This book has a gorgeous cover and the story is one to match! I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read its sequel.

This Vicious Grace released in 2022, and I'm mad at myself for not reading this one sooner! The world, the magic, the characters, the romance, and how everything came together had me hooked from the beginning. I've been trying to figure out how to write my review for the past few days. I want to say so much, but I also really think this is a book you need to experience for yourself.

Alessa is an interesting main character. She's the Finestra and her gifts are supposed to save her country from the demons that can come and destroy everything and everyone. To do this she needs to find her magical partner (Fonte) to help her. The only problem is that she's had three Fontes and they've all died after touching her. Politics and people who believe she isn't the best thing for her country decide to try and take her down, so she hires her own bodyguard, Dante.

Alessa is a great main character. Even though she's scared of hurting another person with her gifts and letting down her country, she doesn't feel sorry for herself or try to take the easy way out. She's clearly going to fight for her people and maybe even traditions that just don't suit her or her needs anymore. Alessa is stubborn, caring, powerful, and willing to sacrifice everything for her people.

On top of that, we start to get a slow burn romance with Dante. He seems like a tough one at the start, but there's so much more to Dante and he's so protective. Seeing Dante and Alessa slowly get close and care for the other was so heartwarming. I loved that we got a romance, but that it didn't take over the story. Add some amazing side characters as we meet all of the possible Fontes and I was hooked. I can't wait to read the sequel!

This review will also be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on September 26th!

This book was good, and, though full of tropes that are fairly typical, put a little bit of a different spin on them.

I took one look at This Vicious Grace and fell in love. That cover pulled me in and that blurb piqued my interest like no other. I was worried all these green flags meant a bad book but this book was lovely!

This Vicious Grace has become one of my personal favorite ya fantasy books of all time. The magic system was flawless and so interesting right from the start.

My only issue with this one was just the world-building. I am sure the second book will build upon it more, so I didn't fault the book too much. I think things could have been explained a bit more or fleshed out better.

And while it may have ended in a frustrating cliffhanger, I can safely go read book number two now. I am glad I waited to read this one. The wait would have killed me for sure.

It was a fun premise and the romance was tense and delicious. I didn't love the Italian rep in this book, but overall it was a routine YA fantasy.

I loved everything about this book, the world was amazing and the magic was interesting to read about.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>This Vicious Grace</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>This Vicious Grace</i> introduces us to Alessa, a young woman with a powerful but dangerous gift meant to protect her people.

<h4>The Details</h4>

The novel presents a unique magic system centered around Alessa's gift and her role as a Finestra. This concept is fresh and adds an interesting dynamic to the story.

Thiede crafts a vibrant and detailed world with its own customs, politics, and history. The setting feels immersive and well-realized, drawing readers into Alessa's struggles and triumphs.

Also, Alessa's journey from self-doubt to empowerment is compelling. Her internal conflicts and gradual acceptance of her role add emotional depth to the narrative.

However, the story's pacing can be uneven at times, with certain sections dragging while others rush through pivotal moments. This inconsistency can affect the reader's engagement.

Furthermore, while Alessa is a well-developed protagonist, some secondary characters lack the same level of depth and complexity. Their motivations and backstories often feel underexplored.

Sadly, some plot twists and developments are foreseeable, which might diminish the overall impact for readers who enjoy more unexpected turns in the story.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>This Vicious Grace</i> by Emily Thiede is a solid entry into the fantasy genre, particularly for readers who appreciate unique magic systems and strong world-building. Alessa's journey of self-discovery and empowerment is a highlight, though the novel's pacing and character development issues slightly hinder its overall effectiveness. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more unpredictable and tightly-paced narrative, it offers an engaging and imaginative experience for fans of magical adventures and personal growth.

I don’t know why I put off reading this for so long because it was really good! I loved Alessa and Dante! The plot, worldbuilding, and magic system were interesting and intriguing. The writing was so descriptive and beautiful! I will definitely pick up the sequel!

Thank you so much to the Publisher for sending me a copy of this book! I really was excited to read this book because of the description and the cover. I ended up really enjoying this book! I think I would recommend this book for most young adults or adults

I really enjoyed this one and am a little upset that I left it on my shelf this long. But, the good news is that I'll get to read the next book and not have to wait for it to come out. This is a new adult book following the books protagonist Alessa. Alessa is deemed a divine savior of sorts but the catch is that she is supposed to save her island from a divine attack by funneling another's power. Her problem so far is that anyone she touches she can kill and her first three attempts at finding someone's power to funnel has resulted in three funerals. As you might guess this is making people a little nervous.

This book deals with the importance of connection, feeling seen, and also human touch. I work in a hospital and I recently had a patient that said he lived alone and rarely got to see people. He said one of the nice things about being in the hospital and doing physical therapy was that he was able to touch people. It was heartbreaking and really stuck with me, so when Alessa came along, I felt for her even more.

I can’t believe this novel—the first in a new series— is Thiede’s DEBUT novel. An incredible story based in a fantasy, Italian-inspired realism, it is told from the perspective of the Finestra, Alessa, who is expected to ascend to power with the assistance of her partner, or Fonte, but Alessa can’t stop accidentally killing her Fontes. And that’s a huge problem. Her power can’t be controlled and it seems like she just might end up losing everything. She cannot fulfill her birthright without her Fonte, which means she won’t be able to save her people from the impending doom that history foretells.

Enter, Dante. Found in the slums of the city, these hard-edge street fighter sparks something in Alessa. Below his solid, cold exterior, she seems hints of something good buried deep within him. She’s in desperate need of protection and the only way she can ensure her safety is to hire someone outside of the Citadel. Dante provides all the answers that she’s looking for. However, no matter how much Alessa tries to truly understand him, she can’t seem to get to the core of who he truly is. The secrets that he hides keep him walled off from everyone around him. Alessa trusts blindly—could he be her greatest asset, or will he be the source of her demise?

Gods, magic, romance, touches that kill, impending apocalypse, there’s nothing more needed here. Excellently written prose, gorgeous setting, incredible world-building, enchanting characters, and forbidden romance? Yes please! I’m all for this series, and I can’t wait to see where it’s going next. My biggest complaint is that I have to wait for book 2!

This book was an entirely unique fantasy tale that dealt with themes of grief, isolation, sacrifice, and what it means to love selflessly. The characters are well-rounded and believable, and the ending was a twist I did not see coming. Absolutely recommend for fantasy lovers of all ages!

this was an interesting read! I really liked the banter between Alessa and Dante and I thought the characters were pretty well fleshed out. I wasn’t as invested in the plot though but I do think I will be reading the sequel!

I really enjoyed the storyline in world building in the novel. I also really liked the characters. I thought this was a solid read, and I will definitely be reading more by this author.

I wholeheartedly recommend this amazingly crafted, emotionally moving, action-packed fantasy novel to any reader. The world-building, coupled with the rich culture and language, provides a beautiful backdrop, and the writing is captivating.

Alessa, the female main character, resonated with me deeply. I loved how she was able to still have humor despite everything that is happening, it makes her a compelling character. I also loved how grumpy Dante was. His honest and straightforward approach, coupled with an intriguing and heart-wrenching backstory, makes his relationship with Alessa feel authentic and genuine – a dynamic that I thoroughly loved. I especially loved their banter and interactions.

Literally no one talks about this book, and I am offended by that. I loved the setting, the characters, the world-building. Just everything!!

This Vicious Grace was such a lovely romantasy, I had such a fun time reading this. Alessa and Dante absolutely gave what they were supposed to give and I know a lot of people didn't love that there wasn't much of a plot beyond the romance but I ate it up. I'm looking forward to the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fascinating premise! I did find the pacing a bit distracting, as it wasn't all that consistent, with some real infodumping especially around the worldbuiling - though I must say, very immersive. And the side characters could definitely have used a bit more depth and development. Still, a fun read!

Rating : 4 out of 5
Blurbs :
Emily Thiede's exciting fantasy debut, This Vicious Grace, the first in The Last Finestra duology, will keep readers turning the pages until the devastating conclusion and leave them primed for more!

Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches.

Now, with only weeks left until a hungry swarm of demons devours everything on her island home, Alessa is running out of time to find a partner and stop the invasion. When a powerful priest convinces the faithful that killing Alessa is the island’s only hope, her own soldiers try to assassinate her.

Desperate to survive, Alessa hires Dante, a cynical outcast marked as a killer, to become her personal bodyguard. But as rebellion explodes outside the gates, Dante’s dark secrets may be the biggest betrayal. He holds the key to her survival and her heart, but is he the one person who can help her master her gift or destroy her once and for all?

Thoughts :
A pretty solid debut book! I'm very very interested and into this whole plot. Love Alessa and Dante! Thanks Netgalley for the early copy!

While I did enjoy the audio of This Vicious Grace, I felt like the romance aspect of the story was pushed at the expense of the magic system. I wanted more of Alessa training for the looming war and taking on her role as The Chosen One instead of chasing Dante. For me, I missed the fantasy elements of the story but if you are a fan of romantasy that leans heavily on the romance, you will like this book.