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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
“Mercy was more frightening than murder, because it was harder.”
A solid good read. I thought it was unique and even though not much happens regarding the plot, i still enjoyed every part. The characters are likeable too, especially Po. The romance takes a back seat but it's so good and endearing. I also liked the seven kingdoms conflicts and the graces concept.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
This book captured my interest from some YA list of novels I was looking into. There were a few moments reading this book where I wonder if I’d read it before. I’m not sure if I truly have or if it is because a lot of the plot is similar to other books in the same genre. Despite this, I loved the characters and there were a few times the plot actually took me by surprise- that doesn’t happen often. It seemed like it veered just enough away from the predictable that it kept me enthralled. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Not a big fan of the main character Katsa. I found her kind of confusing and honestly, kind of boring. The ending also irritated me. Ithe story was a great idea, but I just didn't get attached to it like I wanted to.
***UPDATE 5/28/21***
I am so glad I gave this book another go! Though Katsa still isn't my favorite heroine, I now see a strong, relatable woman that my younger self couldn't see. The end also bothered my younger self because it wasn't the happily ever after I wanted--but it was the happily ever after that KATSA and PO needed, and my (semi-) adult self recognizes how awesome it is that the author built an ending that suits the wants and needs and beliefs of her characters. She stays true to them, and I am here for it!
***UPDATE 5/28/21***
I am so glad I gave this book another go! Though Katsa still isn't my favorite heroine, I now see a strong, relatable woman that my younger self couldn't see. The end also bothered my younger self because it wasn't the happily ever after I wanted--but it was the happily ever after that KATSA and PO needed, and my (semi-) adult self recognizes how awesome it is that the author built an ending that suits the wants and needs and beliefs of her characters. She stays true to them, and I am here for it!
3.5 Stars
First of all, I liked the characters in this book. Well developed and interesting to read about. Second, I like the world, it is well developed as well. The plot, in general, is good, albeit slow. My largest problem with this book is the pacing. It was very slow. Usually, I don't mind slow books, and this book uses its slow parts to develop a romance, that's fine, but I wished it went a bit quicker. Another thing I found odd was Katsa's odd stubbornness when it came to marriage. She considered marriage binding, as it is, but as an independent woman she is, she refuses to be tied down, even when she finds someone she can perfectly love and who has no reason nor desire to pin her down. Typically I didn't think this too out of line from her character, someone who with an almost cold heart and very introverted, yet I find it weird that, in some way, marriage would undermine her power or something. Katsa, for all her personality, is uncompelling when you reach the middle of the story, as it seems she fails at almost nothing. I think there always is a balance between a strong character and an OP one, and I felt like the author was getting VERY close to the latter. Another thing this book suffered from was a quick climax. For such a long book, the ultimate climax was short, and while done interestingly enough, it was too short to resonate with me. The base work for the magic system also confuses me. People just have a Grace, and uh, that's it. The world, like I said, is developed fine, yet I think there is such little we know about the actual Graces. It gives you heterochromia, and the powers tend to vary, ranging from useless to powerful. There seems to be almost no structure to it. For a character like Katsa, her powers in themselves are somewhat vague, and her ultimate Grace makes her super powerful. All in all, a slow paced story, with some definite story and plot flaws, though makes up for it with a unique world and some fun characters, it is a decent first book to the Graceling realm.
First of all, I liked the characters in this book. Well developed and interesting to read about. Second, I like the world, it is well developed as well. The plot, in general, is good, albeit slow. My largest problem with this book is the pacing. It was very slow. Usually, I don't mind slow books, and this book uses its slow parts to develop a romance, that's fine, but I wished it went a bit quicker. Another thing I found odd was Katsa's odd stubbornness when it came to marriage. She considered marriage binding, as it is, but as an independent woman she is, she refuses to be tied down, even when she finds someone she can perfectly love and who has no reason nor desire to pin her down. Typically I didn't think this too out of line from her character, someone who with an almost cold heart and very introverted, yet I find it weird that, in some way, marriage would undermine her power or something. Katsa, for all her personality, is uncompelling when you reach the middle of the story, as it seems she fails at almost nothing. I think there always is a balance between a strong character and an OP one, and I felt like the author was getting VERY close to the latter. Another thing this book suffered from was a quick climax. For such a long book, the ultimate climax was short, and while done interestingly enough, it was too short to resonate with me. The base work for the magic system also confuses me. People just have a Grace, and uh, that's it. The world, like I said, is developed fine, yet I think there is such little we know about the actual Graces. It gives you heterochromia, and the powers tend to vary, ranging from useless to powerful. There seems to be almost no structure to it. For a character like Katsa, her powers in themselves are somewhat vague, and her ultimate Grace makes her super powerful. All in all, a slow paced story, with some definite story and plot flaws, though makes up for it with a unique world and some fun characters, it is a decent first book to the Graceling realm.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes