This book is absolutely fantastic! The premise of this medieval like world of kings and kingdoms is that there are select people in the world that are "graced" with dual colored eyes. Those that are graced with this are exceptionally good at something. Some are great cooks, others swimmers, and in Katsa, the main character's case, its killing. 
 Katsa works for King Randa, the king of her kingdom as all useful graced in the seven kingdoms do. Her skill made her his bodyguard and attack dog. She hated what she did and retaliated by forming an underground of good people who help out those in most need. Despite her good deeds, Katsa never felt like she did good enough to counter the bad. 
 On a mission to rescue an elderly missing royal, Katsa encounters a man named Po, who is graced in fighting and offers her the first real fighting challenge she ever had. The two clash constantly and when they realize they are after the same goal they join together and travel to a neighboring kingdom in search of answers. Po helps Katsa free herself of her king's grip and she finally leaves the kingdom and ceases to continue being the king's henchwoman. 
 On their travel, Po reveals that he can only fight so well because he can read Katsa's mind and anticipate her next move. This creates a huge rift between them because Katsa has a hard time letting people into her life and the violation of someone reading her mind enrages her. But tension turns to lust and the two give in to their feelings. One of the most interesting thing about this book is how this teen girl in medieval times uses birth control once she begins to have sex. It was a nice teaching moment mixed into the story. 
 A lot is revealed slowly and every reveal is just as shocking and worthwhile as the next. Katsa ends up looking after a little girl named Bitterblue, a princess from a neighboring kingdom. Bitterblue is one of my favorite characters of this book. She is a challenge to Katsa, but eventually they become allies in their escape from Bitterblue's kingdom. 
 The book ends satisfactorily, although the payoff at the end is not quite as satisfying as I expected. Still the writing in this book is brilliant and the world Kristin creates is unique, yet recognizable for readers of the genre. And the characters were memorable. I would absolutely recommend this book.