GRACELING - KRISTIN CASHORE

[drosdelnoch]

A new author and one who's debut book is being released in the US by Harcourt Children's Book's and Gollancz in the UK. Here is the place to discuss this book.

[Jayden]

There is no review yet? Now that really surprises me. Well, here's my review of this book, that made the longlist with a really good reason.

When I started out with Graceling, I didn't quite know what to make of it yet, and if I would like the main character, Katsa.

At page 20, I got an inkling that I'd love this book. But still, I read a lot of good books in the past weeks, so I reserved final judgement for a later date in the book.

At Chapter 3, latest, I was completely hooked and it was very, very hard to put the book down for such mundane things like... oh... work for one. ;)

The characters in Graceling are compelling, fun to follow, and most importantly for me: they all have their faults. They are believable, none of them is too overpowered, and even if they're just slightly part of the story, there seems to be a depth behind all of them, the feeling that there is a story for each one of them. Most of them have dark parts as well as good ones, which reminds me strongly of Gemmell's character building, and I honestly love her for it, especially as it's not often done in YA.

The story was very well built, interesting to follow with enough twists and turns to keep me hooked throughout the book. What seemed like a minor plot point in the beginning would turn out to be important a few chapters later, and I love details like those.

What I found most astonishing about the whole book was that it's a debut novel. I rarely read those until they're recommended to me, and here I have to thank the David Gemmell Legends Award for putting this book on their longlist and thus giving me a shove in it's direction. For a first novel of an author, this book has a very strong and compelling writer's touch, and I'm looking forward to more of Kristin's books.

I can only recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves fantasy, of all ages. And I hope the author will be around for a long time, so she has lots of stories to share.

[Crisp]

Graceling is very graceful - it entices you along and before you know it you've finished. It is excellent for a debut and I agree wholeheartedly with Jayden's commentsi - it is easy to get involved with the characters. If you are reluctant to read this because it is a new author - just do it! You'll regret not reading it sooner and will be salivating in anticipation for more...
Top ten material. Maybe even top 5.

[drosdelnoch]

To be honest theres so many good books in this list I've had a hard time picking a top ten let alone a number one novel. I suppose I'm lucky that I've read most of the nominations which has been a real pleasure, also good to read people praising new authors.