Guest blog from Megan Whalen Turner

In September, the postergirlz included Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia books on their list of books to recommend alongside Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Megan graced (no pun intended!) us with her presence at Kristin's chat, then wrote up this guest post:

Yikes, the round-up posts at readergirlz reminded me that it was the end of September (where did it go?) and I hadn't collected my thoughts into a blog post about Graceling.

I've been thinking about the question from the live chat: What's your favorite scene?

My pick is the fight between Katsa and Po when she realized that he reads minds. It's so important to the plot and yet so very far from being a plot-coupon because it rings true - Katsa has a good reason to be angry and Po has a good reason to have deceived her - but also because it is so carefully layered. Katsa is angry because Po lied, but also because he has escaped her fate of being wholly defined by her Grace. The cause of the anger is also the seed for the reconciliation when Katsa realizes she too can assert her own identity.

On top of all that, and maybe the reason I like it best . . . Katsa showed that she may be completely clueless about interpersonal relationships, but she's a smart cookie. Po doesn't have to confess, she figures him out.

-- Megan Whalen Turner

September: Roundup for Graceling

And here's the roundup of Hot Topics, all things Kristin!

September Newsflash
Welcome, Kristin!
postergirlz' recommended reads
Our thanks!

Discussions:

Identity Crisis
Heterochromia
Breaking the rules
Mind readers
Things you can't control
Fantasy Worlds
Secondary Characters
Which character would you be?
Final thoughts

Have you weighed in? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you, Kristin!

Thank you, Kristin Cashore!

Here's a big MERCI to the amazing Kristin Cashore for joining us at readergirlz this month! Things we learned about Kristin include:

1. She did a LOT of martial arts research to write the fighting sequences in her books, and it shows (they're great!!).
2. Of her characters, Kristin relates most to Bitterblue, a real girl. Well, a Princess too. :)
3. She's touring soon! Find the info here.

We had so much fun this month! And we cannot wait for FIRE and the upcoming BITTERBLUE!

Thank you, Kristin!!!

Final Thoughts on Graceling?

We've had such fun with the discussion questions this month! Find them all in the sidebar on the right. Any final thoughts on Graceling? Dreams for Katsa, Poe or Bitterblue?

Graceling: The Book Party!

Planning your own book group/get-together for Graceling? Here are some party ideas from author Kristin Cashore.

Invite: Design something that incorporate swords, daggers, and two-colored eyes.

Food: Hm. Go out and catch your own mountain lion? No? How about homemade bread, cheese, and fresh fruit.

Décor: Two-colored eyeshadow and medieval garb.

Movies: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Buffy the Vampire Slayer (okay, I'm cheating, that’s a TV show, not a movie - but it is disturbingly hard to find movie girls who are both kick-ass and self-reliant!); Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (an anime movie by Hayao Miyazaki)

September: Which Character Would You Be?

Which character in Graceling would you most like to be, and why?

Or, is there a character from another novel that you really identify with? Whom, and why?

Things to Know About Featured Author Kristin Cashore

We learned a few things about September's featured author Kristin Cashore, and here are some of the juiciest tidbits! (Read the full list on readergirlz.com)

On the nightstand: A teetering pile of books; post-it notes; earplugs; one of those relaxing eye pillows; my Swiss Army knife

Favorite library: That's easy! The beautiful main branch of the Jacksonville Public Library.

Pets: I'm currently petless, but dream of the perfect cat.

Dream book tour: How about a tour in which I stay in one city for about two weeks? How about if the city is Rome? How about if my hotel is right next to the Pantheon?

Cure for writer's block: I don't know if I get writer's block, exactly, but I do have trouble writing sometimes because I'm pushing too hard and need a daydreaming/resting break. The cure at those times is to STOP WRITING.

Favorite outfit: Oh, that's easy: flannel PJs.

Stilettos or Uggs? The only thing I would ever use a stiletto for is self-defense.

Our kind of woman! Also, check out her blog for big bestseller news! Hooray, Kristin!!!

September: Secondary Characters

Secondary characters are often such rich additions to novels. Which of the secondary characters in Graceling - characters other than, say, Katsa, Po, Bitterblue, or Leck - would you most like to know personally? Why?

Or, what secondary characters from other novels would you most like to befriend?

September: Fantasy Worlds

Do you like Katsa's fantasy world? If you lived in your own fantasy world, what would it look like? What would your job be?

Reminder: Tonight's rgz LIVE! chat with Kristin Cashore!

Kristin will be here tonight at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern for a rgz LIVE! chat about Graceling - see you here!

The Graceling Trailer

Just to get everyone psyched for the chat tomorrow night:

September: Things You Can't Control

Katsa comes to realize that even with all her power, there are things in life she can't control. Is this something you've encountered in your own life? Does it upset you, too?

Coming up: rgz LIVE! chat with Kristin Cashore!

We have a live chat coming up this Wednesday with Kristin - don't miss it! September 16th at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern. See you here!

September: Mind readers

Katsa has to deal with Po reading her mind. What do you think it would be like if someone you loved could read your mind? Eek! (That last bit is me, Lorie Ann. :~)

September: Breaking the Rules

Katsa breaks a lot of rules about how girls in society "should" behave. Are there rules in our society you'd like to break?

Graceling Roundtable

This month's readergirlz book group pick is Graceling by Kristin Cashore. (Click here to read the September 2009 issue of readergirlz.)  The readergirlz divas and postergirlz gathered together to discuss this tale of fantasy, danger, and, dare we say, romance.

Lorie Ann Grover: As diva Justina Chen Headley said this month, "Action, adventure, love . . . all rolled up in a fiercely independent heroine who learns how to govern her gift and trust her heart. How could we not become smitten with Graceling?" It was an obvious choice for readergirlz. We send our congrats to Kristin for the Morris Award Nomination for an outstanding debut YA novel!

Little Willow: What was your basic impression of Graceling? Do you tend to reach for books in the fantasy genre?

 

Jackie: Okay, well, I'm a HUGE Tamora Pierce fan (as you, um, may already know), so this is right up my alley. Strong girl? A power that sets her apart from all others? Evil just waiting around the corner? A charming yet flawed romantic interest? Fight scenes? Yeah. That's totally my kind of thing.

Melissa: This is totally not my thing! I'm a big "real girl" reader, so I'm always a little hesitant to go fantasy. But I fell in love with Katsa from chapter 1, and really, what's a "real girl" anyway?!

Lorie Ann: I found it to be an engrossing, fast-paced fantasy. I do love fantasy, myself. And here I fell for Po. :~)

Shelf Elf: Ditto on the falling for Po, Lorie Ann. My perfect book is set in a fantasy world that is recognizably like the real world, with romance, nail-biting action, and plenty of flawed characters. Graceling checks all those boxes. Guess it's is my perfect book!
 

 

Dia: As a fantasy author myself, I, of course, adore fantasy. The premise of Graceling is fascinating -- a talent to kill. But it is interesting that we NEVER see Katsa kill anyone -- even in the beginning of the book when she is unredeemed. I can see the problem -- if she were shown killing someone she would no longer be a sympathetic character. And yet, for the fullest experience of her character arc, I think we needed to see her actually kill.

Little Willow: I agree, Dia - I think it would have been more effective had we seen (read) it.

 

Dia: I was hesitant at first about the fighting practice between Po and Katsa because it's hard for me to imagine hitting someone I care about. But, considering their skills, and talents, it was a way for them to bond and gain trust.

HWM: Yay for Graceling -- the strong girl, Po (the chemistry! the respect for each other's abilities!), political intrigue (though I wished there were more), good supporting characters, bad guys, action--this would make a great movie. Dia raises an interesting point. I never thought about how we never see Katsa kill anyone in the beginning. It would add to the character arc since we could see the horror and regret; however, I was fine the way the story was since she spends so much time despising her power and how other people react to her, how she hates how her uncle treats her like a dog to do his bidding. 

 

Little Willow: What did you think of Katsa, the protagonist?

 

Jackie: My only sadness is that she's not in the prequel. 

 

HWM: Oh, I agree!

Melissa: I loved her, and found her perfectly characterized for teen readers -- she's strong but stubborn, smart but impetuous, and ruled by her emotions. It's all very familiar...

Lorie Ann: I enjoyed Katsa. In my second reading, I almost found her to be acting mildly autistic at the start, as if she might have slight Aspergers. She's gifted so much that it has distracted her from learning to observe and communicate with people. An example is how she didn't realize Giddon's attraction. This adds nicely to her arc as she grows.  

 

Little Willow: Ooh. That's a very interesting take on her character, Lorie Ann.

 

Dia: I think the talent to kill, and being forced to do it by -- was it her uncle the king? -- would take anyone to dark places in their psyche. Cashore achieves the right balance between Katsa's darkness and her innate goodness.
 

 
Shelf Elf: I think it's a real achievement that Kristin created such a powerful character, physically powerful and full of complex emotion, whom readers can also see as vulnerable.

 

HWM: Loved her. The strong kick-butt girl with a conscience who battles between good and evil.

 

Little Willow: Who were your favorite supporting characters?

Melissa: Bitterblue!

Little Willow: Oh, yes, little Bitterblue!

Melissa: What a poised and lovely girl. And of course Katsa's gaggle of "just friends" boys... those are always fun.

Lorie Ann: Have to go with Po.

Shelf Elf: Again Lorie Ann, ditto with the Po. ;)
 

 

Dia: I, too, really enjoyed Bitterblue. And Po of course!
 

 

HWM: Raffin.

 

Little Willow: How does Graceling tie-in with this month's theme of Triumph at readergirlz?

Lorie Ann: Katsa triumphs over her own Grace and fears, her physical environment, and the politics of evil rulers.

Dia: Katsa triumphs over the darkness in her self that has come to her through the execution of her gift.

Shelf Elf: Katsa makes the choice to use her powers for good, not evil. There's triumph in mastering yourself, in making choices to be proud of. 

Little Willow: What are your hidden strengths? (Though I suppose if you answer this, they are no longer hidden!)
 

Dia: I wish somebody would tell me!

Shelf Elf: Dancing? I never dance publicly, but I'm great in the living room. I've got rhythm.

Little Willow: Now I'm singing and dancing to the song I've Got Rhythm! I'm a singer, dancer, and actress, but I don't hide those things. Hmmm. I think one of my hidden strengths is my resilience. I bounce back pretty well from rejection or let-down. I try to always stay optimistic and hopeful. Another would be my derring-do. When things need to be done, I get them done. It's only when others comment upon them that I realize not everyone would have done those things - that they might have thought the tasks too difficult to even attempt and stopped before they even began.
 

Lorie Ann: I hope it's perseverance. So far it is.

Little Willow: The condition of having eyes of two different colors, like Kat and the others who are Graced, is called heterochromia of the eye (heterochromia iridis or heterochromia iridum). What color are your eyes? Mine are brown.

Shelf Elf: Mine are the type of eyes that seem to change color depending on the light and my clothing. Most of the time they're greyish green. I've always sort of wished for eyes that were a real, deep, obvious color.  I'd go with seriously green, because you don't see that very often.

Melissa: Mine are green, but they sometimes look blue. I like that -- no one ever really knows which they are. Maybe I'm a Graceling! And you too, Shelf Elf!
 

 
 

Little Willow: We have Graced ones in our presence! Can you envision yourself with eyes of a different color?

Lorie Ann: Mine are brown, and often red. Ha! I always thought green would be nice.

Little Willow: I like the color of my eyes and my hair (also brown) and I wouldn't permanently change the color, though I wouldn't mind doing something temporary to either for the sake of a role, because that would be for her, for my character. For me, though, I like what I have, and I like what I am.  That being said, I think purple or gray (or magically silver) eyes would be pretty, because I like those colours in general.

Dia: I have gray-green eyes. When I was in high school and college I wore green-tinted contact lenses. That was fun!

Little Willow: Also consider the eye colors that are more prevalent on animals other than humans, like orange. My cats had beautiful eyes. Twinkie's were the bluest blue, truly the prettiest eyes I've ever seen - while Hollywood and Spooky had eye colors not typically seen on people, orange and gold.

 

HWM: Dark brown. Wouldn't change the color at all.

 

Little Willow: What did you think  of Kristin Cashore's writing style?

Melissa: My heart stopped when Leck appeared toward the end. I didn't see it coming, and I got very scared and upset for a moment there! I guess that means the writing worked. I just adored the tale.

 

Lorie Ann: I'm in my second read-through, but I remember wanting marriage at the conclusion. I know, I know. So opposite to what Katsa wants. But that's me. When they first left together, I didn't think I'd be able to lie next to Po night after night platonically... I did enjoy the characterization, plot, pacing, and final revelations. I admire all the fighting detail!

Dia: I love the combination of fantasy, adventure, and romance. The grand climax where Katsa confronts the king was stunning. Excellent plotting.

Shelf Elf: Gosh, she's so good at romance, and really freaky bad guys.

 

HWM: The ending was great -- the characters surprised me (the scene with Leck was great) and I remember wanting to throttle Po and Katsa. There were a few scenes I wanted to see more development, but overall, the plotting, pacing and characterization was spot on. 

 

Little Willow: What (or who) do you hope to find in Fire, Kristin Cashore's next book?

 

Jackie: I am lucky enough to have already read it, thanks to a friend, so while I already know what happens, I will say I was VERY interested in the one crossover character.

Shelf Elf: Like you Jackie, I'm lucky to have read Fire already. I was hoping that the characters would be as memorable as all those in Graceling. They are.

Lorie Ann: I'm totally up for whatever Kristin has brought from her heart.
 

 

Dia: I would like to see Katsa continue to evolve -- and more of Po of course!

 

HWM: I've also been fortunate to have read Fire. So different from Graceling, but the one character who does make himself known, Leck -- shudder.
 

Little Willow: Final thoughts?

 

Lorie Ann: Thanks so much to Kristin for bringing us a fantasy with such girl power. We rise to the top of the mountains with Katsa. I'm sure we'll continue to soar with Kristin through her long career!
 

Learn more about Graceling in the September 2009 issue of readergirlz.

September: Heterochromia

Do you know what it's called when someone has eyes of two different colors, like Kat and the others who are Graced? Heterochromia - in this case, heterochromia of the eye. From Wikipedia:

"Heterochromia of the eye (heterochromia iridis or heterochromia iridum) is of two kinds. In complete heterochromia, one iris is a different color from the other. In partial heterochromia or sectoral heterochromia, part of one iris is a different color from its remainder."

You may be familiar with some well-known people with heterochromia, such as Jane Seymour and Kiefer Sutherland. Here's a fun fact: Anastasius I had one black eye and one blue eye, so his nickname was Dicorus, which means "two-pupiled."

Do you know anyone with two differently-colored eyes? What color are your eyes?

~Little Willow

September: Identity Crisis

In Graceling, Katsa feels stuck in an identity that isn't really hers - that someone else has imposed on her. She despises being the king's killer. Have you ever been boxed into an identity through another person's imposition?

Welcome, Kristin Cashore!

We are thrilled to welcome Kristin Cashore to readergirlz. Her exciting novel, Graceling, is our September pick! Check out the our interview with Kristin, book party ideas themed around Graceling, and our Reach Out project idea--as well as the awesome soundtrack Kristin's chosen for the book--on readergirlz.com.

Here's a little about the book:

In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po's friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

And the buzz...

"Action, adventure, love . . . all rolled up in a fiercely independent heroine who learns how to govern her gift and trust her heart. How could we not become smitten with Graceling?" - Justina Chen Headley, rgz diva and author

Winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature

Winner of the SIBA Book Award, YA category

Indies Choice Book Award Honor Book

Morris Award (ALA) and Andre Norton Award (SFWA) finalist

We are stoked! Join us all month right here on the blog for discussions and mark your calendars a LIVE chat with Kristin on Wednesday, September 16th at 6pm PST/9pm EST.

Happy September, readergirlz!

September: rgz Newsflash!

We are facing the new school year with Triumph at rgz! We are happy to announce our very first Author in Residence, Beth Kephart. This critically acclaimed, gracious writer will be on the rgz team through December. Check out her mini-issue at the rgz website. Watch our blog for Beth’s monthly vlog entries about writing, which will include contests! Come welcome this author of HOUSE OF DANCE, UNDERCOVER, and NOTHING BUT GHOSTS!

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rgz welcomes Kristin Cashore!
In September we are honored to host Kristin Cashore as our featured author. We’ll discuss her engaging fantasy, GRACELING. You can talk about related topics all month at the rgz blog. rgz LIVE! with Kristin will be held there on September 16th at 6 p.m. Pacific/9 p.m. Eastern. Join our celebration of Katsa and her amazing journey.

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Snatch up the postergirlz recommended reads to accompany Graceling:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock
• The Attolia books by Meghan Whalen Turner
• The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
• Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier
• In Their Shoes: Extraordinary Women Describe Their Amazing Careers by Deborah Reber and Lisa Fyfe

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Teen Read Week Tribute!
Do you love YALSA's Teen Read Week? Let it out at your blog through a post or vlog, then send the link to readergirlz@gmail.com. Subject line: Your name, TRW Tribute. We’ll collect all the contributions and post them at the rgz blog in a 24 hour time span. Tell us about your recent release, or a book you love dearly, and then give a shout out for Teen Read Week. The tribute will run October 23!

And here's a sneak preview for the awesome Teen Read Week event we're planning at readergirlz! (Remember last year?) And do we have an unbelievable lineup! Stay tuned for more info later this month...

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rgz Launch Party with Janet Lee Carey!
Join the STEALING DEATH Launch Party with rgz co-founder, Janet Lee Carey on Wednesday, September 30, at 6 p.m. Pacific/9 p.m. Eastern! We’ll be chatting about her new fantasy release with Egmont that just received a starred review in SLJ. Congrats, Janet! We heart you!


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Give a welcome to our newest rgz SALON appointment: Lyn Miller-Lachmann, editor of MultiCultural Review and author of GRINGOLANDIA. She’ll be bringing reviews of multicultural titles to the rgz blog. Thanks, Lyn! Nancy Pearl, Sharon Levin, Judy Nelson, and Rene Kirkpatrick will enjoy the company, I’m sure.

As always, if you have any suggestions for our award winning online book community, contact us at divas@readergirlz.com.

Thanks for joining us as we read, reflect, and reach out!

Best in books,
the readergirlz divas~

Lorie Ann Grover, Hold Me Tight
Dia Calhoun, Avielle of Rhia
Holly Cupala, Tell Me A Secret (2010)
Justina Chen Headley, North of Beautiful
Melissa Walker, Lovestruck Summer

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