Graceling (Seven Kingdoms Trilogy #1)

I loved this book the most because I think that it was not as boring as Bitterblue (more action) and Fire was a bit to off the topic of Graceling, and it was also very wrong with Archer. Now he was a weirdo.

I think Katsa's grace was a an awesome one. I love how the author made everyone think that she was graced with killing, and that she was a tough chick who cannot be broken. She was not though, Po got to her, and her shield dropped slowly. The grace of survival is probably one of the best things you can be graced with, as it includes killing, but only when time needs be. She also can survive the most extreme conditions in the world, which is pretty wicked. Katsa was a kick-ass character and she was a powerful women who did not think like posh women who cannot get their hands dirty. She is a lady that proves that they can be better than men, as we are.

I thought Po was overreacting near the end of the book, why would he think that Katsa would not love him anymore because he was blind (sorta). I think his brain must of been joggled around when his eyes failed on him, as he was not thinking straight at all. But other than that, I thought Po was an awesome character, who always thinks before he acts. This is one of the best traits to have, but sometimes he thinks to hard and sees everything the wrong way.

The plot was pretty good, and Leck was a great villain. He was such a good villain as no one realised that he was. No one rebelled against his rule because they were all fooled by his grace. The only one who really did was Katsa, and I thought that was perfect, as she did not join another group, and this made her even more important than what she was before.

I thought that this book was perfect, and I think this was the best of the Seven Kingdoms books. I think everyone should read this if they want to experience reading at its best.

I loved this book the most because I think that it was not as boring as Bitterblue (more action) and Fire was a bit to off the topic of Graceling, and it was also very wrong with Archer. Now he was a weirdo.

I think Katsa's grace was a an awesome one. I love how the author made everyone think that she was graced with killing, and that she was a tough chick who cannot be broken. She was not though, Po got to her, and her shield dropped slowly. The grace of survival is probably one of the best things you can be graced with, as it includes killing, but only when time needs be. She also can survive the most extreme conditions in the world, which is pretty wicked. Katsa was a kick-ass character and she was a powerful women who did not think like posh women who cannot get their hands dirty. She is a lady that proves that they can be better than men, as we are.

I thought Po was overreacting near the end of the book, why would he think that Katsa would not love him anymore because he was blind (sorta). I think his brain must of been joggled around when his eyes failed on him, as he was not thinking straight at all. But other than that, I thought Po was an awesome character, who always thinks before he acts. This is one of the best traits to have, but sometimes he thinks to hard and sees everything the wrong way.

The plot was pretty good, and Leck was a great villain. He was such a good villain as no one realised that he was. No one rebelled against his rule because they were all fooled by his grace. The only one who really did was Katsa, and I thought that was perfect, as she did not join another group, and this made her even more important than what she was before.

I thought that this book was perfect, and I think this was the best of the Seven Kingdoms books. I think everyone should read this if they want to experience reading at its best.

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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 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 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 TH

A fast paced page turner of a book that you will not be able to put down. I absolutely loved this book. The heroine is a strong female who is strong willed and is not a traditional heroine charachter. For those who loved the city of... series books by cassandra clare you will love this book! The plot was fast paced and in no way lagged like some adventure book. And of course there was a lovely romance in there too. But there is mention of sex so be warned. Overall a very enjoyable book with fantasy romance and plot twists! whats not to love?

Reader reviewed by Ruthie

This book was so different, so new it was hard not to fall in love with it. At first when reading I wasn't expecting to like it. The style was different to what I was used to and the reading wasn't as flowy as my recent reads. However the more I read the better I liked it. The adventure started from the first page and ended on the last. There were unexpected additions to the overall plot (especially the ending) and this book left me wanting more. I'm determined to continue with the sister book Fire.

Reader reviewed by jedi145

This book is amazing! The backstory of all the kingdoms was well thought out. The idea of the graces was interesting.  The characters were excellent and very rounded. The writing style was different but good. There were a few slow parts but over all the plot kept a good pace.  It was really nice to find a fantasy buried in all the vampire and other paranormal romances.  The romantic relationship took time to build and evolve which was nice, it wasn't an instant, destiny love.  It was nice to read something that took place in a different world away from the cliche of the hot new mysterious boy at school.  I have the companion/prequel, Fire, on my shelf , TBR and can't wait for Bitterblue. 

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