"But you're better than I am, Katsa. And it doesn't humiliate me. It humbles me. But it doesn't humiliate me." 
 Is it possible to not fall in love with these characters? These well written, witty, beautiful, and broken characters that only work to heal one another and try their best to become better? 
 This book was so incredible. It completely surprised me and caught my full attention from the first page. Katsa was an extraordinary character that reminded me so much of all the things I love about Aelin from the Throne of Glass series, and can I mention again how amazing this book was? 
 The first thing that shocked me about this book was how well written it was. I had always thought this series was for a slightly younger audience and expected a simpler style, but the writing and character development were complex things that played off of one another. I could not stop reading this book, and when I couldn't read it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. 
 This is definitely one of those books where I'm just kind of mad at myself, because how had I never read this before? What was I doing? 
 First of all, Katsa is an incredible character. I fell in love with her strength and determination in the first chapter and from then on. I was so sad to not have Po on every page, but Katsa's journey through Grella's Pass was spell binding to read about. Her character development through out the entire book was so captivating. The dynamic between her strength in fighting and Po's experience with processing emotions, and what they gained from each other in sharing each of those strengths, is an inspiring exchange of skills. Every emotion they had felt authentic and earned. I think some people say things like "I don't trust people who don't like kittens" and I've decided I don't trust people who don't like Katsa. 
 While Katsa resides on one side of a coin, Po is undoubtably the other side of that coin. Po was intelligent and cunning, resourceful and so careful with words. His loyalty to his family, despite his fear of what they might eventually think of him, and his loyalty to Katsa despite their initial encounter was quite endearing. I think at one point he says "I've met my match, grandfather" and all I could do was laugh, because of course he had. This lonely, secretive boy, and this damned and broken girl that was still tough as nails, were destined to be together. 
 I think what I loved most about this book though, was that you became invested in the characters from almost the exact moment you were introduced to them and then the plot became vey, very unpredictable. The delivery of information created just the right amount of suspense and the reward for waiting for that information was worth while. Reading this book reminded me of when I watch Game of Thrones and I am completely unaware of anything else happening around me, completely focused on the outcome of the characters and what will happen next because I am so interested in any information I can get about how their futures will unravel. 
 I can't wait to read more of Cahsore's books, and I have no doubt that one day I will re-read Graceling.