Author: Kristin Cashore

Series: Seven Kingdoms Trilogy

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Firebird

Pages: 528

This novel is set during the same time as the original Graceling novel, but it is in a different realm known as The Dells. In this realm, rather than having Gracelings, they have “monster animals”. These monsters can be bugs, birds, raptors, or I the case of Fire- a human monster. Her being a human monster causes other monsters and other humans to be drawn to her. It also gives her the ability to reach in to the minds of other animals and humans. In this uncertain time in The Dells, when war is imminent, Fire must fight a battle within herself to determine whether she is willing to expand on her ability in order to aid the king. He wants her to help him obtain information that he needs to aid his efforts in the coming war. Her doing this may possibly save her own life, as well.

This sequel/companion/whatever they are calling it now (it looks like the series name changed with re-publishing, as well, from Seven Kingdoms to just Graceling Realm) didn’t grab me right off the bat in the way that Graceling did. I won’t say that it started off slowly, it just wasn’t quite as engrossing in the beginning. It did get better pretty quickly, though, and I ended up really enjoying it. It’s not the rave review of Graceling, but it was definitely worth reading.

Author: Kristin Cashore

Series: Seven Kingdoms Trilogy

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: HMH

Pages: 480

The first novel in this series by award winning author, Kristin Cashore, was engrossing within the first few chapters. This story centers on Katsa, who is the niece to a king in a realm where some people are marked as Gracelings. One can distinguish those who are graced from others by the colors of their eyes. The graces can be anything from cooking, swimming, mind reading, or fighting to Katsa’s grace: killing. Her king uncle uses her as a weapon, and she is growing tired of it. She has formed a counsel which carries out secret missions of justice. During one of the missions she meets Po, another Graceling and prince. They then go on a dangerous mission themselves, where they learn more than they thought possible about themselves, their grace’s, and one another.

I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this novel or not when I first came across it. The beautiful cover and brief description convinced me to give it a try. It didn’t disappoint. All of the characters are well developed and multi-dimensional. The scenery is well visualized and described. It was a cosuming read, and I’ve already got the next one lined up to throw myself in to.