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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
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.
Loved it This was a perfect mix of everything I know and love about YA fantasy and fresh and unique.
Alessa is supposed to marry and share power with her husband but she keeps killing her husbands instead. The people her power is supposed to save have enough and take that as a sign she needs to die. After a couple of attempts, Alessa hires someone to guard her.
Perfect debut and highly recommend
Alessa is supposed to marry and share power with her husband but she keeps killing her husbands instead. The people her power is supposed to save have enough and take that as a sign she needs to die. After a couple of attempts, Alessa hires someone to guard her.
Perfect debut and highly recommend
Loved Dante & Alessa’s story here; plus all the other Fontis really came through and the friendships formed were to die for.
DNF at 20%.
I’ll be honest, as soon as I heard the words, “rude gesture” I knew it was going to be a DNF. I knew going into this book that it was a YA but omg it seems like I’ve read this character a million times before. Maybe the plot is a little different but honestly idc.
I’ll be honest, as soon as I heard the words, “rude gesture” I knew it was going to be a DNF. I knew going into this book that it was a YA but omg it seems like I’ve read this character a million times before. Maybe the plot is a little different but honestly idc.
This book was so unique!
Our main character Alessa has been chosen by the gods to be the next Finestra. As the Finestra, she is supposed to choose a partner (not sure of the spelling, fuente? Listened to the audio) and together their gift will be magnified by Alessa's gift and they will be able to defeat an invasion of demons. Except Alessa keeps killing her partners just by her touch.
The magic system was so interesting. I don't think I have read about a magic system like this before. It was a little confusing at first, but by the end I had a really good picture of these gifts and how they worked. Not everyone has a gift, but Alessa needs to choose the one she thinks will be the most useful in battle (as long as she doesn't kill them first).
Alessa was a great main character. She really took her position seriously and even though her own island was starting to think she might be better off dead so a new Finestra could be named who wouldn't kill everyone they touched, she wanted more than anything to help. She hires an outsider (Dante) to become her bodyguard and learns his darkest secret, but his secret might be able to help her. Dante is the bad boy type and I really enjoyed is character too. Alessa also has her candidates for her partner and by the end I came to really enjoy the unlikely friend group they made up.
This book was for the most part fast paced and interesting. It was easy to listen to and the narrator was fantastic. The ending was an incredible whirlwind that kept me on the edge of my seat. We got a great wrap up, but at the same time a little bit of intentional confusion and lead up into the second book which I already can't wait to read!
Thank you to Netgalley for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Our main character Alessa has been chosen by the gods to be the next Finestra. As the Finestra, she is supposed to choose a partner (not sure of the spelling, fuente? Listened to the audio) and together their gift will be magnified by Alessa's gift and they will be able to defeat an invasion of demons. Except Alessa keeps killing her partners just by her touch.
The magic system was so interesting. I don't think I have read about a magic system like this before. It was a little confusing at first, but by the end I had a really good picture of these gifts and how they worked. Not everyone has a gift, but Alessa needs to choose the one she thinks will be the most useful in battle (as long as she doesn't kill them first).
Alessa was a great main character. She really took her position seriously and even though her own island was starting to think she might be better off dead so a new Finestra could be named who wouldn't kill everyone they touched, she wanted more than anything to help. She hires an outsider (Dante) to become her bodyguard and learns his darkest secret, but his secret might be able to help her. Dante is the bad boy type and I really enjoyed is character too. Alessa also has her candidates for her partner and by the end I came to really enjoy the unlikely friend group they made up.
This book was for the most part fast paced and interesting. It was easy to listen to and the narrator was fantastic. The ending was an incredible whirlwind that kept me on the edge of my seat. We got a great wrap up, but at the same time a little bit of intentional confusion and lead up into the second book which I already can't wait to read!
Thank you to Netgalley for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
tense
*2.5-3*
Mmm…I’m not sure about this one. While the book has a clear storyline, it didn’t feel strong to me. It just felt childish. There were certain phrases in the book that seemed too…modern, I guess? Like I’m just confused as to when this book takes place/the vibe of it. Is it supposed to be ancient Italy, modern, or a mix of both? I don’t know, I just wish it took a firm stance on things. I also think the message of friendship and whatnot was badly presented because it almost read like a children’s book? It was just confusing because there was sex scene that I guess was a bit more scandalous for a YA novel, but some of the plot felt disingenuous. Also, not a big fan of Renata and Nina because…well, it’s pretty self explanatory. Also the fact that Renata basically said Alessa’s willingness to kill herself showed that how much she grew and was willing to sacrifice???? Ummmm that is definitely not the phrasing I’d use. I’m interested to see where things go, but I’m not sure how much.
Mmm…I’m not sure about this one. While the book has a clear storyline, it didn’t feel strong to me. It just felt childish. There were certain phrases in the book that seemed too…modern, I guess? Like I’m just confused as to when this book takes place/the vibe of it. Is it supposed to be ancient Italy, modern, or a mix of both? I don’t know, I just wish it took a firm stance on things. I also think the message of friendship and whatnot was badly presented because it almost read like a children’s book? It was just confusing because there was sex scene that I guess was a bit more scandalous for a YA novel, but some of the plot felt disingenuous. Also, not a big fan of Renata and Nina because…well, it’s pretty self explanatory. Also the fact that Renata basically said Alessa’s willingness to kill herself showed that how much she grew and was willing to sacrifice???? Ummmm that is definitely not the phrasing I’d use. I’m interested to see where things go, but I’m not sure how much.