Graceling (Seven Kingdoms Trilogy #1)

Reader reviewed by Beth Revis

GRACELING was a book that I much anticipated. As a fan of the old school high fantasy for YA, I was really looking forward to the title.

And some of it didn't disappoint. I love Kristin Cashore's neat twist on magic, and her world building was excellent. Everything was logical--there was an explanation behind why the magic worked in the way it did that I greatly appreciated. Clearly, Cashore paid attention to detail and worked hard to make her story realistic on every level.

On the other hand, though, I could help but feel as if, at points, Cashore was more focused on making her characters feminist than realistic. It felt forced at times, particularly near the end, and I think I would have enjoyed the story more if I felt like I was being preached to less. It's not that the feminist morals were bad--they were just too obvious and didn't seem to fit in realistically with the other characters.

I don't think that you should ignore this book because of that, however. It was a truly original work, and one I'm glad I read. And, for the record, I felt that the companion novel, FIRE, was much better written, with clearer character motivations.

Reader reviewed by Yan

Summary: Katsa can kill a man without even batting an eyelash for she has the Grace of killing. Her uncle, Randa, had taken Katsa under his wing since she was an infant, but he exploits her ability and sends her on various missions to show that the king is always in powermurdering those who stole from the king, broken arms or fingers if you go against the king.

But Katsa has her own missions aside from the kings orders. During one of theses mission she runs into this a skilled fighter, but not skilled enough to take her down. When she later arrives home she soon discovers that this stranger happens to be Prince Po from Lienid, an island country. While she is shocked about this, she later befriends him in the most extraordinary way.

Together they will go an adventure to discover what has happen in another country that left his sister, the Queen, locked up in her room. And they will also discover something about their feelings along the way&

Review: Graceling was gorgeously put together and packaged with a beautiful bow presenting itself to the lucky readers.

Lets start with the world that Kristin has created. It is luscious, detailed, and filled with imagery. What is even more helpful is that if you do happen to be troubled, there is a map in the book that shows the countries and has symbols to point out key locations. Think of Eragon if you will. However, I do have to mention that the various names and overly descriptive backgrounds of each country may bog the reader down. I know for me, it forced me stop reading for some time. It was around the first couple of pages, 30 or so, that made me frustratedit gave too much at one time. I got lost in the details, in the many names, and the situations.

After I got through the muck, Katsa turned out to be a thrilling character. She was a strong female character who can kick almost everyones butt. She had strive, devotion, respect, and a clever mind. However, her stubbornness may be a flaw at points, along with some otherswhich can also give dimensions to her ever expanding character. She desires to bear no children or wedding rings, which later aggravates me especially at the ending with Po. I am all for being independent, but remaining lovers despite equal feelings on both sides kind of does not make sense to me. Okay, it kind of does. Not being chained down, not being forced to think that someone owns you. It just a pet peeve I guess.

Po, weird name I know, was the pretend laidback, but highly sensitive character that played off Katsa very well. He brought out the feminine side of her, her love aspect. He, himself, also plays his own role. He was selfish but also unselfish; he was the sweet gentle man but also filled with anguish. And he can also kick some major booty as well.

Speaking of lovers, I feel that I have to point out that there is indeed sex in this novel. While it may not be explicit, explicit, I have to recommend to mothers who wants to know if their 12 year old daughter can read this or not. Do not unless they are mature enough. So I definitely recommend this book to the older teen group.

Katsa and Pos relationship develops over a period of time. Nothing too elaborate or fast paced. I definitely felt that this love does not hinder the plotline at all. In fact, I think it may have helped it in some areas. It gave the reason behind Katsas decision to leave Po behind a bit of a small heartbreak. But overall more depth, that there truly was a decision behind it alltheir reasons and actions. So was it cliché? In some aspects sure. There were twists and surprise, however, which left me smiling at the unexpected events.

Overall: A wonderful and amazing read! I am definitely stalking this new author and cannot wait to see what she has in store!

Reader reviewed by Mairi

Lady Katsa's killing Grace first manifested itself when, at eight years old, she killed her cousin in a fit of rage, and ever since then she has been avoided by all the nobility save for Prince Raffin. She also bonds with Oll, who helps her to control her Grace, and it is that bond that brings her, years later, to King Randa's dungeons to free a Lienid who is unjustly held prisoner there. It is in Randa City that she meets Prince Po, a Graceling like herself, and, after a time, befriends him.

It would be a stretch to say that I am the last person in the world to read Graceling, but I certainly came to it later than most- a few months ago, this book was the Young Adult Fantasy of the Moment, and with good reason. I had heard nothing but good about Graceling when I picked it up, but I was a little skeptical, as I always am when a book's main strength seems to be its good reviews. Hence, it's hard to say what I was expecting from Graceling, but what I found delighted me- this is a thoughtful book that doesn't take itself too seriously, and that is what all good fantasy should be.

The only fault this book has is that, unlike some fantasy, it's not particularly accessible to non-genre readers. 

Reader reviewed by Erica

Graceling
Kristen Cashore
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 471

Rating: 4.5 stars

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.
She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po. She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace--or the 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.

I really enjoyed Graceling! It was a beautifully written fantasy with a strong female heroine! All the aspects a good fantasy should have were present. The plot was intriguing with plenty of twists and turns and a slow building romance.

I loved the characters. All the characters just glow with life. Katsa, the female heroine of the novel, grew so much throughout the book. Seeing the transformation from page one to the end was interesting to read about. Po was my favorite character of the book. He was just a great character overall.

The only thing that bugged me was that Katsa was so anti-marriage and that seemed to rule part of her life. She was so afraid of belonging to someone else, but I thought through the novel that trust could've grown.

This is definately a must read. I personally cannot wait for the sequel, Bitterblue, Kristan Cashore has planned! Fire will definately be the next book I read!

Reader reviewed by Amy Ward

A great love story, wonderful action, suspense, and a great heroine.  The perfect recipe for a wonderful book.  One of the best girl power stories I have read.  Katsa is able to be strong and a warrior without losing her femininity.  She cuts her hair like a boy but she is still beautiful to those around her.  It's a refreshing take on the literary female character.  It is also a book guys and girls can really get into.  Read it now!

Reader reviewed by Lea

Once I get over the name Katsa, I loved this novel. At first, I was a little hesitant to read it. A girl graced with the skill to kill? Creepy...

It took me awhile to really like Katsa, but she has a good heart. She's strong and powerful, but she's kind. Po was a great character to throw into the mix, especially once we learn more about his mysterious Grace, and that it's not what it seems. The two of them are a good match, he can calm her down a little. There was romance without too much, views on marriage, and plenty of action. I loved this novel, and what an amazing concept.

Fantastic. Cashore has a Grace of her own.

Reader reviewed by Mariah

I really enjoyed this book! Katsa is such a strong female character
but unlike many female main characters she has a very strong weakness
that really puts her at a detriment in parts of the book which makes
her in some ways more relate able. I really enjoyed the world that
Cashore presented and I became very attached to the characters.

This
book has everything, adventure, romance, action, even a sort of magic!
I absolutely enjoyed the playful banter that existed between Katsa and
Po, also all of the characters were well developed and strong! An
absolute must read!

Also Cashore's second book, the prequel
to Graceling 'Fire' comes out in October so cross your fingers that
that one is as good as this!

Reprinted with author's permission

Reader reviewed by Kristen

I must say, there was a ton of hype about this book from a ton of my
friends on Goodreads. Which only made me want to read it more. I did
love this book - a lot.

The character Katsa is so hard, but
has her soft points. Although she is forced into harming and sometimes
killing for her uncle, she decides to help others - to form the Council
that will help those who are in need.

I fell in love with Po
and his semi-arrogant behavior. The way he loved Katsa so openly and
did not dare suggest to possess the woman who can kill without effort.

Princess
Bitterblue also had the unique characteristic of being so regal at the
age of 10. The way she dealt with the tragedy in her life was inspiring
and the way that Katsa took care of her really softened me to Katsa's
usually rough character.

And the plot, oh the plot. Kristin
throws you right in with Katsa on a rescue mission and then
backtracking to understand her background and why she acts the way she
does. The action doesn't seem to slow, but for travel time on the
different adventures.

This book has everything you could want
in a fantasy - a unique world, amazing characters, and a plot to keep
you on your toes and wanting more.

If you love fantasy, and you haven't read this book yet - you MUST!

Reader reviewed by Sara

Ideas expressed/message/plot: From the inside cover: His eyes. Katsa had never seen such eyes. One was silver, and the other, gold. They glowed in his sun-darkened face, uneven, and strange. She was surprised that they hadnt shone in the darkness of their first meeting. They didnt seem human&
Then he raised his eyebrows a hair, and his mouth shifted into the hint of a smirk. He nodded at her, just barely, and it released her from her spell.
Cocky, she thought. Cocky and arrogant, this one, and that was all there was to make of him. Whateer game he was playing, if he expected her to join him he would be disappointed.
In a world where people born with an extreme skill called a Grace are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.
When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Kats a has no hint of how her life is about to change.
She never expects to become Pos 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.
Favorite characters, quotes/lines: Katsa and Po: I wanted them to be together so so badly it drove me absolutely crazy until they admitted their feelings for one another; Bitterblue: she has such an awesome name and is so strong for such a little kid

When I finished this book I felt: I LOVE this book! Im so excited for Cashores next book, Fire, due out in October. The idea of Graces is really interesting and I cant wait to see who will be the main characters in the next installment or if the readers will get to follow Katsa and Po again. Or if it will be about Bitterblue (when shes older). Or all new characters! It all sounds good.

Other books to read by this author: this is her first book

I would recommend this book to: Young Adult and Fantasy fans

Reader reviewed by bookmac