17. Graceling

It's been much to long since I've written such a positive book review! But better late than never. Graceling has been the spark in the tail end of my summer book reviews, and I enjoyed the novel thoroughly. 

Graceling has been topping the Young Adult novel charts for months now, and for good reason. Yes, there are several fantasy books with characters that have “special powers” and belong to unique groups (e.g. Divergent), but Graceling is different. I like the writing style, especially the voice of the characters. The main character Katsa has a bold personality that fits well with the plot, and her adventure is thrilling to read. I will say, however, that some of the background characters seem a bit flat. For instance, King Randa is the one who has dictated Katsa’s life for years. He is the cruel one who orders her to kill, torture, or maim people without giving reasons. He utilizes violence as a weapon and abuses Katsa’s skill at fighting. However, this is all he is described as. He is an empty figure who simply represents “evil.” It is a very one-sided portrayal, as though he exists only to fill the position of “evil.” His character’s only purpose seems to be as the enemy of the protagonist; his evilness complements her goodness and generates more sympathy for Katsa. But that is a minor criticism, as the story is enjoyable and easy to become immersed in. The story moves along quickly, with plenty of excitement and action. Most importantly, the heroine is a tough, no-nonsense sort of character. She is unafraid to take charge and forge her own destiny. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning, and I am quite excited about reading the sequel.