Read for the 2010 YA and the Once Upon a Time IV Reading Challenges.
Every person that’s read Graceling, every blog that I follow that’s reviewed it, has had nothing but the best things to say about Graceling, so I started this book with high expectations. I’m very happy to say it didn’t disappoint.
In the Seven Kingdoms, some are born Graced, marked by eyes of two different colors. Their Grace may be something simple, like an extra ability to climb trees, or it could be something much more complicated. The Graced are brought up in the Court of their kings, and it’s the kings’ right to use the Graced as they see fit.
Katsa is the neice of the king of the Middluns, and is Graced with superior fighting abilities. No one can beat her in a fight, and her uncle has used her to inforce his will for years. Fortunately, Randa isn’t too bad of a king, and doesn’t abuse his power over her too much, but some of the other kings are not so kind. Katsa and some allies have started a Council that rescues people from the abuses of the worst of these kings.
The story begins as Katsa is rescuing the father of the king of Lienid from the king of Sunder’s dungeon. As she makes her escape, she encounters a Graced Lienid fighter. Though she could kill him, she leaves him alive. What she doesn’t know is that this young man is the youngest son of the Lienid King, and he has been tracking his grandfather. Prince Po finds his way to the place they have hidden his grandfather, and convinces Katsa to join him on his quest to figure out who would want to kidnap an old man who has power over no one.
I loved this book. The various assorted characters, but especially Katsa and Po, were beautifully drawn. Katsa’s journey of discovering her true gifts was completely touching. I’m really excited that the author is writing more books about these characters, because I need to read more about them.
So, I’ve totally bought the koolaid. This is my favorite book so far this year, and I think everyone should read it.