YA fantasy, it's not you, it's me. I was really loving the execution of the plot, but it was hard to connect with the characters and take them seriously. Sometimes I felt like their decisions and even what they were communicating with one another felt completely unrealistic - even for a world that is inherently unrealistic in and of itself. Ultimately I think this is a strong young adult fantasy, I may just be a few years away from when I would have devoured this with all the ferocity of the Hunger Games. My prediction: this will be a HUGE hit with teens and young adult readers this year! Well done, Thiede.

I really wish I enjoyed this book more, I wanted to love it and our two main characters. From the start, I just couldn't get into the story, I can't pinpoint what went wrong, maybe nothing. I don't want to fill this review with all the things I didn't like or any of the negative feelings I have about it.
Instead, I'll note the good, I genuinely enjoy the main character, her struggle with her duty, the deaths, and not being able to touch somebody without them dying, whoa. No spoiler, but the moment she gets hugged and the emotions I know she has to be feeling, I really connected to her, the story, and that feeling.

I want to end by saying this is a good book and will be loved by many. It's overall very appealing and just because I personally didn't love it, I know a lot of people will and I definitely recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! This Vicious Grace is the story of a girl selected by the gods to save her people from evil and destruction - but a girl who keeps accidentally killing the people who are supposed to help her with that simply with a touch. It’s a very interesting concept, and Thiede’s writing is engaging and paints a intricate picture of the world she has created. It’s nice to see a young woman savior character who not only fears failure, but has actually failed - big time. It makes her easier to relate to. I also really enjoyed Thiede’s world and the mythology that it contains. I look forward to reading the next book to see where this story goes!

*eARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Plot was a little slow at times, especially for something with a major, world-ending, deadline. However, the banter and chemistry between the characters made this a fantastic read!

5 stars

I think Thiede has great prose and descriptions. I felt like I could smell and feel the island world she had created. I also loved the Italian interspersed throughout and thought it was creative mythology she'd created. I did want a bit more in the beginning so that I could really grasp some elements of the story and character. I wanted to know more about the husbands the MC had lost. How did she pair with them and how did they die? There were elements like these that felt a little too broad brush strokes to me and kept me from immersing into the story and character as I might have if she'd gone deeper faster. But I'd say a promising debut for sure!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is one that I was really excited to read and it definitely lived up to my expectations!

Alessa is the Finestra, blessed with the ability to amplify magic, which she must use to save her island from demons. She must partner with a Fonte, aka someone with magic, so they can combine their powers in battle. The only problem is - everyone she touches dies. The people start to lose faith in her after she kills three partners, so she hires a hot criminal named Dante to be her bodyguard.

The world building is great and easy to understand and I love the Italian inspired setting. The character development of both Alessa and Dante is extremely well done - Alessa starts off very lonely and unsure of herself and Dante has a lot of guilt and self loathing from things that happened in his past. Dante believes that people don’t change, but everything changes when they’re together. The romance is very sweet, it’s slow burn and full of banter and innuendos. Dante is my favorite kind of love interest, broody and moody on the outside but a softie on the inside.

The ending is action packed and dramatic and heartbreaking and leaves you wanting more. Can’t wait for the next one!

My feelings on this one are a tad bit conflicted. On the one hand, it was a page-turner, especially with the promise of a forbidden romance. On the other hand, I found it slow going at times and Alessa to be a bit juvenile. I understand that her arc is to get stronger, to see herself as worthy of Dea's gift. But I couldn't see the spark in her until later in the book and by that point, I was sticking with the book for the romance and not for the character development or plot. I did love the concept and premise and I loved the overall story. The development of the characters was really wonderful to see unfold as well. Dante was a joy to read and I loved seeing his arc develop as much as Alessa or the other characters. I'm excited that this is a series and I really am looking forward to the book.

Seriously, I did not expect this book to be that good. I didn’t think it would suck, but I didn’t expect the romance to be as deep as it was. I didn’t expect to love the characters and to enjoy story as much as I did. The character arc was far beyond what I would have expected and the way the story came together was perfect. So far it is one of my favorites for the year. A lonely girl who just wants to feel a touch from another. A guy with no family just trying to survive. The tension that keeps building between them from day one. This story sticks with you. I loved this book and am eagerly awaiting its release. I would recommend this as a must read. Five stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I sometimes struggle to get really invested in such big, sweeping fantasies because the world building can tend to be a bit... much? But Emily Thiede did such an amazing job with introducing everything and keeping the reader invested & entertained throughout - although it did start off a little bit slowly, it ramps up and then doesn't slow down toward the end!

There was A LOT to love in this book, but I think I was a little let down by the end, especially when I realized I was being set up for a sequel. I loved the main character, the romance, and the sweet sweet angst of their relationship, and was highlighting endlessly because I couldn't get over how SOFT it was.

Definitely enjoyed it, but I don't know if I'll pick up the sequel!

omg I enjoyed this book SO FREAKING MUCH!! I loved the romance (the banter was the beeest), and I loved the friendships that formed between Alessa and the Fontes. The worldbuilding was definitely interesting, though I was more invested in the characters than the plot. But that cliffhanger is MEAN, and I need the next book NOW.

A compelling debut with an interesting magic system and captivating characters. The book was enjoyable from start to finish, and I am already looking forward to book 2.

4/5

Latest in a long line of individuals chosen by the goddess Dea to protect humanity, Alessa is a Finestra, deity chosen to bond with a partner and magnify their power for the return of great evil. Three partnerships, and three funerals later, Alessa’s power has turned deadly, inciting rebellion among the island population and unrest between any remaining Fonte’s that haven't fled. Alessa is running out of time to protect her island from Divorando, the scheduled return of the hordes of demons sent by the god Crollo to purge the islands of all life. When an attempt is made upon her life, Alessa makes an unconventional move and hires Dante, a street fighter, to be her bodyguard. Hoping to get her gift under control, Alessa is desperate, and as she leans more on Dante, she learns that he alone holds the key to unlocking the secret of her power. With Divorando looming closer, this secret may have the potential to save her gift or it may be what finally drags her down to a deadly fate.

This Vicious Grace is a startling debut that feels suspiciously similar to biting into a ripe lemon, an initially jarring feeling that fades with time, yet continues to linger upon the mind. Having not read all that much into this debut before reading, it's safe to say this one completely took me by surprise. Thiede has created a remarkable combination of fantasy, Italian-inspired worldbuilding, mythology, and an invigorating slow-burn romance. Between the lore guiding the history of the islands and the ever-approaching evil, I inevitably fell under the thrall of this story. Though there are many aspects of this debut that I enjoyed immensely, what really caught my attention were the characters. Alessa is an interesting protagonist to follow, full of astounding kindness and a struggle for freedom and acceptance. Her determination to find a way out of her current situation and escape her loneliness was really profound. Additionally, Dante, her bodyguard, was another character that really had me invested in this. He’s hilariously grumpy, cynical, and the kind of love interest you can root for at all times. I'm a sucker for the bodyguard trope in general, but the transition of these two characters from unlikely allies to lovers was too good to ignore. Some of my favorite moments between Alessa and Dante were simply the ones where they were comforting one another or leaning on each other for support. I love romances that feel supportive and characters that uplift one another, which this dynamic accomplished beautifully. Alongside the romance, I found the interplay of religious tension really fascinating. Thiede creates an intriguing stage for exploring the religious principles of this society parallel to the weight of impending evil upon the islands. Adding in political tension, found family, and divine prose, Emily Thiede’s debut becomes as utterly thrilling as it is ethereal. This Vicious Grace is a sensational fantasy novel, weaving a vulnerable narrative of isolation, lingering doubt, and the strength in fulfilling an insurmountable role.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, death, suicidal ideation, war

Review is up on Goodreads as of 4/30/22 and will be posted on my blog upon publication

I love this book. I want more fantasy books like this
What I loved-
- it was a mix of Shatter Me and From Blood and Ash- FMC can't touch anyone and if she does they die. She has a bodyguard that is broody and mysterious and hates everyone but her.
- I loved the whole falling kingdom plot.
- FOUND FAMILY TROPE
- THE BETRAYAL
- THE PLOT TWISTS
- hurt comfort trope
- both the FMC and the MMC are willing to fight for each other

What I didn't love-
- the plot got a bit confusing at times, I feel like I needed more of an explanation in the beginning because the world building got a bit confusing.

Wow! Emily Thiede has blown it out of the water in her fantasy debut This Vicious Grace. The book follows Alessa, the Finestra, who is supposed to marry her partner (each called the Fonte) and use their power to fight the impending doom. The problem is the Finestra killed the last three Fonte as soon as they were wed through a single touch alone. When the island is reliant on Alessa using her combined power to save them all, this begins to present a problem both for our main character and her people who are losing faith in the chosen one. This distrust leads Alessa to hire Dante to be her temporary bodyguard until she can find a surviving Fonte, and the majority of the novel takes place once the two have come together.

This was a fantastic debut to a new fantasy series. The way Thiede writes is really beautiful, and the book really starts to ensnare the reader once you get through the beginning worldbuilding section like any fantasy novel. The characters were lovable and dynamic, and it was clearly intentional how they were developed in a way that can really connect with the readers. I found myself really rooting for the main cast, but there was also the perfect balance between characters and plot, which is especially important in fantasy novels to me. The plot's pacing was great, and it felt like the story really progressed forward rather than circling around since the Finestra has gone through the search for a new Fonte multiple times before. The worldbuilding was easy to understand, and it wasn't too difficult to grasp the political complexities of being a leader in the island's capital. I felt like the main conflict was believable, and the conclusion was well-paced. The story felt pretty complete despite being the first of multiple in this series, but Thiede's writing and characters leave the reader wanting to hear what comes next. It took me a little bit of time to get immersed in the story initially, so I was a bit taken aback when I later realized this is on par to be one of my favorite reads of the year. I'm looking forward to reading what comes next!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

When I first saw the cover of this book, I had such a strong attraction I had to read the blurb and once that was read, I knew this was going to be a book that I needed to read.

This Vicious Grace is much different than I expected in exciting ways. I enjoyed the world building and the relationship building, the magic system was interesting and new. I loved the different characters and the hint of familiar culture. The mix of religion, magic, and human mentalities really boldened the story and made it come to life.

The story held my attention the entire time and I was engaged in the story to the point of not putting it down (lost sleep was worth it). I will say it the story has a slower pace at times so that the reader can match their reading experience to the characters' life experiences (if that makes any kind of sense).

I do believe this is as the least a duet and might be a trilogy and in thinking that, this story was more of a relationship and world building story then brute action and intense moments (it did have those moments, just not until the ending one-third or so). Overall, this is a fun read and I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here. I had a small gasping/mini heart-breaking moment at the end, so I have HUGE expectations for the next book (all good wants and needs).

I received an ARC via NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and I am leaving an honest review. Thank you so much for the opportunity to become a part of this adventure and world, I simply cannot wait for more. 4.5 solid stars!



*I will post my review wide on release day as the email asked for none until that date.

3.5 stars

The chemistry was great.

The world building and secondary characters less so.

And the pacing was kind of a mess, except for a sweet spot in the middle.

So, basically your normal YA fantasy debut.

I think the premise was really interesting and Thiede has a lot of potential, but there were just too many things that didn’t quite work for me to give this a higher rating. The worldbuilding was a bit messy and confusing at times, but the idea of using the Italian renaissance as the groundwork for a fantasy is fascinating. The supporting characters also felt quite flat to me, but I liked Alessa and Dante; they bantered well and had great chemistry, but the novel was pretty dependent on that, so when they were separated it was actually kind of difficult to get through.

As always, thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Okay I got a little confused in the beginning with all the new terms and words. I was also really confused at times about what the setting was like. It felt mostly like a fantasy novel, but then sometimes the author would mention things that catapulted me into the modern world like showers and light bulbs. But other than that, I really ended up enjoying this book!! The main character really came into herself and I loved her growth and the friends she made. The characters were great. I think I’d like to see a little more worldbuilding because what I could see is really interesting and cool but I still have so many questions. I’m excited to see where the next book goes.

This was such a fun stpry! I loved Alessa who grew in strength through the story. I so enjoyed the banter between Alessa and her bodyguard, Dante. Alessa is under a lot of pressure which leads her to hire Dante. Thus begins an adorable romance!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A girl who’s power hinges on finding the one person her touch won’t kill and a cynical outcast marked as a killer who becomes her bodyguard. Three weddings and three funerals, Alessa’s gift is the power to magnify her partner’s magic... except when its incompatible it ends up killing her suitors instead. She only has one more chance to get it right before the people come for her, they are already doubting her, fearing her, and thinking she is killing people for fun. All Alessa craves is touch, to feel connected, to not be feared, to just have a friend. Being trained to be what she was, she has been isolated... and the fact that her touch literally kills means she has had no human contact. With only weeks left until the hungry swarm of demons devours everything and everyone on her island home. Alessa must find a partner to help her amplify their magic and to stop the demons... if she can survive assassination attempts from everyone around her. The only person she can turn to is the handsome, grumpy, boy with secrets named Dante ( which isn’t even his first name). Dante makes an agreement with Alessa, she will pay him a king’s fortune and he will protect her until she figures out her next move because above all else she doesn’t want to kill another person. However the more time Alessa and Dante spend together the more they realize they have the same scars, the same experiences, and the sexual tension and witty banter is UNREAL. Honesty the chemistry between Alessa and Dante is EVERYTHING TO ME. I ALREADY NEED THE NEXT BOOK PLEASE. Aleesa comes up with an alternative plan, she will gather her top suitor choices and get to know them, to work on slowly controlling her powers to not kill them, and actually try and make it work. But with the clock ticking, with the people getting restless and more assassination attempts, will Alessa and Dante make it out alive? Or will they each have to sacrifice something? This book has such a good couple chemistry, Alessa my sweet girl, I wanted to hug her so much. And Dante? OOOF what a charmer. Seriously the relationships and friendships in this book was just perfection and I can’t wait to see more of the characters and how their relationships grow in the next book!!

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*