GRACE AND FURY by Tracy Banghart is a young adult fantasy novel told in alternating points of view, following sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro. The world reminds me of Renaissance Italy, with words like palazzo and gondola making appearances, and an island featured prominently in the story with a cataclysmic event akin to Mt. Vesuvius in ancient Pompeii. The sisters must navigate the patriarchal society where women are allowed to have only two jobs—in a factory or as a wife and mother—and cannot do anything without a man’s permission.

Serina has been groomed all her life to become a Grace—a woman selected by the royal monarch to live within the palace harem—so when she’s chosen to attend the Heir’s birthday ball, she believes her life is made. She’ll be able to provide for her family, allow her mother to retire from the textile factory, and give her family much needed wealth and rest.

Nomi has hated the idea of her sister becoming a Grace since she was old enough to talk. She longs for a life of her choosing, but when Serina is chosen to attend the Heir’s ball, she thinks her life as she knows it—or as she dreamt it—is over. No longer can she dream of her own life with her own choices, but she must attend her sister at the palace.

But when Nomi catches the Heir’s eye instead, and Serina takes the fall for Nomi’s dangerous secret, both of their worlds are forever changed.

I adored GRACE AND FURY. It’s a smaller novel at 320 pages, but it’s jam-packed with action and intrigue and survival. This isn’t <a href="http://tracybanghart.com/books">Banghart</a>’s first novel, and I hope it won’t be her last. I loved the setting and the world—grimy factory towns, gorgeous courts, splendid palaces, dangerous jungles, gritty jails. The places felt so real and realized, each lending a quality of grounded realness to the story.

<a href="https://www.lbyr.com/titles/tracy-banghart/grace-and-fury/9780316471411/">GRACE AND FURY</a> tackles themes such as misogyny, patriarchy, sisterhood, and survival through the dual narrative. Though at first I thought I knew who was Grace and who was Fury, it turns out that the two sisters are not quite what they seem. You’ll have to read the book to find out, but I think you’ll be surprised at the reveal as well.

If you loved books such as <em>The Valiant</em>, <em>The Handmaid’s Tale</em>, and <em>Caraval</em>, you’ll enjoy the political intrigue, the familiar setting, and the fierce sisterhood GRACE AND FURY has to offer. And the best part? This book is out now, so check out your favorite retailer or local library and grab yourself a copy!

Thank you to Hachette Book Group and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing a review copy.

At times this YA book reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale. Woman have no rights and are trying to be the heirs Grace. When Serina is found with a book she is sent to Mount Ruin to serve her punishment where the guards try to break you. Nomi her sister is forced to become a Grace even thou she doesn't want too. I enjoyed this book but I wish there was more to ending. I wanted to know more about what happened to these sisters.

Curse you Tracy for writing such a crazy good book and drawing me into the pages the way you did haha.

I loved this book so much.

I'm such a fantasy junkie and this book gave just what I was craving.

To start, I loved the sisterhood between Nomi and Serina. The two showed how much they love and cared for each other throughout the entire story. And I really appreciated a story incorporating that so much inside it. That sisterly love that was so much of the driving force behind both of their actions.

I didn't want to put this one down. I t had me flipping pages as fast as my eyes could read, and I was held in such suspense waiting to see what would happen. If someone wouldn't survive. And I love a book that can do that to me. I don't even mind the lack of sleep I got before finishing this one. It was so worth it by the time I got to the last words haha

Most definitely a 5 star read!!

Excellent! This was an almost non-stop adventure right through to the last page, and I loved every minute of it. The characters were fantastic. I was frustrated that Nomi's choices led to so much trouble for Serina, but I loved all the ways Serina developed and changed through the course of the book. No resolution really, so readers will have to wait for the sequel. It will be a must-read for me.

Grace and Fury is one of those books that caught me by surprise. I don't get taken by surprise by books. I can usually see a plot twist coming a mile away. I can usually see when an author is foreshadowing. I can usually see who the bad guy is in the book. I can usually call who is going to die. But not in Grace and Fury. The author did a fantastic job at keeping me in the dark with everything I stated above. And I loved it!!!

Grace and Fury starts off with Serina being chosen to go to Bellaqua to compete with other girls to become a Grace. Serina has worked her entire life to become a Grace. That dream is shattered when Serina's younger sister, Nomi, is chosen instead. It is further shattered when Serina takes the blame for something that Nomi did. That something has Serina shipped off to a prison island. There she is forced to fight to the death for food. Back on the mainland, Nomi decides to embrace her role as a Grace. She does that with the hopes that she will get Serina off the island and back with her. But Nomi is soon caught up in a dangerous plot. A plot that could end everything that she has worked so hard for.

I couldn't believe the injustices that the women in that society endured. They weren't allowed to go to school. They were dominated by the men in their lives. So, I loved it when Nomi bucked the rules. Learning to read was her way of thumbing her nose a the society that was keeping her down. Even as rebellious as she was, she was loyal to Serina. Using her position as a Grace, she did try to get her sister off that island. I was as surprised as she was when everything went down the way it did.

I didn't like Serina, at first. She had trained to be a Grace since she was a child and had no clue how the real world was. Being a Grace meant that her family would never go hungry. She also loved her sister. My turning from not liking her to liking her happened when she took the fall for Nomi. She could have taken Nomi down with her. And when she got to the island. Instead of having a breakdown, she did what she had to do to survive.

There are several twists and turns in the plotline. I wasn't ready for any of them. I thought that this was going to be one of those typical YA fantasy book that would be heavy on the romance and teen angst but would have no twists. Yeah, I was wrong. This book had more twists than a mountain road.

The fantasy angle of the book was fantastic. Set in an Italian-like country, the author did fantastic world building. The world was 3D, as was the character.

The YA angle I didn't feel. Yes, Serina and Nomi were in their late teens but it didn't read like it. If I didn't know their ages, I would have placed Serina in her mid 20's and Nomi as the teenager. This book also didn't have much angst that most YA books. Which was refreshing.

I do want to touch upon the amazing girl power vibe that was going on in this book. It was fantastic and I loved it!!!

The end of Grace and Fury was insane. Everything happened at once. I was surprised at what happened with Nomi. Very surprised. Surprised to the point that I had to wake up BK and tell him about it. He wasn't impressed...lol. I will say that the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Which means that I need to read book 2 when it comes out.

Onto why I gave Grace and Fury a 4-star rating. I loved how I was taken surprised time and again in the book. I liked Nomi and her rebellious ways. I loved the strong girl power vibe throughout the book. I didn't like how the women were treated in the book. I didn't like Serina at first. I also didn't like the cliffhanger.

What I liked about Grace and Fury (to recap):

A) Being taken surprise by the different elements of the book

B) Nomi

C) Girl Power

What I disliked about Grace and Fury (to recap):

A) How the women were treated in the book

B) Serina, the first half of the book

C) The cliffhanger

I would give Grace and Fury an Older Teen rating. There is no sex. There is kissing (that's about it). There is violence, sometimes graphic. There is no language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread Grace and Fury. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me to read and review Grace and Fury.

All opinions stated in this review of Grace and Fury are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

This book was intense! I was hooked instantly from the beginning. The story of two sisters and their place in the kingdom. Naomi thinks women should be more than what they’re merely supposed to do.
I greatly enjoyed this fantasy novel. One thing I loved about it was how the chapters switched back and forth and were told from the two sister's perspectives. I couldn't wait to fly through each one to see what happened to the other sister I had left behind just moments before!
I absolutely cannot wait to see what will happen in book two! Hurry up 2019!

I love the book. Great characters and world development. I love the character development in the book, it is what makes the story. The progression from scared girls to strong heroines is a great one and I can't wait to see what happens!

Spoilers!
Once Nomi found out who hid the book I knew Asa was no good. This was the only real predictable piece of the book.
As a reader I wish Serina had cut her hair, I feel like it would have lent more towards her breaking free of the rules.

Wow I'm speechless, what a great read, what a great world.It's not fantasy, but it's not science fiction either, and it's not contemporary or historical fiction. It's somewhere in between.In a world ruled by men, women are forbidden to read or even own books. Nomi Tessaro has rebelled and learned how to read from her brother, but she must keep it a secret. Serina chose not to break the law, knowing that her ultimate goal was to serve as a Grace to the Prince — a sort of wife/concubine role in the castle.Both girls are forced into situations they were not trained for, have no experience with, and are ultimately afraid of. The story line is unique and brilliant.It's like nothing else, I just couldn't get enough of this story.

This book was surprisingly refreshing! For some reason, I wasn’t expecting to love it quite as much as I did. I went in with certain expectations—even just from the title—and found that most of them were surpassed or turned upside down. I ended up flipping the pages furiously because I just didn’t want to put the book down!

What Fed My Addiction:

Sisterly affections.
The sisters’ relationship was complicated. In fact, I spent much of my reading time debating over which of them was “Grace” and which was “Fury.” I thought I knew at the beginning, but then things got turned upside down rather quickly. (In the end, I decided that Grace and Fury might both refer to both sisters after all.) I loved the fact that these were sisters who loved each other with a fierce, protective sort of love. But that didn’t mean that they didn’t have issues. You were never quite sure if the book was going to be about two sisters who are fiercely loyal or sisters who end up hating each other—sometimes those closest to us are the ones who hurt us the most.

Strong women.
Serina and Nomi both exude strength—in different ways. And they both discover that they are a whole lot stronger than they ever thought they were. I went into the book blind (I think I read the blurb at some point, but it was a long time ago), so I loved discovering the crazy circumstances that both women got themselves into and wondering how the heck they were going to get out!

Romance is a side story.
There was a bit of romance in this book, but it never took complete center stage, which I appreciated.

Engrossing.
Like I said, I couldn’t put this book down. It kept me up late because I needed to know what was going to happen to these two women. I think I read the whole book in two or three sittings. It was wholly engrossing and more than satisfying! I was so connected to these characters that I was eager to follow them on their journey, wherever it led!

What Left Me Hungry for More:

Slightly predictable twist.
I knew pretty early on how one major aspect of the book was going to pan out, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story as it unfolded. And some aspects of the book definitely took turns I wasn’t expecting or happened in ways I didn’t predict.

Fantasy? Dystopian?
This is more of a warning than a negative. This is one of those YA fantasies that’s almost more of a dystopian than a true fantasy—there’s no magic or truly fantastical elements. But it takes place in a make-believe world that feels like fantasy (along the lines of The Selection).

With an engrossing plot and complex characters, Grace and Fury is a win. Banghart managed to take some familiar tropes and make them fresh and new in this book. And she left me hungry for book two!!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Rockstar Book Tours and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

When I got to the end of this book, I didn't want it to end! Grace and Fury is the story of two sisters, Serina and Nomi, living in a world where woman are completely subjugated, good for only two things: to be a Grace to the Superior who rules the country, or to stay home and take care of the family. Grace's are examples of perfect womanhood: beautiful, docile, graceful. But women aren't educated, and even reading and writing is forbidden. Serina has been raised with the expectation and hope that she will become a Grace, to the benefit of her family. Nomi is expected to be Serina's handmaid. But when the two girls get to Viridia, Nomi is unexpectedly selected by the heir to be one of his first Grace's, a job for which she is wholly unprepared and unwilling. Serina is to be Nomi's handmaid, a reversal of what they have expected all of their lives. When Serina is caught with a book and sent to Mount Ruin, she thinks her life is over. But both Serina and Nomi are stronger than they think as they navigate the terrifying and dangerous new roles they have been thrust into.

This is a great book for young women and for all women.The dedication says it all: For every woman who has been told to sit down and be quiet...and who has stood up anyway. It is inspiring to watch Serina and Nomi as they step up to meet challenges, and discover the brains and courage they have never been allowed to use...it belongs in every YA library!

A truly outstanding read!

Grace and Fury is the first installment in what appears to be a duology by author Tracy Banghart. This story delivers a high-stakes plot, along with commentary on feminism and sexism. In Viridia, women are offered few choices. They are not allowed to read, or write. They are not allowed to have their own choices with whom to marry, or whom to love, or which job they are chosen to work as their profession. For sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro, they couldn't be any more different had they tried.

As the story opens, Serina, is chosen to represent her town of Lanos in this years competition. Grace's are held to the highest standard of beauty, elegance, and obedience. 3 Grace's (concubines) are chosen every 3 years. After being chosen, Serina and Nomi, who gets the unwanted job of being handmaiden to her sister, travel to the capital of Bellaqua. For Serina, it is a dream come true. For Nomi, it is a nightmare waiting to happen, especially if she can't keep her secret from being exposed.

Things quickly change when it is Nomi, not Serina, who is chosen to become one of the Heir's chosen Grace's. Nomi is someone who doesn't mind being invisible, but fate has other ideas for her. In an even more shocking twist, Serina finds herself in deep trouble after being discovered reading from a book. A book that belonged to Nomi! In this world, this feat gets a woman sent to the harshest prison in all of the land. A prison called Mount Ruin.

The story alternates each chapter between Nomi and Serina. It is fair to say that I preferred Serina's POV much more than Nomi's. Serina trained for years to become a Grace, while her sister carried a huge secret, and tossed fits every time she was prevented from going to school alongside her brother. While Nomi hates everything about the world she lives in and rages against the constraints forced upon her. Now, it is Nomi, not Serina who is living the high life & trying to find a way to save her sister.

While Serina is fighting for her survival, Nomi allows her indignity, anger, fear, and defiance to rise up against a broken system that treats women like second class citizens and in my opinion, walks right into a waiting nightmare. Serina, meanwhile, takes her own kind of stand. A stand that was the better half of the two story's. Serina's story is much more action packed, while Nomi's is painful at times knowing that she is going to do something absolutely stupid.

This is a story about the oppression of women by men, and how the only way “up” in the world is to marry the rich or royal. It is a story about willpower, sisterhood, camaraderie, and survival. Apparently, this is a two book deal. That's a good thing. It means that the author needs to quickly gather readers back into this world, and explain to them how she is going to get Nomi and Serina out of their current predicaments, and not wait 2 more years to wrap up the series. Also, as a warning, Grace and Fury ends on a cliffhanger with the lives of both sisters hanging in the balance.

*eARC kindly provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley*

I wasn't expecting to finish this today, but the book was so readable, even if there wasn't as much action or exciting plots. It's on the quieter side, more about finding your strength and your lines and having faith in who you are even when everyone is telling you that what you think and believe is wrong. It was about two sisters whose worlds are turned upside-down. They're both thrown into lives that are the complete opposites of all they'd been taught and raised to be, but the two of them are fighters. And they love each other so much that they're willing to do almost anything to save the other. I loved their relationship, the complicated-ness of it just felt real and genuine, and so did how they just wanted each other to be safe and happy even when it directly conflicted with their own predicaments. I wasn't as sold on the romances. I just didn't CARE enough, and I was more invested in the sisters' love, and in these groups of women who have learned to survive in a society that hates them and turns them into competitors. It was very feminist at its core. The world-building wasn't as good as it could have been, but I still really enjoyed it. It's like a futuristic Italy. And I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel!

Rating: 3.5 stars

“It isn’t a choice when you don’t have the freedom to say no. A yes doesn’t mean the same thing when it’s the only answer you’re allowed!”


Grace and Fury is the first book in an untitled new series by Tracy Banghart. It tells the story of two sisters in a world where women have limited prospects and no societal rights to speak of. Sweet and obedient Serina has trained her whole life to be a Grace, seen as the epitome of the “perfect woman” (essentially a concubine to the heir to the throne); her younger sister, Nomi, has always been rebellious and has a terrible secret which, if anyone were to find out, would be disastrous.

My biggest problem with this book was that it just felt bland. Yes, I enjoyed it for the most part and was able to read it rather quickly, but I didn’t feel that it had the depth that I was promised. If you read through the synopsis (I wouldn’t, because I think it gives too much away), we are promised a book of political intrigue and physical danger, but they were shallow representations, and it didn’t really delve too much into anything. The characters were bland, the world-building was vague, and the themes presented were superficial. I did like the sisters, though, and how they had to adapt to their changing circumstances.

I will most likely continue the series, though, because I do want to know what will happen…

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review!

Grace and Fury is a book about two sisters going down two very different paths. Two very different turny, plot twisty paths! These girls are fighters from the beginning, and their sistership is strong. Alternating POV books don't always work for me and this was a prime example. To me, Nomi and Serina had very similar voices. Still, I loved the deviousness of the villain in this book, and oh, were the characters addicting. I especially loved Asa!

Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart is a story set in a world where women and girls have no rights. Serina has been groomed and coached to be the perfect Grace for the heir. To stand by his side and be his, or at least one of his. Serina's sister Nomi is to be her handmaiden and really wants nothing to do with the world that has set so many limits on those like her. In a twist the heir chooses Nomi and Serina ends up imprisoned for a crime Nomi commits. Now each must fulfill the role that the other had intended in order to save them both.

This is a story that is kind of hard to explain without either giving too much away or doing a poor job. There are twists and turns, both expected and surprising. The characters of Serina and Nomi are both strong (fury) and graceful, as the need arises. As I was reading it, one page just kept following the other as the story drew me in. The characters were dynamic and complex and rose to every occasion.

Overall I very much enjoyed Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart and how it created a story that while fantastic was just grounded enough to make it one that you can connect with more than you might otherwise think.

(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

ardcover
This book had me from the beginning. Two sisters trained their whole life to each have their place but when something horrible happens and their places are reversed things go wrong. Couldn't wait to find out what happened to each and how the survived their situations. Would definitely recommend this to my friends and can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next.

Grace and Fury had a smart premise, but the writing was unable to do it justice. I'm still questioning the world, its surrounding and purpose, and the history that set up this society for these characters to inhabit due to lazy storytelling—too much telling and not enough showing, but telling us all the wrong things. Readers lost such an opportunity to see the depth to these characters because they were mere cut-outs of their trope; ones that I could never understand or grasp. Had there been more background, more effort at creating motive, depth, and appeal for these two main female characters, I might've understood their choices and decisions much more easily than I did. I was excited for a feminist story involving two equally strong women, but was given two sisters that were poor substitutes for what they should've been and love stories that were counterproductive to their individual narratives as women in an oppressive society.

Please note that I can be a picky reader when it comes to YA fantasy novels, and what didn't work for me could very well work for you. It's a shorter, quicker read and that could be a large reason why these specific issues arose for me. But if you enjoy stories that are quick to digest and are small on the worldbuilding, give this one a try. I'm in the minority on this one, and see it as a book that wasn't for me.

Grace and Fury is a wonderful mix of The Hunger Games and The Selection — In a world ruled by men, women are forbidden to read or even own books. Nomi Tessaro has rebelled and learned how to read from her brother, but she must keep it a secret. Serina chose not to break the law, knowing that her ultimate goal was to serve as a Grace to the Prince — a sort of wife/concubine role in the castle.

When Serina is chosen to compete to be one of the Prince’s Graces, her sister, Nomi, goes with her to serve as her handmaiden. But in a twist, the Prince chooses Nomi as one of his three Graces. Serina reluctantly agrees to stay to be Nomi’s handmaiden. On their first day in their new roles, Serina is caught holding a book and reciting the story from memory. Seemingly being caught reading, she is sentenced to life on a prison island where the guards force the all-female prisoners to fight to the death for rations.

Both girls are forced into situations they were not trained for, have no experience with, and are ultimately afraid of. But the bond of sisterhood keeps them going — each has the hope that they can survive and find and save their sister. I cannot recommend Grace and Fury enough. It also should be known it is set to be a duology, with the second book coming out next year.

If you loved The Hunger Games and The Selection, and also fangirl over love triangles, strong women fighting oppression (and each other), and beautiful world-building, chances are this book is for you.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Quick Summary:

In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi face two very different fates. Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace. The shinning subjugated example of the perfect woman. While her headstrong younger sister Nomi was trained to be her handmaiden. However things dont go as planned when Nomi is chosen to be a Grace instead, and Serina takes the fall for Nomis rebellious secret. With her sister sent to an all female prison, Nomi has to surrender to a role shes never wanted in the hopes of using her position in time to save her sister from the deadly fights that go on at the prison.

My Thoughts:

I found both sisters story line super engaging, but Nomi has always been rebellious so Serinas character developpement was even more amazing. I loved her transformation. How she goes from following all the rules and accepting the way things are to finding the strenght to stand up for herself and other women. Nomi on the other hand goes from being defiant to having to hold her tongue and play the part of a subjugated Grace. The contrast and even the similarites despite their different postions was really interesting. I could also tell how much they loved each other and how they would do anything to protect one another.

As for the side characters, I actually preferred the Heir Malachi over Prince Asa which was weird for me since I usually like the sweet characters more. At the palace we also meet another Grace named Maris. We only see the start of a friendship between Maris and Nomi, but Im hoping for more of it in the sequel because I really want to get to know Maris better. She seems like such an interesting character. Meanwhile at the prison, Serina makes some great friendships with Jacana and Petrel. In a place where the women need to rely on one another we get to see some strong bonds form. Serina also gets friendly we a guard named Val that I ended up really liking.

I was expecting a fantasy going into this, but it was more of a dystopian. I appreciated the backstory we got as to why women are so oppressed. I enjoyed the quick pace and short chapters. I found it super easy to read. Despite predicting the ending, I was still on the edge of my seat and felt vindicated when I turned out to be right. I dont think the plot is necessarily predictable, its just my brain working over time. Expecting a certain ending made the characters decisions leading them in that direction frustrating. However, those decisions were reasonable and once it came down to it they made the right decisions. Ill definitely be keeping an eye out for that sequel.

I'm so unbelievably shook.

"It isn't a choice when you don't have the freedom to say no. A yes doesn't mean the same thing when it's the only answer you're allowed!"

Obligatory Summary

So, this is a hard book to really nail down. It's not fantasy, but it's not science fiction either, and it's not contemporary or historical fiction. It's somewhere in between. You won't find post-apocalyptic America in these pages, or teenagers wielding infernal powers. This isn't the world you know, but it's frighteningly similar. It's a merge between The Selection, Maze Runner, Throne of Glass, and The Hunger Games, but is uniquely distinct from all of them. This is a feminist story about the power of rebellion, love, and agency.

This book revolves around Serina and Nomi, two sisters divided by their belief in the role of women in society. Nomi believes that women should have the right to read, to cut their own hair without permission, to do pretty much anything, tbh. Serina, on the other hand, is content to become a Grace; in other words, a concubine for the Superior and his Heir, the rulers of Viridia, and a symbol of feminine beauty and, well, grace. Things go horribly wrong, though, when the Heir chooses Nomi, not Serina, as his Grace, and Serina is imprisoned for a crime Nomi committed. Now Nomi must brave the Heir and his world, where one wrong word would seal her doom, and Serina is trapped on an island where guards force the inmates to fight to death for food and water.

The Writing and Worldbuilding

I was not a huge fan of the non-dialogue prose. It tended to run exposition-y, especially in the early chapters, and was particularly redundant sometimes. For example, in the same exact chapter, it said the Nomi always did Serina's makeup before like three times. Besides that, though, I loved it! The plot was masterfully crafted, and I was on the edge of my seat literally the entire time. That ending KILLED ME.

Pet peeve time though: I HATE IT WHEN AUTHORS SAY "GOOSEFLESH" INSTEAD OF "GOOSEBUMPS" LIKE A NORMAL PERSON. I'VE LITERALLY NEVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE HEARD SOMEONE SAY "GOOSEFLESH" UNIRONICALLY. PLEASE, WRITERS, S T O P I T. NO ONE IS WORRIED YOU'LL SOUND LIKE R.L. STINE. N O O N E.

Like I said in the Obligatory Summary, the world itself was really unique. I've never read anything quite like it. It was a made-up world, but there wasn't any magic or fancy science fiction devices. It seemed, if anything, like a parallel world of early 1900's Europe, Italy in particular.

The themes were really well done, and I particularly liked that it was a feminist story, but like actually (not a SJM kind of feminist, in which it actually isn't but it really wants you to think it is). No, this is real, quality feminism. The kind that advocates women helping each other, supporting each other. The kind that doesn't shun men for existing, or try to elevate its female characters above them. It shies away from stereotypes, and even pokes some fun at other books in the genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and found myself actually feeling empowered by its messages, which is amazing, because honestly, I rarely do--tbh most "feminist" stories fill me with unbridled rage, because a lot of them completely miss the point. This one, though. This one totally gets it.

The Characters

Serina: Proud, poised, and a remarkably quick study without coming across as a Mary Sue, Serina is pretty hardcore. Her resolve to survive, both body and soul, was amazing. She grows so much as a character, becoming so strong by the end, but still recognizably herself, without sacrificing her feminine attributes.

Nomi: At first, I found Nomi annoying (back when I thought this might just be a SJM kind of feminist book), because of how brash and reckless she was, how immature she could be, not seeing or understanding her place in the world, as if she was just a book character who was just plopped there instead of a living, breathing person, born and bred in this fictional land. Once the plot really started, though, her true character explained itself, and I found that she was definitely my favorite character. I found her relatable, and I was most eager for her chapters of the book. She's headstrong, and thinks after she speaks sometimes, but she grows a lot too, and I really admire her.

Malachi: He was such a surprise, honestly. I really appreciated where his character went, and the depth that is explored in him.

Asa: He's a little like Nikolai Lantsov and I'm SO hyped to see where he goes in the sequel (GIVE IT TO ME NOW, TRACY!!!)

Val: He's a bit of a cinnamon roll, and I like him <3

Conclusion

I NEED THE SEQUEL!

"You must be as strong as this prison, as strong as the stone and ocean that hem you in. You are brick and barbed wire. You are iron."