Graceling

Review by Edan
Title: Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)
Author: Kristin Cashore
Published: 2008
Publisher: Harcourt

Quick Summary:
Katsa is Graced. She is one of the rare people with a Grace. Her Grace allows her to fight and kill as easily as nothing. She is the King Randa's niece and has to distribute his punishments. Everything changes as she saves the grandfather of the Lienid royal from another kidnapping king. She meets Po, another Graced Lienid prince, and begins a journey that will change her life forever...

Review:
Graceling is an exciting and connecting book. The main character, Katsa, explores her Grace of death and is torn about how easily she can kill. She fights herself throughout the book and connects with the reader. She doesn’t know her identity. She slowly uncovers parts of herself and becomes confuse, but begins to understand who she is. At one point she finally realized how much she hated not having control. The way Katsa uncovers herself herself, also helps the reader realize who they are as well. Katsa has a whole journey to find that out though, unlike most people. Along with Katsa’s thoughts, this book was never ending excitement. It was full of perils and hardships. The way Katsa and her friend Po pull through them are always inventive and creative. They meet unwanted soldiers, wrestle, fight, travel, run, discover and talk. The reader never wants to put the book down as this mysterious girl surges through forests, fights, mountains and seas. Graceling is full of excitement and adventure, but also thought and thinking.

Rating:*****