GRACELING (Seven Kingdoms Trilogy 1/3) by KRISTIN CASHORE (2008)
ISBN: 978-0-575-08450-6 (UK edition, trade paperback)
Publisher: Gollancz

BOOK COVER: In a world where people born with ans exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are both feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing.

Feared by the court and shunned by those her own age, the darkness of her Grace casts a heavy shadow over Katsa’s life. Yet she remains defiant: when the Kind Lienid’s father is kidnapped she investigates, and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap the old man, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced man whose fighting abilities rivalled her own?

The only thing Katsa is sure of is that she no longer wants to kill. the intrigue around this kidnapping offers her a way out – but little does she realise, when she takes it, that something insidious and dark lurks behind the mystery. Something spreading from the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king…

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerising world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will captivate you, and leave you wanting more.

‘A WOW of a book. I HAD to know how it ended!’ TAMORA PIERCE
‘An exquisitely drawn, romance political intrigue, a take-charge heroine and a magnificently imagined fantasy realm – this riveting debut has something for almost everyone’ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

This was exceptional, some solidly brilliant writing here creates engaging characters with strong voices and believable backgrounds. The world setting Cashore has shaped for Katsa, Po and the involved groups of friends and enemies runs consistent, there is mesmerising depth here. Katsa and Po captured my attention with the drama of their situations, their capable response to the torturous dilemmas they found themselves dealing with, and the arresting support and care they demonstrated for their friends and each other.

The growth of their regard for each other melting into some strong loves scenes was handled tenderly and joyously without resort to heavy blow-by-blow steamy stuff. Smoothly done. We are also shown that these are troubled characters too though, with secrets they have to guard jealously and times where their decisions are not of the best, kind of like the rest of us I thought. I loved that the novel startled me by plot lines going where I was not expecting and various discoveries being made right up until the pages ended.

Despite having had some urgent business to attend and because of having had Graceling in hand I now have my own dilemma, book read and a host of tasks still to accomplished but now in an even shorter time period. Even though I knew was heading here as I read I could not put this blooming page trap down till done. Gasp worthy stuff. Most enjoyable I’m thrilled to have stumbled across this and will be delighted to pass it onto another reader.

(Notes from my first copy of this book released in Orkney, June 2011)

I have a plan for this copy - it’s been registered with BookCrossing for release to BookCrosser Apocalypticpeer in Glasgow on Saturday 5th October 2013.
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BookCrossers LOVE books, and more than anything, they love to read books and then set them free for other people to find and enjoy.

I would love it if you would leave a note/journal entry – perhaps; where you found the book; or how you liked it if you read it and where you left it.

It’s a fun surprise for others to find BookCrossing books in cafes, waiting rooms, public areas alongside information stands, and even sheltered places in beauty spots (zip-seal plastic bags are useful in that instance)! Once ready, please pass this book on to other readers to keep it travelling! HAPPY READING!

Just caught this from rainbow3. Never read this author before but it looks really up my street. I like alternate realities, and super-power scenarios I.e. what would you do if given a gift, but that gift is killing? This type of theme is quite dominated by male authors of the same genre. So looking forward to reading a Kristin Cashore.

I picked up this book yesterday and didn't put it down until I finished it at midnight last night! The lead character Katsa was fantastic and well rounded. The plot was surprisingly gripping its safe to as it was a proper page turner.

I enjoyed the love story. It was actually refreshing to have characters who talked to each other rather than lingering through the book on misunderstandings and guesses. It was refreshing to to have a non brooding hero who simply told her what he was thinking. I think that's why you really buy into the characters and want them to he happy.

Not sure when/how to release this as it deserves to be shared!

I have just posted this to JemmaJ down in England as it was on her wishlist.

I included one of the lovely bookmarks gifted to me by Rainbow3 as I promised to send one on.

Happy reading Jemma!

Many thanks Apocalypticpeer and thanks to you rainbow3 for the travelling bookmark. I will send it with the book on its journey.

Apocalticpeer found this book on my wishlist...I am glad that there are people like me who look who has wished for a book before releasing it...

I am looking forward to reading this book!!

I can't believe I forgot to journal about this book - I have had it in my "To Be Released" bag for AGES! I have just found that a new 'friend' has it on their wishlist - hee hee!

Sending as a wishlist book - enjoy!

Sent as a RABCK from JemmaJ, it's been on the Wishlist for a while so I'm looking forward to reading it, thanks!

Finally got round to reading this book, and really enjoyed it. I thought the concept of Graces was well thought out and intriguing, especially the way that although gifted, a lot Gracelings end up being treated with suspicion and mistrust. The plot was well-paced and the world-building was convincing, and I was really rooting for Katsa and the other characters. Thanks a lot for sharing!

On the bookshelf in the ticket office

Great find at the rail station. Still reading