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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I found this confusing, either because it was poorly written or because I wasn't paying attention to it. Either option is a problem. I didn't like the dynamic between the main characters and wasn't interested in them or their romance.
Alessa is divinely chosen to save her generation from the God's coming wrath. She can not do this alone and must pick a suitor whose powers she can magnify to save the island. Three times she has epically failed and her suitors have ended up dead. Now, the disastrous event is nigh and she's running out of time to pick the next suitor, so she begins to challenge the assumptions and authorities to find her way to the destiny she was promised.
I found this one to be formulaic. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, but the characters and plot were all pretty expected. The main character can't be touched by anyone (Girl Serpent Thorn does it better), the unexpected handsome stranger in love with the chosen one, the chosen one needs more than the prophecies advise. All fairly unoriginal elements, the author blends them well and I flew through the story pretty easily but I was never entranced. I found Alessa an annoying, love-sick girl rather than a powerful female role model. Too often she relied on a man to guide her. I give this one a meh.
Also this is the first time in a long time I like the original cover better than the special edition version.
I found this one to be formulaic. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, but the characters and plot were all pretty expected. The main character can't be touched by anyone (Girl Serpent Thorn does it better), the unexpected handsome stranger in love with the chosen one, the chosen one needs more than the prophecies advise. All fairly unoriginal elements, the author blends them well and I flew through the story pretty easily but I was never entranced. I found Alessa an annoying, love-sick girl rather than a powerful female role model. Too often she relied on a man to guide her. I give this one a meh.
Also this is the first time in a long time I like the original cover better than the special edition version.
This Vicious Grace is a unique and brilliant fantasy that had me on the edge of my seat!
The first thing I loved about this book were the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter, which were very beautiful and really drew me in.
I liked Alessa as a character and thought she was very realistic. She was rebellious but also hopeful and selfless, which made her a very loveable character. I loved the dynamic between Alessa and Dante, her bodyguard, friend and love interest. Their banter was humorous but I also loved the more serene moments where they slowly fell in love.
Whilst I found that it started off rather slow, the pace quickly began to pick up and the romance, danger and anticipation completely drew me in. There wasn't much worldbuilding of what was beyond the island where this book takes place, however I enjoyed the mystery and am excited for it to be explored in book two.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing I loved about this book were the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter, which were very beautiful and really drew me in.
I liked Alessa as a character and thought she was very realistic. She was rebellious but also hopeful and selfless, which made her a very loveable character. I loved the dynamic between Alessa and Dante, her bodyguard, friend and love interest. Their banter was humorous but I also loved the more serene moments where they slowly fell in love.
Whilst I found that it started off rather slow, the pace quickly began to pick up and the romance, danger and anticipation completely drew me in. There wasn't much worldbuilding of what was beyond the island where this book takes place, however I enjoyed the mystery and am excited for it to be explored in book two.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This Vicious Grace is an incredibly fun YA fantasy story that I had such a great time reading. There were many moments where I genuinely laughed out loud, and others where I just wanted to squeal in happiness.
If you're ever looking for a fantasy book that is just cozy and funny and just a good time in-between epic fantasies or emotional literary fiction, this would be a good fit.
The book follows the story of showing girl who has a magical power that can amplify other people's magic. She is called the Fenestra, and she is supposed to marry someone with whom she can fight off this doomsday-like attack from these creatures that their kingdom has to face over and over for a period of time.
I loved the relationships between the friend groups as well. A hint of the found family right there.
The romance is silly and cute and wholesome. It also is a sorta grumpy x sunshine trope relationship, plus obviously the bodyguard trope. The whole vibe of this book is just comfortable fun.
Even though there are quite high stakes in the story (there's sort of a doomsday coming where they will be attacked by monsters and our MCs job is to fight them), there's still a lighter tone to it. Like there would be some very serious moments and emotions running high, but it would end in a cute scene or a joke and the story would revert back to its original tone. It's very self-aware.
The setting was also a really interesting, Italian-inspired world. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for some escapism and a good time.
Head over to my blog for more fun bookish content!
If you're ever looking for a fantasy book that is just cozy and funny and just a good time in-between epic fantasies or emotional literary fiction, this would be a good fit.
The book follows the story of showing girl who has a magical power that can amplify other people's magic. She is called the Fenestra, and she is supposed to marry someone with whom she can fight off this doomsday-like attack from these creatures that their kingdom has to face over and over for a period of time.
I loved the relationships between the friend groups as well. A hint of the found family right there.
The romance is silly and cute and wholesome. It also is a sorta grumpy x sunshine trope relationship, plus obviously the bodyguard trope. The whole vibe of this book is just comfortable fun.
Even though there are quite high stakes in the story (there's sort of a doomsday coming where they will be attacked by monsters and our MCs job is to fight them), there's still a lighter tone to it. Like there would be some very serious moments and emotions running high, but it would end in a cute scene or a joke and the story would revert back to its original tone. It's very self-aware.
The setting was also a really interesting, Italian-inspired world. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for some escapism and a good time.
Head over to my blog for more fun bookish content!
Read this book in ONE DAY!!
Plot: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Romance: 4 stars
Dying for a sequel? Absolutely
This book was so good! Probably my favorite 5 star book so far!
Only thing I will say is this book is marketed for YA but I’m not sure the spice level matches? It’s not explicit but it’s certainly not conservative either (which I’m not complaining about) but it’s an interesting label
Plot: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Romance: 4 stars
Dying for a sequel? Absolutely
This book was so good! Probably my favorite 5 star book so far!
Only thing I will say is this book is marketed for YA but I’m not sure the spice level matches? It’s not explicit but it’s certainly not conservative either (which I’m not complaining about) but it’s an interesting label
Damn it Emily, you made me cry! This book was just so good. No spoilers but I’m so glad it didn’t end the way I thought it would.
I loved Alessa and Dante’s relationship. It really felt like it was being properly build on through out the book and not going from 1-100 the way some authors write this kind of relationship.
The chapter where they get drunk and he puts a scarf on so he can hug her was just the sweetest thing I think I’ve ever read.
Really looking forward to seeing what happens in the sequel!
I loved Alessa and Dante’s relationship. It really felt like it was being properly build on through out the book and not going from 1-100 the way some authors write this kind of relationship.
The chapter where they get drunk and he puts a scarf on so he can hug her was just the sweetest thing I think I’ve ever read.
Really looking forward to seeing what happens in the sequel!
Thank you Wednesday Books for the eARC of This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede in exchange for my honest review.
I can't wait to own a copy of this book. I loved every second of it.
It was an interesting, new concept that I hadn't heard before and you immediately fall in love with the cast of characters. I love a found family story and a dark haired, brooding love interest -- and this one is no exception. I absolutely loved it. It keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the book and sets up the sequel perfectly.
5/5 for me, and one of my favorite books I've read so far this year.
I can't wait to own a copy of this book. I loved every second of it.
It was an interesting, new concept that I hadn't heard before and you immediately fall in love with the cast of characters. I love a found family story and a dark haired, brooding love interest -- and this one is no exception. I absolutely loved it. It keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the book and sets up the sequel perfectly.
5/5 for me, and one of my favorite books I've read so far this year.
Alessa is the chosen Finestra, the Gods chose her to bond with a partner and magnify their magic in order to overpower the evil swarms that will attack their island. But Alessa is different, and every partner she has touched so far she has killed. After multiple assassination attempts Alessa takes her safety into her own hands and hires Dante, a marked killer, as her bodyguard. But Dante has secrets of his own. Can Alessa learn to manage her gift before its too late?
A fantastic debut from Emily Thiede! I devoured this book in about two days and loved it. There was the perfect balance between the plot occurring and us learning more about each of the characters. Alessa is a magnificent protagonist, a girl who craves freedom but also who is full of kindness and knows what she must do. Her loneliness due to not being able to touch is so well written. Dante is cynical, moody and snarky, but all in the best way. He is one of the only people who doesn’t treat Alessa differently and so they have a fun relationship. All the characters in this novel were well written and had a lot of depth to them.
The plot itself took many turns that as a reader I wasnt always expecting but greatly appreciated. And it was left wide open for sequels but not on a cliffhanger.
Overall a very strong fantasy debut for Emily Thiede and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A fantastic debut from Emily Thiede! I devoured this book in about two days and loved it. There was the perfect balance between the plot occurring and us learning more about each of the characters. Alessa is a magnificent protagonist, a girl who craves freedom but also who is full of kindness and knows what she must do. Her loneliness due to not being able to touch is so well written. Dante is cynical, moody and snarky, but all in the best way. He is one of the only people who doesn’t treat Alessa differently and so they have a fun relationship. All the characters in this novel were well written and had a lot of depth to them.
The plot itself took many turns that as a reader I wasnt always expecting but greatly appreciated. And it was left wide open for sequels but not on a cliffhanger.
Overall a very strong fantasy debut for Emily Thiede and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.