Graceling

Kristin Cashore

Sept 2009 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this eBook

Discover the Graceling Realm in this unforgettable, award-winning novel from bestselling author Kristin Cashore.

A New York Times bestseller * ALA Best Book for Young Adults * Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature Winner * Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, and BCCB Best Book of the Year

“Rageful, exhilarating, wistful in turns" (New York Times Book Review) with “a knee weakening romance” (Los Angeles Times). Graceling is a thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure that will resonate deeply with anyone trying to find their way in the world.

Graceling tells the story of the vulnerable-yet-strong Katsa, who is smart and beautiful and lives in the Seven Kingdoms where selected people are born with a Grace, a special talent that can be anything at all. Katsa’s Grace is killing. As the king’s niece, she is forced to use her extreme skills as his brutal enforcer. Until the day she meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, and Katsa’s life begins 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.

And don’t miss the sequel Fire and companion Bitterblue, both award-winning New York Times bestsellers featuring Kristin Cashore’s elegant, evocative prose and unforgettable characters. 

This ebook includes sample chapters of Fire, Bitterblue, and Jane, Unlimited. 

Ratings and reviews

I was required to read this book for my high school English class. I had high expectations for this book, but unfortunately it disappointed me on every level imaginable. Katsa, the main character, is one of the most dull, stereotypical heroines I have ever seen. She has the same serious, brooding personality as every other fantasy protagonist ever written. Although the book expects you to fall in love with Katsa, I couldn't help but feel an utter dislike towards her character. In regard to the plot itself, it is extremely predictable and feels very rushed, especially the romance between Katsa and Po and the conclusion. In short, please do not waste your time with Graceling.

Well written, a gripping plot, well-formed characters but I just hate hate hate the main character. Her selfishness, her fear that makes her so weak and makes her make stupid decisions and react in utterly senseless and stupid ways to things that should be positive and beautiful. It's so hard to swollow. And what's even harder to swallow is the fact that all other characters in the book seem to respect her even more for it. What so many people and authors mistake for progressiveness, courage and individualism is just thick blanket of fear of the unknown, a refusal of takig risks that might warrant the greatest happiness in life or cause the deepest pain if it doesn't work out. It's this kind if courage that is lacking in this story and it leaves me as a reader rather empty and disappointed. There was so much more potential in those characters and this story. It's sad that the author wasn't a little braver.

Personally, there's a bit of character in the beginning ~50 or so pages, but after, it drags. It dragged so much, this is one if the only books that I skipped to the last 100 pages. Even then, the plot is predictable, and our heroine is stupid and unlikeable. Not recommended. Goes on my top 10 worst books list.

About the author

Kristin Cashore is author of many New York Times best-selling books, including Graceling, Fire, Bitterblue, and Jane, Unlimited. She received a master's from the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College, and she has worked as a dog runner, a packer in a candy factory, an editorial assistant, a legal assistant, and a freelance writer. She currently lives in the Boston area. kristincashore.blogspot.com Twitter: @kristincashore