Thursday, December 17, 2009

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Genre: YA Fantasy
Copyright: October 2008
Pages: 471
Book Source: Borrowed from Alaine Queen of Happy Endings

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.

WOW! Graceling is a completely original and entrancing fantasy, I've never read anything like it. It moved along at a slow simmer, bubbling and building until halfway through it reached boiling point and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Rich imagery, unforgettable characters and a fascinating world makes this one a must-read for all fantasy lovers.

Gracelings (those in the minority who possess a Grace) are identified by thier different coloured eyes and their special gift or ability. In many of the seven kingdoms Gracelings are feared rather than revered, so it's a lonely life. Graces are a random occurrence, some are of value to their King and kingdom, some are worthless.

Katsa's 'grace' is the ability to kill, making her one of the most feared people in the kingdom. She's a hardened young woman, with very few friends and little happiness. Whilst she has been an instrument of punishment for her uncle, King Randa, committing many acts she's ashamed of, she has also been righting other wrongs through her work in the secret Council. Watching Katsa slowly open her heart, trust and grow over the course of the novel was an absolute joy.

Kristen Cashore does a superb job developing secondary characters, I was caught up in the lives of Bitterblue, Raffin, Giddon and yes even the 'baddies', all completely fascinating characters. Po is just gorgeous, he's the Graced son of the Lienid King and I just loved him, even with his dorky name. After an auspicious meeting Katsa & Po develop a fragile friendship which blossoms over time into so much more. With Po's compassion, sensitivity & understanding Katsa determines her own personal boundaries, and develops her 'grace' and her control to a level where you can't help but love and admire her.

In every great fantasy novel there is a quest and this one is elegantly wrapped with romance, action, suspense, intrigue in a unique & imaginative world.

Captivating, enthralling, mesmerising, what more can I say ... Read it!






To celebrate blogging friendships & my birthday two lucky readers can take their pick from a choice of 6 books in my Dec/Jan giveaway. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.

25 comments:

  1. Oh I'm so glad you liked Graceling! Katsa is definitely one of my favorite heroines, I can't wait till you read Fire :) Great review!

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  2. I am glad you liked it, I wish I had too, but I just could not get past ok, which sucks.

    I really should go back and post a link to one of the I love it reviews

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  3. Congratulations!! Really it is a magnificent blog.

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  4. Holy cow! This has to be a very good book. 'Captivating, enthralling, mesmerising'? Definitely going on my wish list :)

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  5. Just picked this book up from the library... can't wait to read it!

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  6. How fabulous. I do like to read fantastic reviews of books that I own. Can't wait to read it now.

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  7. OHHH such an awesome review - I have this one but have yet to read it, you've made me want to push it up in the pile! THANK YOU!

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  8. I've read so many glowing reviews for this one- I can't believe I haven't just read it yet. Maybe 2010...

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  9. Fabulous job on the review.
    I loved this book as well. The author did an amazing job captivating me with Katsa and Po. I could not put the book down until I was done reading it. Even so, I did have a minor issue with Katsa's view on marriage but beyond that everything was beyond incredible.
    I really must get to reading Fire which I hear may be even better than Graceling.

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  10. Great review.. I read this book a few days back and had similar reactions.. Can't wait to read the next one..

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  11. KIKA ~ I'm almost finished Fire, great but I liked Graceling more!

    B ~ sorry you didnt enjoy it, I dont remember seeing your review of Graceling, will have to pop over and check it out, and see why!

    Sonia ~ thanks

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  12. Lilly ~ a slower build but oh so worth it!

    Alessandra & Viv ~ hope you love it as much as I did, let me know.

    Book Crazy Jenn ~ Thanks, definitely worth pushing up the priority read list. I can't believe I waited so long to read it LOL

    A Bookshelf Monstrosity ~ I hope you enjoy it if you manage to get to it next year!

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  13. Deanna ~ thanks, yes I thought Katsa was quite a prickly character to start but she certainly grew over the course of the book.

    I've almost finished Fire and I've enjoyed it, another imaginative and completely original read but I like Graceling more. I was almost 2/3 of the way through Fire before becoming enthralled.

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  14. Shweta ~ can't wait to see what you think of Fire!

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  15. Thanks alot Sherrie...now I'm going to have to smuggle this book home over the break and try to get it read!!

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  16. What a book! I'm so glad you loved it. Katsa and Po are such a wonderfully strong couple. And I love Cashore's nuanced writing. You really must pick up FIRE soon. It's simply wonderful.

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  17. I would love to get my hands on Graceling, most readers seem to love it =) Great review!

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  18. Hey, just wanted to let you know you have an a award at my blog:
    http://blackandblueink.blogspot.com/2009/12/awards-dont-you-just-love-em.html

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  19. This sounds really good, and I think my tween son might like it too. Thanks for the eloquent, enthusiastic review! :-)

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  20. Great review-- now I really want to read this book! I've had my eyes on this one for a long time, but I've yet to read it. I'll have to buy it after Christmas, since I'm sure I'll have at least one B&N gift card. :D

    Enjoy!
    TBQ

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  21. Yay! Is it bad that I feel validated every time someone picks up and loves one of my favorite books? I hope not, because I get all excited when I see a positive review like this one. So glad you enjoyed the reading experience!

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  22. I promise I will. I have it at home. I'm almost done Hunger Games because of you and a few of our mutual friends.

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  23. I have Graceling AND Fire on my shelf and I still don't know why I haven't picked either up yet lol I'm very glad to hear you liked Graceling, I'm positive I'll love it too =)

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  24. Would you believe I got Graceling LAST Christmas ("for my daughter" ha ha) and still have not read it? It just so happens I bought Fire for this Christmas. I vow to read them both very soon!

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  25. I also loved this book!!! But you can believe it if i say Fire is even better!!!

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