This graphic novel rendition of the book Graceling by Kristin Cashore is beautifully done. The artwork was wonderful and as a reader of the Graceling Realm series, I loved seeing Gareth Hinds interpretations of the characters.

Gracelings are identified by their mismatched eye color. Katsa, a graceling, is used by her uncle to be his personal assassin, terrorizing those who cross him, to her displeasure. She meets Po, another graceling, who supports her in abandoning her uncle's court to pursue another purpose in life by helping him rescue his sister and her daughter. As they travel, overcome obstacles, and get to know one another romance blooms between Katsa and Po.

Some condensation of the story is required to reduce the story into graphic novel-length, and I'm not sure if the story would have made sense not having already read the series, but some of the build-up to key revelations in the book are not quite as suspenseful. This graphic novel version would be a great addition to middle-grade and YA libraries in need of female heroines.

I loved the novel Graceling, it was exciting and different, unlike anything else that was around when it came out. A strong female lead character, vulnerable male character, intense romance and a gripping adventure story. I remember one of the boys at school telling me it was awesome, but too kissy! LOL.
And yet they borrowed it and read it and really liked it.

I was keen to check out the graphic novel of the book, and it is good. I found it slightly confusing in the beginning, but I quickly settled in and got caught up in the story. It is really pacy and the fighting action is well done. The art is simple but well done. The characters in this story have Graces, special abilities and these are advantages to them as they fight for their lives and to protect others, I did get a little confused at one point about which graces everyone had, but as the story moves so fast, you get to understand through the actions rather than the telling.

Overall it is a great accompaniment to the novel, I hope they turn the entire series into graphics, I'm sure there is an audience for them and they will spur the book into a new generation of fans. Thanks to Netgalley for giving me access .

Of course I had to check out the graphic novel version of Graceling and it did not disappoint. The characters were spot on and the story is always a fun one with twists and turns.

Katsa is a Graceling and the niece of the king. Being a Lady should give her a life of privilege, but since her Grace is the ability to fight and kill with her bare hands, she has become the king’s enforcer; she is sent out to threaten and kill anyone the king believes is a threat. After meeting Po, a prince who is also Graced, she discovers additional information about his missing grandfather. She agrees to help Po learn the why behind the disappearance. What truths will Katsa learn about her Grace as she pursues facts about Po’s family?

Graceling is a graphic novel adaptation of the book with the same name. I loved the original series and this book brought back all the feels as I explored this adaptation. Hinds is a wonderful illustrator and he has taken the original story and has breathed new depths into the storyline. Since graphic novels are a quicker read and not everything is included, I feel like some things were left out, but since I read the original twelve years ago, I can’t say what it may be. This interpretation was wonderful and I expect many new readers will go find the original novels and explore this wonderful world.

This version of Graceling is so beautiful. The graphics are exquisite and so detailed. I finished this in one sitting! I have not read the original series based on this Graphic Novel, but it is now on my TBR list.

Graceling follows the story of Katsa and Po. Both are Gracelings from different regions. A Graceling is someone born with a powerful skill that can be used for good or evil. Most people fear Gracelings because of their abilities. Katsa believes hers is the ability to kill and her Uncle King Randa uses her as his enforcer. Katsa and Po's paths cross when Po is looking for his grandfather who has been kidnapped. He thinks there is a hidden agenda regarding the kidnapping of his grandfather, and as everyone else looks in other directions he sets off on a journey to seek out the truth about his uncle, a neighboring King who has a peaceful reputation, but a dark backstory. Katsa joins Po on this journey and they both discover new things about themselves and each other.

I really appreciate how Katsa follows her own wants and needs and doesn't make excuses for not conforming to what others think her wants and needs should be. She is a strong and independent woman, who decides she is done being someone else's pawn and begins to follow her own moral compass. The relationship between Katsa and Po develops naturally and they both respect the others desires.

Overall this was a powerful story about staying true to yourself and about sacrificing for the greater good. The graphics help the reader to follow the story and I don't feel I missed anything by not reading the novel first. Thank you to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group, Kristin Cashore, and Gareth Hinds for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Clarion Books for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions stated are entirely my own. I thought this was a really good graphic novel. I have never read the original book but I was able to follow along and understand the story from the adaption. The illustrations were nice and the story was interesting. It is a small graphic novel for a really big book though! I do wish it had a bit more writing or scenes included in it. Still, it was a great read and I recommend it to fans of the original book as well as those who have never read it!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is a fast-paced fantasy that lends itself well to the graphic novel format. Following characters with special abilities, this one contains a fair share of action and strong main characters. The artwork is also stunning, making the story come to life. This is a great introduction to the world of Graceling, which left me excited to pick up the original series.

In the world of Graceling, people with two different coloured eyes are Graced with special skills. Katsa is Graced with ability to kill with her bare hands, her strength exploited by the king to maintain his power. However, when she meets a prince who is Graced in fighting, they flee together and uncover secrets about themselves and the world they live in.

❀ SEVERAL STRONG CHARACTERS

This graphic novel contains several strong characters, and each is well-developed. Katsa is an independent main character, and I enjoyed the way she stands up for herself and fights for what she believes in. Po is also a likeable character who has his own insecurities. However, while these characters are interesting, I found that their relationship lacks chemistry in this format. The story is very plot-driven, which made it a bit difficult for me to truly connect with them at times.

❀ ARTWORK MAKES THE STORY COME TO LIFE

I am always interested in seeing the way words are translated to visuals in graphic novel adaptations, and I found that the art style of this book complements the plot well. The depictions of fight scenes and the gorgeous landscapes throughout the book are especially effective. What I found interesting about this one is the way the art style shifts when characters are providing exposition and telling stories, and one scene has a really cool embroidery effect that I have never seen before. The artwork makes the story come to life, which made for an immersive reading experience.

❀ FAST-PACED AND UNIQUE

The Graceling graphic novel by Kristin Cashore is a fast-paced and unique fantasy. I enjoyed the concept of characters with special skills, and both main characters are strong. As a graphic novel, this one does feel rushed at times, but the beautiful artwork makes up for this. This is a must-read for fans of the original Graceling books, as well as for those like myself who are looking to get a feel for the story before diving into the series.

I have been meaning to read this series for years and am kicking myself for having waited so long. I really enjoyed the world and characters and storyline of this book and am going to be reading the full series very soon now. The artwork was fantastic and really told the story so well. This is actually the first graphic novel I think I've ever properly read and I honestly just don't think the format is for me. It felt like reading a very in depth synopsis of a book, which is fine, except now I just want to read the book. Again, pretty sure this is just a purely me thing, if you love graphic novels, then this is definitely one to add to your library! I cannot wait to pick up the rest of the series and get the whole story, because like I said, the characters, world-building, setting and story are all so fantastic!

This graphic novel is fantastic! Graceling is fantastic in novel form, and I'm so excited for the graphic novel to be accessible for more students. I can't wait to add this to my classroom library.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Clarion Books, 2021. $18.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Katsa has been graced with the ability to kill, making her valuable to her uncle, the king. He sends her out to do his bidding, though she doesn’t always agree with the missions the king sends her on. When Katsa meets Po, he gives her a way out, if only Katsa can bring herself to trust him.
I first read Graceling a decade ago, and I’ve reread it a few times since then. I could not have been more thrilled to see it come to life as a graphic novel. Yes, a few things had to be changed and simplified for the adaptation, but the same compelling characters and fascinating world of higher abilities are portrayed. Being able to see the imagined world and getting a new taste of the story I’ve enjoyed reading made me find a full length copy to reread yet again. I have no doubt that readers new to Katsa’s story will enjoy this graphic novel as much as the loyal fans. The violence rating is for frequent murder and battle gore.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

As a fan of the original, I was excited for the graphic novel! The story is very streamlined for this format so a lot of little details are lost. The little details are what I loved most about the novel, so it was a bit of a bummer. That being said, it was amazing to see Katsa and Po's story play out visually! Even condensed, the story still comes through and it's a nice dive back into the Graceling world.

Thank you to Clarion Books for providing me with an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

5 Stars
I love this graphic novel of one of my all time favourite fantasy novels. The pictures added to the story and plot immensely.

Having never read the original version of Graceling, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a love for a new to me series. I was excited by the book and the images of the story brought to life. I would love to wait for the remainder of the series to come out in the graphic novel form, but I'm not sure I could wait that long to continue with the story in its original version. I am going to read the original story to see if there are any major differences in the two versions, or more specifically anything missing in the graphic novel version, but I trust that if this is the case it was Cashore's decision to do so, and I would trust the author.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Graceling is one of my all-time favourite books and I was so pumped to discover that it was being turned into a graphic novel!
This is a wonderful adaptation of the novel. The illustrations are beautiful (and omg Po is so attractive 😍) and the style really fits the tone of the book. I thought the fight scenes were incredibly well done and really captured the movement and speed of the characters in an engaging way.
I would love to see the other Graceling novels adapted into graphic novels as well!

3.5/5⭐️

The Graceling is a staple YA book that follows Katsa, a Graceling who has the ability to fight and kill with extreme skill. After she meets another Graceling named Po who ends up turning the world she knew world upside-down. This graphic retelling follows Katsa and Po with beautiful pictures and great dialogue.

I am 97% sure I read the Graceling when I was younger but I have to say that I do not remember the book at all so reading this graphic novel was all new to me. I loved the story and I love how badass Katsa is! Honestly though, the art was my favorite thing about this book. It is much different than the art style I typically like in graphic novels, but it blended so well with the story that it really improved the reading experience.

I would love to see more staple YA books become graphic novels! I think it’s a great way to reach a new generation of readers, many who have grown up reading graphic novels like the ones by Shannon Hale or Raina Telgemeier. I also think this book would be great from former fans of the Graceling series who are looking to reread a favorite of theirs.

This is the quick and easy graphic version of a complex narrative, so I feel like it's missing some of the depth and worldbuilding that make Graceling so engaging, but I also understand that there's only so much that can fit into a single volume graphic novel aimed at younger readers.
The story centers around Katsa, a Graceling born with the extreme skill of murder. As a Graceling, she belongs to the king and her king uses her skills mercilessly to abuse and terrify her enemies. But Katsa also secretly uses her skills to help those in need. It's in one of those side missions that she meets a young man that ends up being the catalyst to her finally standing up to the king and going her own way. Or as the case may be, how she winds up on a journey to investigate the mysterious actions of the king and queen of a neighboring country.
There is a lot of violence in this book. Even with Katsa's aversion to killing, there is so much blood and death. There is something about having it in visual form versus written form that really made it stand out for me. It's not excessive or anything considering that it's a book about someone with the special skill to kill, but it did stand out.
The art is fine. It has a washed-out quality that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, but it's at least very easy to follow.
Overall, it's a good alternative to reading the novel and might get kids interested in getting the full story afterward.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Etch/Clarion Books for the early read!

My Thoughts:

This graphic novel by Kristin Cashore and illustrator Gareth Hinds is an adaptation of Cashore's already successful YA fantasy series. What makes these novel to graphic novel YA fantasy projects so successful is that it takes the best of fantasy storytelling and packages it in a more accessible size and format for readers that are intimidated by the 500+ page count of Cashore's original novel. It does not water down the magic, the fantasy, or the relationships between characters. Instead, I think it adds to the appeal by infusing the story with very engaging comic book style visuals. This is a great way to keep this fantasy world alive for more middle grades and YA readers. If they are hooked, they will pick up the larger originals.

From the Publisher:
Katsa is a Graceling, one of the rare people born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she lived a life of privilege until the day her ability to kill a man with her bare hands revealed itself during a royal banquet. Now she acts as her uncle’s enforcer, traveling the kingdom and threatening those who dare oppose him.

But everything changes when she meets Po, a foreign prince Graced with combat skills who is searching for the truth about his grandfather’s disappearance. When Katsa agrees to help him, she never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that could destroy them all.

I really enjoyed this adaptation of GRACELING.
I had forgotten much of the story (I read the novel when it first came out but haven't revisited it since) so it was like discovering it anew. I found myself appreciating it all over again - it feels like a familiar parable of knightly deeds but the execution is fresh and interesting, smart without feeling the need to sacrifice the fun of an adventure. The illustrations are beautiful and have a really gorgeous amount of movement to them - there's something rough and sketchy about Gareth Hinds' work which really works for these characters and his adaptation of the original text was deft, keeping the atmosphere of the original work even as it was slimmed down. Really recommended!

The graphic novel does an excellent job of translating the original novel into comic form. While the artwork was not necessarily a style that I personally enjoy, the panels were well laid out, the colors palette was appealing, and the art helped the story flow forward at a great pace. The Graceling realm is a great fantasy world and this story delivers a bit of everything: action, adventure, romance, fantasy, and mystery. The villain is a little one dimensional here, but the main characters are well rounded and engaging.

Katsa is very honest about what she does and doesn't want. At no point does she try to manipulate or trick people for her own end-goals. She just speaks her truth and lets them decide what to do with it. The hero, Po, does the same. That sounds an awful lot like a partnership built on respect and I'm here for it.

The magic system and how it's used for evil-Loved it!

I love these characters because they're so very human. People change their minds all the time in real life. They make blanket statements that don't fit who they grow to be later. They learn new information that changes how they see the world-and their place in it.

The artwork wasn't completely my cup of tea, but it was still very beautiful. I really hope they adapt the rest of the series.