*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I had no idea what to expect going into this book; it's possible I may have even delayed reading it. But wow! Once I started, it was difficult to put down. Very difficult. It's been a while since I've read a book while walking down the hallway, but I was literally trying to find every possible moment to read it.

So why only 4 stars? I admit I wasn't satisfied with the ending. But more on that later.

This book felt like a mix of so many others: The Hunger Games, Lord of the Flies, "The Most Dangerous Game," The Handmaid's Tale (though I still haven't read that one, I confess), "Young Goodman Brown," and at least a couple more that I can't quite put my finger on.

I typically hate books that portray one gender or group of people as particularly evil. It's not that I am naive enough to believe that all men are good or to deny the existence of societies and cultures in which men are kings and women are property. But I believe that, overall, people are good. I am marred to a good man, and I am surrounded by good people--men and women alike--in my life. So reading a book like this can be difficult for me because I get defensive of the people I know. This book is not about the people I know, though. And so if it is a social commentary, it is not about my society but someone else's. I can accept that and view its importance as such.

Many of the characters are complex and dynamic, which is wonderful. Nobody is perfect, but nobody is entirely evil, either. Well, I suppose some characters are closer to it than others, but perhaps it only appears that way because we don't see as much of them. I don't know. Of the main characters, however, what I said is entirely true. Tierney (16 then 17) is a strong character, but she wasn't entirely confident. It was believable--she has been raised to believe that women should be subservient to men, that they have to go out for a year and expel their magic for everyone's safety. Men take the approach of a girl's grace year as an opportunity to openly leer at her and blame it on her magic. It's disgusting, but I'm going off on a tangent.

Anyway. Tierney is definitely rebellious, but she still doubts herself sometimes. She still sometimes fears that she's wrong. Michael (I think he's around her age, and I'm hoping he's no more than 18) is a good person, even if his intentions are not always correctly placed. Still, I admired him and hoped Tierney would see past what she viewed as a betrayal. Ryker (again no age mentioned, but I hope he's not much older than Tierney) grew on me. Honestly, I saw it all coming, and it gave me time to appreciate him. Like Tierney, he had his entire upbringing and social expectations to overcome during the book.

I so wanted to give this book 5 stars, but it's the ending! First, something happened around 85% that made me quite angry. But at least I had time to keep going and adjust. But then that last page, which the somewhat ambiguous ending . . . Honestly! I'm 99% certain it ended one way, but what if I willingly choose to grasp onto that little 1% chance/hope that it ended the other way? Does that make me naive? I don't know. As it is, I waver between the two options.

Note: Violence. Brief, mild sex. Maybe a couple mild swear words.

Wasn’t that impressed with this one, to be honest. I stepped out of my comfort zone to read this one because of all the hype, but it wasn’t worth it in my opinion.

Terrifying. Dystopian. Haunting. I have always been hesitant to believe people when they compare books to The Handmaid’s Tale, but if you said it about The Grace Year I would wholeheartedly agree. This novel is about survival, women’s relationships, and faith in one’s principles. It’s gripping, and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I know this is an awfully short 5 star review, but I truly don’t know how to put into words the sentiments expressed in The Grace Year. You just need to go read it.

Tierney James imagines a world in which she can be free of the constraints placed on her by her patriarchal society. She’s trapped. She wants to have real friends, and to not be the rough-and-tumble one. The one who’s unlikely to be chosen as a bride. The shamed one. But when Tierney goes with the other girls into the woods on her grace year, she discovers more about herself than she knew before.

As a narrator, I liked Tierney. Her status as an outsider to the rest of the girls gave insight into the ways in which girls slight each other, hoping to come out on top even when there’s no competition. All of this is described in detail, and many of us can identify with Tierney based on the traits we might share with her: feminist, imaginative, problem solver. When she’s boxed out of the girls’ social circle, she still tries to help them survive the year.

Liggett pulls no punches, and there are some deeply unsettling elements that come up as major events in the book. I was impressed by her dedication to rounding out the world, despite how uncomfortable of an experience it is. I’m glad that she didn’t soften the horrors of the girls’ life in the woods, as the realism added immensely to the atmosphere. I thought a lot about myself while reading, wondering what I would do in Tierney’s place and those very specific situations. I have come to the conclusion that I am perhaps not as brave as I would like to be.

The Grace Year juxtaposes emotional violence between girls and women with the deep connections they forge with each other, painting a nuanced portrait of human connection and the goodness we can all show each other. 5/5 stars for incredible emotional depth, and all that I mentioned above. Go read this book.

Four stars: A thrilling, terrifying coming of age story that is likened to a female version of Lord of the Flies.

Tierney wants to be free of the constrictive society in which she lives. Garner County is a male dominated town that believes that young girls are dangerous. When girls reach their sixteenth year, they are banished to an encampment in the wilderness in order to rid themselves of their supposed potent magic. The girls must spend a year fighting the elements, the poachers poised outside to catch and kill them, and worst of all, each other. If they survive, the girls are then marched back into the village to be married off, or sent to the fields. Will Tierney have enough guts and grit to make it through the grace year?

What I Liked:
*The Grace Year was a book that took me by surprise again and again. With each development, I thought I knew how things were going to play out as I was drawing comparisons to Lord of the Flies and The Hunger Games, but the author managed to throw in unexpected twists that completely shattered my preconceived notions. What I got was a tough, gritty story about women fighting the barriers against them and between them, and in the end, they learn a thing or two about life, sisterhood and forgiveness.
*Tierney is a fierce girl who refuses to fit into the molds of her societal norms. She has never behaved like a girl, and she doesn’t long to be married off. Then when thrust into the wilderness, she doesn’t buy into the erroneous beliefs of magic and the evils of Eve and all women. I love that Tierney takes her blinders off and sees the truth about the world. She is competent and courageous, and she refuses to give up even in the most dire situations. She faced down all of the monsters with sheer grit and determination. I think two of her best qualities are her altruistic nature and forgiving heart.
*Another thing that surprised me about this book was the about face it took when it came to female relationships. At first, when the girls are thrown to the wolves, they take sides, pitting themselves against one another. Pettiness, jealousy and viciousness abound. Then madness and delirium set in, and things get worse. At this point, I was expecting the worst, but then things happen and change occur. I appreciated that there was exploration into the ugliness that arises when men force women to turn on one another. Then there is a look at the greatness that can occur when women realize what they can achieve when working together. The author did an excellent job exposing the strengths and weaknesses of female relationships.
*The romance was well done. It starts out with the pair as fierce enemies. The two are fearful of one another, but forced together: one out of survival and one to pay a debt. After mistrust and fear, there is friendship and trust, and eventually it blossoms into something more. Things change and difficult choices are made, and then a poignant and haunting moment. Nothing turns out as I expected, but I liked that.
*After so many surprising twists, the book ends with a shocking conclusion. I finished the book pleased that it didn’t turn out anything like I thought, and I loved that.
And The Not So Much:
*After all the turmoil and drama, I was hoping for a peaceful resolution at the end, but then the author shatters that with a rather open ending. I don’t know, I was left wanting when it came to the finale.
*I was bothered by the way Tierney treated Michael throughout. Michael was a kindhearted, good man and time and time again he put Tierney ahead of himself, but she doesn’t treat him with kindness. There is a change of heart toward the end, but I felt like it was too little too late. Michael deserved better.
*I am not going to lie, there are times when this book is disturbing and painful to read, but then again, I liked that the author wasn’t afraid to show humanity at its worst.

The Grace Year is a book that is not to be missed. This is a terrifying and heart wrenching novel that explores the ugliness of humanity and the frightening consequences that arise when men force women to turn on one another. I also appreciated the good that can occur when women unite and embrace the bonds of sisterhood. Big props to the author for bringing a book that doesn’t hold back, and a story that evolves and continues to surprise the reader until the end.
Don’t miss this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

Sorry to say but I did not like this one at all. Instead of all the female empowerment to work together, the girls all turned on each other. I expected more from this book. It was just too depressing for me.

I did not expect this book to completely mess with my head. I knew I would most likely enjoy a whole lot. Which I did. But gosh, how it ruined me too. This book was all kinds of exciting and thrilling and beyond rude as well. I'm giving it four stars as it was almost perfect to me. I stayed up until two am to finish as I could not stop reading.

There is so much I wish to share about this one. Yet I have no idea how to write down most of my feelings. This story ruined me a little. The writing was all kinds of good, which I am so happy about. This world was interesting to learn about. The customs the people had in their small village was the worst but very exciting to read about.

The Grace Year tells the story of sixteen year old Tierney. She lives in a village where men control pretty much everything. The women aren't allowed to do much at all. There are rules for how they must wear their hair. There are rules for what they can and cannot speak about. They are not even allowed to dream. They are not allowed to spend time with each other. All they are to the men are breeding machines giving them sons. If any of the women break these rules, they are hanged. All of these rules killed me. The way these people lived was the very worst thing. But so very interesting to read about. I loved that. But gosh, how I wanted better for them all. These women had the most depressing lives. But most were used to this, accepted it. There was nothing else they could do.

But Tierney did not want this life. She did not want to be a wife and have children. Women were made to work if they were not chosen to get married. Which the men chose, the women had no choice at all if they were to get married or not. The year the girls of this village turns sixteen they are sent away for a whole year. The Grace year. Before they get sent away, the boys that are not married chooses a girl they want to marry when they come back again. The girls get no say in this. Which was all kinds of heartbreaking.

This book tells the story of Tierney. How she is preparing for her Grace year, sure she will not have to be a wife, as she have kept everyone at a distance her whole life. But when the day comes before the girls leave for their Grace year, she's chosen by a boy. And she is not happy about it at all. Honestly, though, I liked this boy a whole lot. But I also understand how betrayed she felt. This was how things were in this world. And so I did not blame this boy for choosing her to be his bride, if she were to return a year later.

Which was not certain at all. Because the Grace year is the worst year for the girls. Many of them never makes it home. Unless it's in a bottle, being sold for their magic. The men believes every girl has magic. That they need to be sent away for a year to rid themselves of this magic so they are ready to be married and start their life with the men. All the girls believe this to be true. That when they go away they will all finally learn their magic, and how to get rid of it before returning home. This was all kinds of complicated.

There is so much going on in this book. I do not know how to describe it. And so I will not say too much more about it all. But gosh this book was exciting. It was all about surviving and trying to be better, braver, stronger. The girls arrive at the place they must stay for a year. Two girls already dead before they arrive there after two days of walking. They are being hunted by poachers who will skin them alive for days, to sell their body parts for money. But these poachers were not the worst thing they had to fear in this year.

The scariest thing were the girls themselves. And how they treated each other. It was so heartbreaking to read about. Yet kind of exciting too. But gosh, how angry it made me. And how sad it made me too. There was the mean girl, hurting everyone around her, yet she was still the most popular girl there. There was another girl, Gertie, who was all kinds of sweet, yet so broken. Her story pretty much killed me. It was so good. But the scenes near the end. Gosh. My poor heart. This poor girl. I adored her so very much. Sigh.

This book is filled with death. It starts with thirty three girls going away for their Grace year. So many of them die. And so many of those deaths were included in this book. Shudders. It was fully interesting to read about, but so very sad as well. I feel like my review is all kinds of messy. And too long. But gosh. I'm blaming the book for that, haha. It messed with my head. I loved reading about Tierney and her journey. Getting to know the girls was so good. They were horrible at times but could be better too. Complicated.

There was one thing about this book that I did not really like, which is why this is a four star for me. The romance. Tierney ends up being rescued by a poacher, one of the men trying to kill all the girls. Ryker makes sure she doesn't die from wounds she has. And time is moving so fast, it's suddenly been many weeks, and they are supposed to be in love with each other. But we did not get to read about this. At all. How it happened, anything. So much was missing. And so I did not believe in this romance at all. Sigh.

Though, honestly, it might also be because I very much wanted her to be with Michael, which she was supposed to be when she got home from the Grace year. Michael seemed like he was a great boy and I adored him so much. Sigh. He had some faults, but those were not really his fault. This whole romance thing was tricky and a little complicated too. But yeah. I did not like her with Ryker. I wish I had, but there was no spark there at all. Not to me. The story was so interesting, though. And how it all ended killed me.

Because that ending was the rudest thing of all. I'm not even fully sure what happened on the last page. Okay, it seemed clear what happened, but I'm hoping that I read it wrong. Sigh. Because I was not okay with that final page, haha. The rest of it was pretty amazing, though. But the resistance did not take place in this book. At all. And it seemed like it would be many years until it would finally happen. I'm so beyond desperate for another book after this. As I would very much love to read about the real resistance as well.

One thing I was thinking about while reading this book was how I would have loved to see it as a movie too. And it will be a movie, eee. I am so excited about it. It will be all kinds of brutal and horrifying. But I cannot wait. This book was made to be a movie. And it will be so good. The Grace Year was everything I wanted it to be, and everything I did not know I wanted. It was brutal and heartbreaking and full of fierce characters. It ruined my mind and my heart. And I could not help but love every piece of it. Even the pain.

This is a book that I think everyone should read. And I am so thrilled that I had the chance to read it early. Cannot wait to own the finished copies of it too. This is a book I would read again, despite knowing how much it hurt me. Because this book is painful. Painful because of the torture and killing but also so painful because of the way girls and women were treated. It was not okay. But it was so good and interesting to read about. Huge thank you to Ebury publishing for sending me a gorgeous free ARC to read and review.

This book was such a wonderful, and at times terrifying, ride for me! I ended up enjoying this story so much that it was the last book I put on my 2019 favorites list! However, I will say if you’re going to read this, definitely go into it with the same precautions you would when reading The Handmaid’s Tale, because in a similar sense The Grace Year is far too close to home for our world.

The Grace Year takes place in a dystopian-esque society where females are very strictly controlled. Girls get branded on the bottoms of their feet with their father’s sigil, are only allowed to be schooled through their 10th year, and are essentially auctioned off for marriage. In every girl’s 16th year of life, they are banished to the outskirts of society for their “grace year” because this society believes that at this point in life their “magic” is at its peak and the girls must attempt to survive in their grace year in order to rid themselves of their magic. Of course, the primary usage of magic as seen through men's eyes is that it corrupts and lures men to the young girls, causing their wives to become jealous and corrupting behavior throughout the village. (THE PATRIARCHY!)

The bulk of this novel follows the main character, Tierney James, as she and the other girls her age are sent into their grace year on the outskirts of the county. Tierney has always been a bit of a rebel in the county and has never wanted to fulfill what society sees as her proper role as a woman, she would rather be sent to the labor fields than be yoked to a man in marriage. Throughout the whole book we see how this society has tried time and again to corrupt women’s minds and lives, especially in how girls interact with each other. This society promotes, the women degrading other women archetype, and the grace year itself is the epitome of this as the girls very quickly devolve into groups pitted against each other.

This book can be very intense at times! It is like The Handmaid’s Tale meets the Village, with a side of Mean Girls on acid. And despite the fact that there were times where I was horrified and disgusted at the treatment of women, the hard hit that this book delivers is both impulsively readable and so poignant. But where The Grace Year went from just a great dystopian novel to a favorite book that actually had me crying, was definitely the amazing ending that this book delivers. It could have been a great book solely based on the grace year aspect, but the author managed to end this terrifying (and at times too realistic) story on one of the most amazingly hopeful notes that I have read in a long time.

I can’t even describe how full of joy and hope the ending of The Grace Year made me. In a world that is in actuality consistently seeking more and more ways to demean and subdue women, this book gave me a slice of hope in our actual darkness. Please stick The Grace Year out to the end, you absolutely will not be disappointed.

Thank you to author Kim Liggett, publisher Wednesday Books and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in ecchange for my candid review.

WOW! Excellent, excellent Book. It is almost as if an Amish Girl from "The Handmaid's Tale" participated in "The Hunger Games". Yet it is uniquely its own book.

It is about a County that makes their 16 year old girls get rid of their "magic" by spending a year on their own in a remote camp. It is called the Grace Year. And then they come back and get married or go to work. Seems pretty easy, huh? Oh yeah....but I forgot to tell you about these guys called the Poachers who want to catch these girls and skin them alive---thus harnessing the magic of these girls.

It is a coming of age story in a very repressive society with myriad personalities and twists and turns.

If you love The Handmaid's Tale or Hunger Games or The Maze Runner or just a good book---read this!!!!! I read the book in one day.

This story!!! This is all about becoming women. The girls we start out as during our formative years. The trials and tribulations we experience during that time. How we come together. How we divide and conquer. How we sacrifice. How we fight. How we find our strengths and bury our weaknesses. How we discover ourselves and realize that it may not be the same person we imagined growing up to be. How we love.

DNF @ about 50%. I enjoyed the part I did read and the premise seemed promising, but I didn’t love where the story was going once romance became involved. I may go back to it eventually, because I’m curious about how it ends. I’m just not sure why the main character needed to fall in love?

Fantastic writing from Kim Liggett! The Grace Year is relevant and thought-provoking in a fantasy setting. Brilliant writing and imagery with characters that you desperately want to know more about.

After all the hype, I really wanted to love this book. With a heroine that sounded a bit like Katniss and a concept that sounded a bit like Handmaid's Tale, I had high hopes for this book. I got sucked in quickly and then it all fell apart.
The concept of the grace year was only cursorily developed and there are lots of hinted secrets (the mother, the father, the friend, etc.) that made me curious, but ultimately, Tierney falls flat as a character. Rather than evolve into a strong figure, she brings shallow drama to the story and her relationship with Ryker consumes so much of the story leaving a rushed ending. The dystopian elements somewhat come together, but there is a lot left unexplained. I so wanted to enjoy this book - especially since it was listed as one of Amazon's books of the year - but it ended up being shallow and underdeveloped.

The Grace Year is a unique addition to the female dystopia canon, amongst the likes of Handmaid’s Tale and Hunger Games. While I thought the premise was intriguing and ultimately satisfying in the end, I had quite a few issues with the journey to get there.

The love story with Ryker the Poacher was odd. She fell in love way too fast, making me think more of Stockholm Syndrome than actual affection, and it didn’t seem like a necessary addition to the story. Plus, I felt it undermined the message Tierney had been preaching all along about wanting her independence above anything else. Not that a woman can't be a feminist and still fall in love, but she was so staunchly against it for most of the book that it just didn't sit right.

The main female antagonist was a bit too much of a “Mean Girl” for my tastes. Then again, I understand it is meant to be a YA novel and was probably also influenced by the way the narrator voiced her in the audiobook. Once I switched to hardcopy it didn’t bother me quite as much

I wish we got more world building. Even in the Handmaid’s Tale, we learned a little bit about how society ended up this way and what the rules of this new society were, and it seems a scarily plausible scenario. In Garner County, apparently the language of flowers is spoken fluently, there doesn’t seem to be a lot in the way of modern technology, and women are believed to possess a magic that is purged during this “Grace Year”. While these details aren’t necessarily critical to understanding the events of this story, I just think it would have been interesting to know more about how Garner County came to be this way. Ambiguity can work, as in the Handmaid’s Tale, but the complete dearth of world building kept me from really bonding with the story.

Despite this, I did enjoy the big revelation about the girls’ magic about midway through the book. After that tipping point I enjoyed the book much more and raced through it to the end. The last few chapters after the group returned from the Grace Year were well done and Tierney’s growth was refreshing. The slightly vague ending didn't bother me, and felt appropriate considering the overall lack of details about the world. In the end,, while I do think it is a YA book more suited to a YA audience, I thought the premise was unique enough to set it apart from the myriad of dystopian novels and certainly would call it worth a read if you enjoy that genre!

I was unaware that I was approved for this title on NetGalley, but I was privileged to have received a physical ARC for this title over the summer.

Here is the original review from Goodreads:

I don’t know if I read this ending correctly but if I did WTF WHY MY EYES MY HEART 😭 It’s so bittersweet it actually hurts wow. That was a roller coaster of a story and it’s gonna take a minute to process it. Wow

Okay so 1) defiant main character - check
2) restrictive and oppressive society - check
3) hope on the horizon? - check
This book has the makings of a dystopian but it’s much more than that and that’s something I really enjoyed about it. I definitely wanted to punch a few characters while reading this but that’s villains for you, right? Overall, enjoyed this read and really hoped for the best.

I enjoyed reading this book. What I thought would occur totally turned me upside down when it didn't happen. The plot and pacing matched evenly as I read, and I looked forward to seeing more from this author.

It’s time for another round-up of Pickett’s Picks! For the Fall 2019 Edition, I’ve compiled an intriguing (if I do say so myself) baker’s dozen of debut novels, brand new books from favorite authors, must-read crossover releases, and at least one eye candy cover (can you guess which one?). These are the books that I’m most looking forward to reading and sharing with students at Ridley High School during the upcoming semester. What are YOUR picks?? Leave a comment and let me know!

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
This series-starter from bestselling author Renée Ahdieh is described as a combination sumptuous, sultry romance and decadent, thrilling mystery, set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
This is the highly anticipated adult debut by the author of my personal favorites Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom! It promises to be a mesmerizing tale of power, privilege, and dark magic set among the Ivy League elite. Oh, and secret societies, too!

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon
An honor, a tradition … a death sentence? Sixteen-year-old Kammani, a healer’s apprentice, must try to cure the ruler of a walled city-state in order to save her beautiful little sister, who has been chosen as one of three sacred maidens to join him in the afterlife. Gravemaidens is the opening installment in a debut fantasy duology … and I just really love that cover!

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
Did you know that the rom-com is back? Well, it’s back! And Ashley Elston is right on trend with 10 Blind Dates. After an unexpected breakup, 17-year-old Sophie lets members of her eccentric extended family set her up on ten blind dates during Christmas vacation. I fell head over heels for Ashley Elston’s remarkable The Lying Woods, and I’m ready for a date with her newest novel!

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring
In 1978, to avoid becoming a desaparecido like her mother, eighteen-year-old Mavi takes a teaching job at the Vaccaro School, an isolated finishing school at the southern tip of South America that is rumored to be haunted. Simmering in Patagonian myth, The Tenth Girl is a gothic psychological thriller with a haunting twist. Gothic. Psychological. Thriller!

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles
Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? Once he gets the girl, it’ll all sort itself out. Right? The incredibly versatile Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of social pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a “real man.” Turns out, it’s not so pure and simple…

Two Dead by Van Jensen and Nate Powell
A stunning crime noir graphic novel exploring the intertwining threads of crime, conspiracy, racism, and insanity in the post-World War II Deep South. I love reading graphic novels, but it’s been a neglected category amongst Pickett’s Picks … until now!

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden. In Garner County, girls are banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive. This speculative thriller in the vein of The Handmaid’s Tale is squarely in my wheelhouse!

The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHugh
In a small town ravaged by the opioid crisis, a woman confronts a dark secret about her brother’s shocking death. Like Laura McHugh’s previous thriller, The Weight of Blood [insert heart emoji], her latest atmospheric novel barrels toward a twisting, chilling conclusion as small-town secrets unravel. Sadly, this novel was inspired by the unresolved sudden death of the author’s own brother.

The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets by Sarah Miller
In this masterful work of narrative nonfiction, Sarah Miller examines the lives of five identical sisters (weighing a total of just 13 pounds when they were born in 1934) who were forced to endure the most publicized childhood in history — and how they survived their turbulent teenage years to forge identities of their own. Nonfiction, like graphic novels, has been a neglected category amongst Pickett’s Picks, so this is a welcome addition.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The author of the much-beloved The Night Circus returns! Grad student Zachary Rawlins discovers a mysterious book containing loyal acolytes, captive lovers, key seekers, and (surprisingly) the story of his own childhood. Following enigmatic clues, he is led to a doorway opening on a time-worn underground library and a strange new world where he will find his true purpose.

Crying Laughing by Lance Rubin
The author of Denton Little’s Deathdate gives us a tragicomic story of Winnie Friedman, a girl who’s caught up in a spiral bad dates, bad news, and bad stand-up comedy routines. But finding the humor in high school is exactly what Winnie needs to see her through. I laughed out loud with Denton Little, and I’m looking forward to a more lighthearted read to balance out my picks.

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys shines light into one of history’s darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence, all inspired by the true post-WWII struggles of Spain.

Well this was the dystopian read of the year. Ladies please fight back, smash the patriarchy, and never ever give up! Favorite book of 2019!

5 brilliant stars for….

Characters that will live in your head long past reading. The characters are distinct, complex, and imperfect. They’re also violent and a little insane; a product of their environment.
A world that is a fascinating character study….and not too far off from our own. The parallels, which Kim discusses in her audiobook interview, are clear. Though Kim might not look at her book as dystopia, it’s easy to connect those dots. A place where girls are sent off to fend for themselves (and often don’t make it back, whole or at all) for a year, all because men are convinced that women have magical powers that seduce them. Mhm let that sink in.
A love triangle that isn’t actually a triangle. Kim recently spoke about creating romance in a feminist story – and how women can have both. The world in The Grace Year seeks to take away a woman’s choice in romance and Tierney finds a way to take it back.
The number of twists and turns and mindfuckery in the last quarter of the story. Unexpected reveals abound. I still haven’t recovered from the (good kind of) whiplash.
An audiobook that keeps you in the action. You’ll blink and the end has come. That’s how enthralling it is!

A dystopian novel centered on female empowerment. I so wished to love this book as much as others, but unfortunately, it was not entirely for me. However, I’ve recommended this book to many teachers and they have all loved the originality and relevance to today’s issues.

This reminded me of a female survival version of The Hunger Games. The characters were interesting enough, and the storyline was decent, but it just didn't grab my interest the way I had hoped, and the way the hype states.

In this dystopian world, women have a sinful power that must be expended one year before they move into adulthood. It is in the mysterious grace year that these young women are sent away to burn off their power. Tierney does not want to wed after her grace year, she just hopes she makes it out alive. The grace year will have more surprises and challenges than could ever be imagined.

I don't want to say too much about this book because I don't want to give anything away. I can see why it is compared to Handmaid's Tale, but I wasn't a big fan. It did feel like the women were being unjustly punished, based on plot points (not how the grace year was run). I never really got into this world or the characters, which made it difficult to care about what happened.