Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore

This week I would like to review a book I can’t stop thinking about!  When Graceling was published back in 2008, it received positive reviews from book critics who praised the main character and the fantasy world the book took place in.  Three more books followed, making Graceling a series.  The last book was actually just published back in January.  Despite the book getting rave reviews, I’ve noticed some people criticizing it for a certain decision the main character makes (a decision which I will talk about more below).  A cool friend of mine gave this book to me (once again thank you RB!), and I’m really excited to review it.  I hope that after reading this post you’ll decide to give it a try too!

Graceling is about a teenage girl, Katsa, who lives in a kingdom called the Middluns, one of Seven Kingdoms.  Katsa is a Graceling; the Gracelings are people born (or “Graced”) with a special talent, and they are easily recognized by their two different colored eyes.  It seems that Katsa is “Graced” with killing and is manipulated by her uncle into killing people for his own benefit.  She also runs a secret Council which helps justice be served within the Seven Kingdoms.  When an old Lienid (people from a different group) grandfather is kidnapped, Katsa realizes something strange is going on within these Seven Kingdoms; and with the help of the Lienid’s charming grandson, Prince Po, Katsa goes on a quest to find out who really kidnapped Grandfather Tealiff and to figure out who she is as a person.  This coming-of-age novel is thought out well.  I like the setting it takes place in, and I really like the characters, especially Katsa since she’s such a strong female character.  I also really like Po as well, and I think that he and Katsa have one of the best relationships I’ve seen in the YA genre.  This book is very witty at times too.  There is plenty of violence, though, and a lot of characters die or are seriously injured; and there is also a sex scene between Katsa and Po (which is not very explicit).  So, I would caution parents regarding the violence and the Katsa/Po scene and would recommend this book for teens only.  What I really liked most about the plotline is that Katsa’s main goal in life isn’t to be married or to have children; and despite people trying to force her to try to change her mind, Katsa just wants to make a life for herself.  And while I really liked this part of the book, this seems to be one of the things that’s most criticized about it and I’m not sure why.  I feel like a lot of times the idea is pressed upon women that they have to get married or have kids to have a successful life and that just doesn’t make sense to me.  Women can have completely successful lives without having to do either one of those things.  Katsa made her own decision and, while I won’t put any spoilers here, I think she turned out to be quite a successful woman!