Graceling cover art

Graceling

Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 1

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Graceling

By: Kristin Cashore
Narrated by: Emma Powell
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About this listen

In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her Uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to carry out his dirty work, punnishing and torturing anyone who displeases him. Breaking arms and cutting off fingers are her stock-in-trade. Finding life under his rule increasingly unbearable Katsa forms an underground Council, whose purpose is to combat the destructive behaviour of the seven kings - after all, the Middluns is only one of the Seven Kingdoms, each of them ruled by their own king and his personal agenda for power.When the Council hears that the King of Liend's father has been kidnapped Katsa investigates . . . and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap him, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced fighter who challenged her fighting skills, for the first time, as she and the Council rushed the old man to saftey? Something dark and deadly is rising in the north and creeping across the continent, and behind it all lurks the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king.

©2009 Kristin Cashore (P)2012 Orion Publishing Group Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Royalty Heartfelt

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The Story: This is a 'typical' fantasy novel in that it takes places in another land, and our hero (heroine) finds herself with a quest and consequently a journey. However, don't be misled, while you have the 'standard' elements, I really like how this author has put the together. I was initially unsure of the heroine - Katsa, in the beginning, is not someone who I wanted to like. But as the story progresses, we see that she didn't really have much choice, and she does change. I also really like the 'fantasy' aspect. In this world, some people are born with a Grace - it may be that they are graced in sword fighting, or archery, or sewing, or, as Katsa is, killing. I really liked the concept of Graces, and how it played out in the story.The Performance: I've completely fallen in love with Emma Powell! I did not know that audio artists could be just *that* awesome! I "save" audiobooks for longer car journeys where I need something to get me through thr tedium - I've found myself a lot more keen to drive recently! Emma's voice is never intrusive to the story, I have no trouble immersing myself in the story, the way I would if I were reading it. Also, I have no idea how she does it, but her voice is very, very subtly different for each of the characters, but it never sounds 'fake' or 'put on'. I'm so gad that she's read the rest of this series, but devastated to see that her other reads look like stories I wouldn't be interested in.Overall: Both a story and a reader that I fell in love with.

Delightful performance and magical story

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Amazing. This is a strong woman. Most YA fantasy novels fail miserably at portraying strong women. Katsa is strong not only in body and will, but she is also strong in her emotions and the way she feels towards her loved ones. Top marks for the portrayal of a non-toxic relationship between a man and a woman. Finally a YA relationship based on love, respect and self respect.

Best book I've read in ages.

Absolutely stunned at the beauty of this story!

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well written & moves along at a nice pace building main characters for next installment

catsa

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This would be my 3rd time reading Graceling, and first time listening to the audiobook. It's undoubtedly an all-time favourite and i really enjoyed listening to the narration as much as reading the physical copy💛

Loved it

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Great characters, and excellent story line. Lots of dramatic tension, a dynamic heroine, and a great, light read.

Exquisitely crafted story of adventure and romance

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Emma Powell is brilliant! She adds so much to an already fantastic story! Absolutely going to listen to Fire now!

Loved every minute

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the cover has a quote saying something about romance and twilight fans, if anything this put me off as I hate soppy romance and twilight bores me no end! this novel is nothing like twilight luckily and while there is romance it isn't generic and the characters involved don't whine on about it all the time, it's not the main focus of the story. I found the characters interesting and complex, the plot appeared simple at first but grew nicely into itself. overall I would highly recommend this book for ages 14 + (I myself am 29 and thoughrouly enjoyed it)

much more than the cover suggests

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I really loved this story, cant wait to listen/read the rest of the books.

loved it

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I have read this book numerous times throughout my life, listening to it was even more encapsulating. I adore this story like no other and it has been my favourite book for the best part of 10 years.

The narrator did it justice, I cant complain at anything really.

I will probably listen to this again and again. Loved every second.

My all time favourite book

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Narrator's voice was exceptionally well spoken and definitely helped make the story enjoyable.

I do think the book itself is maybe for a younger crowd, but was interesting to see story develop.

Interesting concept, definitely for younger crowd

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