Graceling

"I read this back when it came out but I couldn't remember anything except generally enjoying it so I got the audiobook. The writing, specifically the character dialogue is... Weird. But once you get past that I think you end up with a solid fantasy with a classically slow start. I've heard that Katsa is whiny, and she is, but she is also discovering herself, the world, and what she wants to do. I think this book does great as a standalone but I'm excited to read the rest of the series!"

"Just a really good book!"

"‘‘Twas fun to read "

"I couldn’t really find a book I liked after I read Throne of Glass, but this book just gave me that thrill. 💯 percent recommend "

"YA novel trying very hard to be edgy and grown up and... failing. Spectacularly. The king's own personal quasi-Red Room assassin and involuntary brute is a borderline Mary Sue with excessive amounts of FEELINGS, and her Love Interest is absolutely a Mary Sue. The whole set up just feels kinda fake to me."

"I had just entered that realm again where for the life of me I couldn't get emotionally invested in reading. Maybe I have read too much, maybe I need a break from this all together. And then Graceling came along and reminded me I just wasn't reading the right sort of books.<br/><br/>The world building was great and oh the traveling. One of my favorite things. "Diversity of adventure" that's what I shall call it. The rolling hills, snowy mountains, and sailing on the sea. There was a little something for everyone here. Even the new book cover was gorgeous though it makes the books seem middle grade so I was quite surprised to get such an adult story. Though all of these things were great, the complex characters are what sold it for me.<br/><br/>Katsa was unnervingly relatable. I got Aelin Galathynius vibes from her albeit a sweeter and more generous version. Katsa was one of those people who could run off into the wild and live forever on her own. Though she doesn't need friends to survive Katsa would be surrounded by them none the less. Humans are always drawn to honest people like herself. She, although self-sufficient and strong, wouldn't hesitate to do the right thing and help others. And I love Katsa all the more for it.<br/><br/>“I’m going to name my firstborn child after you.” Katsa laughed at that.<br/>“For the child’s sake, wait for a girl. Or even better, wait until all your children are older and give my name to whichever is the most troublesome and obstinate.”<br/><br/>Po is so very uplifting and humble to Katsa's fire. Almost like they were made for one another. Also Po seems much wiser than his years. He honestly was just a breath of fresh air, you don't run across many of his like. Po was calm collected, never would he fight out of anger and hate. And even though Katsa was so much stronger than he, Po certainly wouldn't resent her for it. And yet this made him even more heroic. Honestly I had to shake my head from time to time. Why don't Authors create more men like this instead of broody and insulting brutes.<br/><br/>The outflow of honesty from Katsa and Po was overwhelming and unique. The romance felt so natural and earthy it made my heart ache. Watching these two creatures grappling in the moonlight laying on silver blades of grass was breathtaking. Drawn to one another so completely. Also, I loved the Author for this, Kristin Cashore didn't yell out "These characters are virgins waiting for there one true love!" She just shows you a blush and let's the reader decide for themselves. THANK YOU! Often authors seem to think their readers incompetent. Leaving room for readers to come to our own conclusions makes the story unique for everyone.<br/><br/>The family dynamics were so lovely to read about. Bitterblue treating Katsa like an older sister warmed my heart. I got to a point when I realized my cheeks were sore because apparently I had been stupidly grinning while reading. This is my first story from this author and I am in love with the writing style so obviously I will be looking to expand my collection of her works. Also Kristin Cashore's "Afterwards" was very inspiring and made me feel proud to be a reader and even more appreciative to have read her book."

"This is one of my all time favorite books!!! I love the story line and the characters! It’s only fault is that the other books after it are not still based around the main 2 characters which you fall in love with!! Other than that the world is amazing and the story is captivating and a page turner! "

"This is a perfect book. First of all, it isn’t the kickoff to a five book series that draws out a love triangle and makes the main characters suffer for no reason. No, this book can be read as a stand alone, although you can continue reading the other books in the series that take place in the same world and have many of the same characters. I love having the option for more but not feeling like I’m left on a cliffhanger after finishing the book. Second of all, this book has such a great falling action and resolution. Instead of just having a paragraph where we establish that the characters and happy and healthy and moving on, Cashore gives us two chapters wrapping up their adventures and ensuring that we get to see real happiness with the characters we’ve come to love. It’s so different than any other fantasy books I’ve read recently and I wish more authors would employ this approach to an epilogue. Third of all, I love Katsa. I read this book for the first time when I was about 11 and I remember being taken aback at how different she thought than me. I’m very much a Po in that I’m much more emotionally intelligent than anything. Re-reading this book, I have a new appreciation for how Katsa is written. It’s completely believable that she doesn’t know much about people or emotions and I love the completely practical way she thinks. I’m absolutely obsessed with how Cashore portrayed their relationship; I don’t think I’ve ever read one this healthy in a book. Some other things I loved about this book: - the fact that Graces grow over time - Po and Katsa never want to get married - the subtle mentions of Raffin and Bann being gay - Bitterblue. Just Bitterblue. - the Council already being established before the start of the book Falling in love with Katsa, this story, and this world again was such a treat and I’m so glad I chose to reread this."

"A great book with strong chemistry "

"Love the first book! But to be honest the ending was it for me. I don’t think there was a need for series. This book stands out as itself! No sequel needed ✌️"