Graceling

Cashore, Kristen Graceling. 2008.  Harcourt, Inc., 471 pages. $17.00 ISBN: 015206396X

Plot Summary:

Katsa was born Graced, marked by her different colored eyes, one blue, one green, but it was not until she was eight that her Grace manifested when she accidently killed her cousin in self defense.  Katsa despises her Grace and her uncle who has turned her into his Child Killer, sending Katsa to punish those who displease him.  To make up for the pain she inflicts Katsa forms the Council with the help of her cousin Raffin and the spymaster Oll,  The Council works to fight for the disadvantaged throughout the five inner kingdoms of Wester, Nander, Estill, Middluns, and Sunder. 

It is because of a Council mission to rescue kidnapped Grandfather Tealiff the father of King Ror of Leinid that Katsa meets Prince Po.  Believing Katsa is responsible for rescuing his Grandfather from the dungeons of Sunder Po follows her to King Randa’s court where Po and Katsa quickly bond over their similar Graces.  Po is Graced in hand to hand combat and the two become sparring partners and soon best friends.  Their friendship almost falls apart when Katsa discovers that Po’s true Grace allows him to sense the people around him, how they are feeling, where they are in relation to him and their thoughts when they turn to him.  Katsa is horrified that Po has intruded on her thoughts and Po must regain her trust. 

At Po’s urging Katsa stands up to her uncle, King Randa and leaves his court with Po in search of the person responsible for the kidnapping of Po’s grandfather.  The clues lead them to King Leck of Monsea, Po’s uncle and the discovery that Leck possesses the dangerous Grace of being able to manipulate people’s minds so that they will believe everything he says.  Along the way Katsa and Po also learn about, themselves, their Graces, and each other. 

Critical Review:

Graceling is a fantastic fantasy filled with adventure and romance.  Katsa is more than capable of taking care of herself, but she never really learns to trust until meeting Po.  I could not put Graceling down; I just had to know what was going to happen next.  Cashore does not disappoint, Graceling is filled with intrigue and adventure.  . 

Genre:

Fantasy

Interest Level:

Grades 8 and up

Similar Books:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

Subjects/Themes:

Strong Female Character

Independence

Magical Abilities

Awards:

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature 2009 Winner

William C. Morris Award 2009 Finalist

Andre Norton Award 2008 Finalist

Author’s Website:

http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/

Annotation:

The Lady Katsa is feared, most dare not look her in her oddly colored eyes, one blue, one green.  Her eyes mark her as one of the Graced, who are feared through the inner kingdoms, but Katsa more so than others for hers is the Grace to kill. 

Book Talking Ideas:

If you liked The Hunger Games you will love Graceling, which features another strong female, Katsa, who is gifted with the Grace to kill.  Despite Katsa’s violent gift she is a warm and caring person who despises using her destructive powers.  When Po comes searching for his kidnapped grandfather his only hope of finding him and those responsible is Katsa and his violent gift.

Why I chose to include this book:

I included Graceling because it is an adventure feature a strong female heroine.