Review: GRACELING by Kristin Cashore

There were so many parts of this book that I absolutely loved only to be negated by some serious issues for me. I LOVED the romantic tension between Po and Katsa. Before reading the book I disbelieved one of the blurbs that said it had the tension of Twilight, but for a while in this book I actually quite agree. But then they ruined the tension—had premarital sex—about halfway through the book and I no longer worried about them getting together. Edward and Bella worked better in Twilight because Edward was always tempted by Bella’s blood (at least in the first one).

I LOVED Cashore's world building. The Graceling phenomenon was really too fun and I loved learning about the different Graces people could have. The two different color eyes was a great detail, too. But I wasn’t fond of the author’s narrative voice. That may be my own silly opinion since I always like the intimacy of first person and kept wishing for Katsa to say “I.”

I also had a huge problem with her name. She was the strong warrior type and what other book has that type of character with a protagonist of a similar name? That’s right—Hunger Games. Katniss, Katsa. I kept saying the wrong name in my head.

My last big issue was the not so subtle anti-marriage messages. I’m a huge fan of marriage, and not one but both main characters thought it would shackle them—and this was treated as normal. I know this is getting to be a common belief now, but it just didn’t fit with what I believe in.

This is a book that is close in genre to the one I have coming out this Fall so I am so glad to have read it. It took me less than 48 hours and I really, really enjoyed it. But there were times I skimmed (especially during the mountain pass) but I did truly love Cashore’s characters.

I loved the packaging for this book and the title. And wow, what an accomplishment for a debut.