Graceling by Kristin Cashore - ESSENTIAL

Cashore, Kristin. Graceling, 471 pgs. Harcourt, 2008.

Language – G. Sexual Content – PG-13 (brief depiction of first sexual encounter). Violence – PG-13 (brief descriptions of torture and hand-to-hand combat).

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

With the Grace of killing, people fear and despise Katsa. She hates it too, and dreads having to do the king’s bidding who uses her to bully people. But she’s found a way to live with herself. With the aid of Giddon, the king’s underlord and spy, and Oll, the king’s captain, she forms the Council, a secret organization devoted to righting injustices with as little harm to others as possible.

It’s intriguing to enter this world of seven kingdoms where Graces are used as weapons, and to watch Katsa learn more about herself, her Grace, and how Graces affect relationships and kingdoms. Though I don’t agree with Katsa’s conclusions about marriage, I found Cashore’s world and Katsa’s adventure completely engrossing.

CINDY