​General Opinion:.

I don't know what I expected when I picked up this book, but it was not what I thought it would be, and I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. ​

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​Characters and Plot

I like the concept of how we had certain people being graced with specific and unique abilities that work to their benefit. Katsa, for all her life, thought that she was being Graced with the ability to kill with ease, but maybe that's not what it seems. I​'m not going to spoil, but let's say that her grace isn't what she thought. 

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This story explores the journey of Katsa rebelling against her uncle, battling between her command and what her heart desires. Katsa never wants to kill those lives that her uncle tasks her to; she could have turned against him earlier, but didn't, out of fear of the looming authority the King holds. Yet everything changed when she met Po. 

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I like her romance with Po; it might not have had a lot of tension and angst that comes with it, but I found their love welcoming and wholesome. The way that Katsa finally met someone equal to her, who gets her, a person who looks at her as a person rather than a weapon. Furthermore, Katsa's journey through the mountain with Bitterblue, doing everything in her power to make sure that Bitterblue survives the bitter winter. Katsa's going from a cold-hearted assassin to a caretaker was adorable and heartwarming. 

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I do admit that the ending with the villain felt sudden, I had expected more of a spectacle, a grander battle. I think it would have been better if there had been more to the battle against the villain than that sudden attack; it just makes it look bland and underwhelming. 

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The other thing that could have been worked on more was the world-building. I would like to know where this Grace came from; the explanation of how people got Grace was vague and undeveloped. 

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​​​​​​​​​​​Conclusion

Overall, I enjoy Graceling; it was a really fun read, I love the journey of Katsa, all her adventures, and how she balances between her duties and doing the right thing. I wish I had bought the rest of the series. However, Graceling can be enjoyed as a stand-alone and should be treated as such. ​​

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