Reviews

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

lea_liest's review against another edition

adventurous

3.0

a_connors's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

thatbookishwriter's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

indigo_ewenicorn's review against another edition

3.0

I thought I would like this more than I did.
I felt the FMC was so whiney. And maybe it is a story of growth, but I didn't leave the book feeling a deep desire to move on to book 2.

ninjapants's review against another edition

3.0

Graceling was a booktok recommendation that exceeded my, admittedly very low,  expectations. Very few of the issues that often plague debut YA authors cropped up and the story was consistently, pleasantly engaging. 

This was an easy read, though very markedly YA. Katsa is ridiculously overpowered, as is Po. Their relationship develops quickly and easily (though thankfully with enough non-romantic plot that it doesn’t bring the story to a halt), all of their troubles are overcome quite easily, and resolution of the main conflict is both abrupt and anticlimactic which leaves some strange pacing at the very end. I thought that the reveal about Po’s true nature was an interesting and well done bit of plot twist, but I found Katsa’s deeper understanding of her own grace a bit clumsier. Good and evil was handled in a very black and white manner. The secondary cast was intriguing, but pretty surface-level. All of which are pretty common in the genre, and none of the flaws were egregious enough to do much harm. 

Ultimately a lightweight but decent enough read.

saluki's review against another edition

3.0

Those born with mismatched coloured eyes are Graced, possessing an innate power that becomes apparent during early childhood.

Lady Katsa has a killing Grace which is used by her manipulative uncle, the king, against the weak for financial gain. So, great set-up and I was looking forward to other potential superpowers or Graces that might arise as obstacles for the feared and seemingly invincible Katsa.

Katsa is such a disagreeable protagonist initially but I thawed gradually because she is a product of her isolated upbringing and reputation... but her treatment of horses is appalling!

The story got a bit boring during the mountain crossing. Journey quests are a staple in the fantasy genre which I usually enjoy, but this section of the journey only had one goal and seemed overlong without much character development, no new information, no learning or honing new skills... I was internally screaming, "just get there already!"

Overall I enjoyed it, especially the relationship between Katsa and Po, but I'm not in a rush to read the rest of the trilogy.

awsomerc17's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I think the magical concept is great, and is especially versatile. I also love the bond between Katsa and Bitterblue toward the middle of the book. The romance was also *mostly* good, at least to me (touched on a bit below)

I have a few gripes with with the book:
- The romance sort of feels like it comes out of nowhere, and I could have used one or two more things that bonded them
- Aside from the beginning and climax of the story, it felt like it was essentially a D&D campaign adventure through the woods
- Horse abuse isn’t great
- The pacing at the end kinda felt like the treadmill got cranked up too high and you’re about to fall off (compared to the rest of the book)

I think my gripes mostly come from it being released in 2008, and some aspects not having aged the best. Worth a shot in my eyes, but probably won’t continue the series.

ark99's review against another edition

3.0

Maybe I'm just not a high fantasy kinda person... idk??? I listened to an audiobook of this (bc I have no time lol I was carving a piece of plaster and gluing wires together while listening to this) and I think if I hadn't listened to an audio book, I still would not be done with this book.
I liked the strong female lead, she knew what she wanted and she did not let her love interest stop her. I liked the female lead and the love interest together, I liked their banter with each other.
It seemed to go on and on and on about their travels which I don't really like.
I liked that

Spoiler

she eventually learned that her grace was not killing, but surviving.

Overall it was an okay book but not sure if high fantasy is my thing or not.

katreadsalot's review against another edition

5.0

Such a charming book! I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Katsa as she grows in understanding herself and her particular gifts.

Loved this EVEN MORE on reread. This strikes me as a book that I will get something new from each time I read it.

violethenry's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0