This is a story that totally engaged me. But at the same time it did not really feel fresh. I felt it was a mash up of Lord of the Flies and the Handmaids Tail — well done but not original. That said, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to others. I kept thinking about the women/girls in this society and why they acquiesced so completely. What happened that made the women act so powerless? How did they ever recover after such a horrific year. There were more unanswered questions than those that were addressed.

Ultimately I think dystopian stories aren’t for me. There just aren’t enough pages to create an alternate world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Your eyes are wide open, but you see nothing.”

Tierney James is entering her 16th year which means the Veiling Ceremony followed by the Grace Year. During the Veiling Ceremony, a few select girls are chosen for the coveted position of wives while the others will be sent into various labor positions. The Grace Year is an entire year where all the girls of the County aged sixteen are transported beyond the outskirts to struggle and suffer in anticipation that this will expel their magic. Many of the girls won’t return - victims of the elements, the poachers, or each other.

“I used to wonder how the women could turn a blind eye to things in the county, things that were happening right in front of them, but some truths are so horrifying that you can’t even admit them to yourself. I understand that now.”

Many reviews suggest The Grace Year is a blend of The Handmaids Tale and Lord of the Flies. This is certainly true though I would add The Hunger Games in as well due to many (and all the best!) similar themes: strong female protagonist, lead female/true love/best friend love triangle, fight for survival, a dystopian setting, and a cruel government dictating its people.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow this book! I couldn’t put it down. It was fantastic, from the world building to the characters to the story itself, everything. The whole mystery of the Grace year got me interested and then once the story got going it got even better!

This book is marketed as the next Handmaid’s tale, and while I understand that comparison a little this book is not the same. This book takes place in a fictional world similar, I imagine, to our 1800s. I also got some Crucible vibes, with the magic and the hysteria.

I don’t want to give too much of the story away, but I greatly enjoyed the resolution of the story. As with many books, especially those based on history, reading this as a woman was a little difficult. But this story gave me hope as well.

This was a wonderful book and I am so grateful that I was able to read it.

I finished this dystopian novel a bit teary-eyed. Yes, I'd come to love the fiercely brave Tierney James from whose perspective the story is told. I'm sure you've heard that this one is being compared to other well-known dystopias with strong female protagonists, such as The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale, etc., and the comparisons are pretty apt.

The story is set in a county where men rule with an iron hand. At the age of 16, girls come into a certain magic, which the men feel is a dangerous thing. They are sent away to a compound on an island for a year, the grace year, during which time they are expected to expel this magic and, if they survive, come home docile, ready to marry the man who has chosen them as wife by giving them a veil.

And survival is not certain, not at all...because men called 'poachers' hunt them down if they set one foot outside the compound. They have to fend for themselves with only their basic needs met and carefully ration the food they brought with them. But perhaps the greatest threat will be found in the other girls, they realize, as they stand beneath the Punishment tree, and see bloody ears and fingers hanging from its branches.

At first, the girls in Tierney's group split up into typical teenage cliques: the popular girls who were given a veil and the ones who weren't, who are destined to be the worker drones when they return home. But Tierney bucks that trend and tries to organize the girls to find practical ways to live and survive, but soon realizes she has a powerful enemy in the charismatic leader of the 'Mean Girls' group. Things get desperate and nearly deadly--but a savior comes from an unexpected place and Tierney will have to decide what path her life should take.

I was pleased to see Tierney really grow as a person, caring for others, drawing on practical lessons learned from her father, trying to make wise choices. By the end, she's not just the spoiled tomboy she once was. And yes, there's a love story involved as always, but I thought it was beautifully done.

But I liked this story very much, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy this genre. It's YA but interesting enough for the adult reader.

The Grace Year was a unique and compelling take on patriarchal dystopian novels. It really illustrated the time, commitment, and sacrifice revolution in an oppressive society takes.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett - I can't believe this was YA! The Grace Year is the year 16 year old girls are banished to release magic into the wild before allowed to return to civilization. It is believed women emit a powerful aphrodisiac that can lure grown men, tempt young boys, and make other women jealous. In their 16th year, they must live in the woods and survive to emit this magic.

This was a very dystopian society similar to The Handmaid's Tale and had well developed characters. This was a very unique story line and I'm excited to see that this has already been optioned to be a film!

“I have to remind myself: the dresses, the red ribbons, the veils, the ceremonies - they’re all just distractions to keep our minds off the real issue at hand. The grace year.

My chin begins to quiver when I think of the year ahead, the unknown, but I plaster on a vacant smile, as if I’m happy to play my part, so I might return and marry and breed and die. But not all of us will make it home ... not in one piece.”

The Grace Year is a dystopian novel that takes place in Garner County. Think Hunger Games meets The Handmaids Tale. All girls are thought to have ‘magic or powers’ inside of them and are banished outside the city during their sixteenth year to rid them of those powers. No one know what happens during the grace year, it is never spoken about. After the year, the girls return they are to marry and then carry on their duties as a wife in the county.

“White ribbons for the young girls, red for the grace year girls, and black for the wives. Innocence. Blood. Death.”

Tierney James, is one of the few sixteen year old girls that would like anything but a veil and a promised husband going into her grace year. She has dreams for a better future; but she must first survive the year, not only for herself, but for her family, her younger sisters and the girls that will follow in grace years to come.

“The things we do to girls. Whether we put them on pedestals only to tear them down, or use them for parts and holes, were all complicit in thus. But everything touches everything else, and I have to believe that some good will come out of all this distraction. The men will never end the grace year. But maybe we can.”

The Grace Year is out Oct 8 and is one you should add to your TBR list for fall. I really enjoyed reading this novel! I was sucked in fairly quickly and continued to be surprised with each twist and turn that Kim Liggett included. I don’t want to give much away about the book. But it is about family, the one you are born into and the one you make. It is about acceptance, and how no matter the circumstances, it is craved. It is about female friendships, and how hard and ugly those relationships can be. But most importantly it is about survival.

Wow! Another mind-blowing read for 2019. This story gave me chills, heartbreak, and hope all in one sitting.

"No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden. We’re told we have the power to lure grown men from their beds, make boys lose their minds, and drive the wives mad with jealousy. They believe our very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why we’re banished for our sixteenth year, to release our magic into the wild before we’re allowed to return to civilization."

Tierney is a fierce and smart young woman trying to survive the grace year out in the woods with 30 some other young women from her county and predators ready to skin them alive. There is nothing worse than bullying teenage girls and Kierney and her crew represent the nastiest.

This is one crazy and fascinating book. The reader will feel the terror of the unknown trying to figure out what is real and what isn't. Will Tierney survive the menace surrounding the camp?

Another favorite read of 2019.

Thank you to Ms. Liggett, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book without expectation of a positive review.

4.5 stars!
Tierney and the other 16-year-olds in her county must spend the year out in the forest, away from others, specifically men, who might fall under their magical spell. The point of the year in the woods? Get rid of their "magic," and come back ready to marry and make babies or work out in the fields for the rest of their lives.

Always a bit of a wild card, Tierney immediately has trouble getting along with the other girls and "embracing her magic." With the others girls becoming ruthless and poachers in the woods, waiting for the girls to falter, Tierney begins to understand that survival is her only option-- but she also understands why so many girls don't come back from The Grace Year.

A LOT happens in this book. So much that it could have been spread over 2 books, but I'm actually happy that Liggett squished it into 1 book, rather than a trilogy that gets repetitive and dull (ahem). The premise is very interesting, and Tierney is immediately likable. I loved all the different themes, and the talking points are on point. It's an easy read, but there are some complicated matters that could be explored--- think aspects of The Giver.

🔺No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.🔺⁠
⁠
I had my eye on The Grace Year (releasing 10/8/19) a few months ago and when I saw it was available as a "Read Now"/auto-approved option on Netgalley, I snapped it up. ⁠
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It seems like every dystopian or speculative fiction release that features women is instantly heralded as the next "The Handmaid’s Tale" or "The Power" but I would describe this one as M. Night Shyamalan's “The Village” meets Megan Abbott's "The Fever" with some serious Lord of the Flies overtones. While I love this genre, the recent releases have been hits ("Vox" and "The Water Cure") or misses ("Before She Sleeps" and "Red Clocks") for me. The Grace Year fell firmly in my "hit" camp with it's brutal realism, detailed characters (Oh, I love you Tierney but Kiersten, you can go kick rocks), and unique storyline about an alternative patriarchal society that also fears female power/magic. I have been reading a lot of positive early reviews and I think The Grace Year will be a popular read when it releases next month, especially since it has already been optioned by Universal and Elizabeth Banks to be a major motion picture.⁠

This book will definitely be talked about this fall! When I’ve described it to people I feel like it’s a cross between Lord of the Flies and The Hunger Games. It was so hard to put down. Teen girls will love it!

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Wow! I went into this book not knowing much about it at all and COULD NOT put it down. It reminded me of a cross between Hunger Games and Handmaid's Tale. Just when you think you know what is going on, there is another plot twist. I would recommend giving this book a chance!

It has already been said more than once, but this young adult-geared story really does feel a bit like a Lord of the Flies/Hunger Games/Handmaid's Tale mash-up. The premise is excellent–Tierney James is about to begin her Grace Year, a year in which sixteen year olds are sent away and many never return. These young women are thought to have magic that needs to be released/burned off, so that they aren't a danger to others. I didn't fall in love with the writing, but it was a quick read and easily kept my interest. Rounded up to 4 stars (from 3.5).

Thanks to the author, St Martins' Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

*** 4 Stars***
Expected Publication: October 8th, 2019

The Grace Year refers to the 16th year of a females life where they are sent to an isolated camp to get rid of the "magic" they have over men, If they survive the year they are then married off or assigned as a worker for life. Majority of reviews I've read regarding this book have been rave 5 star reviews and I totally get it, however, the beginning of this is what held my review back. The story just dives right in without any background information or character development so for the first 1/4 of the book I was kinda like whaaaa and whyyyy?? But if you sit back and allow the story develop, it's totally worth it. I had tears in my eyes by the end and totally loved this book. Highly recommend this!!

Special thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 ½ stars

This has to be one of the hardest most heartbreaking books I’ve read in awhile. Right from the start we’re thrown into a world where men rule and women are expected to fall into line, where 16 year old girls are thrown into a camp away from society to cleanse themselves of their magic.
This book has been pitched as The Handmaid's Tale meets Lord of the Flies meets The Hunger Games and it’s the perfect comparison.

Tierney James is about to start her grace year, the year when all 16 year old girls are thrown into the wilds in order to cleanse themselves of their dark sinful magic, a magic that can seduce any man but it’s not just the wilds or the poachers- men who are paid to hunt and kill the girls for there magic- they have to survive it’s each other to.

This book is horrifying and heartbreaking all in one the world felt so real that it could be set in reality and not just a dystopian novel. The grace year was a fast read despite it being more than 400 pages it’s fast paced, interesting and it kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened to everyone.

Tierney is a headstrong character she wants to be in control of her own future and not let the men decided what she has to do with her body, she’s clever but naive at times and I felt so much for her. The girls in the camp are terrifying the longer the year goes on the more ruthless and blood thirsty they get even going as far as maiming each other and it was like reading a nightmare I would not want to be anywhere near the camp these girls are in.

I’m not sure if this was a popular or unpopular opinion but I actually really liked the romance in the book and while I can see that it might not have been super necessary and seemed to slow the book down (I always wondered in the back of my mind what was going on in the camp with all the other girls) I did enjoy it a lot and liked Tierney and Ryker as a couple. There were a few parts between them that really spoke to me.

I thought the religious aspect was interesting and a terrifying they blame eve for the fall of human kind (no unlike some religions) and because of that women are seen as evil sinners who need to be watched and controlled.

“In the county, there’s nothing more dangerous than a woman who speaks her mind. That’s what happened to Eve, you know, why we were cast out from heaven. We’re dangerous creatures. Full of devil charms. If given the opportunity, we will use our magic to lure men to sin, to evil, to destruction.” My eyes are getting heavy, too heavy to roll in a dramatic fashion. “That’s why they send us here.”

the ending, that ending ripped me apart so hard I don’t want to spoil it for anyone but it shows that some things can’t be changed in big ways like in some books let’s say the hunger games but can only be changed in small ways the ending is heartbreakingly hopeful.

There’s so much meaning in this book I don’t even know if I can write about everything I would definitely recommend the grace year. I also want to add really quick that my favorite parts of the grace year had to be the dreams and all there meanings.

i want to thank Wednesday Books for giving me a copy though Netgalley

I am here to tell you that the hype for this book is real folks!

The Grace Year is a haunting combination of The Handmaids Tale and The Hunger Games and truly delivers on all fronts

The book follows a collection of sixteen year old girls sent to live in the woods as they enter their "grace year" which has an aphrodisiac quality. The political timing of this book could not be more perfect, and I found myself thinking often of the current sexist dress code restrictions we place on our own high schoolers in this country. Because if some men had it their way, showing your shoulders would get you a one way ticket into the woods for "distracting other boys"

I could not put this book down. So twisty and amazing. Feminist, raw, real, and magical. A true must read for any teenage girl.

The Grace Year brings me back to my dystopian vibes. It's a story that promises a society where women are oppressed and thrown, each year, into the unknown to rid themselves of their magic. But it's also a story of perseverance, love, and rebellion. It's been a while since I've read The Handmaid's Tale - which is one of the comparative titles for The Grace Year - but it has that same theme of women's oppression. There are dark secrets hidden behind closed doors and in lingering glances. It's a deeply repressive culture for women, where they are punished without proof and hurt without mercy. But we actually spend more time outside of the village, in the wild of the Grace Year. The mysterious year which returns girls scarred, hollow, and forever changed propels the beginning of the book.

It's a book that both terrifies and celebrates. While you cannot argue that the setting isn't terrifying for women - a village where the accusation of witchcraft means certain death - there are also moments where we remember the power of love and friendship. The little acts of resistance, the influence of knowledge (both good and bad), and the way we must think for ourselves.

A feminist dystopian YA story self-described as “in the vein of The Handmaid’s Tale,” The Grace Year tells the story of Tierney. Like her mother and sisters before her, she gets to go away for “the Grace Year” along with all other 16 year old females in her county. They are secluded “to burn off the magic” that otherwise would wreak havoc among men. Nobody talks about what happens there, but it’s not pretty. I liked the story, it really drew me in, but I found its message too heavy-handed. Maybe it’s because it’s YA and younger people need to be hammered over the head with strong ideas but it was too much for me. It’s refreshing how not all men are horrible. Most are, but some are either misguided or really good. Women are awful to each other but they can change. Some characters are hiding secrets. I liked how self-reliant Tierney is, and the twist that explains what was going on was actually surprising, but the rhythm was a little too slow to really engross me completely. The chapters are very, very long and it’s hard to figure out where to take breaks. This is not a bad novel; it’s just not for me.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/St. Martin's Press!

I picked this book up because I was intrigued by the premise of this book. I thought, YES!!, a story I can get behind. But then I finished reading and was left with a feeling of disappointment. The execution just wasn't there for me.

We get little to no background on why the county's society is set up the way it is. I felt like I needed to know who decided to send these girls to camp for a year. What happened in the past that made this necessary before they were to be married? What was this "magic" that is so dangerous? Why have these women not revolted? So many questions, not a lot of answers.

I had high hopes for Tierney as soon as I met her. I thought, this is the girl that will change the world, or at least the world of Garner County. But then she gets to camp and it's a whole new girl we find ourselves reading about. Which I guess is the point of the Grace Year but I needed more from her. I needed her to stand up for herself and just have a little bit more grit and determination. I think the only time I felt this was when she was in the tree house truly fighting for her life. Then in a few short days, weeks, (not completely sure since jumping ahead with times was huge for this author) she falls in love. Ummmm, where is the girl from the beginning of the book who just wanted to be free?

By the end of this one I think I was doing more eye rolls than anything. It is just not what I was expecting and the end just was a huge let down. I expected a bigger revolt from the girls but I felt like we got exactly was <i>The Grace Year</i> was made for.

This is a true page turner! I couldn’t stop reading! This gave me Hunger Games vibes but EVEN BETTER. Upon their Grace Year girls are either vailed or not and sent out to ride themselves of their magic. It’s a fantastically woven story of magic, the power of women, and fighting to do the right thing. Do you get to choose your future is it all mapped out for you by the men?

I honestly loved this book. It was faced paced, thrilling and so interesting. Never quite sure what was coming next.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martins Press for my copy in exchange for honest review!