Alessa, Dante, and the Fonti saved their nation from the apocalypse, but not without paying a price. As Dante adapts to his mysteriously powerless state and Alessa her renewed isolation from human touch, new darkness looms on the horizon. Visions of a fast-approaching apocalypse from their cruel, trickster god. This time, it's not coming for Alessa's people, but Dante's.

Their precariously aligned team, which now includes a former Finestra, his Fonte, and Alessa's unpredictable little brother, must travel to a land that seems to exist only in myth. Their goal is to battle against the apocalypse with the ghiotte community that will be under attack— If the ghiotte can come to terms with the much-despised Saverians and their threatening powers. With reminders of his dark past lurking all over and a quest to regain his powers underway, even Dante struggles to find his footing. The team will be tested like never before, by both the gods and other people.

This Vicious Grace was a surprise delight for me when I picked up an ARC last year and while I still prefer the first book, the sequel did not disappoint. There's action, romance, tension, and some impressive twists throughout. The newly introduced characters, many of them ghiotte, came to life easily and I definitely felt some attachment to them. This Cursed Light never felt like unnecessary pile-on storytelling, but rather a true expansion of the first book, despite the first book wrapping up pretty neatly.

However, it didn't hit all the notes quite the same as book one. Alessa and Dante are going through some challenges in their relationship that lead them both to do stupid things in secret rather than… ya know… talking. It's a trope that's never worked well for me and it got a bit frustrating at times. With the exception of Kaleb and Adrick's interactions (no notes, would follow that ship to the ends of the Earth) and an occasional whip-smart line from Kamaria, the banter between characters just wasn't as fun and engaging in this round. The story still did plenty to keep me engaged, though.

The end of this novel (and the duology) was really satisfying in the sense that I never could've guessed how it played out in a million years, but it still made perfect sense. Nothing pulled entirely out of left field, no weird deus ex machina. I think the climax sequence was a little short and could have been drawn out for dramatic effect, perhaps adding some higher stakes as it went, but it was still a great conclusion to the action and the character arcs on the whole!

This book did not hold my attention like the first in the series. I think in part, I didn't enjoy Dante's brooding. But I still enjoyed following Alessa's adventures and mischief. Thiede's world building continues to delight as we explore more of the land and learn more about the curse.

The writing style is simple and a little repetitive, and the word choice sometimes felt odd, but I was able to overlook all of that because the dialogue between these characters are a delight. This duology became an immediate comfort read for me, following lots of tropes and familiar plot beats, with characters that had me smiling every on every other page. The humor and banter is a delight. The chapters are so short or consistently broken up, making the story easy to digest and keep reading "one more chapter". I love how the two main characters communicate with each other even when it's challenging and they are not always on the same page. The comedic relief makes this otherwise heavy story feel light, and made me want to pick up the book as often as possible. Overall this was a story that just felt good to read.

Can't wait to see what else this author comes out with!

Thank you to the publisher for my arc.

This felt like a big let down for me, I wasn’t as invested in the characters as I was in the first book and the story didn’t keep me engaged.

LUCE MIA I CRIED IN AN AIRPLANE

4.5/5⭐

I love this duology so much! This Vicious Grace was one of my absolute favorite books last year and I've been (not so patiently) waiting for the conclusion to the story ever since I finished it.

If you haven't read TVG yet, stop right here and go read it if you love any of the following:
- Italian inspired fantasy
- bodyguard romance
- banter and pining
- "we can't touch"

I adored being with all these characters again and honestly need a novella detailing the secondary romance that developed throughout this book. 😍 The setting continued to be a highlight: the lush descriptions and atmosphere were wonderful.

This one felt a lot more angsty than This Vicious Grace; Alessa and Dante were both STRUGGLING and it was definitely frustrating at times (teenagers!). Their banter was top notch as always though and I just love the "we can't touch" tension.

Everything came together so beautifully at the end, I was on a plane and definitely just cried for like the last 10%. I've loved going on this journey and I'm so sad it's over.

I highly recommend this duology and can't wait for whatever Emily Thiede writes next!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that the sequel of this duology was out, I knew that I needed to read it right away! This Cursed Light by Emily Thiede is the final book in The Last Finestra duology. The story continues where the first book left off, and revolves around Alessa and Dante. The pair are dealing with the ramifications of their decisions in the last book, specifically regarding their powers. Will the pair be able to save the world and each other?

Here is a triumphant excerpt from Chapter 1:

"Alessa straightened her shoulders, pushing away the haunting moment with the captain. A cheer erupted as they waved to the crowd, and she basked in the adoration. This was right. This was what she'd been promised. Beloved. Victorious. Celebrated. Her reign was finished, and her time on Finestra's Peak was over.
No more demons. No more wars.
It was time to begin the rest of her life.
Happy.
Ever.
After."

Overall, This Cursed Light is an amazing YA fantasy that will satisfy all fans of the previous book. As I mentioned before in my review of the previous book, I loved how original the it was, and I could not wait to read the second book in this duology. One highlight of this book is the great world-building and Italian-inspired fantasy setting. Another highlight of this book is the amazing climax and ending, which I totally wasn't expecting. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that some dialogue and some of the humor felt a bit too YA for me, but that is the genre, so it's not the book's fault. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!

Thank you so much, St Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

Six months are passed since Alessa, Dante and their friends save their island from the destruction and while Alessa is ready to move on with her life with her former bodyguard, Dante is sure the gods aren't over with them, yet. Besides, without his power, the next kiss from Alessa could kill him for good. Desperate for answers, they start looking for another ghiotte who could help him restore his powers and joining their powers to save them all. Also, Alessa is hiding another consequence of the battle herself, a growing darkness consuming her mind and their only hope is to find a long lost city. Uncovering secrets, learning more about Dante's past, fighting against the gods' test, all in order to save themselves and the world. But what if they are forced to choose between love and the world?

This Cursed Light is the amazing conclusion of the duology started with This Vicious Grace and I felt so lucky to have gotten the chance to read this book early!
Alessa and Dante are incredible characters and I missed so much their bickering and flirting. I was so excited to know more about the ghiotte and the long lost island, to discover what the gods had in store for them and I'm pleasantly surprised by this book. This Cursed Light is able to answer the questions of the first book, to add new worlds and answers and stories about these characters' lives and pasts. It was so good learning more about Dante and to witness his and Alessa's relationship growing even more.
I love them so much, the story was so good and so compelling I couldn't stop reading it. Such a perfect finale.

DNF pg 40

This is now the second time where I've loved a first book in a series and then dnf the sequel... I think it's because most of the plot was completely resolved in the first book and then there's something completely new for the sequel. I wish the main plot lasted two full books because it really felt like it could be a standalone with a spin off maybe instead of a complete series. I wasn't really interested in picking it up because I wasn't interested in this plot unfortunately

I really wish I loved this because I loved the first book so much :(

"This Cursed Light," the sequel to "This Vicious Grace," proves to be an enjoyable continuation of the captivating narrative introduced in its predecessor. The novel skillfully weaves together intricate plotlines, providing a satisfying resolution to the characters' journeys. While the story concludes on a note of closure, the ending feels somewhat lackluster, leaving readers craving a more resonant impact. Nevertheless, the overall experience remains engaging, with the author's adept storytelling and character development maintaining the same level of intrigue that made the first installment compelling. Despite the minor disappointment in the finale, "This Cursed Light" successfully delivers an entertaining and cohesive narrative that will leave fans satisfied with the culmination of the series.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an electronic Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

This Cursed Light is the sequel to This Vicious Grace. This book continues the story of Alessa, a teenager who is imbued by the god Dea to absorb other's magical powers to help fight evil demons. Alessa and Dante, now a proclaimed couple, are facing problems as Dante has lost his powers to heal after being brought back to life by Alessa.

A prophesy says that the fighting is not over, and Alessa and her friends set out to find the other gilottes to help, who have been hiding from the world. What will Dante do when he discovers parts of his past? Will Alessa be able to overcome the visions and evil thoughts she's been having?

I enjoyed this sequel and was quickly brought back into this world. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed!

Alessa and Dante are back in what is one of my most anticipated Sequels of 2024.

After consuming This Vicious Grace as my first read of the year I will say the sequel was just as easy to read. I was completely consumed by this story and unable to put it down. While Dante accompanied by Alessa and a few of their friends searched for the Ghiotte and a cure for Dante, I was so thankful to get more of his back story.


Honestly I am a sucker for a duology with a satisfying conclusion that wraps up all of the loss ends I had left pending after the first and I will say Emily Thiede definitely delivered.

3.5/5

An enjoyable follow up to This Vicious Grace. Wraps up the story nicely, the ending isn't anything mind blowing. Thank you for this arc!

I liked the first book in this series, This Vicious Grace, but in this sequel, I felt like character development and detailed descriptions were pushed to the side to make way for the author to finish the plotline in two books. Not to say this series should have been more than a duology; I just think that there was way too much filler for most of the book up until the final battle. I remember really liking Alessa, Dante, and their friends in the first book, as well as being really invested into Alessa and Dante's relationship. But in this one, all of the characters just fell flat. By the end, I didn't really care what the outcome of the battle was because I didn't care about any of the characters anymore.

When I first read This Vicious Grace I was hooked it was a top read of that year and This Cursed Light was one of my most anticipated reads. It was nice to be back with Alessa and Dante and the rest of the fonti. The book picks up right after the events of This Vicious Grace. I love the banter and humor that Emily brings to her characters. Even though they are facing down the end of the world there still manages to be light moments. The found family elements and new relationships that we get to see are refreshing and I loved a particular lemon scene. I also enjoyed the continued romance between Alessa and Dante. It was wonderful to get Dante’s POV. I did think there was some of that miscommunication trope that did hinder some of the fun in Alessa and Dante’s relationship. I wish characters would just talk. Overall this was enjoyable and wrapped up this duology nicely and think that if you enjoyed the first book then this is a must read.

Thank you Wednesday Books / St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an eARC

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Okay, so I started this book after it was already out, but don’t let that count against the book, because it’s really really good.

If you liked This Vicious Grace, you should like This Cursed Light. It’s an excellent second half of the duology—the plot is new without losing any of the best parts of the first book.

Much like the first book, This Cursed Light is just fun. Every time I picked it up, I had a good time—while there’s plenty of trauma between the characters and plenty of big emotional moments, most of which I thought were handled well, it’s still just such a joy to read. To me, this is an excellent example of writing to tropes done right, too. There are plenty of fan-favorite trope scenes thrown in, and clearly done so just because those tropes are fun, but they’re still well incorporated into the plot. More than that, though, the tone of the story lends itself well to this kind of plot. The author clearly wants you to have fun with the book, and the way these tropes appear is just that: fun.

Seeing more of the Fonte again was an absolute joy. While they’re not always the most well rounded characters, they’re entertaining and charming and easy to care about. Some side plots I cared about much less than others, and honestly I didn’t love the new characters, but the supporting cast was still excellent. Also, I loved how unapologetically and overwhelmingly queer the main cast is.

I know not everyone will agree with this, but I loved seeing Dante and Alessa already together and happy. Sometimes it can be boring in romantasy when the main couple gets together early on, but I didn’t think this was the case at all. They continue to grow, together and separately, and it was so great to watch them learn the intricacies of a relationship under different circumstances than the first book. With only a few small exceptions, there wasn’t a whole lot of romantic conflict, and what romantic conflict there was didn’t feel thrown in arbitrarily—it made sense with the characters and the plot.

It is worth mentioning that this book absolutely toes the line between YA and NA. There is some on-page sex, but it’s not explicit, and Dante and Alessa are very horny for each other. While all of this does make sense with the plot and the characters, it does make me question a bit if it should really be classified as YA.

My only real complaint is that the ending felt very abrupt. The epilogue helps a bit, but the conflict is solved and the book just. Ends. There isn’t really any wrapping up, and while I can’t recall any unresolved plots, it was just a bit lacking to me.

Oh my, what an amazing ending to one of my favorite reads last year.

It's safe to say that This Cursed Light was one of my most anticipated reads this year and I was going out of my mind waiting until the end of 2023 to read it. It's filled with angst, witty banter, and the romance that sucked me in the first time I read This Vicious Grace.

However, I think this book wasn't as amazing as This Vicious Grace. I think it lacked the intensity that made the first book so amazing, the plot dragged in many parts, and I didn't find myself as interested in the side characters.

That being said though, I thought this was a satisfying end to the series and I'm excited to see what else Emily Thiede puts 0ut in the future!

This was a pretty big disappointment to me. I don't think this should have been a duology, just change or add a bit to the first book and make it a standalone. This book made me dislike the romance I enjoyed so much in This Vicious Grace, it gave "impending divorce" vibes.

I thought the book was going to redeem itself in the end but the author had to do a takesey backsey to give that happen ending.

I don't recommend, pretend this book was never written.

Thank you to NetGalley and author Emily Thiede for sending me an ARC of This Cursed Light before its release date. I feel like this second book in the series is just as strong as the first. I was interested and invested in the story, I really loved reading this one. I also really loved getting a further look into Alessa and Dante’s journey. There is a countdown to the apocalypse and a new battle for Alessa and Dante and it keeps you in suspense. The side characters are likewise interesting and useful to move the plot along. I loved that we get a satisfactory resolution in the end as well. Wonderful series altogether.

This Cursed Light was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2023. I absolutely adored This Vicious Grace—from the magic system to the Italian inspired world to the romance. And this sequel did not disappoint any front, and even upped the stakes with additional world-building and character development. While I’m sad that these two books are it for this world, I also can’t see how Emily Thiede could expand this story into further books. All in all, it is a perfect young adult duology that has a little bit of everything.

Pretty early on into my reading of this book, I made a note to myself: “All of the characters feel wittier and more sarcastic than in the last one! Which I’m here for—they’re all making me laugh.” I still stand by that comment even after finishing the novel. There’s something to be said for seeing characters go through an inherently stressful and traumatic event together and then get to show a sillier, more relaxed side of themselves as they heal from that trauma. That statement stood true for everyone on page, no matter their status as a major or minor character, and made everyone feel inherently more human.

Going into this, I wasn’t expecting This Cursed Light to be told in dual perspective—but I’m so glad it was. While frustrating to see the continued insecurities and lack of communication between Dante and Alessa—seriously, y’all, talk to each other!—that dual perspective built the tension of this book. In many ways, I do consider book one to be Alessa’s journey and book two to be Dante’s journey. Which makes sense, considering these two are the true Duo Divinado!

(This is a side note, but I loved that Kaleb and Adrick provided readers with a little enemies-to-lovers relationship arc. Can I place a formal request to get a spin-off with these two at the helm?)

I wasn’t expecting the sheer volume of world-building expansion this book had. Not only did we travel farther away—to the Continent, no less—but we received more lore about the ghiotte and the gods, Crollo and Dea. Of course, one should always expect more world-building in a fantasy series, but it blew me away to see and find the set-up for these details in the first novel and to see those details come into play, or even complicated situations in the second novel.

If I had to critique this book, my only complaint is that the pacing is a little too fast. I found myself wanting more time to linger in scenes to draw out stronger emotionality from our characters, like we had in book one. I also found myself longing for the conflict to push the characters a little bit more. It felt like obstacles—such as Dante winning over the ghiotte or the ghiotte accepting the Finestra and Fontes—were overcome too easily. With a slightly slower pacing and a greater intensity to the conflict, this book would have easily been a five-star read.

This young adult fantasy duology has so much to offer a reader. From fun, realistic characters, to death-defying adventures, to a romance that makes you absolutely swoon—it's an entertaining fantasy duology. Was it perfect? Definitely not. But the fact that I found it difficult to put the book down speaks volumes about how fun and beautiful the writing was.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This book went way past my expectations, and it perfectly ended the duology. Spoiler alert, the ending made me cry (and it is not common for books to make me cry). This book was beautiful, passionate, and satisfying. It is almost impossible for me to describe how much I loved and enjoyed this book.

From the newly developed relationships between side characters to the development of Alessa and Dante's relationship, it was so wonderfully written and developed. Despite the setting being mainly different from the first book, the new setting is set up in a great way and does not take away from the story.

I cannot recommend this book (and the first book) enough to anyone, it is such a wonderful fantasy duology.

SPOILERS
The ending of this book was gratifying and satisfying to read. While I would have been devastated I would not have minded if Alessa died to save her people. But the attention to detail and the call back to a very brief conversation at the beginning of the book to save her was *chef's kiss*.