By Meghan Mazzaferro
Content warning: violence, gore, emotional manipulation
Graceling is set in a world where a small group of people have Graces: special gifts and abilities that are often used and manipulated by the ruling governments of the seven kingdoms. Katsa has been Graced with killing, and as such, she is the king’s most prized assassin. But Katsa is more than just a weapon. She believes in a world free of dictatorship, and when she meets Po, a mysterious prince with a Grace that allows him to understand her in ways no one else can, she realizes that there is someone out there with a Grace that could put the entire world at risk. Now Katsa must use her evolving gift to save all seven kingdoms while opening herself up to experiences she’s always kept at a distance.
This book is the first in a series set within the Graceling universe, and Katsa’s story is rich, immersive, and mesmerizing. This book is incredibly unique; I don’t think I’ve ever read a story that was told in quite this way, and it was a thrill to read. The story takes its time, and the prose is rich and captivating while still capturing Katsa’s unique voice. The plot never lulls, but it takes its time developing the characters and the conflicts and really letting Katsa shine. This book is about overcoming dictatorship, yes, but it is also about a young woman discovering who she is and who she wants to be, and that is just as beautiful.
This book is written really uniquely. While the writing style has the same rich writing as classic fantasy, the perspective is unique. Many young adult novels place the reader directly in the mind of the main character, whether in first person or third person; this book, however, keeps the characters at a distance. Rather than jumping into the mind of the characters, we observe them from the outside, and the story focuses more on the characters’ actions and thoughts than their feelings. This style really compliments Katsa’s character; she is a person who relates to the world in a black and white, direct way, and she struggles with the intricacies of emotion in those around her. Much in that way, the reader is shown the actions of the characters without being told their emotional motivations. While the reader is placed closer to Katsa than the rest of the cast of characters, Katsa struggles to understand her own emotions, and so they are not always explained to the reader. This distancing, however, makes the characters no less relatable. In fact, this makes the story stand out and makes the characters’ struggles feel unique and compelling since they are presented in a unique way for the genre.
As I previously mentioned, this book is an investigation of Katsa’s emotional journey into herself. Thus, it would be impossible for me to talk about this book without discussing the romance as Katsa’s relationship with Po is one of the driving forces that pushes her to learn about her Grace and herself. The development of Katsa and Po’s relationship is grounded and moving; they push each other to grow and be better, and they see the best and worst parts of each other. It is through their relationship that each character becomes the version of themselves readers can fall in love with, and it is only together that they can succeed in their mission. While this story is not entirely a romance, the romance is a crucial part of what makes the book so unique and so moving.
Graceling is a fantastic novel. It has everything: morally complex characters, a rich, unique fantasy world with a compelling magic system, a moving and emotional romance, and a personal story that resonates with readers. If you’re a fan of well-written fantasy with a unique voice and beautiful story, this is definitely the book for you.