Book Club Kits: Graceling

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Kristin Cashore’s best-selling, award-winning fantasy Graceling tells the story of the vulnerable yet strong Katsa, a smart, beautiful teenager who lives in a world where selected people are given a Grace, a special talent that can be anything from dancing to swimming. Katsa’s is killing. As the king’s niece, she is forced to use her extreme skills as his thug. Along the way, Katsa must learn to decipher the true nature of her Grace . . . and how to put it to good use. A thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure (and steamy romance!) that will resonate deeply with adolescents trying to find their way in the world.

Read an excerpt from the novel.

• What does it mean to be graced? Is it a blessing or a curse to be graced?
  
  
• Why are the graced feared, when it seems that many graces are actually very useful?
  
  
• Why do the graced tolerate being treated as second class citizens?
  
  
• How would you describe King Randa? Are all of the Kings of the Seven Kingdoms corrupt?
  
  
• What is the council? Who is the council working for?
  
  
• What is the nature of Po’s grace? Why isn’t he honest with Katsa from the beginning about his grace?
  
  
• What is the true nature of Katsa’s grace? How is it similar to Po’s?
  
  
• What is the nature of King Leck’s grace? How is it that some people are able to see through his deception?
  
  
• Katsa seems to believe the worst about herself, and thinks that her grace defines who she is. Is she right? Does a person’s grace always determine how they will act? Why or why not?
  
  
• When Katsa finally confronts King Randa, she thinks that mercy is more frightening than murder. What does she mean by that? Why does Randa allow her to walk away? Does he really have any choice?
  
  
• Describe Katsa’s relationship with Bitterblue. What draws Katsa to the child?
  
  
• Did the ending surprise you? If it did, what did you expect to be different?
  
  
• A person’s grace seems to be used to explain their actions, whether those actions are good or bad. In our culture, without graces, how do we explain people’s actions? Are such explanations valid, or simply ways of excusing bad behavior?
  
  
• Would you want to be graced? Why or why not? What grace would you choose for yourself?