“Graceling” is a fantastic addition to the YA Fantasy category. It’s both Kristin Cashore’s debut novel and the first of three books in this series. Although I have only read this one, I’ve been told the other novels (Fire and Bitterblue) can be read independently, though starting with this one makes things clearer.
The story is set in a magical land consisting of seven kingdoms: Monsea, Lienid, Wester, Sunder, Nander, Estill, and Middluns. Lienid is an island, while Monsea is across the mountains by the sea. The other kingdoms are much closer to each other, with Middluns situated centrally.
While the kings sometimes cooperate and act justly, at the time of the story, only the kings of Lienid and Monsea are competent. The others are bullies who frequently clash. Additionally, some characters are not what they appear to be.
In this world, some people are born with different colored eyes, indicating they possess a special ability, or “Grace.” These individuals are both feared and considered the property of their king if their abilities are deemed useful. Those Graced with skills like detecting lies or fighting are kept at the capital, while others with less useful Graces, like swimming, are sent home. However, in Lienid, all Graced individuals are respected and honored.
The protagonist, Katsa, is the niece of King Randa of Middluns. Katsa has the Grace of Killing, making her exceptionally skilled at causing pain and death. Her uncle often sends her to do his dirty work, making her feel like nothing more than his thug.
Despite this, Katsa rebels against her role, albeit subtly. She and her cousin, Prince Raffin, believe they can use their positions for good. They work with other nobles and commoners to form a council that spans the seven kingdoms. This Council works secretly, spying on the corrupt and protecting the innocent.
At the start of the novel, the Council sends Katsa to free the father of the King of Lienid from prison. The kidnapping is puzzling since Lienid and Monsea typically interact minimally, and King Leck of Monsea is married to King Ror of Lienid’s sister.
The kidnapping is a big deal since involving a royal family could lead to a larger conflict. Lienid is a formidable nation, and the people there honor their Graced, including Prince Po, who is Graced with Fighting.
To prevent widespread conflict, Katsa goes to rescue the Lienid noble and encounters Prince Po, who almost matches her in combat. This is new for her. Po, who is looking for his grandfather, joins the Council and starts training with Katsa. Together, they aim to uncover the motives behind the kidnapping.
Throughout the story, Katsa grapples with her role in Randa’s court, questioning whether she is merely a Graced thug or destined for something greater. Her interactions with Po and his grandfather lead her to reassess her life and the broader happenings in the Seven Kingdoms.
As they delve deeper into their mission, Katsa and Po embark on a journey to save the kingdoms and themselves. They realize not everyone is as they appear, and not everyone’s Grace is as it seems. Some un-Graced individuals harbor secret abilities, which gradually unfold as the story progresses. The love story between Katsa and Po is sweet and slow, evolving naturally as they learn to trust each other.
I’m trying to avoid too many spoilers because this book is a must-read for everyone. The plot is so well-constructed that giving away too much would ruin the surprises. If you enjoyed “The Hunger Games,” “The Lunar Chronicles,” “Divergent,” or any books by Tamora Pierce, you’ll probably love this one too.
“Graceling” does an excellent job of drawing readers into a captivating, exciting world filled with real risks. Kristin Cashore is bold in her storytelling, unafraid to put her characters through severe challenges. This makes the story feel more authentic and keeps readers emotionally invested. The stakes are real, and the dangers are palpable, which I appreciate.
I believe this story would make an excellent film, appealing to fans of “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent.” The landscape and characters would translate well to the screen. One potential challenge is that much of the story is told from Katsa’s perspective, but if done right, it could be amazing. Fortunately, it looks like Hollywood agrees with me, as “Graceling” and its sequels are already in pre-production!
