Graceling- A Different and More Dangerous Type of Fantasy Love

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is the story of Katsa, a young girl born with a particular Grace. A grace is a certain skill that an individual has that they excel at more than most people. Gracelings are marked with two different color eyes; Katsa has one blue eye and one green eye. The drama in Katsa’s story is that her grace is the ability to kill (quite a deadly grace). Because of her special skill, Katsa is sent on missions by The Council, a highly authoritative group. Katsa does not really enjoy this work, but she accepts the position she is in with her unique ability. On one particular mission, though, Katsa meets another graceling named Po, who changes her life forever.

Katsa and Po have quite a love story. They go on crazy adventures and learn more about their graces, each other, and themselves. It seems to me to be pretty much a typical fantasy story (though I do not have a huge amount of experience with this genre) mixed with a coming-of-age tale. I thought it was interesting that Cashore decided to use a less-modern dialect for the dialogue, but it fits with the fantasy world and gives the book sort of a timeless quality. Also Katsa and Po’s love story is less conventional than I was worried it was going to be. Once you find out what Po’s grace is, it leads to discussions about gender roles in relationships and even some morality questions. ***Spoilers*** I also like the dynamics of their relationship. For example, in the beginning Katsa needs Po to help her break free from her work for the King and then, in the end, Po ends up needs Katsa to help him with his new physical ailment. I really love though that Po does not try to change who Katsa is. He does not force her to marry him in the end. Po accepts who Katsa is and try to bring out the best in her. I think it would not be a bad thing for there to be more male characters like Po to set that example because that is the type of guy that a girl should be interested in, one that does not put a girl on a pedestal so much as they value her for who she truly is.

This story, though, is much more than a love story. It is the story of a young girl finding herself. Katsa is a very cool female narrator. She is not my favorite (she did grow on me though---give her a chance), but she is different and that is very important. It is good that there can be different types of female characters. Katsa has become a little hardened, understandably by her lifestyle of killing. She is a good person, but she can come off as aloof or selfish. I actually think it was important to include the relationship with Po because it allows the reader to see a much deeper side of her. It explains why she seems so distant. Katsa is complicated. It is hard to understand, or even like, her at first, but it is her complexity that really makes her a heroine, more than any skill she possesses.

Parent/Teacher Advisory: There are descriptions of violence; Katsa does kill people since her grace is killing. There are also a few scenes of sexual intimacy that, while neither graphic nor gratuitous, are definitely something for parents to be aware. Those who are worried about sexual content should preview the book first. It is not the main focus of the novel, but it is there. Also, Katsa has very strong views against marriage. There is not anything necessarily wrong what that, but I could see how some people having a problem with that since it is not a societal norm. It is something to be aware of while reading.

Overall Recommendation: I have to admit, this is not one of my favorite YA novels so far. Although, I did like it more after taking some time away from it and reflecting upon it. This is not really my best genre, but it is important to explore areas outside of your comfort zone and for the fantasy genre, Graceling is very accessible and is a good place to start. It touches upon some great themes like when is it ok to rebel? What does it really mean to love someone? Why do people accept societal conventions and rules? Katsa has a skill that could be used in very harmful ways. It is important to note as well that her enemy is a King that can manipulate peoples’ minds. So what is she really fighting? Is it this manipulative message that girls have to act in accordance with how society says they are supposed to? If these questions intrigue you, maybe this book will too! I really do see its value for girls who are interested in the fantasy genre. Katsa is a good heroine and her story is a good one to think about. She has to make some tough decisions and everyone can relate to making hard choices. It is only when Katsa finds an inner strength to match her outer skill that she succeeds and that is an important message for women of all ages to hear.