Title: Graceling
Author: Kristin Cashore
Date/year published: 2009
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Mythoepic, Action and Adventure
Format: e-pub borrowed from my local library using Libby app and read on Kindle.
Why did I choose to read it:
This book appeared on a list of 50 Fantasy Books by Women on The Storygraph, a challenge in which I’m participating. And I liked the idea of a female lead.
Synopsis:
Katsa lives in the Seven Kingdoms and is a Graceling, one of the few blessed with a Grace. Each Grace is different, hers is her ability to kill. This power has made her the king’s weapon since she was only eight. When she’s befriended by Prince Po, a Graceling with combat skills, her life is thrown into disarray. Together they learn of a threat to their world and must work together to save their world.
Thoughts:
There’s a reason this is on a best of list and an award winner. The writing is fluid, descriptive, easy to read, yet not dumbed down for the YA audience. The scenery was beautiful and well written. As for the story, it too was well plotted and thought out. There was even a surprise twist I didn’t see coming. Well, that’s not entirely true, I realized the twist probably about the same time Katsa did,.
With all the fantasy shows and movies being made, I’m surprised this one’s been skipped – or maybe I just haven’t noticed.
This is the first book in a well loved series, yet it ended cleanly. I do not feel like I need to rush into book two or will need to reread the entire first book when I pick up the second one. It didn’t end on a cliff hanger, all the ends that could be tied, were. I appreciate that. There are way too many great books out there for me to plow through series after series. I appreciate the ability to return to a series on my own time.
Would I re-read or recommend it?
Reread: Yeah, I might. Especially when I dive into the others in the series.
Recommend: Yes, if you like fantasy and YA adventure stories.
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