so excited for Bitterblue to finally hit shelves so we can get the third part set in this fantasy world.
ReplyDeleteGah!!! I've had this book FOREVER and STILL haven't read it... :(
ReplyDeleteEeep I love this book :) Have you read Fire yet?! GET TO IT! I need to go buy this one bahahah.
ReplyDeleteAnna @ Literary Exploration
I LOVE Graceling. I didn't like Fire as much though, but I super excited for Bitterblue to come out. Graceling is definitely on my list of books I want to re-read as soon as I get the time.
ReplyDeletePlease don't hate me, but I didn't like Katsa at all. She got on my nerves with her tough girl, I don't need anyone and I won't ever marry attitude. I mean, I could understand where she was coming from, but it seemed so overly aggressive on purpose. Po on the other hand, was totally swoon and I felt so bad for him! I'd be his wife any day of the week. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a fantasy person either so that may have been one of the reasons this book just didn't work for me as much
I loved Fire when I read it a few years ago; such a great story! Definitely need to squeeze this one in sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love it when the world of a story pulls you in? Great review, Mimi! :)
I loved loved loved this novel! One of my all time favorites. I didn't care much for Fire though. So if that tells people anything. I just enjoyed Graceling about a million times more.
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