Graceling, by Kristin Cashore

Graceling was a book that, while it took me forever to read, was worth it. I got it at a bookstore called the Book Exchange, where you can buy both used and new books, for incredibly cheap prices, as well as signed books and other, more expensive things.

I had driven there (I don't live in that town) with my mother, little sister, and my little sister's friend. Even though it was a little less than forty five minutes, it was incredibly stressful for me. However, I had been determined. We were going to order my letterman jacket.

After ordering it, we went to a Chinese place, and then to the World Market. l. Finally, we arrived at the Book Exchange. My mom promised me that she would buy me one book, because they were so cheap, and I had twenty five dollars on my own. With her help, I bought six books, each around five dollars. They were put in an annoyingly flimsy pink bag, and all was right with the world. Due to a pileup of books (I splurge on them. A lot.), it took me several weeks to set to reading Graceling.

Graceling is set in an alternate, medieval-ish universe where there are people called Gracelings, who are always highly talented at something, be it dancing, art, fighting, singing, cooking, etc. You can tel them apart from normal humans because their eyes are two different colors. Gracelings, if their talent proves useful, are taken from their families and given to the king that rules them. The main character is a girl named Katsa, whose Grace is killing. She has been used to punish her uncle's, the King of the Middluns', so-called enemies. Then, she meets Po, a Lienid prince Graced with fighting, and they set out on a journey to find out who kidnapped Po's grandfather. Over the course of the book, Katsa learns many things about herself, and about Po.

Graceling is a great book by Kristin Cashore, about self-acceptance, love, and, of course, a little bit of violence. I wouldn't change anything about it, plotwise. I found one or two parts confusing, but otherwise, it was perfect.