Graceling by Kristin Cashore
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Book Reviews of Graceling
Book Review: A World you never want to leave
Summary: 5 Stars
"Graceling" is such a magical book. I couldn't stop laughing, or sighing (oh, Po) and rooting for Katsa and Po. The writing didn't miss a thing. Every little detail folded nicely into the story plot, every detail was there for a reason. I especially admire Cashore for writing simple scenes --like the horseback rides, camp fires, and practice fights-- with such ease, yet capturing our hearts still. I couldn't help but love every moment of the book. Not a single part was boring or slow. I wanted to keep going, seeing their travels after the book ended.
The relationship between the characters is what really hooked me. For one, I loved Katsa and her group. Giddon was an especially fun character. Waiting to see how Katsa would handle her new found information was quite entertaining. Raffin just warmed my heart; he was the caring best friend, who was the shoulder to lean on or the wise advice Katsa needed. Po..... I couldn't get enough of him. He's such an intriguing character, full of life and wonder. His and Katsa's relationship was in now way traditional but it worked out prefectly. They fit so well, it was just beautiful and I enjoyed seeing Katsa grow and mature, abandoning her tough skin for a more loving and caring one. Katsa is the prefect heroine--tough, rugged, free spirited, and most of all courageous and strong-- yet, when it came to things that mattered she did the right thing, never faltering from what her heart desired.
I tried looking for quotes, but I ended up almost rereading the whole book. Every quote is a good quote. That or it would have spoiled the plot. So I picked two.
* "Who were they, to take her fight away from her and turn it into some sort of understanding between themselves? He should've taken more care of her face? She would knock his nose from his face. She would thump the both, and apologize to neither." Love Katsa's mean and tough attitude, not letting two guys gawk over her like she's ::gasp:: a girl?!
*"..and wondered if other girls in sunder, and across the seven kingdoms, carried knives; or if they all looked to their fathers or brothers for every protection." See, Katsa's caring and warm hearted concern for girls and their need to protect themselves and not rely on outside help from males. Trust yourself and protect yourself. There isn't always going to be a man there to help.
Book Review: Wow
Summary: 5 Stars
I've finished this book under a week and it was such an adventure. Graceling is about Katsa who become a hunter/assassin/weapon for a manipulative king because Katsa is one of the many people who is gifted with a certain "grace". In this book, the word grace is used for people who have special abilities in various forms: Swimming, hunting, dancing, fishing, etc. Katsa with one eye green and the other blue is gifted with a grace of a fighter making her an effective assassin that is feared throughout the seven kingdoms.
Graceling is the first book of a series by Cashore and is promoted for 14 y/o and above but a little caution for parents because Graceling includes topics that you don't want your 14 y/o to read but it this book would be a great way to discuss such topics with your kids. The book contains topic about not wanting marriage and the concept of it, some sex scenes which are not detailed but for conservative parents you might want to talk through your children first and a lot of fight scenes.
The main pull of the book for me is the plot. It is a great book especially if you favor adventure/fantasy books but Graceling also includes a love story between Katsa and another character but I guarantee that it is not the mushy type. Another reason why I picked up the book is the lovely cover art as you can see above. In the front cover you'll see Katsa's eye but if you look at the back, you'll see both eyes. Just seeing the cover gives you an idea what the book is about. The only thing lacking in the book in my opinion is the battle scene between Katsa and the villain. It should have contained more than what is written. I just felt that Cashore built the story with every chapter and when the confrontation part began, it ended abruptly. I felt that Cashore should have dedicated a chapter or more, included more conflict and the book would have been perfect.
Overall, Graceling is a must read! I would recommend this book to anybody but noting the caution to parents. If your child shows intention of reading the book, parents read the book first and decide if your child is ready for this novel. If you don't think this book is for your kid, this is a great way to explain to the child why. Asides from that, I agree with fellow reviewers on their remark about Graceling.
Book Review: An Engaging Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
To begin with, the book got off to a somewhat clumsy start. The narrator interrupted the action of the first chapter too often with explanations and descriptions of the world Graceling is set in. In addition, I found the construction of many of the sentences to be awkward and perhaps even pedestrian. While the book did amuse me and even made me laugh right from the beginning, I withheld my opinion as to whether or not I thought it was good until about 100 pages into it. By that time, I was madly in love with all of the characters, even the villains (they were just so good at being villainous, and you have to admire someone for being good at what they do!).
The world Cashore has created is vividly realized, especially the Graces (the extreme skills that one is born with) that some of the characters are gifted with. As the characters developed, I realized more and more how much thought the author had put into these unique gifts. Furthermore, it was a joy to watch the characters develop and undergo self-realization as they coped with the burden of their Graces. But best of all, I loved watching the the subtle development of the romance between the characters. It was in no way contrived or unrealistic and it developed so naturally that it crept up on me, just as it did them.
POSSIBLE SPOILER HERE!
I'll add a word of caution for parents, though. There are a couple of love scenes, though they are not at all graphic and a contraceptive is used and its importance is emphasized. As Katsa is only 16, some parents might feel it is inappropriate. I'll add a quote directly from the book: "And the wrestling turned to something slow and gentle and yielding, and they were warm, and occupied with each other, for some time." That is the whole thing, the second of two "love scenes." In addition, the characters have no plans to get married and are, in fact, set against it.
END OF SPOILER!
Overall, I loved this book and would recommend it! Once I finish sending this review, I'm ordering the second book!
Book Review: The Grace to Kill
Summary: 5 Stars
I fully admit to picking this book up for the gorgeous cover originally. Then I placed in my pile of TBR and forgot about it for a few weeks. I picked it up again this past week and read straight through it in two nights. The story moves along, each new plot thread blending with the previous ones so that you're not certain when (or if) something ended.
The book itself is divided into two parts. Part One, 'The Lady Killer', focuses mainly on establishing our main character of Katsa and what her Grace entails, as well as her relationships because of it. Even though Katsa is eighteen years old, she acts in a much more mature fashion and thinks in a more complex way. Katsa also struggles with a growing conscious of what she has been doing as her Uncle, the King's, strong arm enforcement. If he has a petty problem with some minor Lord, he sends Katsa to handle the matter. In this way he manages a fairly peaceful kingdom.
Part Two, 'The Twisted King', takes us away from the familiar geography of the first part and has us following where Katsa goes. Throughout this part we learn a bit more of how Katsa thinks and her motivations, as well as more about her companion's motivations and thinking. Though in the first part Katsa has a secret society of do-gooders (The Council, which tries to right wrongs throughout all Kingdoms, but not necessarily to the benefit of the ruling King), and had bent the rules in regards to other orders given to her by her Uncle, she had never truly been free to do as she liked.
The relationship between Katsa and Po is obviously more then Katsa realizes. It takes several hearty blows--in the first part and later in the second--but the bond between the two is so strong its hard for Katsa to ignore.
Our villian, King Leck, actually isn't a paramount threat until about a third to half way through the book. His machinations are felt from the first chapter, but his threat level only becomes clear after a string of unrelated events finally makes sense.
Fire is set 30 years prior to the events of Graceling and will be due out in September of 2009. She is currently working on the sequel to Graceling, set 6 years later and featuring Bitterblue as the main character.
Book Review: Did Not Want This Book to End
Summary: 5 Stars
There are not enough words to express how much I loved this book - I did not want it to end. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed there will be a sequel, or better yet, a series.
Katsa is the powerful heroine of the story and she is a strong female character. At the beginning of the book, we learn of her "Grace," her special ability - she is able to kill anything or anyone. She learned this when she was 11 years old and she tried to fight off the sexual advances of an uncle. Only meaning to stop her uncle from touching her, Katsa killed him with one blow.
From that moment on, she became the secret weapon of King Randa, trained to be his assassin. Half way through the book, Katsa undergoes a transformation, discovering a strength of character to match her physical strength. I was spellbound watching Katsa blossom from a bitter little girl to a self-assured young lady.
Katsa's eventual romance with Po was heartwarming and very realistic. Although most of the relationship is off screen, parents should give thought to allowing children younger than 14 or 15 read this book. For a 47 year old woman like myself, the romance was captivating.
Although I loved the romantical aspects of the book, I think my favorite thing was the genuine friendship Katsa has with her few friends. Her closeness with Raffin, Oll and Giddon, and later Po and Bitterblue, was refreshing. Katza is full of passion and compassion, and although she could kill someone without a single thought, it pleases her to share her talents and teach others how to fight.
Cashore is a talented writer and although this is her first novel, I feel sure she will be around for a long time. She has given us believable characters with all their flaws intact and she did something many authors aren't able to do - she made me fall in love with the characters. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Although I read a library copy, this is one book I must add to my home library.