Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books Database
  • Main
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Articles
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Browse
    • Activity Feed
    • New Books
    • Upcoming Books
    • Advanced Search
    • Book Reviews
    • Genres & Tags
  • Wall
    • Community Wall
    • Recent Messages
    • Recent Topics
    • Hot Topics
    • Popular Topics
    • Search
  • Challenge
    • Reading Challenge
    • Book Trivia Quiz
  • Sign In

Graceling

Graceling Realm #1 / 6
by Kristin Cashore
Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) by Kristin Cashore
  ★ 8.10 / 48
1★2★3★24★5★76★57★148★89★1210★

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature 2009.

Sometimes nothing but a Grace can save you

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 behavior of the seven kings – after all, the Middluns is only one of the seven kingdoms, and each of them is ruled its own king with his own 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...

Amazon: Check Best Offer

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves
Updated 04/08/2025
Category: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Young Adult, Mythopoeic Awards
Release date: September 4, 2008

People Also Read

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass #0.5)
  ★ 8.62 / 13
Sorcery of Thorns (Sorcery of Thorns #1)
  ★ 7.86 / 14
Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1)
  ★ 7.86 / 20
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia #1)
  ★ 7.86 / 77
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)
  ★ 7.84 / 58
The Ice Dragon
  ★ 7.84 / 25
Sabriel (The Old Kingdom #1)
  ★ 7.76 / 52
Join the Ongoing Discussion
Start a New Topic (Visitors Welcome)
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Kristin Cashore

Kristin Cashore

Kristin Cashore is a writer whose work has captivated readers with its intricate world-building, fierce heroines, and explorations of power, choice, and sacrifice. Best known for her Graceling Realm series, Cashore’s stories transport readers into worlds where the stakes are as high as the emotions that drive her characters.

Born in 1976, Kristin spent her childhood surrounded by books in northeast Pennsylvania. Early on, she discovered her passion for storytelling, a love that would later guide her through an eclectic career. From working as a dog runner and candy factory packer to finding herself as an editorial assistant, Cashore’s journey into writing was anything but ordinary. She eventually earned a master’s degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons College, and soon began weaving the tales that would earn her a place among today’s most beloved fantasy authors.

Read more ...

Her debut novel, Graceling, introduced readers to a world where certain individuals, known as Gracelings, possess extraordinary powers. With strong, complex female protagonists and a plot that explores freedom and control, Graceling became an instant classic in the genre. Cashore continued her exploration of strength, vulnerability, and identity with Fire and Bitterblue, two novels that expanded the rich, interwoven world of the Graceling Realm. Her ability to craft unique characters—each one as flawed as they are strong—has earned her widespread acclaim.

Kristin’s writing is known for its emotional depth, its lyrical prose, and its ability to explore difficult themes with nuance and sensitivity. Whether tackling grief, love, or the cost of power, her work resonates with readers who crave both adventure and introspection. Her standalone novel Jane, Unlimited took a bold step in a new direction, blending mystery, magic, and choice, further cementing her reputation as a fearless storyteller.

Cashore’s most recent novel, Winterkeep, set in a world that grapples with climate change and societal divides, reveals her ever-evolving voice and desire to tackle the pressing issues of our time, while still honoring the rich fantasy roots she’s known for.

When she’s not writing, Kristin has lived in various cities—from Sydney to New York and Austin—drawing inspiration from the diverse places she’s called home. She now resides in the Boston area, where she continues to write stories that explore what it means to be human in extraordinary circumstances.

Kristin Cashore’s work is more than just fantasy; it’s a window into complex emotional landscapes, where characters face impossible choices and discover the power of their own agency. It’s no wonder that her books continue to captivate readers, young and old, around the world.

Photo: Kevin Lin

Graceling Realm

In the Graceling Realm, a world where power comes with a price, people are born with unique abilities known as Graces—gifts that can be both extraordinary and dangerous. The series invites readers into a realm where the boundaries between freedom and control, love and loyalty, strength and vulnerability are constantly shifting.

Read more ...

At the heart of this captivating world are heroines who defy convention. Katsa, with her lethal Grace of killing, is a fierce protector with a deep inner struggle, seeking both redemption and purpose. Alongside her, Fire—an extraordinary beauty with a deadly Grace of persuasion—faces her own battles, not just with others, but with her own identity and the powers she was born with. And then there’s Bitterblue, a queen who must navigate the haunting aftermath of a kingdom ruled by tyranny while seeking her place in a fractured world.

The series explores more than just battles and magical powers; it’s a journey into the complexity of human nature. As each character confronts their own limitations and choices, they reveal a tapestry of personal growth, sacrifice, and the courage it takes to stand against the world. What makes the Graceling Realm truly remarkable is its unwavering exploration of autonomy and self-determination, particularly through its female characters. The world may be filled with kings, assassins, and political intrigue, but at its core, it’s a meditation on what it means to truly be free.

With richly imagined settings, intricate character development, and an underlying sense of danger that keeps readers turning pages, the Graceling Realm is a series that doesn't just entertain—it immerses you in a world where every choice matters, and nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Each installment deepens the stakes, creating an intricate narrative that lingers long after the last page is turned.

For those who crave stories of powerful, imperfect heroes, complex worlds, and the exploration of what makes us human, Graceling Realm offers an unforgettable journey—a world where magic, love, and redemption collide.


Graceling Realm consists of five books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)
  ★ 8.10 / 48
Fire (Graceling Realm #2)
  ★ 8.24 / 17
Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3)
  ★ 7.50 / 16
Winterkeep (Graceling Realm #4)
  ★ 8.50 / 4
Seasparrow (Graceling Realm #5)
  ★ 9.84 / 6
Graceling Realm Book 6 (Graceling Realm #6)
  ⧗ 9.64 / 19


Back to Top
  • Risingshadow
  • Browse
  • Kristin Cashore
  • Graceling Realm
  • Graceling
Follow Us: Newsletter | Facebook | X | Mastodon | RSS
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2025 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Privacy Policy