Graceling

I recently finished the young adult novel Graceling by Kristin Cashore. This is a fantasy novel featuring Katsa, who has one green eye and the other blue, which marks her as "graced." Those who are graced have a special skill, and Katsa's is survival. This of course makes her a "tough chick" to say the least (see Saturdays post). I loved the novel and was completely caught up in Ms. Cashore's fantasy world, and I am eagerly awaiting the prequel and the sequel which are both in the works. Now after reading an article on Kristin Cashore I believe that she is "graced". Graceling was the first novel that Ms. Cashore attempted to get published. A friend knew of an agent, but her website clearly stated "no fantasy". Ms. Cashore contacted her anyhow and was allowed to send 50 pages of her manuscript (by the way, this was the only agent that she contacted!). That is all it took for the agent to be on board, and within a few weeks they had an offer from a publisher. The book was published and has already gone back to press twice, rights have been sold in 12 languages--you get the picture. I believe her "grace" is that people can't say no to her or maybe only good things are allowed to happen to her. Not a bad problem to have. I suppose she could just be a very talented writer. No matter give the book a read--it is definitely worth it.