Graceling by Kristen Cashore

 

Image source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3236307-graceling?from_search=true

Are you a fan of high action Teen Fiction? The Hunger Games, City of Bones, or the Assassin's Curse sitting on your shelf? Then Graceling might be for you.

Graceling takes place in a world where some people are born with a gift. This gift, called a "Grace", is a talent at which the individual naturally excels. It could be archery, swimming, music or even reading a person's thoughts. Gracelings are identifiable by their two different coloured eyes.

Katsa, the niece of the king, has been graced with killing. She works as her uncle's muscle, intimidating his subjects and people in the surrounding kingdoms to do as he wishes. When she stumbles upon a bizarre kidnapping that leads her across the kingdoms, she begins to discover more about power and the person she really is.

Graceling is a unique and vibrant story about self discovery, love, compassion and fortitude. It is an examination of self acceptance and violence. If you love adventure, mystery, and romance I definitely recommend checking it out. 

If you enjoy Graceling, there are also two companion novels which follow it. So far I've only read Fire, the first companion, but was as impressed as I was with Graceling. I have high hopes for the second companion, Bitterblue.

22 days until Christmas!