Graceling, Kristin Cashore

Cashore, Kristin (2008).
Graceling
Orlando: Harcourt
9780152063962
Genre: Fantasy Fiction

In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called “Graces,” Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying grace, the grace of killing, and teams up with another younger fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.
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In the author’s debut Lady Katsa of Middluns was born with a unique skill—that of killing and maiming people. These special talents are called Graces, and the people are known as Gracelings who are recognizable because of their unusual eye color. Since she was eight-years-old, Katsa has unwilling served as her brutish Uncle Randa’s enforcer during daylight hours. He is the feared king of Middluns, torturing and penalizing those who anger him. At night, Katsa is a member of the secret Council, dedicated to righting wrongs. She meets and falls for Prince Po of Lienid during a secret mission; they soon become lovers and partners. Katsa has a fierce need for independence, and Po has an intense sensitivity to those around him. Katsa and Po soon discover that a terrible evil lurks beneath the surface of the Seven Kingdoms. They realize with horror that the powerful and charismatic King Leck of Monsea is also a Graceling with the ability to deceive. His apparent kindness, in reality, hides a terror that threatens the Seven Kingdoms. Will Lady Katsa succeed?

Graceling has plenty of romance and adventure; fantasy fans will enjoy the novel’s political intrigue, intricate plot and appealing character descriptions.