Graceling Read-Along! Character Profiles - Po

Hey! 
Welcome to the last post for the first part of our Graceling read along! Today, I’ll be giving you Po’s character profile. Make sure to check out Erika’s blog to see her entries!! 

A few things first: 

Remember the art/writing competition! 

Any entries/questions should be sent to justanotherpageinbetween@gmail.com

Also, this post will contain spoilers for Graceling! 

Tomorrow we will start reading Fire, the second book of the trilogy! ^.^

Let’s get started with the profile!

Name: Prince Greening Grandemalion (also known as Po) 
Age: 19/20 
Home/Kingdom: Lienid
Relation to the throne: 7th son of the King of Lienid 
Grace Background: Po stays secretive about his Grace to most people he knows. It it obvious that he is Graced, though. With one silver eye and one golden one, he is known to be an exceptional fighter. At first, Katsa asks things such as weather or not he is a mind reader, or has eyes on the back of his heads. She is convinced he is not just a fighter. When she gains his trust, Po ends up telling her the true nature of his Grace - that he can sense people around him, when they think things that relate directly to him. Katsa uses this to talk to him in his mind without anyone noticing. Po uses his ability to go to Leck’s kingdom and decide wether he is being deceived or not. 
Later in the book, it is revealed to us that Po is dizzy and is going blind. Consequentially, he’s able to sense many more things - not just people’s thoughts about him, but animals, landforms, basically everything about him. At first it’s overwhelming, but when he learns to open up to everything, his Grace intensifies. 
Personality: Po seems a bit arrogant and teasing at first, but is quickly shown to have the biggest heart. He just wants everyone to stay safe, and will willingly lower his status to protect others, and for comfort. He likes freedom. 
Close friends: Aside his closest brother, Skye, Po is close to the rest of his family, and especially Katsa. He wishes they could marry, but she often refuses. 

To-Be-Read Pile - Tag!

Hey all! 
I was tagged by Aga @ Books For the Mind to do this tag! ^.^ 

Let’s get started! 

1. A book you are unable to finish
Okay so there’s a lot of shame about this. I love Dan Brown’s books - The DaVinci Code, Inferno, Angels and Demons... They’re such intense reads! 

So I was at the second-hand area of my bookstore about two years ago and saw one of his books I haven’t read yet - Digital Fortress - and it sounded awesome!

I got to 30 pages to the end... 

I never picked it up again... 

I don’t know why I just couldn’t get myself to read it for anything. The book itself was okay, but... I just don’t know! o.o I ended up giving the book away to a better home ^^ 


2. A book you have yet to read because you just can’t find the time. 
I swear I’m getting through Lady Midnight! It’s such a shame I haven’t read it yet, it’s one of my most anticipated releases of 2016, and I’m 200 pages in, it’s just reading it has been very slow because of ARCs I’ve had to catch up with, our Graceling Read-along, exams, midterms, papers, etc... ._. 


3. A book you haven’t read yet because it’s brand new. 
I already own a copy of A Court of Mist and Fury even though it isn’t officially out yet, (thanks local bookstore!! <3 ) and I’m 50-ish pages in. Of course I haven’t read it yet, it’s not even brand new yet! Hopefully I’ll have read it before the release date. But I must say, that probably won’t happen, because of other stuff going on, and because it’s over 600 pages! ^^


4. A book you haven’t read yet, but you’ve already read a book by that author
I’ve read every single Rick Riordan book except for The Blood of Olympus... I know I know shame on me I’m gonna go hide now bye!!! 


5. A book you just aren’t in the mood for. 
I don’t know why...
I honestly don’t know... 
But I can’t get myself to be in the mood for Heir of Fire...
I know that everyone raves about this book and says how absolutely fantastic it is and everything, I just need to find the right time to get to it! I’m so so behind on the whole Throne of Glass hype, I’ve been waiting for so long between each book! I really should marathon them once I’m in the right mood for them. 

6. A book that is just too massive for you to find the motivation to pick it up
Well the size of a book has never really scared me, but a big book I haven’t read yet is the whole Chronicles of Narnia. I have some friends out there who are probably shaking their head or gasping right now XD But the copy I own is thicker than City of Heavenly Fire, which is also massive ._. 

7. The most intimidating book on your TBR pile
Intimidating? I guess I want to say 1984, I’m often pushed to read it, and now I’m just worried I won’t like it...

I can also say the Bartimaeus Trilogy for this, I’ve read the first book a super long time ago and didn’t like it much, but I found the last two books second-hand, and I’m tempted to pick them up again when I find the time, I’m just worried they’ll just be disappointing again...



That’s it for this tag! I have to go now, consider yourselves tagged by me! ^-^

Have an amazing day! 

~Caroline~

Graceling Read-Along! - Grace List

Hey all! 
Welcome to a new part of our read along! 

We decided that it could be beneficial to have a ‘Grace List’, or a list of all of the graces encountered in Graceling! Maybe this’ll help you decide on weather to read it or not! :) 

Main Graces

Survival: Katsa’s Grace, though initially was first thought to be a killing Grace, is a Grace that allows her to survive even in the most dire circumstances. She always knows which way is north, can start a fire out of practically nothing, force herself to sleep, never gets sick, and has exceptional stamina and fighting skills. Her Grace allows her to combat anything that may cause her harm, physically or environmentally. She discovered this Grace after comparing herself to others.

“If you learned that my Grace wasnt’ Killing,’ she said ‘but survival…’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘Would it surprise you?”

Senser: Po’s Grace lets him sense what others are thinking in relation to himself. As a result, he can also “see” his surroundings by feeling them. His ability to read what others feel or think of him allows him to always be one step ahead, and thus is able to predict their moves or actions in battle, giving him his false Grace of combat. Later in the book, his Grace grows to such an extent that he can accurately sense everything around him without having to open his eyes at all.

“It’s easy, Katsa. It’s as if when I open myself up to every perception, thimgs create their own focus. I mean, think of us now, standing here. There’s a bird in the tree behind me, do you see it?”

Siren voice: Leck’s Grace allows him make people believe or do anything he says just by hearing his words. His power extends so that even if you overhear someone else repeating his words, you can fall back under his control.

“He has a Grace’ she said ‘My mother told me so. She told me he can manipulate people’s minds with his words, so that they believe whatever he says. Even if they hear it from someone else’s mouth; even if it’s a rumor he started that’s spread far beyond him. His power weakens as it spreads, but it does not disappear…”

Army/Guard Graces:

Sword fighting

Archery

Close combat fighting

Speed

Strength

Court Graces:

Chef

Horse handler

Juggler

Numbers (mathematics)

Prediction (for next year’s harvest)

Mood determination

Miscellaneous Graces

Seer

Swimming

Holding one’s breath

Climbing trees

Talking backwards

Our Graces

Thievery

Moving unseen/unheard

Demigods and Monsters, by Raye Wagner

Hey all! 
I just finished Demigods and Monsters, by Raye Wagner!!

Note: I received this book straight from the author herself, however, this does not affect my opinions about it. Thanks again! 

"Can Apollo’s curse be broken?
Seventeen-year-old Hope Nicholas is done running. Apollo’s curse has ruled her entire life, limiting her choices and robbing her of the things that matter most. But she refuses to live in fear any longer. In fact, she’s ready to do whatever it takes to break the god’s power over her existence. 
When the goddess Artemis instructs Hope to impersonate a demigod and infiltrate a conservatory to get access to the Olympian library, she doesn’t hesitate. As she sees it, there’s nothing left to lose. 
But once inside, Hope discovers the only way to get what she needs is to work with her sworn enemies. As the lines between demigod and monster are crossed again and again, Hope has to dig deep for the courage to accept her fate or fight for the freedom to save herself.
Demigods and Monsters is the second book in the Sphinx series.”

First and foremost I want to apologize for not posting this review before today - I have been caught up in lots of things at uni. 

Now for the review!

Demigods and Monsters brought a new twist to the universe presented to us in the Curse of the Sphinx. Basically, around the world, there are conservatories - places where demigods can learn history, train, and basically live comfortably. Hope finds a way to get into the conservatory in hopes of getting to the Olympian Library (which sounds like the best place EVER I mean it has a copy of every book ever published!!! *-*). There’s quite a few interactions between her and other demigods, Skia (which, if you remember, are the shadow-like people who hunt immortals), and a new guy called Xan. 

Xan is a son of Ares, and an exceptional fighter. Right away, he shows that he can be a good friend to Hope as long as she trusts him. All around, rumors about the Sphinx are brewing, and Hope puts a wall up between her and Xan to protect herself. At the same time, she’s worried for Athan, who she doesn’t really trust anymore...

This book has a nice pace to it - it has a good rhythm and many great ideas about greek mythology! It definitely keeps you reading to see just what might happen to Hope. 

The characters were well thought-out and placed in the story, and were believable. The only thing I had a little problem with was how quickly Hope would judge people without knowing anything about them. I also feel that people seem to be manipulating her from all sides. 

The action sequences were described incredibly well, and were some of my favorite parts of the book! My only regret is that there weren’t more of them Maybe in book 3? 

I’m giving this a 3.5/5 feathers - I liked it just a bit less than the first one. 

Graceling, by Kristin Cashore

Hey all! 
I just finished reading Graceling, by Kristen Cashore! 
Erika and I have been reading the Graceling set for our read along! Make sure to join! :D

Goodreads Blurb: 
"In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are both feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing.

Feared by the court and shunned by those her own age, the darkness of her Grace casts a heavy shadow over Katsa’s life. Yet she remains defiant: when the King of Lienid’s father is kidnapped she investigates, and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap the old man, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced man whose fighting abilities rivalled her own?

The only thing Katsa is sure of is that she no longer wants to kill. The intrigue around this kidnapping offers her a way out – but little does she realise, when she takes it, that something insidious and dark lurks behind the mystery. Something spreading from the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king...”

For me this is a re-read, but seriously, this is one of my favorite books, hands down. 

Ok so basically in this world people aren’t born with ‘powers’ in the conventional sense. Like no one can manipulate elements or fly or create things out of nothing. No, these characters have ‘graces’.  Think of them as skills that are magnified by a lot. Like let’s say you are good at singing, right? Being graced with singing means that you are more than good, more than exceptional. Or, like in Katsa’s case, you can be so good at defending yourself that it develops to a killing grace... 

Katsa is SUCH a cool character! She knows what she wants (and it actually quite stubborn about it), but has little things that ease that out. She wants girls to be able to defend herself, and is ready to spend time and energy to teach them how to do so. She knows people are scared of her for her grace, but it still bothers her. She doesn’t want to marry or have children, but is open to ‘something else’ that doesn’t involve that specific commitment. And people are okay with that! She’s strong and goes to incredible lengths to get to her goals. 

The politics involved between the different lands is not overly detailed, but is still unique and interesting. All of the lands are unique in their own way and show interesting connections to the others. The kings are all so different and strange, and almost every one of the main characters seem to be in the wrong kingdom for them, or want to escape it in some way. 

The plot is interesting as well, with a dark king who can make people believe that everything he says is good and just, even though it is riddled with negative implications and cruelty. I mean this is a guy who tortures animals for fun and makes people think that it wasn’t him and that he makes good choices. I’m telling you he’s slightly crazy. He has a daughter called Bitterblue who is in danger of being harmed by him. Katsa and Po save Bitterblue from her fate, (and more happens that I can’t talk about here, check the spoiler section if you want). 

SPOILERS!!!!! 

• When Katsa and Po go separate ways because he’s hurt just breaks my reader’s heart every time. They both care so much!
• And when Katsa figures out that Po is going blind... all the feels! 
• King Leck’s death was, in my opinion, one of the coolest bad-guy-death scenes I’ve read in a long time. It goes fast as a blade, it’s quiet, and its both a shock and a relief. 
• The whole thing with the rings! *_* I might just write a short story about that, idk yet. I just loved that concept! 

END SPOILERS

Po is one of my favorite male characters. His grace - sensing things - is so incredible and unique, especially towards the end when it develops into something bigger. He is so sweet and caring and... fun! He is persistent and kind, with a light, happy personality, but knows when to tone down and be serious. 

I actually just realized I have to go super soon! 

Have you read Graceling? What did you think about it? Let us know in the comments! 

I’m giving this a 5/5 feathers because it’s just that good! 

Happy Birthday JABB!!!

Hey all! 
Today, my blog has turned one year old!!! <3

(I just love that gif! ^^) 

One year! I can hardly believe it, at first I didn’t think that I would make it more than a month before giving up! 

Blogging has become a regular hobby of mine - I love talking to you guys and exchanging bookish opinions, I love collaborating with other bloggers who have become friends, I love discovering new books on other blogs that just look so amazing that I have to pick them up, and I love finding new favorite books that way! 

A big part of this, other than books and a bit of dedication from my part, is you guys. If no one read this, I probably would persist for a few months, then have given up or tried something else. As I said I have made friends through this whole process, and every time I get a comment I smile like Snape and dance like Dumbledore (see gif above). So yeah, a massive THANK YOU to everyone! :D 

Here’s to another amazing year! 
Have an awesome day and a great weekend! 

~Caroline

P.S. Results of the giveaway will be posted tomorrow! you have until tonight to enter! 

Graceling Read-Along: Fan-Art Competition

Good morning everyone! 
So you may have heard that Erika and I are hosting a Graceling read-along. 
You probably also heard that within this read-along, we are hosting a fan art competition! 

The rules and guidelines are simple enough. 

• Nothing inappropriate, please. Keep it PG-13. Please and thank you. I mean its common sense but a friend of mine had a fanart competition and got some dodgy entries /: 
• Send it to one or both of these sources
• Post it on instagram and tag me @justanotherbookishblog and use #GracelingreadalongART
• Send it to our email address justanotherpageinbetween@gmail.com
• All entries need to be submitted by May 23rd
• Stick with the series, art about any of the three books is fine :) 
• If you want to add a short story/description to it that would be so much fun for us to read! :D

We also have some possibilities if you want to enter in a different way:

• If you’re like me and can’t draw, you can always do a photo composition with the books!
• We will also accept short fan stories! Again nothing inappropriate, and these will be taken into account separately from the art! 
• To enter in any of these you can send them via instagram or email, as described above
• Again, all entries must be submitted by May 23rd

For an example, here is the photo composition I made to advertise the read-along! It isn’t perfect and I’ll be doing a lot more of these, but it’s what I have for now ^^ 

I can’t wait to see what you guys are going to put together for us! Everything will be published on both mine and Erika’s Blog! We are still figuring out a prize, though ;) 

I hope you guys have a fabulous day! 

~Caroline