“Graceling” is Kristin Cashore’s debut novel, set in the fantasy world of The Seven Kingdoms. A different king rules each kingdom within which are people called Gracelings. Gracelings are born with special powers and eyes of different colors.

The story is told through the point of view of Katsa, a Graceling girl with one blue eye and one green eye. Although her eyes are considered peaceful and beautiful, Katsa’s Grace is not: she was born with the “killing Grace,” which makes her a good fighter.

Her uncle, King Randa, keeps her as his personal bodyguard. Behind his back, however, Katsa forms an underground council to help others affected by her uncle’s cruelty. Her most dangerous mission comes when the King of Lienid, one of the Seven Kingdoms, is kidnapped by another king.

Throughout the novel, Katsa makes friends, enemies and struggles to discover who she is and how to control her Grace.

This novel is well written and filled with descriptive language and imagination. Although the setting is a fantasy world, Cashore manages to add aspects of realism to her story. The characters are three dimensional, dynamic and relatable. Occasionally, the story becomes slow and repetitive but this does not weaken the overall power of the novel.

This book is recommended for older teens due to violent scenes, strong language and other mature themes.