Fire by Kristin Cashore

This is the prequel to Graceling which as you can read below I was a little disappointed in, but decided to read the prequel and see if it was any better since a friend refered this to me and really enjoyed it. Well... I was pleasantly pleased that this book was much better than Graceling and Kristen Cashore spent the time and effort needed to keep the book good through out the entire novel instead of just the first half. This is obviously set before the time of Graceling since it is a prequel, but it isn't set that far back. It starts out giving the story of Leck and his birth and life until he is 10. So about when he ends up being 'adopted' by the kingdom he takes over. He finds himself in a land set on the other side of a nearly unpassable mountain range and in a country that has colorful monsters of every species including human. We are then transported to the last human monster that can manipulate peoples thoughts and if extremely beautiful which causes people to do things they do not mean to do since they lose their mind at the sight of her. So we follow her as she becomes involved with the kingdom and their involvement in a war and eventually with Leck himself.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

This book was refered to me by A Novel Addication and I was excited to read it. I had originally began reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but could not get into it. It just did not appeal to me so I read Graceling. It started off immediately catching my attention and I wanted to keep reading it. Great book with potential. It seems the author got halfway through the book and had so many ideas that she wanted to cram into the book, but was done writing so she just threw it together and ended it. It lacked a real climax and could have been made into multiple books with a great story and detail added. It's too bad Cashore seemed to lose focus.

So just a quick overview, Katsa is Graced with the ability to fight. When you are born Graced you have two different colored eyes and you are not exactly looked highly at and accepted in most societies, especially when you are a female noble Graced with killing. She encounters another Graced noble who fights extremely well and is suprised to find a friend in him. Po and herself end up searching for who is in charge of kidnapping his grandfather and what secrets are really hidden in a secluded territory. I wouldn't dismiss reading this book since it is still an enjoyable read. There is a second book called Fire so we'll have to see if this continues to add to the book and is given the attention it needs or if I find it slightly lacking like Graceling.