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zepeng's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
A very soothing book. There's no crazy plot twist as compared to the usual fantasy plot route. However, I feel like the background and history can be fleshed out a bit more to make it more interesting. Besides, I genuinely thought the so-called "identity crisis" is going to be more than that, it was kind of a flop at the end. However, it was really comforting to read and I really enjoy it. Can't wait for the second book in the series.
A very soothing book. There's no crazy plot twist as compared to the usual fantasy plot route. However, I feel like the background and history can be fleshed out a bit more to make it more interesting. Besides, I genuinely thought the so-called "identity crisis" is going to be more than that, it was kind of a flop at the end. However, it was really comforting to read and I really enjoy it. Can't wait for the second book in the series.
whitnowells's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
justplainbecca's review against another edition
4.0
The second book I read this year was Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Loved it. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I'll start with the concession that the plot was just a little weak, in a way that I attribute to the fact that Graceling is Cashore's first novel. There are occasional holes, jumps, and tenuous links, but I think that style will be ironed out and strengthened in her next novel. My other objection to the plot was the late entrance of the villain; it was as though the climax of the book happened at the wrong time. Like most fantasy novels I've read, Graceling has an action-adventure plot and it definitely plays second-fiddle to the characters. Who I love. I tend to prefer character-driven novels to plot-driven ones (as you might imagine if you are familiar with my love of romance novels, since the plots of those are often pretty darn similar).
There are many things I enjoyed about Graceling, but I'll just go ahead and tell you a little about Katsa, the main character, and I think you'll see why I enjoyed this book so much. Katsa does not want to get married or have children. Cashore makes this pretty clear early on, so I of course thought, "oh, well she must hate children." Nope, she likes them well enough. "Oh, well, then she must be troubled. Women in novels only ever don't want to have children because they were abused or because they have low self-esteem and don't want their kids to be like them. Considering Katsa's a killer, I guess that's mildly understandable." Nope, her childhood wasn't perfect, but nobody's is. "Oh, oh no...Cashore didn't use any of the other conventions to make Katsa change her mind and start popping them out, so she's going to go...there...to the place where Katsa falls in love and then, oh my gosh, just can't wait to start reproducing because that's what women do when they fall in love. No. No. No!" Nope, Katsa falls in love. They don't get married. They don't have kids. They're cool. Can there please be more female leads like this? Please?
There are many things I enjoyed about Graceling, but I'll just go ahead and tell you a little about Katsa, the main character, and I think you'll see why I enjoyed this book so much. Katsa does not want to get married or have children. Cashore makes this pretty clear early on, so I of course thought, "oh, well she must hate children." Nope, she likes them well enough. "Oh, well, then she must be troubled. Women in novels only ever don't want to have children because they were abused or because they have low self-esteem and don't want their kids to be like them. Considering Katsa's a killer, I guess that's mildly understandable." Nope, her childhood wasn't perfect, but nobody's is. "Oh, oh no...Cashore didn't use any of the other conventions to make Katsa change her mind and start popping them out, so she's going to go...there...to the place where Katsa falls in love and then, oh my gosh, just can't wait to start reproducing because that's what women do when they fall in love. No. No. No!" Nope, Katsa falls in love. They don't get married. They don't have kids. They're cool. Can there please be more female leads like this? Please?
lovelyloro's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. First to get on my "favs of '09" list. I must admit that I was disappointed when two things didn't happen in the end of the book. Not because the author somehow lead me to believe they would, it was just my own silly romantic expectation that kept me hopeful. But I knew that neither of the two things could really ever happen. With that said the story is unique and original and although there were times that I felt it drudged on ever so slightly I was still grateful for ever detail into Katsa & Po's life that I was given. The characters felt every real to me. It was remarkable how much I empathized and related with Katsa. That is the sign of great character development, in my opinion. Excellent book and I highly recommend it.
bookdust's review against another edition
3.0
Overall some REALLY creative aspects that I enjoyed, but the ending fell flat. It had one of those, "running from a treacherous unstoppable villain" plots that was WAY too easily solved. Also, it felt like I was crawling through certain parts of the story. In particular, the last three chapters could have been lopped off and condensed into a single chapter or the epilogue because they didn't seem necessary to the story at all. Regardless, the main characters were likeable and the action and settings were interesting. I'd recommend it to people who aren't incredibly picky about the genre.
fribbitgua's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
Initially I picked up this book because of the new book cover. I also thought that the theme was a girl thats born to be an assassin was interesting.
I think the book was ok, I was confused about the age of Katsa and concerned about her relationship with Po, which I had to look up (18 years old and 19 in this book)
I liked Po as a character and Katsa was alright, maybe because being a tomboy who hates dresses and likes being “one of the boys” is no longer considered “cool” in this day and age that her behaviour can be annoying at times.
I love the graceling concept, but the world building could be so much better and some parts just felt unexplained and underwhelming especially at the end. But this book does make me want to read the sequels
Initially I picked up this book because of the new book cover. I also thought that the theme was a girl thats born to be an assassin was interesting.
I think the book was ok, I was confused about the age of Katsa and concerned about her relationship with Po, which I had to look up (18 years old and 19 in this book)
I liked Po as a character and Katsa was alright, maybe because being a tomboy who hates dresses and likes being “one of the boys” is no longer considered “cool” in this day and age that her behaviour can be annoying at times.
I love the graceling concept, but the world building could be so much better and some parts just felt unexplained and underwhelming especially at the end. But this book does make me want to read the sequels
joyreadsinnc's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book even though I am not a huge fantasy fan and thought that I wouldn't enjoy it. I connected with the characters and was anxious for them to accomplish their goal. Also, I think the story had some good messages within it and is a good book for the young adult population.
delreese's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5