Title: Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)
Author: Kristin Cashore
Release date: October 1, 2008
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 472
Source: Bookstore
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. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s 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.
Graceling was not at all what I expected. I thought it would be a good fantasy with a unique story. It was so much more than that. (Why does it seem like I always wait the longest to read the most awesome books?)
Katsa is not your typical heroine. At first she is very brutal. She is basically her uncle’s hitman. She doesn’t show feelings and she is very cold. Po is the reason all that changes. Po is the exact opposite of Katsa. He is warm, friendly, and kind. Together he and Katsa make quite a team. They were both strong and they were willing to use that strength to help the weak. They really were great characters as were the rest. I liked how silly Raffin was and how Bitterblue wasn’t afraid to tell it like it was. So many great characters!
The plot was a bit slow in the beginning but that is my only complaint against Graceling! If it hadn’t been for that this book would have been perfect but I do understand that the world needed to be set up first. Once things were set up the book really took off and I was hooked. There were a lot of twists in this book and I was up late into the night reading.
Overall, Graceling is one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. It really makes me want to read more fantasy.
Edit: I read Graceling back in November and waited to post my review so I could post it right before the release of Bitterblue. Even after months this book is still with me and I can’t wait to find time to read it again. If you haven’t checked out this series already, you really should. And if my review doesn’t convince you, check out the others I linked below!
Looking for more reviews of Graceling?
Mission To Read’s Review
The Haunting Of Orchid Forsythia’s Review
Almost Grown-Up’s Review
Coffee & Wizards’ Review
Series:
Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)
Fire (Graceling Realm #2)
Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) – May 2012
Yes, if you haven’t read this book you must! So good! I can’t wait to read the others in series as I’ve only read the first.
Thanks for the link love!
I totally adored this series. So so so much. I can’t wait until BITTERBLUE is here!
I just read this last month and so loved it! I agree about the slowness, but Katsa and Po definitely overshadow that and make it so worth it! 🙂
I actually just started this book, but put it down because it seemed too slow…maybe I’ll pick it up again 🙂
This is one of the books I’ve had on my shelf for the longest time and I still haven’t got the chance to read it – no matter how many awesome things I’ve been hearing about it. Thanks for reminding me of this series again… I’ll definitely need to try and make room for it in my reading schedule. 😀
Carina
Fictional Distraction
This is one of my all time favorites. If you are in to audiobooks, I really recommend listening to this story. There are multiple readers and it’s just amazing!
I absolutely loved this book, I haven’t read the sequels though as I hate POV changes 🙁 I want more Katsa and Po!
I really wanted to love it but in the end, something about it left me kind of meh. Maybe it was wanting to get more into the Katsa Po relationship. Curious to see your reviews of the next ones.
You wait that long so you have a bunch of people to fangirl with? 🙂 I read this a while back; definitely needs a reread.
Yes! That shall be my excuse! Lol. Good thinking, Nicole. =)
I have had this on my shelf for months and I don’t know why I haven’t read it, it sounds amazing
I think I might be one of the few who hasn’t read this series yet. It does sound like something I would enjoy so i’ll definitely check it out.
Great review! I still need to read Graceling, believe t or not. I’ve heard so many great things about it!
This one is on my TBR list, I have the ebook but haven’t found the time to read it yet! Great review!!!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this one! It’s one of my absolute favorite YA fantasy novels and it only gets better with Fire. Happy reading, Katie! :]
This sounds good..and i laughed when you said why do i always leave good books in my tbr pile….i have kicked myself many times for the same thing. I am glad you mentioned it starts slow..i am assuming it was due to world-building. Sweet review!
I’ve heard so many things about this books and they’re all fantastic. I really need to start reading this series
Love how Katsa is a surly kind of gal, but that she won you over. Love that the boy is her opposite – good take on gender roles and switching them 🙂
You totally convinced me, and I love the character development for the secondary characters.
Lovely review 🙂