Rating: 5
Re-Read Factor: Yes
Genre: fantasy, young adult
"When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?"
Where other children are "graced" with speaking backwards or great eyesight, Katsa is graced with great killing ability. Despite her altruistic inclinations, her service as King Randa's spy and assassin has led her to re-examine how she wants to live her life. She doesn't want to marry some lord or bear his children. She wants to be free-- free to make her own decision . . . and free of her haunting conscience with each death she signs off. When she crosses paths with Prince Po during one of her missions, she's thrust into a thunderous new world sowed with betrayal and reaped with death and suffering. As she journeys across the land, she finds herself before a wicked king whose grace spells everyone with lies . . . and a princess who means to escape his insanity.
This book was everything and more. I was utterly amazed that this book was Cashore's debut novel. It was intricately woven with twists and turns, and the worldbuilding was beyond stellar. She redefines what it means to be true to oneself and how to identify and build ones weakness in relationship with others. She has created a story unlike any other and encapsulates themes unspoken in novels of the same vein.
Katsa. Some might argue that Katsa is a Mary Sue, but I beg to differ. Her Grace is powerful, but its actual essence differs from what the reader is first presented with and what it is embodies a baser identity. I found it quite clever of Cashore to turn Katsa's initial Grace into something different, and Katsa's character development is no different. Her life in the Middluns is sheltered and a life as an assassin is all she has ever known. But she contrasts her inhumanity as a killer with her altruistic work as part of the Council, and she was more than willing to leave her life behind to be someone more and to help others in need. Yet, she's consistent with her core values-- to never marry and to never bear children, and I am glad Cashore made her to be a character who did not change her viewpoints because she fell in love.
Po. I sometimes found him to be too good to be true, but he was a wonderful supporting character in contrast to Katsa's boldness. I was completely blindsided by what the true meaning behind his ring meant when it was revealed halfway through the book and was in awe by the truth of his injuries at the hand of the King Leck. His Grace so powerful that it seemed like a disability but turned into what allowed him to continue life despite his injuries. Cashore wove his sacrifices so complexly, the reader is easily able to empathize with his sorrows and joys without barriers, and I cannot commend her enough.
Bitterblue. For such a young girl who was abused by her father and more, she was incredibly brave, and one might argue a little too brave to be true, but I loved her nevertheless. She was charming and contrasted Katsa's unfamilial tendencies. She adapted well to adversity, and I cannot wait to read what she has to offer in the third installment of the series as the newly crowned Queen of Monsea.
King Leck of Monsea. As an antagonist, I found it a little predictable at how he was able to reach Katsa and Bitterblue towards the end. Regardless, the buildup towards the final scene of his defeat was thrilling and had me on edge throughout the book. The contrast between his facade and true nature was well-developed, especially in relation to the townspeople Katsa and co. encountered throughout their journey. It made his reach all the more intense and formidable.
Representation. Graceling is the first book I've encountered where the main character has chosen not to marry nor bear children for present or for future. Katsa is firm in her belief and does not fence-sit back and forth to confuse her lovers. When Giddon proposes to her on the premise to save her life, she states said reasons why she will not marry him, and his immediate response is that she is too young and that she will change her mind in the future. If you are old enough to know that you want to have children then you are equally able to choose not to have children. Children are a great responsibility, but having them is treated like a play-by-ear basis in comparison to other choices in life like career paths, retirement trajectories, and more. I admire Kristin Cashore for her bravery to write such a notion in a mainstream novel during the time that it was written.
I cannot commend Cashore enough at how she wove the story. It has topped the list as my favorite read of the year, and I'm excited to read the following installments of the series.
