Katsa is a Graceling, someone given a particular supernatural gift, distinguished by her different-colored eyes. Katsa’s Grace is a rare one; she is Graced with killing. Since she was a child, she has been deadly, and this has left her isolated from much of society. She is used as a crude weapon by her uncle, the king, sent to twist the arms of those who cross him (and often more).
She is, however, less than happy with this arrangement. She’d rather not hurt everyone, and she’d rather not be her uncle’s lapdog. She forms a Council to do good work, but that is insufficient. When she meets Prince Po, her thoughts turn in new directions, and she has some choices to make.
I’ve heard nothing but raves about Graceling, so I was unsurprised when I found it to be a wonderful book. It’s remniscient of Tamora Pierce’s books, the same type of setting, strong heroine, adventure, romance, fantasy–in other words, fantastic! I love Tamora Pierce. This book is just so much fun to read. It’s fast-paced, set in an interesting world, with great characters, and, lucky for us, I heard that there’s going to be a second book continuing this story. But there’s no cliffhanger here, which is great. Cliffhangers are cheap ways of making people want more, but really good authors (like Kristin Cashore!) can do that without relying on someone falling off a cliff or seeing someone who isn’t identified, etc. Books do not have to be formatted like the last episode in a TV season. Anyway, I absolutely adored Graceling, and can think of few books I’d rather spend my time reading and rereading. In six words: fantastic fantasy with a strong heroine.
October 16, 2008 at 7:41 am
Oooh, glad you enjoyed it! I really liked this one, and although I like Tamora Pierce’s books, I felt like I knew the characters in Graceling so much better.
There will be a prequel titled Fire, and an as-yet unnamed sequel to both books, taking place six years after the end ofGraceling. Yipee! :-)
October 16, 2008 at 9:55 am
I am so envious of you having this book! I missed out on getting a review copy in the summer and the hard cover is slightly out of my price range right now. I want to read this book SO BAD.
Perhaps Santa will bring me a copy at Christmas, it’s a nice enough book that I would actually like to have it in hard cover on my book shelf.
October 14, 2009 at 12:06 am
The paperback edition is expected to be released soon. Wait for it.
October 16, 2008 at 10:20 am
I just won this one on a contest. Great review. I really cannot wait to read it now!
October 18, 2008 at 12:24 pm
This book sounds great! I want to read it.
October 18, 2008 at 4:19 pm
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November 11, 2008 at 11:25 pm
OMG!! I read this book in two days. It was really a great book and i really hope there will be more in the future. I suggest if you haven’t read this book you should go to a bookstore and get it now.
December 30, 2008 at 1:30 pm
This book was amazing. I started reading it at about 7-ish(pm) and didn’t put it down till I had finished it at 11:06 pm. I hardly ever do that. If you a fan of fantasy, it is a must read.
February 10, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I just received this great book as a gift and i have to say it is totally awesome! It’s like Buffy set in a fantasy/medievil world. Katsa rocks!
February 22, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Oh my gosh i absolutely loved this book! i really hope the sequel (6 years after)is all about Katsa and Po, but since it is called Bitterblue, im guessing not :( this is probably one of my favorite books EVER and i read it in less than 2 days! AHHHH I LOVE PO!!!
February 27, 2009 at 11:41 pm
The book was absolutely amazing.
I’ve heard the sequel focuses on Bitterblue which is something I’m not too fond about. I honestly could care less about the child actually ~ ):
March 2, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I loved this book… probably the best book i have read in a long time.
March 2, 2009 at 8:16 pm
This book was great! I could not put it down once i got it. I love Po. Too bad all guys are not like him :(
March 2, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Po is my favorite character as well!! But i heard the sequel is about Bitterblue and will have Po and Katsa in parts of it. Too bad i was really hoping i would hear more of Po.
March 8, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Can’t wait to read this book. It sounds great.
March 22, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I can’t say what made me pick up this book (I think I was helping my friend the YA librarian straighten up the YA section), but I am so glad that I did. What a well-written, interesting novel! The characters were clearly defined and consistent, the action scenes weren’t afterthoughts, and both Katsa and Po clearly matured throughout the book. What more could one ask?
I am so glad to hear that both a prequel and sequel will be written!
March 28, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I must say that this book was GREAT!!!! I stayed up until 2 o’clock to finish it, and I haven’t done that in a long while!! =)
I loved it so much that I’m going to buy it when it comes out in paperback! And i can’t wait for the Prequel Fire to come out either!
Yay!!!! READ THIS BOOK IF YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU!!!!
Po is so sexy!!! ^-^
June 14, 2009 at 4:19 am
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August 22, 2009 at 7:04 am
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September 16, 2009 at 3:43 pm
BEST BOOK EVER.. REALLY INTERESTER. THIS BOOK TAKES YOU TO A WHOLE OTHER WORLD AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR LIVING THE ACTIONS WITH THE CHARACTERS. I CAN FEEL THE EMOTIONS OF THE CHARACTERS . THIS IS CERTAINLY ON OF MY FAVIORATE BOOKS :)
September 23, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I read this book in about a day or two if I remember correctly.
It was brilliantly written, and you really got to know the characters so you laughed and cried and feared right along with them.
None of the scenes were just THERE, they all had some purpose throughout the book, and you could tell that thought was put into everything in the book.
It kept me wondering what was going to happen, and I know alot of people say that and then you’re disappointed, but with this book it was true.
I LITERALLY couldn’t put it down, I got yelled at multiple times in class to put it down and listen, but then I would procede to find a way to keep reading.
This is a definate must-read for all those fantasy and adventure fans, and there’s nothing disappointing about it. :)
January 4, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Ohmeegawd Ohmeegawd, its so aweeesumm ♥
I finished it in a day, and I have to say that its right up there with twilight and tamora pierce. Got it for a chrissy prezzie and i am SO addicted. I GOTTA READ THE PREQUEL/SEQUEL!!!
Katsa is unique, and so is the whole concept of Graces, sorta… It kinda reminded me of the manga Gakuen Alice, which is about people with special abilities called Alices, but still, i ♥ed it!
But… Bitterblue?! NOOOOOOO! Go bak 2 Katsa and Po!!!!!!!!!
How much romance could a little kid have??!
March 23, 2010 at 6:35 pm
She won’t be a little kid-6 years passed between the two books. she’ll be a teen.
tho I still hope it’ll have plenty of Katsa + Po <3
September 1, 2010 at 8:08 am
hey! i read this book and fell in love with it! i was wondering if there was going to be a book that continued it, but nothing ever showed. until now that is. but i would still like to know the name of it so i can finish this tale. i agree with your review and give this book two thumbs up!!!!
March 31, 2011 at 4:06 am
awesome book! I loved it!
July 1, 2011 at 3:53 pm
I’m currently reading it right now, and I’m on page 102. I am not drawn into the book just yet. (In all honesty, I’m actually quite bored and I’m thinking of abandoning it. Haha) BUT, since it has such good reviews so far, I guess I’ll keep reading it until I seriously can’t anymore. Haha.
August 28, 2011 at 6:24 pm
This is the most AMAZING BOOK EVER!!! abusolutly LOVE PO!!! <3
November 4, 2011 at 2:27 am
Its similar to the manga Gakuen Alice
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