Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Heather from A High and Hidden Place told me that I should get back to review writing, so today I am reviewing a book that I think she should read! You're welcome!

Reason for reading: Once Upon a Time Challenge, New Author Challenge

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eightshes 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 kings 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 Pos friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Graceor about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

The best way to sum everything up is to simply say that I loved this book! I essentially read it in one day, so you know that it caught my attention!

Title and author of book: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young adult fantasy.

What led you to pick up this book? I had been hearing really good things about it and it sounded like a book that I would enjoy!

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? Everything! It was really well-written. I enjoyed the characters, the storyline, the action, the adventure, etc, etc. I opened the book up and started reading, and I was transported to a fantastic world. I really like novels with strong female leads. This book fit the bill. If I had to compare the book to another that I have read, I would say that it sort of reminded me of Poison Study by Maria Snyder. I also liked the romance aspect of the novel. It wasn't forced on you, but it was there naturally. While this novel is a fantasy novel, it is about overcoming obstacles and what it is like to not fit into the world that you were brought up in. I think that Cashore wrote the story very well!

What did you like least? That I read it too fast? I had to bring it back to the library. I think I will probably end up buying it! I also am impatient for more, but my understanding is the next book is a prequel. Still want to read, though! I will probably buy instead of get it from the library, though.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? First one, but I would like to read more from her!

What did you think of the main character? I think I covered this a bit in the section on what I liked about the book, but just to continue. Katsa was a really good character. The story was told from her point-of-view, and it was told well. Was she perfect? Nope! She was neither overly perfect or overly flawed. She might have amazing powers, but she was essentially a believable character. She grew during the course of the novel, though, and you saw it happening. It made for good reading because I enjoyed the character that I was reading about.

What about the ending? Thankfully, the ending was handled well. Especially since the next book is a prequel. If it had a cliff-hanger ending, I would have been very annoyed! As it stands, there is potential for more to happen, but you can wait.

Okay, now, Heather, read this book! (And, everyone else should, too!)

Other Reviews:

Graeme's Fantasy Book Review
Teen Book Review
Dear Author
The Book Nest
Fantasy Book Critic
Young Adult (& Kids) Books Central Blog
nineseveneight book reviews
YAnnabe
Book Nut
Karin's Book Nook
The Magic of Ink
Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
Em's Bookshelf
Becky's Book Reviews
Bookshelves of Doom
Beyond Books
Bookworm 4 Life
E.M. Reads
Here, There, and Everywhere 2nd Edition
YABOOKNERD

And, a lot more...