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Great Books for Kids
In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.
Publisher: Orlando, FL : Harcourt, 2008
Characteristics: 471 p. : map ; 21 cm
Read more reviews of Graceling at iDreamBooks.com
jamiewritenow Mar 06, 2019
The best fantasy romance I've ever read.
IndyPL_ShelbyP Dec 27, 2018
I really didn't like this book. The premise really had me intrigued and I have read all three books because I found ONE character (Bitterblue) worth reading about. This book feels half-finished. I'm not kidding. A lot of the names in this book feel like placeholders for the real thing before revisions are made. The world building is great for one of the kingdoms in this world but is basically non-existent anywhere else. There are no languages, customs etc. anywhere except again, only one place (I'm not counting Fire just yet). Katsa is a really difficult character to like and you get smothered with everything the author wants you to get out of this book. It's a lot of telling, not showing. The ending frustrated me the most. The villain is supposed to be so dangerous and threatening with his ability (a genuinely scary ability) that it was just unbelievable how easy it was for Katsa to take him out.
The treatment of horses in this book is also deplorable.
This book gets some stars for Bitterblue. She is by far the most interesting character and ends up getting her own book. That was literally the only thing that got me to get through finishing Graceling and reading through Fire.
blue_eagle_2085 Dec 25, 2018
I like this book. But I'm sad that they didn't marry.
asgellar Nov 01, 2018
"Graceling" is an elegantly drawn book that introduces the reader to a world where individuals with heterochromia happen to have magical skills. We follow Katsa, an incredible narrator and leading lady who seemingly has the grace of killing. Katsa is a strongly drawn protagonist that offers a great deal to young female readers—she is strong, independent, and powerful beyond the other men in the kingdoms. As she moves through the story, the author creates impressive insights about power, responsibility, and the difference between being weak and needing another's protection. The plot moves along predictably at first, but about midway through the book we are surprised with a shift in story that sets the pace to a booming step and draws in a new character who figures prominently within the piece. This is when the great heft of the novel appears, and when the reader is helpless but to continue whipping through the pages. Even the epilogue creates new situations and challenges for the characters, widening the world while still bringing the story to a close—and ultimately opening up room for sequels. The first book definitely warrants a foray into the companion book "Fire". A fast but meaningful read, "Graceling" is a joy to speed through but also offers lingering considerations that open up for good conversation.
ArapahoeJillK Jul 12, 2018
An exceptional fantasy, adventure, survival, coming-of-age novel with strong character and plot development.
bookluvr06 May 15, 2018
This book is so INTENSE. I love how fast-paced and action-packed this book is. So cleverly written and so much complex plot-- READ. MUST-READ. AWESOME!!!!!!!!
blue_wolf_710 Jan 15, 2018
This book was amazingly written and I loved the romance and adventure in it.. there were some sad parts, but that (in a way) made it even better! Katsa and Po were made for each other I think the author did an amazing job... I defiantly recommend this book! Hope you enjoy..
(Also please hover over but don't click on my username (blue_wolf_710) above and follow me... Thank you!!)
weareyoung16 May 17, 2017
One of the best books I've read!!!!
Gem0620 Mar 20, 2017
This is book 1 of 3. The cost of using magic. Aircart. Many worlds.
blue_jellyfish_435 Jan 19, 2017
I don't like romance novels at all, but this novel was truly amazing. I do not advise this to anyone who cannot function off of less sleep, because you WILL stay up reading it and thinking about it
blue_eagle_2085 thinks this title is suitable for 13 years and over
EvelynB2004 Sep 15, 2017
EvelynB2004 thinks this title is suitable for 14 years and over
EmmaHong2006 Jul 18, 2017
EmmaHong2006 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 11 and 16
RobertELPL Mar 04, 2017
RobertELPL thinks this title is suitable for 15 years and over
oona_laluna Sep 12, 2016
oona_laluna thinks this title is suitable for 11 years and over
Borealis7 Jul 23, 2016
Borealis7 thinks this title is suitable for 13 years and over
blue_dog_8329 Jul 04, 2016
blue_dog_8329 thinks this title is suitable for 11 years and over
ADWithrow Mar 04, 2016
ADWithrow thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over
BostonPL_JordanD Jul 31, 2015
BostonPL_JordanD thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over
Orange_Elephant_51 Jun 28, 2015
Orange_Elephant_51 thinks this title is suitable for 12 years and over
Asheligh Aug 21, 2016
Or even better, wait until all your children are older and give my name to whichever is the most troublesome and obstinate.
"It seems better to me for a child to have these skills and never use them, than not have them and one day need them," she said.
Of course, if Po were here their difficulty of disguise would be multiplied manyfold; between his eyes and the rings in his ears, and his accent, and even his manner of carrying himself, he would need to wear a sack over his head to avoid drawing attention.
They sat together companionably, the child and the lion killer, listening to the wind that drove the snow outside their mountain cave.
"It humbles me. But it doesn't humiliate me."
He laughed. "I know you're teasing me. And you should know I'm not easily humiliated. You may hunt for my food, and pound me every time we fight, and protect me when we're attacked, if you like. I'll thank you for it."
"Your brothers are the foolish ones," Tealiff said, "for not seeing the strength in beautiful things..."
Ivana Truong Jul 16, 2014
"When there's smoke there's fire."
andreareads Mar 28, 2012
They would assume she was a boy, because in her plain trousers and hood she looked like one, and because when people were attacked it never occurred to anyone that it might have been a girl.
She cried like a person whose heart is broken and wondered how, when two people loved each other, there could be such a broken heart.
Katsa, Graced with killing, is King Randa of the Middluns' pawn. She punishes anyone who disobeys the king. But she is tired of being a pawn, and when Tealiff, a Lienid prince, is mysteriously captured by King Murgon of Sunder, she realizes she may need the help of the young Lienid, Prince Po, to free herself from the king and figure out the mystery.
pushkark Jul 20, 2016
This book is set in a fantasy land, where there are people who are given special powers, recognizable by their two differently colored eyes. Graceling introduces you to Katsa, a young girl Graced with killing, who is used as a pawn by her uncle to kill and torture his enemies. When she meets Prince Po, Graced with fighting, it seems she's met someone who can match her skills. Now, things are just getting interesting. Join Katsa and Po on an epic adventure with a whole cast of memorable characters!
alishae786 Jul 21, 2015
Katsa is born with two different coloured eyes. What does this mean for her future in the Seven Kingdoms? Katsa is battling enemies, herself and her feelings towards a new person in her life while she tries to save Tealiff from Lienid.
LPL_RachaelH Jun 25, 2014
Katsa is Graced in the worst way possible. Born into a world where having two different colored eyes means that you are exceptionally gifted, or Graced, Katsa has spent her life navigating the Kings court to stay alive. This is made much more difficult because the King happens to be her uncle and she is Graced in killing. After being used as an enforcer since she was young, Katsa's path becomes more complicated when she meets a foreign Prince who ignites a fire in Katsa to fight back.
KRockstar10 Apr 10, 2013
Graceling takes place in a fantasy world in which certain individuals are born with a "Grace"--a special talent or ability. Gracelings are identifiable by their eyes, which are two different colors. This story centers around a Graceling named Katsa, a teenage girl Graced with the gift of killing. Once her uncle, the nefarious King Randa, discovers her Grace, he uses her as his personal assassin. As you can imagine, all this killing and lack of freedom has made Katsa a bit jaded. Katsa joins forces with another Graceling, Prince Po, and the two of them set out on a journey to discover who kidnapped Po's grandfather. On the way, Katsa discovers new things about herself and about her Grace.
hannay Jun 02, 2012
Katsa has a Grace - a special talent - but of all possible ones, hers is killing. Up until now, she has been used as a thug by her uncle, the king. Yet when she meets a mysterious graceling whose fighting skill matches hers, Katsa begins to realize her true Grace.
bluesmurf08 Dec 25, 2010
From the inside flap:
In a world where people born with an extreme skill, called a Grace, are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a 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 skill, 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.
baileyrenner Jun 20, 2014
Sexual Content: The protagonist has sex with her boyfriend in this novel. It's not described in great detail, but it's described enough that I'd be uncomfortable giving this book to tweens and younger teens. It's unfortunate-- it's such a great book, and appropriate for younger audiences except for two short sex scenes.
imcomplete Feb 21, 2013
Other: TO COUGES thank you for your warning i appreciate it a lot
Sexual Content: Ace_E360 SHUT YOUR MOUTH!! unless Katsa and Po are married their sleeping together is wrong and should not be promoted in any book. if someone wishes to warn others on that fact they have the right to do so!
MOM_MY11206 Jun 17, 2011
Sexual Content: This title contains Sexual Content.
Ace_E360 Feb 27, 2011
Sexual Content: Couges: News flash: Katsa and Po are very committed, and the book presents marriage as being unsuited for the temperament of the characters. Nowhere does it promote marriage in general as undesirable. Also, (and here's the real news flash) life is riddled with pre-marital sex, and marriage is unnecessary. So I don't really see what you're complaining about.
couges Nov 25, 2009
Sexual Content: This book is riddled with pre-marital sex, celebrates non-commital relationships and promotes marriage as undesirable and unneccesary.
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