5/5 Stars
B&N:
In the course of her dark and eventful tale, Cashore plays with the idea of awkwardness, how at a certain age gifts and talents are burdens, how they make it impossible to feel comfortable in the world. And in this she writes a fairly realistic portrait of teenage life into the baroque courts of her outlandish kingdoms…In many respects Graceling is a study of mysterious angers: it offers a perfect parable of adolescence, as its characters struggle with turbulent emotions they must learn to control. The consequences are more tangible than they usually are in more mundane settings—if Katsa loses control, she breaks someone's jaw by accident—but the principle is the same. The teenage characters in this novel, like some we may know in life, grow into their graces. They realize that their monstrous individuality is not so monstrous after all.
My Review:
This book got many many great reviews that I just had to add it to my list to read. One of my students actually bought it for me for Christmas! I was so excited. I read it a bit ago, but am now just writing the review.
I really enjoyed this book. The whole concept was interesting. Children developing Graces that change their entire life. They are viewed differently and treated differently. Some Graces are more accepted than others. Katsa is deadly. Her uncle uses this to his advantage basically taking who she is away.
While on a mission, Katsa meets someone who will change her life forever.
There is mystery, action, and romance all in this book. The characters are developed nicely. They are believable and interesting.
I have yet to read the sequel- although I heard it was more of a companion novel than an actual sequel. I did hear it was good though, some say better than the 1st.
