New Icon

Hey folks, so so far, I have gotten no help in creating an icon. So... The other day, I took this photo, did a little editing on it, and created a new icon that I think is far more poppy and flashy than the old one. Personally I like it waaaay better. So, if you like it great! Let me know! If not, you can still submit images that you'd like to become the new icon. Until next time... Keep Reading!

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

The debut novel by Kristen Cashore.
Summary: Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.
She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po.
She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.
With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more. (Summary found at http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/hmhbooks/graceling/)

Official Reviews: Unfortunately all of my Critique reviews that I usually research are hidden within the vast void that is the internet, and I returned my copy of the book to the library before having the chance to write down the reviews, so, here are some Awards and Nominations the book has received found on (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graceling) :
Graceling was shortlisted for the ALA's William C. Morris YA Award, is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, was a Cybils finalist (Fantasy/SF category), and was a finalist for both the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy (the SFWA's award for YA given concurrently with the Nebulas) and the Indies Choice Book Awards (Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book category). Graceling won the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance 2009 Young Adult SIBA Book Award. The book also was awarded:

• Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year 2008
• School Library Journal Best Books of 2008
• Booklist 2008 Top Ten First Novels for Youth
• 2009 Amelia Bloomer List
• 2009 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Finalist^]
• Nominated for 2010 Washington Evergreen Award
• Nominated for 2010-2011 Eliot Rosewater Award

Sue Ellen Beaureguard, author of Top 10 first novels for youth on audio of the Audiobook review, said that it had "[m]any layered fantasy adventures."

My Review: After reading "Fire" the follow-up book by Cashore, I'll admit, I was a little tentative to pick up Graceling. "Fire" was a book I wasn't able to get into easily, but I was pleasantly surprised after reading "Graceling". The story plot was very original (characters 'Graced' with certain abilities, the mix-matched eyes, the seven kingdoms, unlike anything I've ever read before), and I did enjoy the unfolding chemistry between the two main characters Prince Po and Katsa, though it didn't fully overpower the book. I would recommend this book for older readers however as it has sexual references in the book, and I'm pretty sure there are some mentions of alcohol. Probably more geared towards girls ages fourteen and up. Otherwise, a pretty good book that I would definitely read again.

You know how this goes, that's what I thought of this book, but I need to know what you think. Have you read the book? Do you have any questions? Tell me what you think. I need YOUR help to start the Reading Revolution.

Coming Soon: Expect reviews for the classic book "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and "Daniel X" by James Patterson author of the "Maximum Ride Series". Keep Reading.