Graceling by Kristin Cashore
With Bitterblue, the third book of Kristin Cashore’s series that began with Graceling, due to be released on May 1st, I thought it was time to post my reviews on both of the previous books. This way you will have an understanding of this series, to see if you want to read it before the new book comes out. We start with my review of Graceling.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore, is the first book in her The Seven Kingdoms Trilogy. Having thoroughly enjoyed The Hunger Games, I had decided to read this series, as the feedback was awesome and very well compared to the other series.
The Seven Kingdoms is a mesmerizing world. A world full of magic, mystery, danger, and treachery. Those blessed with perfect special abilities, such as fighting, mind-reading, cooking, farming, are known as Gracelings. They are easily recognized by their different colored eyes, and are exploited for their skills. Gracelings are shunned by this world, and they are automatically sent to their Kings, to service under them.
We meet Katsa, who is the niece of King Randa of Middlun. Katsa has the grace of being able to kill with her bare hands, since she was eight. Being a niece to the King, she should have led a privileged life, but he used her powers to do his bidding. She became his enforcer, a teenage assassin, with a reputation that follows her. Katsa does not have courage to stand up to her uncle. But she works behind the scenes with her cousin, guards, and other persons to help those in need, and this secret group, allows Katsa to become a brave, and powerful warrior.
Katsa is sent on a mission to use her powers to persuade someone to do what the Kings wants, and to steal something for him. During her mission, she accidently meets another Graceling; a man with silver and gold eyes. Having no choice, she trusts him not to reveal her identity and lets him go. The start of a wonderful romance will begin.
In a short time, Lord Greening Grandemalion, who is the youngest heir (7th in the line to the throne) to Lienid, another realm., has arrived in the Middluns. Po, as he is known, is looking for his missing grandfather. Po becomes enamored of Katsa, but she refuses to allow herself to be interested in him. She isn’t interested in men, dresses or having children. She is afterall, a warrior…a killer. But from the start, you can see their chemistry together, and Po turns out to be a dedicated pursuer, as he has become passionately in love with her.
Katsa is forced to stand up to the King, and leave Middluns, and Po goes with her, as they try to uncover the truth about the kidnapping of his grandfather. The journey is very exciting, as numerous times they face danger. Over time, Katsa recognizes that she truly does love Po. During their adventure to learn the truth, we meet 10 year old Bitterblue, a cousin of Po, who is the rightful heir of the Realm they were passing through, and they take her along with them, saving her from a sure death. That is where we meet one of the worst villains in any story I have read, as his powers were truly scary.
In their fight to survive, Katsa must leave an injured Po to find help. She and Bitterblue, must survive the dangerous elements to get to Lienid, and help, only to find the worst possible scenario waiting for them. Katsa, in desperation, uses her powers to the fullest, to save them. The trip back to rescue Po, with some of his family, is filled with surprises. This was a very exciting story, great characters, and I can’t wait for the next book of this series.
Reviewed by Barb
