ABC Reading Challenge Review: Graceling

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Certain people are born preternaturally gifted and are identified by their two-different colored eyes. These people, called gracelings, are often feared and shunned by most people and used by the powerful. Or so goes the premise of this interesting book. Katsa's grace seems to be killing. She cannot be defeated in a fight and has a seeming endless supply of energy and almost an imperviousness to pain. Used by her uncle king since childhood as an enforcer and executioner, Katsa is a mass of anger and resentment and self-loathing. Her people skills could use some honing.

Enter Po, another graceling, who seems to understand the difficult Katsa. After the first portion of the book establishes the setting and characters (this part dragged a little for me with the exception of her interactions with Po), the adventure begins. The book is well-written, especially after the beginning, fast-paced, and has several interesting and well-developed characters, including the young Princess Bitterblue. Quirky names and some wrong moralizing about sex and marriage regardless, this is a fun and interesting read--parts adventure, fantasy, and romance.

The subject matter (killing, non-committed sex--no graphic scenes though, and a super creepy villain) may make this book more appropriate for young adults and adults rather than teen.


View all my reviews.

The first in a series of companion books. A prequel of sorts, Fire, is due out Oct 2009.