Review by Booklist Review
Katsa has the ability--the Grace--to fight ruthlessly, making her a fearsome tool for her King, a job she despises. Alongside the prince, the king's spymaster, and others, Katsa forms a secret council that works to counter some of the evil done by the kings of the Seven Kingdoms. While rescuing the kidnapped prince of a neighboring country, Katsa meets Po, grandson of the kidnapped prince and Graced with fighting skills of his own. The two team up to investigate, and they're led to the king of Monsea, a man with a very dangerous, very secret Grace. This gorgeous adaptation of Cashore's bestselling novel maintains all of the action, suspense, and romance of the source material. Some of the world building and small, yet important, details from the original appear in the artwork, filling out areas that might have been short-changed by a less-capable adapter. As a result, this rich graphic novel gives fans of the story the details they love while making it easy for those new to the series to follow the complicated plot.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Throughout the Seven Kingdoms, individuals with two different colored eyes are Graced with unique talents. Blue- and green-eyed Katsa, King Randa's niece, is Graced with fighting abilities, so the king uses her as a thug, but Katsa has started a Secret Council where she and others work for justice. When Prince Po, a silver- and gold-eyed Graceling from Lienid, comes to Randa's court to find his kidnapped grandfather, he inspires Katsa to leave Randa's service and discover the reason for the kidnapping--and the truth behind King Leck of Monsea's reputation for kindness. Hinds's graphic novel retelling is faithful to Cashore's original story, honoring her world-building, characters, plot, dialogue, and description; his art brings the highly visual tale to life, from dramatic fight sequences and beautiful landscapes to details like a blush on Katsa's cheeks and ice on her eyelashes. The Gracelings' heterochromia is visually striking. Katsa and most Middluns people are white; Po and the Lienids have brown skin. As the characters change locations, Randa's castle's secret passageways and maps of the seven kingdoms are woven naturally into the story, helping readers follow the action. VERDICT This rich graphic novel adaptation should delight existing fans of the Graceling realm and attract many new ones. Highly recommended for all YA graphic novel collections.--Jenny Arch, Lilly Lib., Florence, MA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A fresh version of the story of the Graceling Realm's beginnings. In the Seven Kingdoms, some people are born with Graces, or unusually strong natural abilities. Lady Katsa, who is Graced with killing, works as a heavy for her uncle the king while secretly leading an underground council who oppose him. When she befriends charming Prince Po, a Graced fighter, the two uncover the threat posed by a neighboring king with a Grace even more dangerous than Katsa's own. This is at its heart much more than just an adventure story: It is a story that looks at consent and power over others and a romance between two people dealing with the ways control over themselves affects the larger world--and their hearts as well. Above all, it is the tale of Katsa's journey to realizing she may not be the monster she was always told she was. Po's openness hides painful secrets, Katsa struggles to understand her own needs, and their love grows from mutual respect. Exploring emotional specificity within a fantastical world, Cashore's singular voice shines through. Hinds' expressive, detailed, full-color art serves the tone of the story well, and although some beloved moments have been sacrificed in this restructuring, the sweeping landscapes and dynamic action sequences add new layers. Most characters read White; the Lienid people, like Po, have light-brown skin. An adaptation of a YA classic that is sure to draw in new fans. (author's note) (Graphic fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
