- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Most Helpful Favorable Review
65 out of 74 people found this review helpful.
Excellent, astonishing
How can I even begin to review this book? How could I get you to trust me and read it, for it is one of the best book I've ever read? I can think of only one way: Must Read. I speak as I read. I'm happy. I'm sad. I'm scared. I'm relieved. I'm shocked. I'm waiting. Yes, ...Read More
How can I even begin to review this book? How could I get you to trust me and read it, for it is one of the best book I've ever read? I can think of only one way: Must Read. I speak as I read. I'm happy. I'm sad. I'm scared. I'm relieved. I'm shocked. I'm waiting. Yes, all this while reading. Fiction, action, romance, friendship, fantasy, love, coping, dealing, Kings, Queens, evil, kindness, villain, killing... What else can you ask for in a book?
The writing was excellent, astonishing. The plot was full of magic and emotions. The characters, oh, the characters; they were unforgettable and brilliant. I can not even pick a character a loved the most. They all were above marvelous. I love Po and Katsa obviously, but the rest were equally amazing. I do love Po! Did I say that already?
I could not have imagined a better cover either, I loved the color, the effects and the eyes! The beginning, the ending and the story were all amazing. How she came up with all this, I have no idea. Needless to say, that whatever your reading preferences are, you have to read this book. I highly recommend it.Show Less
The writing was excellent, astonishing. The plot was full of magic and emotions. The characters, oh, the characters; they were unforgettable and brilliant. I can not even pick a character a loved the most. They all were above marvelous. I love Po and Katsa obviously, but the rest were equally amazing. I do love Po! Did I say that already?
I could not have imagined a better cover either, I loved the color, the effects and the eyes! The beginning, the ending and the story were all amazing. How she came up with all this, I have no idea. Needless to say, that whatever your reading preferences are, you have to read this book. I highly recommend it.Show Less
posted by SabH-CrystalReviews on September 3, 2009
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Most Helpful Critical Review
36 out of 87 people found this review helpful.
How is this story telling?
To me one of the essential things for a story is plot, and I found it rather absent in this book. It is much more romance than action, which wasn't really what the summery advertised (not that I don't like romance, I just don't think false advertising is fair). The char...Read More
To me one of the essential things for a story is plot, and I found it rather absent in this book. It is much more romance than action, which wasn't really what the summery advertised (not that I don't like romance, I just don't think false advertising is fair). The characters seemed a little flat and far too predictable (something that goes beyond consistency) and they didn't really change all that much. She is supposed to be a mercenary and yet she fears killing, am I the only one that think's that odd? Oh well, I'm not saying some might enjoy it, but I certainly didn't and I don't suggest you waste your money on it.Show Less
posted by InkMouse on December 17, 2008
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.-
Excellent, astonishing
How can I even begin to review this book? How could I get you to trust me and read it, for it is one of the best book I've ever read? I can think of only one way: Must Read. I speak as I read. I'm happy. I'm sad. I'm scared. I'm relieved. I'm shocked. I'm waiting. Yes, all this while reading. Fiction, action, romance, friendship, fantasy, love, coping, dealing, Kings, Queens, evil, kindness, villain, killing... What else can you ask for in a book?
The writing was excellent, astonishing. The plot was full of magic and emotions. The characters, oh, the characters; they were unforgettable and brilliant. I can not even pick a character a loved the most. They all were above marvelous. I love Po and Katsa obviously, but the rest were equally amazing. I do love Po! Did I say that already?
I could not have imagined a better cover either, I loved the color, the effects and the eyes! The beginning, the ending and the story were all amazing. How she came up with all this, I have no idea. Needless to say, that whatever your reading preferences are, you have to read this book. I highly recommend it.65 out of 74 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
How is this story telling?
To me one of the essential things for a story is plot, and I found it rather absent in this book. It is much more romance than action, which wasn't really what the summery advertised (not that I don't like romance, I just don't think false advertising is fair). The characters seemed a little flat and far too predictable (something that goes beyond consistency) and they didn't really change all that much. She is supposed to be a mercenary and yet she fears killing, am I the only one that think's that odd? Oh well, I'm not saying some might enjoy it, but I certainly didn't and I don't suggest you waste your money on it.
36 out of 87 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
BANCHEE_READS
Posted September 16, 2009
I Also Recommend:
WHAT A FANTASTIC READ.
Our heroine, Katsa, is blessed, or cursed at times in her opinion, with a grace. In Katsa's world, a grace is a sort of innate ability that certain people are born with. Graces can be as simple as being able to play the flute really well, or as powerful as being able to read minds. Katsa's grace just happens to be killing, and as such, is exploited by her Uncle, the king, to preserve his own power and ensure that his demands are met. Katsa's role as royal enforcer often leaves her troubled, and somewhat afraid of her own powers. Deep down, Katsa is also lonely, although she doesn't realize it. That is, until she meets Po, a prince with a powerful fighting grace that seems to rival her own. As Katsa learns more about Po, and his mysterious grace, she also learns more about herself and finds the freedom to choose her own path.
This book was pure fun. The story had plenty of action, beginning even from the first page, and I found Katsa to be a complex but likeable character. The romance was sweet, without being overly sappy, although I did find Katsa's negative views of marriage as somewhat puzzling. This may sound strange, but I also really enjoyed the antagonist in the novel. We don't actually see much of his character, but his grace was just so sneaky! Cashore kept me guessing to the end as to how or if he would be ultimately defeated. I am glad that I gave this book a try and I plan on reading Fire, Cashore's soon to be released second novel.32 out of 33 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Graceling
In all the Seven Kingdoms no is feared or revered as much as Gracelings -- individuals who are born with an innate talent to do something extremely well, be it to sing perfectly, outrun a horse, or even to read minds. Gracelings are immediately discerned by their different colored eyes, often to their disadvantage since most people distrust and even dislike them. Katsa is born with one green and one blue eye but has no idea what her grace is until after her seventh birthday, when she accidentally killed a man. With the unlikely grace of killing Katsa is turned into her uncle's (King Randa) personal thug and enforcer - sending Katsa off on missions to 'punish' his vassals through pain, torture or even death. For herself, Katsa views her grace as a burden -- more often than not seeing herself as a monster. That is until she begins planning and executing her own secret missions with the help of her friends to combat the oppressive reigns of various rulers. One such mission to rescue the kidnapped grandfather of another ruler doesn't go exactly as planned when Katsa encounters another Graceling almost as talented in fighting as she is. A Graceling who will challenge every belief Katsa holds about the world around her and herself.
Boy, oh boy, Katsa kicks butt. Really. She's not happy unless she's taking out an entire battalion of bad guys. She doesn't feel feminine (she even cuts off all her hair - I can totally sympathize!) but she still possesses this incredibly soft inner self which is slowly uncovered as she opens herself up to others. In her struggle to define, and perhaps more importantly, learn to control her Grace, Katsa strives to find the courage to take control of her own life. This fast-paced book practically flew by but still took the time to address even minor characters which left me feeling satisfied and thoroughly engaged throughout. Graceling is an adventure story, a fantasy, a mystery, a political suspense, a romance -- it has it all and doesn't stop for a second. I found myself thinking about Katsa long afterwards because by golly, how fun would it be to be able to KNOW you could take down anybody, I mean anybody, before they even noticed you had two different colored eyes?17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
MindStorm
Posted August 25, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Awfully Disappointing
Graceling is like a movie you keep watching because you think it has to get better, but it never does and you regret it by the end. The idea could have really been something but it never amounted to the potential. The book starts out interesting with these mysterious gracelings who have gifts to do things very well, then dips into predictable or shallow characters, an upsetting animal torturing king, bloody hunting, traveling more then needed, unrealistic conclusions, and unimportant realizations that have been mentioned before. Things don't add up in this book and major details overlooked while minor detailed are focused on to annoyance. I read a lot and was awfully disappointed in this book. I don't recommend reading it.
15 out of 42 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
The BEST Book!
I read constantly, and I have only enjoyed a few other books as much as I enjoyed Graceling! The plot was strong and fast-paced, the characters were phenomenal, and I loved the story! This is absolutely a must-read for any book lover!
Incidentally, the other books I loved were "Daughter of the Empire" by Feist, "Heart of Myrial" by Furey, and "Hunger Games" by Collins!14 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Cookie3
Posted April 29, 2009
I Also Recommend:
AMAZING!!!! MUST READ NOW!
One of my favorite books ever! I did an english project on it and would definitely work on it again. Don't even think about it, just go to barnes and noble and buy it! (unless you don't like fantasy/adventure/mystery/romance)
Looking through Katsa's green and blue graced eyes, you see her world of fantasy. There are 7 kings ruling over the land and people. Her uncle is one of them. He is a cruel man who uses Katsa as his weapon, because her grace is killing. She can kill an army without any weapons or armor and easily win. She is unstoppable, until a King interferes and has her running for her life. This book will take you on a thrilling adventure that includes action, romance, and mystery.
The next in the series is Fire and then Bitterblue (sadly they haven't come out yet).13 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted December 16, 2008
FACINATING! A MUST READ!
I'm finding it hard to put what I want to say into words other than, FANTASTIC! MARVELOUS! A GEM! A MUST READ!
I haven't been excited about a book in a long time. This one deserves it! Oh, it has fantasy, and life, and tribulation, and strife, and laughter, and nonsense, and ... just read it!9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
A Great First Novel
This is a very interesting young adult fantasy novel. The main character, Katsa, lives in a world where certain people posses extreme skills or talents, called a "grace". These people are called Gracelings, and they are easily recognizable by the fact that their eyes are two different colors. Katsa's grace is the ability to kill, and she's forced to use her grace as the King's enforcer. But what should she do when the King's orders go against everything that she believes and feels?
This was a really good fantasy novel! I enjoyed it quite a bit. Lots of action and a good touch of romance. The only reason that I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the ending. There was this whole build-up around who the "bad guy" was and evading him and such, and then it ended really abruptly and was very anti-climatic. There was another section of the book after that to wrap up a few loose ends. I kinda liked that section, but at the same time it seemed a bit odd to me. Maybe it's trying to set up another book? Not sure. But overall, I am really glad that I read this.
The only other problem I had was that I listened to the audiobook and I'm not sure if I recommend that. It was a full cast audio, so basically one reader for everything but the dialogue, and then a bunch of readers for the dialogue. And honestly, they were all pretty good. It took me a bit to get used to that kind of setup because I am so used to just one or possibly 2 readers. But I got used to it pretty quick. The problem I had was the music that they kept inserting into it! That drove me crazy! I kept feeling like I was watching some old movie where some says something that's supposed to shock or surprise you, then you hear "Dum, dum, dum" (or whatever the music happens to be). I just felt like laughing every time that they did it! Which is probably not a good thing since they were adding it to the parts that were supposed to be suspenseful! So, I think that I'd recommend reading it, not listening to it.7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
LunaDance
Posted June 25, 2009
One of the Best books ever!
READ THIS BOOK!!
GRACELING is a wonderful book, and when reading it you feel as if you really know the characters and are really swept up in the adventure of it all. This book is not only a great and absorbing read, but also makes you think about issues in today's world. This is the kind of book you stay up till 3 in the morning reading. I could not put it down, and i can't wait for the next books by Kristen Cashore. (The fact that i know the author's name by heart speaks extremely well for her.) This is an amazing first novel, and an just an amazing novel overall.
-Luna7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
hmmmmmm
Posted October 9, 2009
Pass
Some people really loved and I can see why but this was in the wrong genre. It was fantasy with some twisted form of adult content. Really, the whole sex thing was not necessary. It didn't fit the plot at all and for teenagers, it wasn't exactly a good example. That was my biggest pet peeve with this book. It was a quick, easy read. Maybe if you didn't have anything better than it would be worth your time but for me, it was a one time read. Pass for whatever comes next in this trilogy.
5 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
iWrite16
Posted June 28, 2010
I Also Recommend:
A great book!
This book is fantastic! It's so unique in its plot and characters. If you haven't read it yet, you need to!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
I Love this book!
When I first started reading this book I got really confused at what was happening. As the story progressed though, I got so into it I didn't ever want to put it down! The characters are amazing! You never knew exactly what was going to happen at any time during this book. My favorite characters (the main characters of this story) were Katsa and Po. I love them both very much. I definately love this book, and recommend it to anyone!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
LOVED IT!!!
I truly loved this book!! It took me a while to buy it...more than once I picked it up, read what it was about, & put it back. It just didn't sound like something I would enjoy. I was sooo wrong!!! I've read it twice now & it's fantastic!! The storyline, the adventure, the mystery, the romance, I love Katsa & Po!! I think this is a definete must read...you won't be dissappointed!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
beach_babe17
Posted April 30, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Love it!!!
A friend of mine recommended this book to me and at first i was like this book sounds a little strange, but after I started reading it I fell in love with it!! I read this book in two days! I could not put it down! This book is about a girl, who has what is called a grace, which is a special talent or ability. There are people thought the kingdoms that have these abilities but no two are the same. This book is filled with adventure and excitement. I recommend this book all of my friends and to anyone that loves a good adventure!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted April 3, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Kind of dissapointing
I was really looking up to reading this book after reading all the great reviews. But, only to find that it was actually pretty dissapointing. The main character, Katsa, was just way too whiny. She was suppose to be strong but cried in about every other page. It was so annoying. I love reading, but this book seemed like a waste of my money. No offense to those of you who love it, but I'd recommend this being borrowed from someone or from the library rather than spending money on it.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted December 5, 2008
I Also Recommend:
I thought it was a good book and worth the read. I like it when books catch me right from the start and keep me going.
This book captured me from the begining and kept me reading to the very last page. Katsa is a strong independant young woman, who has always been under her uncles power. I like how she's tough and not affraid to show it! The concept of not wanting to marry does make sense to me, and I'm glad that Kristen is able to capture that. To me that shows Katsa being the stuborn, independant, girl she is. Unlike other reviews I've read for this book, I didn't think that the middle was boreing at all. On the contrary, it captured me. The other charectors in the book I also enjoyed. They each had different, and indevisual personalities that made the book interesting, especialy Po. This book had some funny parts that just make you smile, some sad that make you frown, and some twists that take you by surprise. Altogether a great read and well worth the sitting!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted November 29, 2008
I Also Recommend:
Mediocre
I did find the beginning interesting, but everything started to fade as I read on. Some of the characters: Oll, Giddon, and Raffin were one-sided and boring. The whole middle chunk of the book lost my interest and I had to force myself to read especially the part when Katsa is in the snowy mountains. I didn't like how Kristin Cashore repeated certain phrases over and over. However, I liked the concept of having a "grace," etc. I thought Po made the story a bit more interesting--Katsa annoyed me because she was like a man and didn't want to get married...(but getting married does lose some interest)...If so, Cashore shouldn't have even brought the topic of marriage. The thing I loved about the story was the concept of trying to tell the truth, but no one understands or believes. She did a great job with the evil king and his grace was mentally frightening. I'm hoping she will improve...
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted November 9, 2008
I Also Recommend:
Wow it amazing
this book was unreal. i stayed up late almost every night trying to finish it, and when i did i was so sad.
i would read this book again and again.
its about a girl who has a grace to kill anything and anyone with a slap of her hand or a slice by her dagger.
and she meets a guy named po and she befriends him and later they fell in love, on there journey to defect a evil king and protect the princess.
this book was exciting from the every first chapter i was by far the best book i ever read.3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Practically Perfect in Every Way
It is truly rare to find a flawless book, however Graceling by Kristin Cashore may be the closest to such perfection that I have come across in a very long while. Written in a sword and sorcery style without delving into the all-too-common absurd, this book completely achieved a suspension of disbelief that allowed me to live in their world while learning to love the character I met.
We begin this journey on a dark night in a dungeon while our hero is breaking out a prisoner and taking down scores of guards without breaking a sweat, or any of their necks. This pace and energy it fairly constant though this work, ebbing and flowing as the narrative allows, but the backbone of a living tale. Katsa is hero Graced with the ability to fight a legion and burdened with the guilt of having doled out her uncle, The King’s, punishment. To balance the scales a bit she creates her own council of peers to save the persecuted, and not just punish them. It is with this premise born into our minds though the first few scenes of this work, that we enter into the recue which weaves through our tail; that of a grandfather of the Lienid nation, father to a foreign king, rescued out of the dungeon of one of the seven kingdoms, with no clear idea why he was abducted. It is in such inauspicious surroundings, running to beat the guards return to consciousness that we meet our second hero; and where the first cracks to Katsa’s belief of herself as a monster form. It is here that we meet Po; right before Katsa knocks him unconscious.
The rich tapestry that the author manages to weaves with such seeming effortlessness it truly humbling. Throughout this work there were several places where I feared it would devolve into inanity…become all about court intrigue, or implausible romance, or some other oft-trodden path. I am happy to report it did none of those, and while I am sure some could argue it is in its essence a hero tale and in such has been told; I would happily argue back that a hero tale it may be, but I have never read one like this before.
This is a book for which I will be seeking out the companion novel, Fire, without delay and eagerly await whatever tales such a gifted author chooses to cast my way in such a living world.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
