BLOG REVIVAL & Graceling by Kristine Cashore

Hear ye! Hear ye!

My fine damsels, the day has finally come. I am back in the blogosphere. But first, I want to tell you that I really did plan for a smashing double review of Chelsea Fine’s books, Anew and Awry. Alas! Due to my non-existent book ban, my physical unread books grew like Rapunzel’s tower before my very eyes and I was forced to read them first lest the ‘rents find out about it and then my damsels, I’ll be screwed. The book ban will be as tangible as a punch in the gut, I tell you.  Spearheading this blog revival will be my review of Kristin Cashore’s, Graceling, a book that was lavished with so many praises I decided to plunge into its world. Without further ado…

His eyes, Katsa had never seen such eyes. One was silver, and the other, gold. They glowed in his sun-darkened face, uneven, and strange. She was surprised that they hadn't shone in the darkness of their first meeting. They didn't seem human....
Then he raised his eyebrows a hair, and his mouth shifted into the hint of a smirk. He nodded at her, just barely, and it released her from her spell.
Cocky, she thought. Cocky and arrogant, this one, and that was all there was to make of him. Whatever game he was playing, if he expected her to join him he would be disappointed.

In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the 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 skills, 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.

Goodreads
Series: Graceling Realm #1

Published October 1st 2008 by Harcourt

This book was way back in 2008. Freaking 2008. I bought Graceling at a beloved bookstore that sells second-loved books (second-hand is for things and I care for my books more than I care for humans, even myself. xD) and I remembered a lot of whoopin, running and smiling at my newfound treasure. What a treasure indeed. For the price of the bookstore’s salespersons’ strange and helpless look-here-comes-crazy-Johanna-again, I have it. I love them for bearing with me *winks*

I developed cover stroking because of Graceling’s cover. It gives you a glimpse of the badassery inside the book. I awarded it one of my Best Book Cover awards. I’m always having a staring contest with the book because of its beauty. As for the main character, Katsa, I felt the need to make the font bold because my dears, that she is, that she is. Katsa has her flaws when it comes to being humane but talk about inhumane and she’s too perfect a warrior when it comes to skills. Her being distracted with Poe’s open neckshirt is adorable and by Jove, she is a sadist. THEY BOTH ARE SADISTS. Katsa’s struggle is endearing. She’s like an infant to the world of gentleness and mercy brutal and harsh picture of Graces. She's like Katniss left by Peeta for another woman. She's that wild. 

The setting is realistically-fantastic and very detailed it will oftentimes annoy you to Hell. But worry not, that’s just a minor bruise like what Katsa rarely gives to Poe. Because she gives him deep gashes and scratches. See, I told you they’re sadists xD Back to the world-building, it’s worth losing yourself into as well as the author’s writing style, it’s bizarre but striking, and pinpoints the emotions of the characters and the action scenes. Graceling gives you a virtual eyegasm. There were many unnecessary skirmishes like this...


"Towns of stone built into stone..."-pg. 404


 But then, there were always surprises at every turn of Graceling that gets me back on track.

The pacing of the plot is like running on uneven ground, awkwardly. Sometimes, the road is easy so you ran faster and sometimes, it’s so rocky that you stumble and slow down. Not enough comma for you to breath. For the fusion of romance and ultimate badassery in the books’ eccentricity, I’d give an A. From f(P)oe to friends to lovers, the love factor is strong, both in emotional and physical aspects. No wedding! Katsa you bad bad girl! Stop knocking Poe down lest he’s the one who will get pregnant instead. And trust me, honey, seabane won’t help him xD However, the villain is still a manipulative perverse son of a-- *censored* *bares fangs* I’m having mood swings.

Uh-huh. WRONG. THEY DID.

Overall, Graceling, is an action-packed, compassionate and well-crafted novel that you must have patience to prepare for it’s bloody and…bittersweet conclusion. Longing for more of Katsa's world, my chest felt like there was a hole in it, it needs more of the magic from Cashore. An excellent must-read!

“When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?” ― Kristin Cashore Graceling

 “I know you don't want this, Katsa. But I can't help myself. The moment you came barreling into my life I was lost. I'm afraid to tell you what I wish for, for fear you'll... oh, I don't know, throw me into the fire. Or more likely, refuse me. Or worst of all, despise me," he said, his voice breaking and his eyes dropping from her face. His face dropping into his hands. "I love you," he said. "You're more dear to my heart than I ever knew anyone could be. And I've made you cry; and there I'll stop.” ― Kristin Cashore, Graceling