Book Review: Graceling

Synopsis

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po.

She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

Comments

If not for one or two scenes, this book would be appropriate for under age 14.  The main character is a strong, resourceful girl.  She is anti-marriage and children because she is afraid of losing herself.

Language

Level 2 [?]

Sexual Content

A couple have sex, brief description of it, including the physical pain associated with it being the girl’s first time.

Drugs/Alcohol

Guards given a pill to keep them unconscious.  A young woman takes an herb to keep from getting pregnant.

Violence/Disturbing

Multiple fight scenes, none of them graphic. Swords, knives, arrows and bare hands are used to kill people. A king hurts animals and children, allusion to him killing little girls.

Social/Family

A young woman doesn’t want to marry, as she is afraid she will lose herself. She chooses to take a man as a lover instead of marrying him.

Religion/Spiritual

None