Goodreads Description: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, 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.
With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.
My Thoughts:
- It would be hard to have Katsa's Grace. I would have a really hard time killing people. I wonder if Katsa had hard time at first, or if part of her Grace takes away some guilt.
- Po? The author named her leading man Po? That name should only belong to big fat pandas. After a while though, the name didn't bug me.
- I wish my hubby had Po's Grace sometimes. Not all the time, but it would be nice once in a while. Then he would know how I felt, and I wouldn't have to explain stuff to him over and over.
- The story had some great characters. Po is so patient and kind, especially with Katsa. Katsa was a really strong female protagonist. She did what she had to do, but she still had human flaws. There were a few side characters that I really liked, like Raffin and Bitterblue.
- I really enjoyed the book more the 2nd time through. The politics and different kings and kingdoms were easier to keep track of and understand.
- The 2nd half of the book is pretty intense. I was so scared for Katsa and Bitterblue.
- The "pain" bit after Katsa and Po got together was a little odd to put in a book. It made feel a little embarrassed.
- I want to visit Po's castle someday.
- I wish there was a sequel to this instead/along with companion books. I would love to go on another adventure with Katsa and Po, and I'd like to know what happens in some of the kingdoms and with certain characters.
When I first read Graceling, I had never seen Kung Fu Panda, so Po's name didn't bother me. I actually love the name, lol.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it more the second time around too. But, not because of the same reasons you put. I enjoyed it because I could see Katsa's reason for not getting together permanently with Po better. I wasn't as angry at the end, lol.
The pain part didn't bother me. I'm glad she put it in. Teenagers need to know that sex isn't just all fun and games. It's one of the reasons I love Cashore's books. She doesn't promote abstinence, but sue promotes safe, responsible sex and explains, without being overly graphic, what sex entails and what can happen when you're not responsible.
I also wish there was a sequel. I'm excited to read Bitterblue, though. I just want more Katsa and Po, though, especially more Po.
Sounds like another good one!
ReplyDeleteThe name Po only bothered me in the sense that, before I read the book, it sounded like the name of some skinny nerdy guy. That illusion obviously went away after I started reading.
ReplyDeleteThere's actually a lot of Po in Bitterblue! (Maybe you know this now since this review is from May.) But Po in the courtroom = one of the funniest scenes I have ever read.
(It wants to put my name as Anonymous. This is Briana from Pages Unbound!)