More on it later, but for now just know that...

Graceling, by Kristin Cashore

...Graceling is very extremely awesome.

I cried when it was over. Not because the story made me sad, but because it was OVER.

It made me think of Tamora Pierce, Shannon Hale and Robin McKinley. And the male romantic lead? WAY more attractive than Edward Cullen. (Part of the attraction for me, of course, lies in the fact that he is aware of and comfortable with the fact that Katsa, the heroine, is perfectly capable of taking care of herself and making her own decisions.)

I am DYING for the book to actually come out so that everyone, everyone, everyone can read it, read it, read it!