Loved Graceling. Want It?

So I've been reading a lot of middle grade books to get to know my market. Some I've enjoyed, others I haven't. I won't blog anything negative about a book -- it doesn't do any good for the author or for me. You avid readers have other review sources you can look to to if you want a tastemaker's verdict on a book.

That said, I will post when I love a book.

And I loved Graceling. It wasn't part of Middle Grade Madness (it's YA), but turned out to be a great detour. I fell into it in two pages. The world was solid, the language beautiful, the tension tense, the characters full. I finished it in a week, which, unless I'm on vacation doing nothing but reading, is about as fast as I can get through a book.

I was impressed with Cashore's choices for her characters and her story -- they will inspire brave choices in my own stories.

Pretty awesome for a book I bought as a consolation prize. Kristin Cashore, I won't doubt again. Next time, I'll be all, "[Insert latest book craze here]? No way -- I want Bitterblue!"

So, the second part of this post: a wee giveaway.

The only thing about Graceling that gave me pause was the main male character's name. Be the first to reveal (in the comments) what his name means in German slang, and you get my copy of Graceling.

Congrats, Jenn, and Jenn's mom, who confirmed! :)

[image via GoodReads]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •