2012 Group Read discussions: Graceling - planning to read, first impressions

[Sandra]

Post here if you are planning to read this one. I am not, so I will post this folder and the 'Finished Reading' folder, but if anyone wants another topic pertaining to this book, feel free to create it!

[Rebecka]

I am going to read it during April :)

[Yvonne]

Just started reading this, it looks good so far. =)

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I have the sample but think I need to do one of the series reads first.

[Eli]

Hmm, well I got it from the library already but I seem to be having a busy reading schedule for this month, so I'm not sure if I will get to it - it might depend on your comments on it (could turn out to be a must read though I've never heard of it before).

[D.G.]

I read it already and wasn't too impressed with it like some people. I'd like to hear what everybody else thinks about it.

[Jon]

I placed a hold on the audiobook at my local library. All the copies are currently out, so it will be a few days (weeks maybe) before I have it to listen to.

[Lara]

I already own it, so am glad for the excuse to read it!

[Kate]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "I read it already and wasn't too impressed with it like some people. I'd like to hear what everybody else thinks about it."

I wasn't impressed either, but I do know a lot of people who really like it. I found it rather simplistic in comparison with a lot of other books, but maybe other people will see something in it I don't.

[Anna-louise]

I shall be joining in i'm looking forward to seeing what everyone loves about it :) altho i will be reading after i finish The Hero of Ages i'm reading it slowly so it doesn't end!!

[Lex]

I'm considering reading it, but am concerned by reviews that say it is either YA or has a YA feel to it. I really prefer adult books. Can anyone comment on this? I've heard it's fairly shallow in that it doesn't go deep into the issues or characters. Thanks!

[Kate]

Lex wrote: "I'm considering reading it, but am concerned by reviews that say it is either YA or has a YA feel to it. I really prefer adult books. Can anyone comment on this? I've heard it's fairly shallow in t..."

I thought about writing a whole long response to this, but then I was lazy. The short answer is yes, it does *feel* quite juvenile. I found the characters rather obnoxious, but other people like them. If you're interested in a lighter read, you might give it a try - it's not at all difficult to get through - but if you passionately despise YA then you might want to just skip it.

[Lex]

Thanks Kate! That answers my question. I don't despise YA. I've read some YA I like quite a bit. I'm just in the mood for something "meatier" and more thought provoking right now.

[Valerie]

I am reading now (only 10% in). Normally prefer an adult read, but really enjoying this book so far and the dynamic between fighters Katsa and Po.

[Olga]

I'm almost done with this novel and I love it. I agree, it's a bit simplistic, with a little of YA feel, but I like this approach too. What I think about Graces and people having them: I'd compare a grace to a talent. Like a musical talent or a gymnastic talent. The same 'skewered' personality, where everything is dedicated to developing this one single talent, and nothing else matters... until something changes in a person's life, and she starts caring for other stuff and other people. That's exactly what happened to the protagonist Katsa. I like her growing with the story.

[Roc]

Usually not a big YA fan but I'm thoroughly enjoying this book so far. I'm about 25% into it.

[D.G.]

This book is definitely YA.

[[deleted user]]

Yea, I read this some time back and while I finished it, I was not too terribly impressed. It was "alright", but not my style really.The idea was cool, but the delivery was lacking. Anyways, you guys enjoy!

[Jasmine M]

I read it last year, I'll be working from memory

[Adrianna [SypherLily]]

I'll be reading it this month :D
Just need to finish Eldest first~

[Mercedes]

I started this at the weekend for the group read and im about two thirds of the way through. I was quite surprised by how simplistic it is, i wasn't expecting it. I'd say its YA tbh. I'm not disliking it, i'm just pretty indifferent to it...i'll never recommend it to anyone but I'm finding it easy to get through. And sometimes its nice it have an easy read. The biggest thing that puts me off is that iv just finished The Lies of Locke Lamora which I loved and is much more complex so it just feels odd reading such a simple book now.

Something else is that after the landscape and architecture descriptions in TLOLL the ones in this book seem rubbish in comparison. Maybe thats just me though. What does everyone else think of the descriptions?

[Ashley]

I started reading this last night. It seems to be so good so far. It's going to be a nice relaxing read after enduring and enjoying the long Clash of Kings.

Also, after the first few pages I was glad to see that the story started off with action. The last few books I have read give way too much exposition than I usually care for. I like mystery to start off with and subtle hints as to who, what, and where things are starting off. Just adds pizazz to the story in my opinion.

[Michele]

I started the book last night and am finished with the first 14 chapters. I am really enjoying it. It is a YA book, but I don't think that makes it more simple necessarily. It definitely is not one of those thousand page epics, but at the moment, that is what I am liking about it.

[Lindsay]

I just started reading this last night, and this book starts off with a bang! Instant action, that certainly drew me in. :)

[Ena]

I wasn't sure if I could catch up with the group for this, participated sister group's Mistborn read. Now that I've finished Mistborn, I'll give Graceling a go.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I know what you're saying Ena, I've done Mistborn and started Fool. Then I have Lions of Al-Rassan before this. Too many good group reads for me this month.

[Linette]

I read this a few weeks ago, and liked it more the farther I got into the book. Enjoyed the characters, and enjoyed the book well enough that I will read the next in the series.

[Anna-louise]

just started and i'm liking it so far :) i was expecting to hate it straight away from some reason but i've proven my self wrong.

[Margot]

I have way too many books to read in April, so will have to pass on this one. I'm still finishing Heir of Novron, from series read. Then have to start in on Mistborn: The Final Empire; almost already a month behind on that! Plus reading The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother's Hidden Life and Ready Player One in other groups.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

Well, my planned reading is a book behind as Hobb was so good I went straight onto Tawny man 3. I will read this though.

[Laura]

First impression i was intrigued by the concept and enjoy reading female leads. However it's a letdown. I was not initially aware this was a YA book so i have tried to reconsider my initial impression, but i am really disappointed in the lack of depth, both in the political landscape and the character development. This one is going to the bottom of the pile for now and i may come back to it when i am in the mood for a more light hearted read.

[Rach]

This book starts out with a bang. Immediately within a few paragraphs in I was struck by the similarities of Graceling and the Hunger Games - both have strong female characters who are also fighters - and then that's where it ended. The difference with the Hunger Games is that the action is engaging, but balanced. There are moments of pure violence, but also moments of tender sweetness.

Graceling has none of that. The female lead, despite her similarity in both name and in concept to Katniss, lacks depth. She is all anger and brash roughness, but the more I read on the more it feels forced. The underlying motive for her anger management issues isn't well fleshed out. It's all smoke and mirrors and nothing substantial.

I'm halfway through the book and so far it's a bit of a disappointment. Still, I'm going to slough on just because I want to get to end and get it out of the way and never have to touch it again.

[Ysmalan]

I read the Kindle sample for this book and was appalled by the atrociously bad writing, the way one cliché was stacked upon the other, the infodumps, the completely illogical reasoning of the main character... oh and the main character herself! If she is supposed to be the epitome of a "strong female lead", we're seriously messed up. This book definitely contains the worst prose I've read in a long, long while... and the YA-argument doesn't really come into it -- simple writing doesn't necessarily have to be bad. I guess I expected at least something mediocre after all the rave reviews I've seen. I ended up wondering how this managed to get published.

[Amanda]

I have started to read it and I am hooked it is an amazing book sad at some points but just amazing

[[deleted user]]

Mediocre YA, but as it is really easy to read I'm almost finished. I wonder why it is so popular though. I am reading the Finnish translation and wondered if the translation was bad but after reading these reviews it looks like switching into English won't help at all.

[Helen, I·ᴍ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ]

I read the sample last night and went straight onto the book today, read it in one stting and enjoyed it.

[Jim]

I've gotten to this one at the last minute, but am about 300 pages in - it's a pretty fast read. Just OK so far.