In class we discusssed how Katsa wasn't CLOSE to normal (as we all see). Ever since accidentally killing her adult cousin at eight years old, she has been the King’s hitman and strong-arm. She is made to think of herself as nothing more than simply just a killer. No emotions, no feelings, no brains. Her uncle, the king, has made sure it is so. When a secret mission grants her a first encounter with Po, everything she thought she knew about herself, begins to slowly change.
Watching Katsa evolve as a character as she discover’s her humanity was amazing. She starts as nothing more than a leashed attack dog for her uncle, King Randa. As she meets and spends time with Po, she becomes more and more human. She is such a strong, fierce female character that we don’t see much of in many recent novels. It isn’t a pretense for her, or in any way an attempt to gain advantage. It is just who she is.
Po is an equally rich character. Also Graced, he is the first true match in a physical fight for Katsa. Even with his Grace, he is still unable to beat her. What struck me was how he was okay with it and even seemed proud of her. (which also was weird that they LOVE beating the shit out of eachother). He doesn’t take the stance of many male characters and want to change or be the strong one in the relationship, and yet he doesn’t come off as wimpy either.
Po and Katsa’s journey to find out about secrets surrounding his grandfather’s kidnapping is exciting and full of adventure. Along the way there are wolves, mountain lions, treacherous weather, princesses in need of rescue, murder, and people who aren’t what they seem.
I knew this book would be good, but I was still shocked at quite how much I actuallly like it and i'm def not a big reader.
