Graceling

Synopsis by Kristin Cashore on her blog:
Graceling, my debut novel, is the story of Katsa, who has been able to kill people with her bare hands since she was eight. Katsa lives in the seven kingdoms, where very occasionally, a person is born with an extreme skill called a Grace. Gracelings are feared and exploited in the seven kingdoms, and none moreso than Katsa, who's expected to do the dirty work of torture and punishment for her uncle, King Randa. But then she meets a mysterious stranger named Po, who is also a Graced fighter and the first person ever to challenge her in a fight. The two form a bond, and each discovers truths they never imagined about themselves, each other, and a terrible danger that is spreading slowly through the seven kingdoms.
My review:
This is my kind of book. I admit, I'm a huge fan of fantasy. And if you're not, then you won't like this book. But the female protagonist is strong, the pace is quick, and the story is compelling. Again, it's a "power is in you" kind of book. But there's less of a "life lesson" feel to it. It's just good story telling.