Graceling: 1 - Softcover

Kristin Cashore

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0575085304 ISBN 13: 9780575085305

Publisher: Gollancz, 2009

Synopsis

Review\nCashore's prose is smooth and unobtrusive. But for all its lightness of tone, Graceling is not a simple novel. indeed it deals with some very difficult subject matter. Its inevitable love story is sweetly unconventional and unabashedly feminist. Katsa herself is a rich character. The growth of her trust and self-esteem is the understated heart of the novel. This is always Katsa's story and enjoyable fast paced it is too. An immensely fun, good-hearted read. (SFX)\n\n'Cashore creates believable characters with enough depth, subtlety, and experience to satisfy older readers . . . An impressive first novel. (BOOKLIST)\n\nGraceling really does have something to offer everyone. An adventurous and enjoyable read. (DEATHRAY)\n\nIt's a great debut novel that will suit those who like their Fantasy unabashedly romantic. (SFFWORLD.COM)\n\nThe story flows at a decent pace with a story that gradually builds in intensity and a mystery that unravels at just the right speed to keep things interesting. Cashore knows what makes a good spectacle and, even though you know that Katsa absolutely has to win through, writes set piece scenes that buzz with excitement and action. (GRAEME'S FANTASY BOOK REVIEW)\n\nA major strength of the writing is the imagery presented throughout the novel. The book is filled with very vivid descriptions of almost everything from castles, landscapes, courts, and the journeys that the characters go on. Kristin Cashore's 'Graceling' is a great start by a developing writer and I definitely look forward to seeing this writer grow with future novels as she shows tremendous potential. (FANTASY BOOK CRITIC) Book Description\nA superb, critically acclaimed and already best-selling debut fantasy novel from a stunning new author.

About this title

Review:

If you had the power to kill with your bare hands, what would you do with it?

Graceling takes readers inside the world of Katsa, a warrior-girl in her late teens with one blue eye and one green eye. This gives her haunting beauty, but also marks her as a Graceling. Gracelings are beings with special talents—swimming, storytelling, dancing. Katsa's Grace is considered more useful: her ability to fight (and kill, if she wanted to) is unequaled in the seven kingdoms. Forced to act as a henchman for a manipulative king, Katsa channels her guilt by forming a secret council of like-minded citizens who carry out secret missions to promote justice over cruelty and abuses of power.

Combining elements of fantasy and romance, Cashore skillfully portrays the confusion, discovery, and angst that smart, strong-willed girls experience as they creep toward adulthood. Katsa wrestles with questions of freedom, truth, and knowing when to rely on a friend for help. This is no small task for an angry girl who had eschewed friendships (with the exception of one cousin that she trusts) for her more ready skills of self-reliance, hunting, and fighting. Katsa also comes to know the real power of her Grace and the nature of Graces in general: they are not always what they appear to be.

Graceling is the first book in a series, and Kristin Cashore’s first work of fiction. It sets up a vivid world with engaging characters that readers will certainly look forward to following beyond the last chapter of this book. (Ages 14 and up) --Heidi Broadhead

About the Author:

Kristin Cashore earned her master’s degree from the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons College. She has been a dog runner, a packer in a candy factory, an editorial assistant, and a freelance writer. Kristin currently resides in Florida, where her daily activities include walking along the St. Johns River.

About this edition

• Publisher: Gollancz
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0575085304
• ISBN 13: 9780575085305
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 370