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I've been meaning to write about Kristin Cashore’s Graceling since I read it last month. Unfortunately I read the bulk of this book one night in a fit of insomnia. It was excellent, so much so I wasn’t even stressed about the fact that it was 3am and I wasn’t asleep. However, if I had any profound insights into the novel they were lost by the time I woke up the next morning. Fortunately this book has been reviewed a zillion times around the internet so the lack shouldn’t be felt!

As I know some of you don’t read the same blogs as I do a quick summary: Katsa is born into a world where some people have graces, or innate talents. Katsa has a Grace of Killing and as a result has to live with the fear and distrust of most people around her. The fact that her ruthless uncle, the king, uses her talents to prop up his regime makes matters worse. By the time Graceling starts Katsa is attempting to break free from her uncle’s power.

To be honest despite being interesting the grace element of the book wasn’t its strong point for me. Graceling's strongest point was its excellent characterisation. Despite Katsa appearing scary even to the reader at times, she comes across as a real person throughout the book. There are lots of other interesting and believable characters too. In addition to that there’s a well paced storyline that features interesting fights and romantic tension. And the romance itself is interesting as it is one where marriage and babies isn’t the ultimate goal and where the couple continue to have separate roles despite their passion for each other.

In terms of weaknesses, I hadn't thought of the one lady_schrapnell pointed out a while back, but I agree that the central role violence plays in giving power in this world was troubling. It will be interesting to see what Cashore does with her next book, which I believe will be a prequel to Graceling. In the meantime I’ll be reading this one again and am sure that even when it’s not 3am I’ll find it to be both a solid fantasy and a satisfying romance.

This fantasy adventure tale has a heroine, a journey, a good vs. evil battle, and heart throbbing romance. Ultimately, though, it is a story of self-discovery, and dare I say it, identity.

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…plush pillow things have been put into my etsy shop, Recycle Rabbit: