Instead of fast-forwarding to a dystopian future, Kristin Cashore's Graceling takes us to an older and more magical time and place. The Seven Kingdoms, packed with ladies, lords, and kings, is the backdrop of Lady Katsa and Prince Po's journey to find out what happened to Po's grandfather, who went missing under suspicious circumstances. Both are "Gracelings," or those graced with a magical talent. Initially skeptical of each other's skills, the two form a deep bond throughout their mission to discover the truth, and they discover quite a few other things about each other, too. The Graceling series is notable for its sexiness, but also for the empowering characters who embrace their sexuality (and the sexuality of others) openly and in a positive, forward-thinking way.
