Graceling (Graceling realm #1), by Kristin Cashore → Start Date: March 9th, 2017

[Kikijanika]

Join reading Graceling with me Diana and Tanya :)

[dianis.]

Really excited for this one! Has been in my tbr since ages ago!

[Matty]

I would love to join!(:

[dianis.]

Matty wrote: "I would love to join!(:"

That's great! Welcome(:

[Roxanne]

i'd love to join you guys for this book!

[Kikijanika]

Welcome Roxanne :)

[dianis.]

That's nice:D

[Roxanne]

Kikijanika wrote: "Welcome Roxanne :)"

thank you ^_^

[Brianna]

I'll join

[dianis.]

Welcome:D

[Roxanne]

Brianna wrote: "I'll join"

Welcome :)

[Kikijanika]

Have you guys started this one yet? I've been working night shifts and haven't had much time to read but I'm planning on starting today or tomorrow.

[dianis.]

I read a chapter. But not sure I'll read it super fast, tho.

[Roxanne]

i'm taking my time aswell tbh. currently reading 2 more books

[Kikijanika]

I'm also reading some other books so I will probably read quite slowly.

[Kikijanika]

I've read the first 10 chapters now.

I think this seems like a good book. I'm not very far in the story yet but I'm excited to see which direction the plot will take. (view spoiler)[I guess it will have something to do with kidnapping of the Lienid grandfather. I wonder why he was kidnapped in the first place. (hide spoiler)]

I like Katsa (view spoiler)[as a character. She reminds me of Celaena from Throne of glass series. Only I like Katsa better. Her character seems to have more depth somehow. I also like Po. I think it's great how he seems to enjoy his life simple instead of wanting all the power and money that his brothers are after. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he's a graceling and so has been special all his life. Also Raffin seems nice enough and I like his relationship with Katsa. Giddon I find a little annoying but I think it's obvious that he's in love with Katsa. (hide spoiler)]

I love that the gracelings (view spoiler)[ have two different colored eyes! I especially love Po's eyes if silver and gold! (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

I've got this one on hold for a while because there have been other books I've needed to read. But I'm done with part 1 now.

I like this story a lot. I'm happy (view spoiler)[Katsa decided to finally defy the king and take proper charge of her life. I guess she'll be joining Po now as he travels to Sunder. Hope she'll keep up working with the council as well. I think it'll be harder for Katsa and Raffin to see each other now, which is sad, because they have such a great relationship. (hide spoiler)]

I thought there was something about (view spoiler)[the way Po kept responding to Katsa's thoughts. I thought perhaps he's got two graces. Never thought the fighting wasn't his actual grace. I think Po and Katsa suit each other because they can understand one-another in a way no one else really could. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

I went on reading and am now done with chapter 20.

What I like about Katsa's character (view spoiler)[ is how her actions seem to be defined by her emotions. It's like when a strong emotion takes over her she just acts upon it without thinking. This makes her seem a bit unstable at times but I think it's partly because of her grace. I also like seeing her learn how to deal with new emotions, like fear, and how to trust and open up to people. And in a way Po is learning the same things because, like Katsa, he too has grown up learning how to keep secrets and how to manage on his own. Only he deals with the new situation in a different way from Katsa. It's interesting to see their relationship will develop. (hide spoiler)]

The king of Monsea (view spoiler)[ sounds quite terrifying with his supposed grace and all those hurt animals and sick children. Can't wait to see what's really going on inside his court! (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

I'm done with chapter 30, which means I'm also done with part 2.

I'm a bit disappointed (view spoiler)[we didn't get to see inside the Monsean court but at least we got Bitterblue's tales of her life there. I like Bitterblue a lot. She's a very strong and sensible child. (hide spoiler)]

I can't believe (view spoiler)[ they just passed a mountain range. I can understand Katsa survived because of her grace but Bitterblue? It must have been terrible for her! (hide spoiler)]

I didn't think (view spoiler)[Katsa would agree on leaving Po behind. I wonder what will become of him and if he will kill the king in the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Kikijanika]

I finished and I really liked this book!

I really grew to like (view spoiler)[ Bitterblue. I think she'll make a good queen as she grows up. (hide spoiler)]

I liked the fact that (view spoiler)[Po turned blind. I know it's sad but it was a total surprise for me, so it was nice. And it was great to see how his grace compensated for his missing sight. It's like he needed to lose his sight in order to gain full power of his grace. (hide spoiler)]

I was a bit disappointed that the sequels don't have the same leading characters but I think they'll be interesting stories and will provide new aspects to the story of graceling. I'm definitely going to read them!