Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Release Date: Oct 1st 2008
Publisher: Harcourt
Pages:  471
Source: Purchased
Rating: ★★★★★
Series: Graceling Realm #1

His eyes, Katsa had never seen such eyes. One was silver, and the other, gold. They glowed in his sun-darkened face, uneven, and strange. She was surprised that they hadn't shone in the darkness of their first meeting. They didn't seem human....

Then he raised his eyebrows a hair, and his mouth shifted into the hint of a smirk. He nodded at her, just barely, and it released her from her spell.

Cocky, she thought. Cocky and arrogant, this one, and that was all there was to make of him. Whatever game he was playing, if he expected her to join him he would be disappointed.

In a world where people born with an extreme skill—called a Grace—are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about 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.

This is one of those books that it's so hard to write a review on and I meant it in a good way. I love Graceling so much that I just did not know if my review would do it any justice. Graceling is a high fantasy book so you have a lot to take in, to get  familiar with the world building (all seven kingdoms) and all the bloodlines. It may be a little bit overwhelming because there was so many information throwing at you. One thing I found that helped me not getting lost was to take notes. I drew out the map of the seven kingdoms and the character chart that went with it. Book like Graceling or high fantasy in general, I wish the author would include the map to help us out.

Graceling is really fast paced from the beginning to the end. And the story was just so intriguing that I'd stayed up all night reading it. The book had all the elements that I loved: action packed, funny and romance. And it was beautifully written that had captured me completely. Kasha is strong and a good fighter, I meant the BEST fighter while Po is just drop dead gorgeous and noble. I love them so much, their conversations were always amusing. Even though Kasha's logic about marriage & freedom somehow not really made sense to me. I guess maybe she was just gaining her freedom from her uncle so that's why she just wanted to be free and wanted nothing that would settle her down. Prince Po will melt your heart away with his cocky smile and his carefree ways. He is just likable character and it's just impossible to dislike him.

I liked the book so much and I wanted more. So sad the next book (Fire) is not about Kasha & Po but I guess I would read it since I am not ready to be apart of this world yet.  So if high fantasy with a strong female character is your thing, then I don't think you will say no to this =)