Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Last night, I finished reading Graceling by Kristin Cashore.
One of my friends recommended this book to me because I liked The Hunger Games so much. I’m really glad she did recommend it because Graceling has been added to my Favorites shelf.
Gracelings are people born with an extreme skill, called Graces. They’re feared and exploited by others, usually one of the kings in the seven kingdoms. Katsa, the main character and whose point-of-view the story’s written from, has a Grace she despises. The Grace of killing. Her uncle, King Randa, uses her to perform his dirty work by having her punish or torture those that defy him.
Then, she meets Prince Po, who’s also a Graceling. She has no idea that her life’s going to change so dramatically because of him. She never expects to learn the truth about her Grace or about a terrible plot to overthrow the other six kingdoms with words alone.
I started reading Graceling on Tuesday, but I only got a few chapters in, so I wasn’t completely hooked yet. However, yesterday, I was sick and stayed home from work, so what did I do? I read. I couldn’t put the book down. The story was so captivating and the characters are extremely likeable.
I loved the concept of Gracelings and Graces. As I read the story, I found myself wishing I had a Grace. Some of them are extreme, like Katsa’s and Po’s. Others are simple like being able to swim like a fish. I think it would be fun to have a more simple Grace.
The story also has a very sweet romance that draws you in. I loved seeing this romance develop, being on the outside and seeing things evolve before the characters even realized what was going on.
This is Kristin Cashore’s first book and it’s so well written. Her use of words, foreshadowing, and humor is incredible. A prequel-ish book, called Fire, is being released in October 2009 and I can’t wait to read it because I know it’ll captivate me just as much as Graceling did. She’s also writing a sequel-ish book, called Bitterblue. There’s no release date planned as she’s still in the writing stage.
I highly recommend Graceling to anyone that likes fantasy, romance, and adventure. You won’t be disappointed!
Fantasy, romance, and adventure? I might have to pick this one up some time. That is if I ever get done with Dracula and the fifth Artemis Fowl. xD
I’m so glad you liked it! It was a fun read.
when is the sex part because my mom wont let me read it till she removes that part of the book
There isn’t a sex part is there? I read so long ago i have forgotten.
Simone, it’s near the middle to end. It’s while they’re in the forest. I’m not sure exactly where it is, though. It’s very tasteful.
Stephanie, there is, but as I said, it’s very tasteful.