Monday Musings \\ Graceling BR

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Premise: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight. She is one of the rare people throughout the kingdoms Graced with an extreme skill. And hers is combat. She is a Graceling killer.

Held under her uncle's thumb for eight years, forced to do his dirty work for him, Katsa does not taste true freedom until she meets a mysterious prince, Po, from across the sea.  Secrets lie deep throughout the seven kingdoms, and together they must uncover them. But never in her wildest dreams would she imagine how this prince would change her and her life forever.

Language: None

Content: Lots of fighting, breaking and dislocating a lot of bones as punishments, animal cruelty, children being abused, kidnapping, murder. There was some kissing, and one scene of sensuality between two rather young people.

Stars: 2

Alright, my first negative book review. Let's see how I do, shall we?

I have yet to read a young adult romance/action book that hasn't left me detesting the heroine by the end. And this one was no different. I almost couldn't finish it.

One, because it was boring more than 3/4 of the entire book. It slowed way down after the first several chapters. The beginning started out wonderful, very intriguing, and pulled me right in. The premise promised me an action book, not a romantic, feminist flick.

Two, because it was a feminist flick. The girl refused to marry because she didn't want to have "her freedom taken away" or "be under the control of anyone but herself". Po had the makings of a wonderful, strong male character, but instead he bowed the Katsa's whining and let her have whatever she wanted.

Three, Katsa was simply unpleasant. She didn't actually become someone to look up to until halfway through the book, and without the conflict of her character and morals, it left her flat. She cried too much, whined too much, and was constantly selfish. Mostly when it came to the prince, Po.

Because of the adult-things in it, I'd have to give the Age Range a 15+.

In conclusion, if you were thinking of picking this book up to read, I don't really recommend it. While I did get a few things out of it, it almost wasn't worth reading in the first place.

 Critically,

~The Reader in the Attic