I-read-too-much It’s-a-problem

I loved this book so so so much! It is so underrated. Sebastian is so different from the way fantasy men usually handle trauma… aka Cardan Greenbriar, cough cough, Tamlin- cough cough and ahem… friggen Jacks of the hollow. And Ari has so so so much more depth than just “yeah she’s so cool and awesome. Feminism!!!” Like, don’t get me wrong, I think strong female leads are great, I love me a good Jude Duarte, BUT when that’s the only way women are written, it can start to feel like that’s the only way you’re allowed to be as a woman if you want your happy ending. And as an eternal optimist, who will stand up for people she cares about and herself only when necessary and will do so in the kindest way I can manage, because that’s just who I am, a protagonist that reached the same depths as Scarlett Dragna, Evangeline, Feyre, and dare I even say, Katniss Everdeen, is entirely refreshing. I am so very enthralled by this book I can’t even express it. If this convinces one person to read this book, I will have done my flipping job. Please read this book, please freak out over it, please adore it like it deserves. I listened on audiobook, I’m off to buy a physical copy to go on my shelf of champions.

Absolutely loved it. Now, it was her debut novel, so that’s why it gets four stars and not three. From any other author it would have been a bit more run of the mill, however, I was thoroughly impressed with the world building and how the characters moved through it. The romance had an incredible basis to be worked off. I mean, Po can hear everything she thinks of him? Imagine what could have been done! Instead, the most we see is Katsa try to fortify her mind against him, (which you think would eventually lead to her having the advantage against Leck- it does not) And the occasional cheeky remark from Po. The banter was fabulous but the relationship roots weren’t always there. The world building is fabulous but the conclusion of the book, spoilers, where Leck dies, seemed hasty and thoroughly out of place. I only bring all of these up to tell you that in her next book, Fire, which is technically a prequel, she improves tremendously on all these points. I didn’t start out liking that book because it felt unconnected, it’s different magic system is hard to get used to, it feels as if she should have just written a new novel instead of shoving her ideas behind an impassible mountain. However, about midway through the book, the connections begin to click. It is a stunning read. The relationships grow in a truly unique, wonderful, and at times tearful way. The world building was almost as spectacular as graceling, and the climax of the book, while still feeling a bit out of no where, had a much better and ten times more consequential manner in how it panned out. If you like graceling I’m begging you to read fire, and if you like fire, please please please read graceling, because Leck is so important and the connections are just divine. ❤️