"Graceling, my debut novel, is the story of Katsa, who has been able to kill people with her bare hands since she was eight. Katsa lives in the seven kingdoms, where very occasionally, a person is born with an extreme skill called a Grace. Gracelings are feared and exploited in the seven kingdoms, and none moreso than Katsa, who's expected to do the dirty work of torture and punishment for her uncle, King Randa. But then she meets a mysterious stranger named Po, who is also a Graced fighter and the first person ever to challenge her in a fight. The two form a bond, and each discovers truths they never imagined about themselves, each other, and a terrible danger that is spreading slowly through the seven kingdoms."
-Kristin Cashore
Not only does the gorgeous cover of Graceling draw you in, but so does the ever-so appealing summary. From everything the outside practically screams about this book, you’d assume it’s be a good read. But, alas, you’d be assuming wrong…
This is a fantastic read!
I get so bored with the damsel in distress fantasy books, and this book strays far FAR from that. In Graceling, you meet Katsa -- a strong and feisty girl that you’d never want to cross. In the land of seven kingdoms, Gracelings are typically exploited for their Graces. And Katsa especially -- for her Grace is killing. Her uncle, King Randa, let’s his men train Katsa to control her gifts, until she finally is capable of killing any man in any manner -- armed or unarmed. She becomes feared, and the puppet of Randa.
When she meets Po, everything changes, and Katsa finds herself defying Randa and trying to prove she isn’t a savage monster.
I was absolutely awe-stuck by this book. You take Katsa into your heart -- you love her because she is a true and strong character. And together, Po and Katsa make the kind of heroes you dream of reading about. Kristin Cashore has delivered a powerful tale, and I eagerly awake her next book -- Fire (Fall 2009).
Visit her here at: http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/
~Angel
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