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The Last Finestra #1
Uma Virtude Mortal
Três casamentos.
Três funerais.
Um dom ou uma maldição?
Alessa recebeu um dom dos deuses: catalisar o poder de um consorte para proteger a ilha em que vive do ataque de demônios famintos. Porém, ela mata todos os pretendentes em que encosta e ninguém entende o porquê. Na iminência de um perigo que ameaça a ilha, um padre de grande influência começa a inflamar as multidões alegando que a garota não é um presente dos deuses, e sim a própria maldição.
Quando pessoas de seu círculo interno tentam assassiná-la, Alessa percebe que não pode confiar em ninguém e decide ir à procura do melhor guerreiro para protegê-la. Assim, ela conhece Dante, o mais cínico e temido assassino das docas, e o contrata como seu guarda-costas. Mas quando a rebelião explode fora dos muros que protegem Alessa, os segredos sombrios de Dante podem ser a sua ruína. Ele guarda a chave da sobrevivência de Alessa, bem como seu amor, mas será que é única pessoa capaz de ajudá-la a controlar seu dom ou irá destrui-la de uma vez por todas?
Três funerais.
Um dom ou uma maldição?
Alessa recebeu um dom dos deuses: catalisar o poder de um consorte para proteger a ilha em que vive do ataque de demônios famintos. Porém, ela mata todos os pretendentes em que encosta e ninguém entende o porquê. Na iminência de um perigo que ameaça a ilha, um padre de grande influência começa a inflamar as multidões alegando que a garota não é um presente dos deuses, e sim a própria maldição.
Quando pessoas de seu círculo interno tentam assassiná-la, Alessa percebe que não pode confiar em ninguém e decide ir à procura do melhor guerreiro para protegê-la. Assim, ela conhece Dante, o mais cínico e temido assassino das docas, e o contrata como seu guarda-costas. Mas quando a rebelião explode fora dos muros que protegem Alessa, os segredos sombrios de Dante podem ser a sua ruína. Ele guarda a chave da sobrevivência de Alessa, bem como seu amor, mas será que é única pessoa capaz de ajudá-la a controlar seu dom ou irá destrui-la de uma vez por todas?
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2022
653 people are currently reading
58448 people want to read
About the author
Emily Thiede
2 books812 followersEmily Thiede grew up reading in trees and now now writes fantastical tales about magic, mayhem, and characters who flirt with their enemies while the world burns. She is the author of THIS VICIOUS GRACE and the sequel, THIS CURSED LIGHT.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her fostering kittens, mentoring aspiring authors, and serving as vice chair for Writer House, a writing nonprofit in central Virginia.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her fostering kittens, mentoring aspiring authors, and serving as vice chair for Writer House, a writing nonprofit in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,887 reviews
February 10, 2022
what a fun story! its a unique blend of italian influences, god-given magic and demon enemies, slow-burn romance, and strong main characters. due to the way this is structured, i found myself more invested in the romance aspect of the story. its a pretty main focus so, while i was enjoying the chemistry between dante and alessa, the other parts of the story tended to all away. but im not complaining!
and even though i did enjoy reading this, i couldnt help but notice little things throughout that make it obvious this is a debut novel. the world-building relies very much on surface level info-dumps, the pacing is inconsistent at times, and the side characters are pretty generic. also, the fact that everyone literally calls the MC ‘window’ is so cringey. i get that the author may have thought ‘finestra’ might sound like a lovely title to readers who dont know the translation, but i just couldnt get over it.
but all in all, this story is a pretty good time. it honestly wouldnt surprise me if some book subscriptions put this in their boxes this summer!
thank you st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
and even though i did enjoy reading this, i couldnt help but notice little things throughout that make it obvious this is a debut novel. the world-building relies very much on surface level info-dumps, the pacing is inconsistent at times, and the side characters are pretty generic. also, the fact that everyone literally calls the MC ‘window’ is so cringey. i get that the author may have thought ‘finestra’ might sound like a lovely title to readers who dont know the translation, but i just couldnt get over it.
but all in all, this story is a pretty good time. it honestly wouldnt surprise me if some book subscriptions put this in their boxes this summer!
thank you st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
August 2, 2023
(Disclaimer--I'm quite biased, as I wrote this book!)
Three weddings. Three Funerals.
Alessa was chosen by the Gods to ward off the coming apocalypse, but to do so, she needs a magical partner, and unfortunately for her (even worse for them) she can't quite figure out how to stop killing everyone she touches.
As rebellion simmers outside the Citadel's gates, her own guards turn against her, and a desperate Alessa badgers a reluctant street-fighter into becoming her bodyguard, but Dante has dangerous secrets of his own.
He might be the one person who can help her master her gift... or the perfect assassin to take her out.
If you like atmospheric fantasy, apocalyptic stakes, gallows humor, RomCom-style banter, and characters who can't resist cracking inappropriate jokes while the world crumbles around them, I hope you'll give it a read!
Three weddings. Three Funerals.
Alessa was chosen by the Gods to ward off the coming apocalypse, but to do so, she needs a magical partner, and unfortunately for her (even worse for them) she can't quite figure out how to stop killing everyone she touches.
As rebellion simmers outside the Citadel's gates, her own guards turn against her, and a desperate Alessa badgers a reluctant street-fighter into becoming her bodyguard, but Dante has dangerous secrets of his own.
He might be the one person who can help her master her gift... or the perfect assassin to take her out.
If you like atmospheric fantasy, apocalyptic stakes, gallows humor, RomCom-style banter, and characters who can't resist cracking inappropriate jokes while the world crumbles around them, I hope you'll give it a read!
July 20, 2022
Whoop! Whoop! Such a great start for brand new fantasy series!
Alessa such a determined, tough heroine to secure her village from apocalypse, looking for perfect partner. It seems like easy task, right! You couldn’t be so wrong because everything or anyone she touches is death man walking. Correction: not walking, just drop dead! Oops!
After a few attempts and death candidates later, Alessa teams up with Dante, a fighter with dark and mysterious past, reluctantly being hired to be bodyguard.
Both of the characters are easy to like and invest which helps us to drawn into the story!
Their growing chemistry, well played, smartly developed banters put smile on your faces. You easily toot for them!
The world building based on Italy and old language they used is modern Italian were great choices( my third language is Italian so it was easy for me to concentrate on those passages)
The final cliffhanger made me screamed! I truly wanted to know what will happen next! I’m dying to read the next installment and crossing my fingers to get much faster sequel than I expected!
I highly recommend this to smart, moving, action packed, riveting book to big lovers of well written fantasy series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Alessa such a determined, tough heroine to secure her village from apocalypse, looking for perfect partner. It seems like easy task, right! You couldn’t be so wrong because everything or anyone she touches is death man walking. Correction: not walking, just drop dead! Oops!
After a few attempts and death candidates later, Alessa teams up with Dante, a fighter with dark and mysterious past, reluctantly being hired to be bodyguard.
Both of the characters are easy to like and invest which helps us to drawn into the story!
Their growing chemistry, well played, smartly developed banters put smile on your faces. You easily toot for them!
The world building based on Italy and old language they used is modern Italian were great choices( my third language is Italian so it was easy for me to concentrate on those passages)
The final cliffhanger made me screamed! I truly wanted to know what will happen next! I’m dying to read the next installment and crossing my fingers to get much faster sequel than I expected!
I highly recommend this to smart, moving, action packed, riveting book to big lovers of well written fantasy series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
February 11, 2025
4.5!!!
This was utterly delightful—a feast for my fantasy starved soul.
I have yet to figure out how to articulate my whirling, endless, ineffable thoughts about the things I love. But every attempt brings me a little closer to myself, unveils a part of me I wouldn't have otherwise been privy to. I read to escape, and sometimes to know, but I write to understand. And so, here we are again—for you, always, but for myself too.
This Vicious Grace follows Alessa, the divinely ordained protector and savior of her home island of Saverio, as an apocalyptic invasion of demonic creatures nears. But her power only works by amplifying another’s; together, they would be the most lethal of weapons. The problem? Alessa has killed all three of her partners, and the elementally gifted are few to begin with. Will she be able to bring her people to safety and secure their victory, or will she be their downfall, destined to kill with every touch?
The world Thiede creates in this book is wonderfully unique but, mercifully, not overly or unnecessarily complicated. Instead of throwing information at you, she introduces terms naturally and with enough context that you can work things out yourself. She knows her readers can piece together the clues to form the bigger picture, and she rewards us tremendously with a story that never gets bogged down by tedious exposition or an overwrought magic system. She weaves Italian culture into the story so seamlessly; though it was in the finer details, it was still such a joy to read. Each chapter starts with a proverb, originally in Italian and translated to English (I assume from Dante’s little book of proverbs that he loves to reference), which was such a nice touch.
I try to avoid talking about prose in genre fiction because it tends to be either straightforward or mediocre, especially if it’s geared to a younger audience, but the writing here is just so lovely and fits the story so well. There are plenty of well crafted sentences and metaphors, and the lush, vivid descriptions are so immersive and make for a beautiful, atmospheric read. I miss it already.
There is a precious balance in writing a compelling protagonist, in crafting a character who is flawed and hurting but still inspires respect and sympathy and even adoration. Though you would rightfully expect a fantasy novel like this to be largely plot driven, there is little action until the last 10% or so. There are, of course, plot twists and moments that keep you engaged, but Thiede fills her pages with character work, deliberately and masterfully fleshing them out so they almost leap off the paper.
Following Alessa through her struggles and as she grapples with the weight of the world made my heart ache; she was forced to abandon her identity, her family, and any chance at a normal life because the Gods’ had chosen her, whether she wanted that role or not. We are only introduced to her several years after she’s been isolated in the Citadella, but we catch remnants of the girl who was, and we watch, transfixed, as her hazy figure evolves into clearly defined strokes—from an obedient girl who puts her head down and does as told rises a beacon of power, a friend, a lover, a daughter, someone who takes up space willingly and unapologetically, who stands up for herself and the people she loves, who learns to trust herself and gains the courage to bend the rules when all they do is hold her back.
She is strong but gentle, formidable but kind, unyielding at times but brave enough to forgive. She is everything I want to be, and more.
I won’t lie to you, when I first picked this book up, I flipped to a random page, saw the name “Dante” and was like… yeah, you’re coming home with me. I couldn’t explain it to you if you had a knife to my throat, but it’s such a pretty name and maybe even subconsciously made me partial toward him before I'd even met him. But still, I didn’t anticipate him becoming one of my favorite book characters… ever.
If Alessa’s story made my heart ache, Dante’s shattered it and then wrung my soul dry for good measure. He was dealt such an unfortunate hand, suffered through so much loss, endured lifetimes’ worth of cruelty that the mere thought of his backstory makes me want to curl up into a ball and sob for hours. And though he believes he’s evil, that he could never be worthy of all the good that life has to offer, his actions show the opposite. It takes extraordinary strength to choose kindness after years of being beaten and brutalized, to meet inhumanity not with bloodthirsty vengeance but with a deluge of compassion. I adore my grumpy, hardened love interests who don protective armor to conceal their softer, gentler cores. Show us what you guard so intently, make us root for you. He did that and so much more. Dante deserves a quiet, peaceful life with no one to bother him but Alessa.
“He’d stayed when he could’ve left, loved when he could have hated, and he’d let himself be locked up to protect people who had no qualms about making him suffer.”
Good grief, give him (and us) a break, I’m begging.
Alessa and Dante’s relationship is everything. She hires him as her bodyguard, though he only accepts begrudgingly. They can’t quite stand each other at first, which makes for highly entertaining banter, but as the novel progresses, their playful dynamic develops into a friendship of sorts, where each is the other’s confidant, their one reprieve from the viciousness of the outside world. They shared so many soft, vulnerable moments that my feelings for them as a couple flourished alongside their feelings for each other. Their emotional connection was on another level, and it made it so easy, so natural, to want more of them together. Their love grew slowly, like a rose blooming. It is breathtaking in its beauty and so precious to read about—two pained souls with too little hope and too much trauma find comfort and warmth and home in each other. They are quite possibly one of my favorite fantasy couples ever. The way they respect and admire and lift each other up? The sacrifices they’re willing to make in the name of love? How do you get over that? You don’t.
The side characters were also incredible. I wanted to smack all of them at first; they came off as haughty and standoffish and seemed to have little faith in Alessa, who was merely trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation. But wow did they grow on me. Kaleb, in particular. I thought there was no way in hell Thiede could make me like him. And… she did. It’s a testament to her writing and vision that she was able to make me despise a character so thoroughly only to adore them shortly thereafter.
The first chunk of this book had me giddy from Alessa and Dante’s interactions, the next sobered me up because things were not going their way, and by the end, I was a mess. I’m not someone who cries all that much, but my unshed tears blurred the words so much I had to put the book down for a moment. At that point, these people felt like family and these pages like home. I spent so long with them, savored every second, and it still wasn’t enough. I was so invested in this rollercoaster of a ride, in the future of Saverio, in what was next for these characters. I desperately wanted to finish it, wanted to know if they’d be safe, while also really really wanting to shut the book and hold onto these memories as long as I can because saying goodbye would be unbearable.
It baffles me that this book only has 15k ratings. Thiede poured her heart and soul into it, and it shows. When I started reading this, I didn’t think I’d get a carefully crafted story about identity and community, about coming into your power and letting go of tradition when it doesn’t serve you, or about not letting what you are define who you are. But I did, and I’m so grateful that I took a chance on it. It deserves so much more love.
If you like young adult fantasy and unique and well thought out magic systems that spare you the headache of acclimating to a new world, or if you like great banter and bodyguard romances, or if you simply want a book about self discovery and having faith in yourself when it feels like everyone is against you, read this. I desperately hope you love it even half as much as I did.
This was utterly delightful—a feast for my fantasy starved soul.
I have yet to figure out how to articulate my whirling, endless, ineffable thoughts about the things I love. But every attempt brings me a little closer to myself, unveils a part of me I wouldn't have otherwise been privy to. I read to escape, and sometimes to know, but I write to understand. And so, here we are again—for you, always, but for myself too.
This Vicious Grace follows Alessa, the divinely ordained protector and savior of her home island of Saverio, as an apocalyptic invasion of demonic creatures nears. But her power only works by amplifying another’s; together, they would be the most lethal of weapons. The problem? Alessa has killed all three of her partners, and the elementally gifted are few to begin with. Will she be able to bring her people to safety and secure their victory, or will she be their downfall, destined to kill with every touch?
The world Thiede creates in this book is wonderfully unique but, mercifully, not overly or unnecessarily complicated. Instead of throwing information at you, she introduces terms naturally and with enough context that you can work things out yourself. She knows her readers can piece together the clues to form the bigger picture, and she rewards us tremendously with a story that never gets bogged down by tedious exposition or an overwrought magic system. She weaves Italian culture into the story so seamlessly; though it was in the finer details, it was still such a joy to read. Each chapter starts with a proverb, originally in Italian and translated to English (I assume from Dante’s little book of proverbs that he loves to reference), which was such a nice touch.
I try to avoid talking about prose in genre fiction because it tends to be either straightforward or mediocre, especially if it’s geared to a younger audience, but the writing here is just so lovely and fits the story so well. There are plenty of well crafted sentences and metaphors, and the lush, vivid descriptions are so immersive and make for a beautiful, atmospheric read. I miss it already.
There is a precious balance in writing a compelling protagonist, in crafting a character who is flawed and hurting but still inspires respect and sympathy and even adoration. Though you would rightfully expect a fantasy novel like this to be largely plot driven, there is little action until the last 10% or so. There are, of course, plot twists and moments that keep you engaged, but Thiede fills her pages with character work, deliberately and masterfully fleshing them out so they almost leap off the paper.
Following Alessa through her struggles and as she grapples with the weight of the world made my heart ache; she was forced to abandon her identity, her family, and any chance at a normal life because the Gods’ had chosen her, whether she wanted that role or not. We are only introduced to her several years after she’s been isolated in the Citadella, but we catch remnants of the girl who was, and we watch, transfixed, as her hazy figure evolves into clearly defined strokes—from an obedient girl who puts her head down and does as told rises a beacon of power, a friend, a lover, a daughter, someone who takes up space willingly and unapologetically, who stands up for herself and the people she loves, who learns to trust herself and gains the courage to bend the rules when all they do is hold her back.
She is strong but gentle, formidable but kind, unyielding at times but brave enough to forgive. She is everything I want to be, and more.
I won’t lie to you, when I first picked this book up, I flipped to a random page, saw the name “Dante” and was like… yeah, you’re coming home with me. I couldn’t explain it to you if you had a knife to my throat, but it’s such a pretty name and maybe even subconsciously made me partial toward him before I'd even met him. But still, I didn’t anticipate him becoming one of my favorite book characters… ever.
If Alessa’s story made my heart ache, Dante’s shattered it and then wrung my soul dry for good measure. He was dealt such an unfortunate hand, suffered through so much loss, endured lifetimes’ worth of cruelty that the mere thought of his backstory makes me want to curl up into a ball and sob for hours. And though he believes he’s evil, that he could never be worthy of all the good that life has to offer, his actions show the opposite. It takes extraordinary strength to choose kindness after years of being beaten and brutalized, to meet inhumanity not with bloodthirsty vengeance but with a deluge of compassion. I adore my grumpy, hardened love interests who don protective armor to conceal their softer, gentler cores. Show us what you guard so intently, make us root for you. He did that and so much more. Dante deserves a quiet, peaceful life with no one to bother him but Alessa.
“He’d stayed when he could’ve left, loved when he could have hated, and he’d let himself be locked up to protect people who had no qualms about making him suffer.”
Good grief, give him (and us) a break, I’m begging.
Alessa and Dante’s relationship is everything. She hires him as her bodyguard, though he only accepts begrudgingly. They can’t quite stand each other at first, which makes for highly entertaining banter, but as the novel progresses, their playful dynamic develops into a friendship of sorts, where each is the other’s confidant, their one reprieve from the viciousness of the outside world. They shared so many soft, vulnerable moments that my feelings for them as a couple flourished alongside their feelings for each other. Their emotional connection was on another level, and it made it so easy, so natural, to want more of them together. Their love grew slowly, like a rose blooming. It is breathtaking in its beauty and so precious to read about—two pained souls with too little hope and too much trauma find comfort and warmth and home in each other. They are quite possibly one of my favorite fantasy couples ever. The way they respect and admire and lift each other up? The sacrifices they’re willing to make in the name of love? How do you get over that? You don’t.
The side characters were also incredible. I wanted to smack all of them at first; they came off as haughty and standoffish and seemed to have little faith in Alessa, who was merely trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation. But wow did they grow on me. Kaleb, in particular. I thought there was no way in hell Thiede could make me like him. And… she did. It’s a testament to her writing and vision that she was able to make me despise a character so thoroughly only to adore them shortly thereafter.
The first chunk of this book had me giddy from Alessa and Dante’s interactions, the next sobered me up because things were not going their way, and by the end, I was a mess. I’m not someone who cries all that much, but my unshed tears blurred the words so much I had to put the book down for a moment. At that point, these people felt like family and these pages like home. I spent so long with them, savored every second, and it still wasn’t enough. I was so invested in this rollercoaster of a ride, in the future of Saverio, in what was next for these characters. I desperately wanted to finish it, wanted to know if they’d be safe, while also really really wanting to shut the book and hold onto these memories as long as I can because saying goodbye would be unbearable.
It baffles me that this book only has 15k ratings. Thiede poured her heart and soul into it, and it shows. When I started reading this, I didn’t think I’d get a carefully crafted story about identity and community, about coming into your power and letting go of tradition when it doesn’t serve you, or about not letting what you are define who you are. But I did, and I’m so grateful that I took a chance on it. It deserves so much more love.
If you like young adult fantasy and unique and well thought out magic systems that spare you the headache of acclimating to a new world, or if you like great banter and bodyguard romances, or if you simply want a book about self discovery and having faith in yourself when it feels like everyone is against you, read this. I desperately hope you love it even half as much as I did.
October 30, 2022
"Three weddings. Three funerals. A better person would have been devastated..."
4.7 stars!
This was an enchanting and intriguing romantic fantasy about love, friendship, power, and grief. Alessa has a gift she received from the god's, but instead of magnifying her partner's power, she has killed every partner she's touched. Alessa doesn't have much time to find a partner before an invasion of demons will devour her home. Alessa's soldiers try to kill her when a priest tells everyone that the island will be saved if Alessa is killed. Then Alessa hires Dante, a killer and an outcast to become her bodyguard. Will Dante be able to help Alessa control her power or will he kill her?
This book was so good!! I was completely immersed in the fascinating world that the author created from the very beginning. The plot was so interesting and the pacing was perfect! This book has everything you could want in a fantasy romance including magic, slow-burn romance, one-bed, demons and more. I loved Alessa, she is strong, persistent, determined and stubborn, and will do anything for Dante. I'm in love with Dante, he is charming, sweet, brave, strong and very handsome. I also really liked the side characters especially Kamira, Josef, Kaleb and Saida. I loved that Alessa and Dante saw the good in each other and were able to understand each other. I loved the banter between Dante and Alessa and the chemistry between them was amazing! The tension between Dante and Alessa was *chef's kiss.* There were several twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The ending was so good and shocking! I can't wait for the next book!
4.7 stars!
This was an enchanting and intriguing romantic fantasy about love, friendship, power, and grief. Alessa has a gift she received from the god's, but instead of magnifying her partner's power, she has killed every partner she's touched. Alessa doesn't have much time to find a partner before an invasion of demons will devour her home. Alessa's soldiers try to kill her when a priest tells everyone that the island will be saved if Alessa is killed. Then Alessa hires Dante, a killer and an outcast to become her bodyguard. Will Dante be able to help Alessa control her power or will he kill her?
This book was so good!! I was completely immersed in the fascinating world that the author created from the very beginning. The plot was so interesting and the pacing was perfect! This book has everything you could want in a fantasy romance including magic, slow-burn romance, one-bed, demons and more. I loved Alessa, she is strong, persistent, determined and stubborn, and will do anything for Dante. I'm in love with Dante, he is charming, sweet, brave, strong and very handsome. I also really liked the side characters especially Kamira, Josef, Kaleb and Saida. I loved that Alessa and Dante saw the good in each other and were able to understand each other. I loved the banter between Dante and Alessa and the chemistry between them was amazing! The tension between Dante and Alessa was *chef's kiss.* There were several twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The ending was so good and shocking! I can't wait for the next book!
Read
October 17, 2023This was randomly chosen by my butt when I sat on my e-reader.
Let me tell you: I'll never trust my butt with book-picking ever again.
DNFing this around 25% and it's got nothing to do with the fact that this is a YA novel.
Some of the Italian words and phrases sounded weird - I cringed more times than I can remember reading certain stuff.
The writing wasn't bad but it felt somehow dry yet elaborate at the same time.
The world-building confused me and I didn't care for the characters.
On to the next.
Butt, you're fired.
Let me tell you: I'll never trust my butt with book-picking ever again.
DNFing this around 25% and it's got nothing to do with the fact that this is a YA novel.
Some of the Italian words and phrases sounded weird - I cringed more times than I can remember reading certain stuff.
The writing wasn't bad but it felt somehow dry yet elaborate at the same time.
The world-building confused me and I didn't care for the characters.
On to the next.
Butt, you're fired.
August 14, 2023
2.75⭐️ the author started to write fantasy and 100 pages in said never mind i'll continue with bodyguard romance 😮😮😮
June 26, 2022
↠ 4 stars
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings: blood, violence, death, suicidal ideation, war
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.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings: blood, violence, death, suicidal ideation, war
December 22, 2023
4/ 5⭐
1/5 🌶️
Such a great start for brand new fantasy series! 🍋🍋🍋
This story has a deliberate pacing that allows the tension and emotions to simmer, creating a captivating slow burn. While action scenes are sparse, their quality and execution are exceptional, leaving a lasting impact. The dynamic between Dante and Alessa is truly exquisite, akin to a perfect "chef's kiss." Dante, despite his cynical demeanor, displays a remarkable blend of care, feistiness, and understanding. The banter they share is a delightful aspect, showcasing the genuine foundation of their relationship. Their chemistry is nothing short of beautiful, adding depth and authenticity to their connection.
Quotes
“She might be but one stitch in the tapestry, but every stitch had a purpose, and threads couldn't become art without them.”
“Together, we protect. Divided, we unravel.”
“the thing that scares men with power most is a woman with more of it.”
“Sympathy, kindness, love, and friendship—all those precious human experiences that made for a full life—those were for other people, not her.”
“The bridge to understanding is constructed of words.”
“She wanted to rip down the sky and shred it with her fingernails, to pluck every star from the fabric of heavens until fathomless darkness matched the void inside her.”
🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋
"Three weddings. Three funerals. A better person would have been devastated..."
This is going to be epic!! Can wait
1/5 🌶️
Such a great start for brand new fantasy series! 🍋🍋🍋
This story has a deliberate pacing that allows the tension and emotions to simmer, creating a captivating slow burn. While action scenes are sparse, their quality and execution are exceptional, leaving a lasting impact. The dynamic between Dante and Alessa is truly exquisite, akin to a perfect "chef's kiss." Dante, despite his cynical demeanor, displays a remarkable blend of care, feistiness, and understanding. The banter they share is a delightful aspect, showcasing the genuine foundation of their relationship. Their chemistry is nothing short of beautiful, adding depth and authenticity to their connection.
Quotes
“She might be but one stitch in the tapestry, but every stitch had a purpose, and threads couldn't become art without them.”
“Together, we protect. Divided, we unravel.”
“the thing that scares men with power most is a woman with more of it.”
“Sympathy, kindness, love, and friendship—all those precious human experiences that made for a full life—those were for other people, not her.”
“The bridge to understanding is constructed of words.”
“She wanted to rip down the sky and shred it with her fingernails, to pluck every star from the fabric of heavens until fathomless darkness matched the void inside her.”
🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋
"Three weddings. Three funerals. A better person would have been devastated..."
This is going to be epic!! Can wait
July 8, 2022
aggressively mediocre.
the plot was formulaic and predictable and i found the writing mind-numbing. the dialogue was poorly-written and the banter especially felt anachronistic. i get that the author wanted to develop their relationships and show their character dynamics, but it felt very amateur to do it like this. i would not be attached to the characters just because they have plenty of banter. so i found the characters painfully generic, as in they had the typical characteristics and traits of the ordinary YA fantasy ragtag group of heroes or whatever.
also, i did not detect a whiff of effort or skill in telling this story. the worldbuilding was watery at best, and the lore and magic system were vague and unconvincing. i could tell that the entire book was built around the grumpy bodyguard romance. everything else was just poorly set up as a background for it, so you can expect just how lousy the character work, worldbuilding, prose, plot, etc. are based on that.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
the plot was formulaic and predictable and i found the writing mind-numbing. the dialogue was poorly-written and the banter especially felt anachronistic. i get that the author wanted to develop their relationships and show their character dynamics, but it felt very amateur to do it like this. i would not be attached to the characters just because they have plenty of banter. so i found the characters painfully generic, as in they had the typical characteristics and traits of the ordinary YA fantasy ragtag group of heroes or whatever.
also, i did not detect a whiff of effort or skill in telling this story. the worldbuilding was watery at best, and the lore and magic system were vague and unconvincing. i could tell that the entire book was built around the grumpy bodyguard romance. everything else was just poorly set up as a background for it, so you can expect just how lousy the character work, worldbuilding, prose, plot, etc. are based on that.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
May 13, 2023
4.5 Such a fun read!!!!
Alessa, the blessed Finestra, God chosen protector of her home, Saverio, must pick a Fonte to join her in battling the demons that promise to destroy them all, but time is running out bc she has already picked three times and all three times her Fonte's have died from her touch. Now with her people and even her guards questioning her ability to save them she is in danger of them turning on her, so Alessa hires Dante, a bodyguard with his own secrets to help protect her and together they have to navigate their own secrets and mysteries surrounding the histories they have been told and hopefully figure out a way to save their island.
I loved the world building and the beautiful culture and language this book lives in, the writing was so beautiful and descriptive it really transports the reader.
Alessa is an FMC after my own heart. She is incredibly resilient and deals with such dire circumstances and callous treatment with so much strength and grace. She never loses her sense of humor or her tenacity.
Dante, I just love him! He is deliciously blunt and grumpy. He is a straight shooter and always tells it like it is. His story is so interesting and heart wrenching. His relationship with Alessa was so organic and genuine and I loved it so much.
There was just a little pacing issue towards the middle half that kept me from giving it 5 stars but overall, this is a brilliant read and I really enjoyed it so much and I can't wait for the next book to come out!
Alessa, the blessed Finestra, God chosen protector of her home, Saverio, must pick a Fonte to join her in battling the demons that promise to destroy them all, but time is running out bc she has already picked three times and all three times her Fonte's have died from her touch. Now with her people and even her guards questioning her ability to save them she is in danger of them turning on her, so Alessa hires Dante, a bodyguard with his own secrets to help protect her and together they have to navigate their own secrets and mysteries surrounding the histories they have been told and hopefully figure out a way to save their island.
I loved the world building and the beautiful culture and language this book lives in, the writing was so beautiful and descriptive it really transports the reader.
Alessa is an FMC after my own heart. She is incredibly resilient and deals with such dire circumstances and callous treatment with so much strength and grace. She never loses her sense of humor or her tenacity.
Dante, I just love him! He is deliciously blunt and grumpy. He is a straight shooter and always tells it like it is. His story is so interesting and heart wrenching. His relationship with Alessa was so organic and genuine and I loved it so much.
There was just a little pacing issue towards the middle half that kept me from giving it 5 stars but overall, this is a brilliant read and I really enjoyed it so much and I can't wait for the next book to come out!
April 22, 2024
No joke: This book is a retelling of the 2000 X-Men movie, almost to an egregious extent.
While I love X-Men 2000, this is one of the worst books I've ever read 🫣
Our main character is Rogue, here called Alessa. On her little Italy-inspired fantasy island, she is known as the Finestra, one chosen by the Goddess to absorb and amplify the powers of the mutants, here called fonte.
But since Alessa is Rogue, she hurts and often unintentionally kills the people she touches.
She distances herself from others as much as possible to mitigate damage and keeps her skin covered. This includes the constant wearing of gloves.
Even though Rogue has killed three mutants previously by touching them, her island's customs demand that she partner with another mutant to fight incoming demonic forces. Only it's not just for fighting; since this is a YA Romantasy, they have to get ~*~married~*~
The mutants she has to choose from are:
1. Iceman (Josef)
2. Jean Grey (Nina)
3. Surge (Kaleb)
4. Washout (Shomari)
5. Pyro (Kamaria)
6. Wind Dancer (Saida)
Being a retelling of X-Men 2000, you might think Rogue kicks it with Iceman, but no, no, no. Emily Thiede is into a different ship:
Rogue/Wolverine bb
Because she keeps accidentally killing people, some islanders want Rogue dead, despite their salvation depending solely on her survival. Plus, Rogue is just a paranoid person in this, so she decides to go out and hire a bodyguard. Where will she source such a roughneck to protect her?
The Bottom of the Barrel. That's not just an expression, it's the name of the bar where she finds Wolverine, here called Dante 😂
There, he's participating in a grimy cage match for money. And wins, naturally.
His fighting name is "the Wolf", btw~~~
Rogue is immediately drawn to him. Instantly horny on main.
She follows him to offer him the bodyguard job.
It takes a little convincing, as he is a dark and broody recluse haunted by his past, but Wolverine ultimately accepts, so long as he is duly compensated. Huge mistake, tho, cuz Rogue won't get off his jock.
She spends her entire time as his boss sexually harassing him. This includes speculation into his personal life, open discussion of her virginity and explicit desire to lose it, asking if he thinks she's attractive, if he'd like to kiss her, and *constant* ogling of him.
Wolverine tells her she's only into him because she's so lonely, so pent up, and it's in his job description to be near her, but Rogue insists it isn't like that. It's because he's ~*~special~*~
By special she means ~*~hot~*~ 🫠
She trauma-dumps on him, using his proximity as her bodyguard to make him her only resource and sounding board in life, and relies exclusively on his reassurance and approval at all times to get by.
The demons are coming, so the citadel where Rogue lives becomes the School for Gifted Youngsters, with the mutants learning how best to use their powers. Wolverine also begrudgingly teaches them combat, though this is just a device to get him and Rogue into compromising positions. Both she and the X-Men (lol) become dependent on him, but he hesitates to commit.
Since she, his boss, won't allow him a single night off, Wolverine and Rogue go out into the city to see who is making such weak attempts on her life. When she quietly comes upon him in an alley during a dark private moment, Wolverine stabs her on reflex.
And it's revealed he has superhuman healing powers because he is also a mutant. But, like, a sexy, edgy mutant; a demon called a ghiotte.
Desperately, he touches her so she can use her Rogue-powers to absorb his Wolverine-powers and super heal, and she makes it through ok.
Empowered with the knowledge that he can touch her and survive, Rogue is deadset on banging him, full-stop. This pursuit is, regrettably, successful. Apparently, it’s cool to sexually harass your employee until they have sex with you so long as you are a cis woman and your victim is a cis man
🙃🙃🙃
There are proclamations of love and devotion, blah, blah, blah. Wolverine is persecuted for being the wrong kind of mutant, blah, blah, blah. The X-Men free him in time for the demon invasion, blah, blah, blah. The X-Men all hold hands and save the island, blah, blah, blah. Wolverine dies and is brought back to life; lovers are reunited, blah, blah, blah. And they're given a new mission for the sequel, blah, blah, blah.
As much as this book takes from X-Men 2000, it also borrows heavily from the equally awful From Blood and Ash. Not only do they share the same premise of "untouchable holy woman and bodyguard fall in love", but some scenes are copied exactly, like the bodyguard taunting the heroine for the smutty book she's reading. How stupid that I've now been subjected to this scene twice.
I can go on about how bad this was, but I'll sum up its badness with this: These idiots live in a fantasy world, on an island only meant to be inspired by Italy. But the heroine's chamber doors are called "French doors".
How does this fantasy world not only know what France is, but that we refer to windowed double doors as "French doors"? How do they have the descriptor "French"? Do they have French fries, too? 3 French hens? Pardon my French?
Atrocious worldbuilding. About the worst I've ever read.
While I love X-Men 2000, this is one of the worst books I've ever read 🫣
Our main character is Rogue, here called Alessa. On her little Italy-inspired fantasy island, she is known as the Finestra, one chosen by the Goddess to absorb and amplify the powers of the mutants, here called fonte.
But since Alessa is Rogue, she hurts and often unintentionally kills the people she touches.
She distances herself from others as much as possible to mitigate damage and keeps her skin covered. This includes the constant wearing of gloves.
Even though Rogue has killed three mutants previously by touching them, her island's customs demand that she partner with another mutant to fight incoming demonic forces. Only it's not just for fighting; since this is a YA Romantasy, they have to get ~*~married~*~
The mutants she has to choose from are:
1. Iceman (Josef)
2. Jean Grey (Nina)
3. Surge (Kaleb)
4. Washout (Shomari)
5. Pyro (Kamaria)
6. Wind Dancer (Saida)
Being a retelling of X-Men 2000, you might think Rogue kicks it with Iceman, but no, no, no. Emily Thiede is into a different ship:
Rogue/Wolverine bb
Because she keeps accidentally killing people, some islanders want Rogue dead, despite their salvation depending solely on her survival. Plus, Rogue is just a paranoid person in this, so she decides to go out and hire a bodyguard. Where will she source such a roughneck to protect her?
The Bottom of the Barrel. That's not just an expression, it's the name of the bar where she finds Wolverine, here called Dante 😂
There, he's participating in a grimy cage match for money. And wins, naturally.
His fighting name is "the Wolf", btw~~~
Rogue is immediately drawn to him. Instantly horny on main.
She follows him to offer him the bodyguard job.
It takes a little convincing, as he is a dark and broody recluse haunted by his past, but Wolverine ultimately accepts, so long as he is duly compensated. Huge mistake, tho, cuz Rogue won't get off his jock.
She spends her entire time as his boss sexually harassing him. This includes speculation into his personal life, open discussion of her virginity and explicit desire to lose it, asking if he thinks she's attractive, if he'd like to kiss her, and *constant* ogling of him.
Wolverine tells her she's only into him because she's so lonely, so pent up, and it's in his job description to be near her, but Rogue insists it isn't like that. It's because he's ~*~special~*~
By special she means ~*~hot~*~ 🫠
She trauma-dumps on him, using his proximity as her bodyguard to make him her only resource and sounding board in life, and relies exclusively on his reassurance and approval at all times to get by.
The demons are coming, so the citadel where Rogue lives becomes the School for Gifted Youngsters, with the mutants learning how best to use their powers. Wolverine also begrudgingly teaches them combat, though this is just a device to get him and Rogue into compromising positions. Both she and the X-Men (lol) become dependent on him, but he hesitates to commit.
Since she, his boss, won't allow him a single night off, Wolverine and Rogue go out into the city to see who is making such weak attempts on her life. When she quietly comes upon him in an alley during a dark private moment, Wolverine stabs her on reflex.
And it's revealed he has superhuman healing powers because he is also a mutant. But, like, a sexy, edgy mutant; a demon called a ghiotte.
Desperately, he touches her so she can use her Rogue-powers to absorb his Wolverine-powers and super heal, and she makes it through ok.
Empowered with the knowledge that he can touch her and survive, Rogue is deadset on banging him, full-stop. This pursuit is, regrettably, successful. Apparently, it’s cool to sexually harass your employee until they have sex with you so long as you are a cis woman and your victim is a cis man
🙃🙃🙃
There are proclamations of love and devotion, blah, blah, blah. Wolverine is persecuted for being the wrong kind of mutant, blah, blah, blah. The X-Men free him in time for the demon invasion, blah, blah, blah. The X-Men all hold hands and save the island, blah, blah, blah. Wolverine dies and is brought back to life; lovers are reunited, blah, blah, blah. And they're given a new mission for the sequel, blah, blah, blah.
As much as this book takes from X-Men 2000, it also borrows heavily from the equally awful From Blood and Ash. Not only do they share the same premise of "untouchable holy woman and bodyguard fall in love", but some scenes are copied exactly, like the bodyguard taunting the heroine for the smutty book she's reading. How stupid that I've now been subjected to this scene twice.
I can go on about how bad this was, but I'll sum up its badness with this: These idiots live in a fantasy world, on an island only meant to be inspired by Italy. But the heroine's chamber doors are called "French doors".
How does this fantasy world not only know what France is, but that we refer to windowed double doors as "French doors"? How do they have the descriptor "French"? Do they have French fries, too? 3 French hens? Pardon my French?
Atrocious worldbuilding. About the worst I've ever read.
July 4, 2022
Is 2022 just the year of five star reads?!
This magical debut has all of the things that make a fantasy book unputdownable for me! Demons, a hot grumpy bodyguard (necessary), and a climactic battle scene that has ALL of the fun training buildup beforehand. I also have this really strange obsession with books that have maps of the world at the beginning and y’all. This one has TWO!
Apparently my favorite means of personal torture is falling in love with a series before the next book even has a title and now I have to wait DECADES before finding out what happens to my new friends. Ugh.
This magical debut has all of the things that make a fantasy book unputdownable for me! Demons, a hot grumpy bodyguard (necessary), and a climactic battle scene that has ALL of the fun training buildup beforehand. I also have this really strange obsession with books that have maps of the world at the beginning and y’all. This one has TWO!
Apparently my favorite means of personal torture is falling in love with a series before the next book even has a title and now I have to wait DECADES before finding out what happens to my new friends. Ugh.
November 10, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC!
Why does Dante keep trying to make me straight again and why is it working -
Kidding, I’m too questioning and queer for that.
Moving on. This book was so good. It was rich, the story and setting actually made sense, and the romance? Yes. I did not expect to get into it that much.
The plot follows Alessa, the Chosen Finestra of Saverio. As Finestra, she has the ability to grasp and magnify the gifts of a Fonte - a person blessed by the goddess Dea with a supernatural Gift. Alessa is expected to marry and train with her chosen Fonte in order to protect the island of Saverio from Divorando - Doomsday, initiated by the gods - when a horde of demons will attack.
The thing is, Alessa has already married three Fontes. And each one has died upon her touch.
Divorando is drawing closer, and Alessa’s life is in danger as word starts to spread about her deadly touch. She still hasn’t found a Fonte. So she hires Dante, an outlaw, to protect her.
“In a city full of people who feared or plotted against her, ambivalence might be the best she could hope for.”
The world-building was actually a lot now that I think about it, but it was actually so easy to understand? That literally never happened, but somehow I managed to grasp the terms and concept of the world almost immediately. I loved the Italian-inspired aesthetic and culture, and the settings and terms made a lot of sense.
I had to laugh at the beginning - why would the savior of the island be called a “window”? And why would her partner be called a “fountain”? But then there were some explanations and I understood.
The political atmosphere was included really well. It played into the plot with a lot of importance and I thought it was an extra immersive aspect to the storyline.
I liked the writing style of this book - it matched the atmosphere and the setting beautifully. It added a lot of richness to the mood and the emotions, and that’s what really brought things to life for me.
“She wanted to rip down the sky and shred it with her fingernails, to pluck every start from the fabric of the heavens until the fathomless darkness matched the void inside her.”
Alessa was a very interesting protagonist, and I loved the way she developed over the course of the book. She began as an unsure, confused girl who only knew the rules that had been forced on her. She felt restricted and alone. But as she grew, she became more independent, more confident, and much more entertaining.
Not to say she wasn’t at the beginning, but she just got a lot more excitement as the plot grew more exciting. I liked how strong and stubborn she became, and her personality was never dull or uninteresting.
“But even ordained by the gods, she disappointed everyone. Sure, she was determined, always trying to please. She meant to complete her chores, ro remember the shopping list or check on the bread, and now she meant to control her gods-given power. Her failures didn’t mean an extra trip to the market anymore, but dead Fontes and dried blood crackling on her skin.”
I loved her mental struggle and the way her perspective was made so relatable. There was a lot of detail and strength in her characterization that made her so much more realistic. I liked that even though she had the power to kill people by touching them, she wasn’t portrayed as a dangerous character. In fact, the opposite.
“Despite being a stranger, an interloper, and a marked man, he didn’t think twice about asserting himself and taking up space. Now that she thought about it, most men didn’t. Some people stepped aside, and others stood their ground, as if they had every right to exist.
Maybe she deserved to claim her small patch of space too, not because of her title, or even because she’d earned it. Just because.”
Dante was exactly my type, and I didn’t even realize I had a type. But if I ever had the realization that I was attracted to men (possible, but any attraction right now up in the air) and that I wanted to get married (highly dubious but also up in the air) I would want someone like Dante. He is the epitome of why men written by women are superior.
He was so caring and sassy and understanding under his very cynical exterior. I loved that he acted tough without thinking he had to be emotionless or violent to do so - the opposite, in fact. He acted tough but still enabled his thoughts and emotions. He was protective and strong but listened to Alessa when she told him to back down.
“Oh, I’m sure they had reasons. People always have reasons. People can justify anything if they want to enough.”
Those two were really the only main characters, but even the side characters held a lot of weight and carried the plot in their own ways. Kamaria was an icon and I want to be her when I grow up. Kaleb was an asshole but I like how he was portrayed. Saida was interesting, though she didn’t get much page time. Renata and Tomo were annoying at first, but I grew to like them.
Adrick could have died in a hole for all I would have cared.
“Sympathy, kindness, love, and friendship - all those precious human experiences that made for a full life - those were for other people, not her.”
The romance between Alessa and Dante was one of the main aspects of the book, but it managed to be that without taking away from the story. In fact, it added a lot more to the story in terms of intrigue.
I loved the banter they had and how their relationship was established. The chemistry was beautiful.
“She didn’t know much about bodyguard duties aside from stand outside the door and look grumpy” which he seemed perfectly suited for, so Alessa bit her tongue as Dante examined everything she owned.”
“Smells like a damned orchard in here.”
“What do you have against lemons?” Alessa retorted.
His only response was to radiate curmudgeonly gloom through the wall.”
“She gave him a scolding look. “Be nice.”
“I’m not nice.”
“I think you might be, actually.”
Dante looked mortally offended.”
“I supposed I’ll let you put your clothes on now.”
He snorted. “Like you could stop me.”
“I could kill you with my pinky.”
“I’m shaking.”
But then there was a very emotional side to their relationship and I loved how they connected. There were tender, vulnerable moments and moments of angst - which I lived for. The relationship felt solid and I really loved both of them together.
“How cruel, that sharing someone else's grief did nothing to alleviate it for them. In physics, there were rules and forces, equal and opposite reactions, a balance. But emotions didn’t obey rules, and though sympathy settled over her like a blanket, it did nothing to help him. … Even her hands, which stole power, strength, and life itself. Were powerless to siphon off any of his suffering.”
I also loved the underlying narratives of this book. The political tension and the individual emotions of each character added so much to what it expressed, and I loved the way it addressed prejudice and power.
I thought it was interesting that there wasn’t a lot of emphasis placed on those things - usually, those kinds of messages are given a lot more page time, to the point that the book is overwhelmingly presenting the same narrative. But this book didn’t do that. The messages were present, but they kind of remained under the plot, and I liked that.
“Keep your gods and goddesses on their pedestals if you want, but the rituals, the rules, the isolation? You know that isn’t really from them, right? That’s written by mortals. Men, mostly. We have a bad habit of locking up people who scare us, and the thing that scares men with power most is a woman with more of it.”
“Justice. There was no justice in putting someone on trial for what they were, not what they’d done.”
Overall, I did not expect to be so drawn into this book the way I was. It was described as a lush romance combined with a fantasy, and for some reason I didn’t realize what that meant until I finished.
The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is because it just didn’t have the same feel as my five-star books. It was good, but not quite on that level for me to scream and rave about it.
February 6, 2023
Dieses Buch beinhaltet so einiges, was es für mich spannend macht: ein atmosphärisches Setting mit italienischem Flair, eine Protagonistin, die lernen muss, mit ihrer Macht umzugehen, und eine Gefahr, der sie sich gegenüber sieht🤭. In dem Sinne kann das Buch halten, was es verspricht. Die Welt wird nach und nach etabliert, das meiste müssen wir zunächst selbst erschließen. Auch wenn es für ein Fantasy-Buch eher ruhig ist und es sich auf der Handlungsebene erst gegen Ende zuspitzt, blieb ich auf diese Weise neugierig beim Lesen. Die Charaktere sind mir persönlich zwar so emotional distanziert geblieben, dass ich nicht alles mitfühlen konnte, dennoch haben mich ihre Dynamiken fasziniert. Ebenso begeistern konnten mich die süße, slow burn Liebesgeschichte, aufkeimende Freundschaften und Charakterentwicklungen. Letzten Endes muss ich sagen, dass es mir ein wenig an Tempo, Überraschungsmomenten und/oder emotionaler Nähe gefehlt hat, um nun vollends euphorisch zu sein, dennoch habe ich mich gut unterhalten gefühlt. Da es sich hier um ein Debüt handelt, freue ich mich sehr auf mehr von der Autorin. Zwar kein Lieblingsbuch oder Highlight für mich, nichtsdestotrotz empfehlenswert🥰!
June 30, 2022
grumpy but sweet bodyguard love interest, touch that can kill, wholesome romance, stunning character development—ALL OF THIS <3
I had zero expectations going into this like I genuinely thought it'd be a boring book and look how wrong I was??? IM IN LOVE. Everything about This Vicious Grace was spectacular.
For years, Alessa has been known as the Finestra—a figure blessed by the god Dea with powers meant to fend off demons who will attack her island on the day of Divorando.
This power though... well her touch can kill anyone it comes in contact with so it's not really a blessing she considers.
Alessa must find the right partner who can contain all the power that's stored in her and so far she's killed all three of her potentials. With little time remainining until Divorando, Alessa must find the one for her asap while also worrying about being assassinated by her own people, and dealing with her ✨dark and alluring✨ bodyguard, Dante👀
GUYS THEM. ALESSA AND DANTE ARE EVERYTHING. I adore them so so much. Each are unique in their own way and just how they support one another ohmygod the love I have for these two is unexplainable.
Alessa's longing for physical contact and even just being able to talk to someone🥺 My heart broke for her so much especially with the way people feared (and some hated) her, my precious girl didnt deserve any of that. The way she bloomed into who she wanted to be was so beautifully written and I couldn't be more proud. She's such a relatable character and it's not a "throw-in-your-face" kind of relatable but written so naturally of the feelings many of us had at times. Alessa is actually just so kind, funny and bold I love her so much <3
Dante !! Literally from the moment he appeared I knew I'd love him. He was acting all grumpy in the beginning but even then he was never actually a jerk but instead it was the little things he did that were so sweet and caring. And my love just grew from there. Dante is basically that one person who keeps saying "Im CrUeL" but literally all his actions and what he says are the exact opposite.
THE ROMANCE. THEIR RELATIONSHIP. THE CHEMISTRY. THIS. I swear it's the definition of precious. I didn't realize how much I loved two characters *just* cuddling until I read this book. I was literally dying of happiness and squealing like a fangirlas if thats not what i am in all their cuddling and interactions with one another.
That moment where Dante offered to give Alessa a hug knowing how much it would mean to her after not having contact at all with anyone for years and him pretending that he was grudingly offering this hug but we all know he wanted it just as much—that. my friends, was one of the sweetest moments I've ever read.
OH and then Dante and Alessa getting drunk together and playing truth or dare + Alessa blatantly ogling shirtless Dante >>> PLEASE there were too many funny moments with these two I literally reread these scenes like 10 times. An excerpt:
I could go on forever talking about every amazing scene + the bantering with these two but I'm sure you get the idea and plus you'll want to see them for yourself hehe
The side characters were also super interesting, and my opinion changed on many of them compared to first impressions *cough* thinking of two people especially. I adore Kamaria and Kaleb ksdhfksghs also I feel like I sense something between two characters that might develop (??) in the 2nd book.
Now the only reason why this didn't get 5 stars was because even though my heart stopped for second because of that ending... some of the things that happened were pretty underwhelming? It also felt sudden and kind of rushed thinking about the build-up that led to that moment. But something small like that wasn't really a big deal for me hence the deduction of 0.5 stars.
ANYWAYS EVERYONE NEEDS TO TRY THIS. If me gushing about the romance didn't convince you (although how could it not smh) then go for the character development in Alessa or miss out on falling in love.
If This Vicious Grace is only a debut novel I can only imagine how amazing the author's future books will be.
(4.5⭐)
Thank you Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!
________
"Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches."
*intrigued*
I had zero expectations going into this like I genuinely thought it'd be a boring book and look how wrong I was??? IM IN LOVE. Everything about This Vicious Grace was spectacular.
"She might be but one stitch in the tapestry, but every stitch had a purpose, and threads couldn't become art without them."
For years, Alessa has been known as the Finestra—a figure blessed by the god Dea with powers meant to fend off demons who will attack her island on the day of Divorando.
This power though... well her touch can kill anyone it comes in contact with so it's not really a blessing she considers.
Alessa must find the right partner who can contain all the power that's stored in her and so far she's killed all three of her potentials. With little time remainining until Divorando, Alessa must find the one for her asap while also worrying about being assassinated by her own people, and dealing with her ✨dark and alluring✨ bodyguard, Dante👀
"And you keep saying you aren't the hero."
"I'm not. You're the hero. I'm just asking a girl to hold my hand."
GUYS THEM. ALESSA AND DANTE ARE EVERYTHING. I adore them so so much. Each are unique in their own way and just how they support one another ohmygod the love I have for these two is unexplainable.
Alessa's longing for physical contact and even just being able to talk to someone🥺 My heart broke for her so much especially with the way people feared (and some hated) her, my precious girl didnt deserve any of that. The way she bloomed into who she wanted to be was so beautifully written and I couldn't be more proud. She's such a relatable character and it's not a "throw-in-your-face" kind of relatable but written so naturally of the feelings many of us had at times. Alessa is actually just so kind, funny and bold I love her so much <3
Dante !! Literally from the moment he appeared I knew I'd love him. He was acting all grumpy in the beginning but even then he was never actually a jerk but instead it was the little things he did that were so sweet and caring. And my love just grew from there. Dante is basically that one person who keeps saying "Im CrUeL" but literally all his actions and what he says are the exact opposite.
“Sympathy, kindness, love, and friendship—all those precious human experiences that made for a full life—those were for other people, not her.”
THE ROMANCE. THEIR RELATIONSHIP. THE CHEMISTRY. THIS. I swear it's the definition of precious. I didn't realize how much I loved two characters *just* cuddling until I read this book. I was literally dying of happiness and squealing like a fangirl
That moment where Dante offered to give Alessa a hug knowing how much it would mean to her after not having contact at all with anyone for years and him pretending that he was grudingly offering this hug but we all know he wanted it just as much—that. my friends, was one of the sweetest moments I've ever read.
OH and then Dante and Alessa getting drunk together and playing truth or dare + Alessa blatantly ogling shirtless Dante >>> PLEASE there were too many funny moments with these two I literally reread these scenes like 10 times. An excerpt:
"Ever since you called yourself stale bread, I've had wicked cravings."
He paused, shook his head, then pushed back up.
"I adore bread. Especially baguettes. Long, thick, hot and slathered with—"
He hit the ground, shaking with laughter. "Enough. Mercy. You're a champion of lewd baking metaphors."
I could go on forever talking about every amazing scene + the bantering with these two but I'm sure you get the idea and plus you'll want to see them for yourself hehe
The side characters were also super interesting, and my opinion changed on many of them compared to first impressions *cough* thinking of two people especially. I adore Kamaria and Kaleb ksdhfksghs also I feel like I sense something between two characters that might develop (??) in the 2nd book.
Now the only reason why this didn't get 5 stars was because even though my heart stopped for second because of that ending... some of the things that happened were pretty underwhelming? It also felt sudden and kind of rushed thinking about the build-up that led to that moment. But something small like that wasn't really a big deal for me hence the deduction of 0.5 stars.
ANYWAYS EVERYONE NEEDS TO TRY THIS. If me gushing about the romance didn't convince you (although how could it not smh) then go for the character development in Alessa or miss out on falling in love.
If This Vicious Grace is only a debut novel I can only imagine how amazing the author's future books will be.
(4.5⭐)
Thank you Wednesday Books for sending me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!
________
"Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches."
*intrigued*
June 7, 2022
Fantasy, magic, demons, apocolypse, tears and love... yes that pretty much sums it up!
I adored this book! It has a good start, a busy middle and an epic ending. The characters are so rich and full of life and we receive a fabulous storyline.
The narration was fantastic.
Admittedly I had to reach for the tissues. I look forward to book 2 (soon I hope!).
Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to review this fabulous ARC!
I adored this book! It has a good start, a busy middle and an epic ending. The characters are so rich and full of life and we receive a fabulous storyline.
The narration was fantastic.
Admittedly I had to reach for the tissues. I look forward to book 2 (soon I hope!).
Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to review this fabulous ARC!
April 18, 2023
~5⭐️~
This was PHENOMENAL y'all(っ◔︣◡◔᷅)っ🖤
Let me pitch this as "Shatter Me" x "From Blood and Ash" if it was written by Stephanie Garber (author of "Caraval") but, of course, it was written by the amazing debut author Emily Thiede~(˘▾˘~)
🫶🏻Tropes:
🏹touch her and I'll kill you(or she'll do it and I'll hold her gloves)
🏹banter and bickering
🏹fairytale-esque storytelling
🏹(a kind of)forbidden romance
🏹hate to love🤌🏻
🏹sarcastic broody feminist book loving dark haired love interest with a tragic past
🏹Italian-lore-inspired fantasy
🏹found family
🏹bodyguard trope
🏹beautiful writing
🏹strong character development
🏹close proximity
🏹spice🤭
🏹short chapters
🏹lovable main character
🏹a little bit more NA than YA (which I LOVED)
🏹slow-burn
🏹mini cliffhanger
Trigger warnings:
~suicide tendencies
~violence
~abuse
This was PHENOMENAL y'all(っ◔︣◡◔᷅)っ🖤
Let me pitch this as "Shatter Me" x "From Blood and Ash" if it was written by Stephanie Garber (author of "Caraval") but, of course, it was written by the amazing debut author Emily Thiede~(˘▾˘~)
🫶🏻Tropes:
🏹touch her and I'll kill you(or she'll do it and I'll hold her gloves)
🏹banter and bickering
🏹fairytale-esque storytelling
🏹(a kind of)forbidden romance
🏹hate to love🤌🏻
🏹sarcastic broody feminist book loving dark haired love interest with a tragic past
🏹Italian-lore-inspired fantasy
🏹found family
🏹bodyguard trope
🏹beautiful writing
🏹strong character development
🏹close proximity
🏹spice🤭
🏹short chapters
🏹lovable main character
🏹a little bit more NA than YA (which I LOVED)
🏹slow-burn
🏹mini cliffhanger
Trigger warnings:
~suicide tendencies
~violence
~abuse
November 18, 2024
Alessa is the Finestra of the island of Saverio. She is the God-destined warrior to lead the defense against the monsters of the apocalypse. To do that, she must choose a Fonte - a magical warrior - to fight with her on doomsday. But Alessa has one problem, she keeps killing every Fonte she chose, and the people start to wonder whether she is truly their savior.
In my books, that's a rock-solid YA fantasy debut that will hook lovers of Kingdom of the Wicked by its gorgeous Italy-inspired setting. I am surprised at how much I have enjoyed this adventure. Thiede's writing is easy to follow, and although not too polished, still managed to capture enough beauty in the words. I like the magic system enough, although it's nothing very original. The world-building is, at the moment, limited to Saverio - the island where the events took place - but I assume we will get to know other places on the map throughout the next book. I also appreciate the unexpected religious interpretation critique that was well-handled.
The plot is layered and complex enough to keep the readers going without getting bored with tension and conflicts waiting to be solved. All the actions scenes, in my opinion, are rather good, although I would want a little more detail. Nevertheless, the ultimate battle blew my mind as I was sitting on the edge the whole time. But helas, I do know the pain of having a cliffhanger all too well. This book is not even out yet and my grabby hands are already waiting for the sequel to come out.
However, the characters are honestly the spotlight of the book. Alessa is an amazing heroine who knows the stakes of her missions, and although she was stubborn, she didn't border into stupidityunlike many other YA Fantasy heroines *coughs* She has learned and grown so much throughout the book, and honestly, I am happy for her. Dante is also a compelling character. I like his personality and his manners. His romance with Alessa is everything I love, especially their banter, which is *chef's kiss*. The found family is also very enjoyable and I can't wait to see more of them in the sequel.
Overall, This Vicious Grace was a surprisingly delightful read that could have been a five-star one with some more charm (but it's okay, not everyone can reach that). Lush, beautiful, and exciting, this is now one of my most anticipated books of 2022. I look very much forwards to the sequel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with this advanced copy.
In my books, that's a rock-solid YA fantasy debut that will hook lovers of Kingdom of the Wicked by its gorgeous Italy-inspired setting. I am surprised at how much I have enjoyed this adventure. Thiede's writing is easy to follow, and although not too polished, still managed to capture enough beauty in the words. I like the magic system enough, although it's nothing very original. The world-building is, at the moment, limited to Saverio - the island where the events took place - but I assume we will get to know other places on the map throughout the next book. I also appreciate the unexpected religious interpretation critique that was well-handled.
The plot is layered and complex enough to keep the readers going without getting bored with tension and conflicts waiting to be solved. All the actions scenes, in my opinion, are rather good, although I would want a little more detail. Nevertheless, the ultimate battle blew my mind as I was sitting on the edge the whole time. But helas, I do know the pain of having a cliffhanger all too well. This book is not even out yet and my grabby hands are already waiting for the sequel to come out.
However, the characters are honestly the spotlight of the book. Alessa is an amazing heroine who knows the stakes of her missions, and although she was stubborn, she didn't border into stupidity
Overall, This Vicious Grace was a surprisingly delightful read that could have been a five-star one with some more charm (but it's okay, not everyone can reach that). Lush, beautiful, and exciting, this is now one of my most anticipated books of 2022. I look very much forwards to the sequel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with this advanced copy.
June 29, 2022
I wish I could say that this was bad or awful in some way because then at least I would've felt something for it. But instead it was just aggressively kind of monotonous and slow and boring and vague (or hard to grasp) and, finally, predictable. The last one isn't always a bad thing but it didn't really help when combined with the rest.
What felt, at first, like a fresh and interesting setting quickly shifted into window (hah, you'll understand if you read this..) dressing. I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the worldbuilding and the curse or the mythology, whatever it is, because it just didn't get enough attention. See aforementioned window (again, snicker) dressing.
To me, this felt like the author wanted a bodyguard romance, with some magical stakes, and then built up around that. And to be fair, the main pitch I saw was SERPENT & DOVE (which I have not read) meets The Bodyguard. So it's definitely a big part. And if that's more or less all you want, I think you'll be satisfied. But while the romance does feel stronger than the rest, it's only relative because the weak world and (despite the pitch) complete lack of tension or high stakes around it — both in the sense that there isn't that many times he's needed as a guard and also in the world-ending-event stakes. It is tasty in the sense that the dude is tortured and it's a slowburn and there's the whole taboo "no touchy" element at play and yes it was the best part of the book but, again, it's all relative. And I would've preferred equal parts of both.
While I appreciate the element added near the end when it comes to the MC trying to solve the riddle of how she might save the world, overwhelmingly the rest of the cast of characters just didn't stand out beyond their base archetype. And, in some sense, the solve that Alessa comes up with kind of goes hand in hand with how these characters ultimately end up : interchangeable.
I won't even go into the sibling dynamic because that infuriated me.
Also, there was a priest/religious conflict that gave me Winternight vibes but in a very try-hard watered down way (the character, not the author, I mean). I'll be curious to see if anyone else picks up on that. But actually I think watered down is a good all-around way to describe the story. I needed more lemons, and a whole extra heaping of sugar, in this glass of lemonade.
Having said all that negative stuff, however, I will probably read on if this is a duology (please be a duology) but if it's a trilogy.. time will tell.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
What felt, at first, like a fresh and interesting setting quickly shifted into window (hah, you'll understand if you read this..) dressing. I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the worldbuilding and the curse or the mythology, whatever it is, because it just didn't get enough attention. See aforementioned window (again, snicker) dressing.
To me, this felt like the author wanted a bodyguard romance, with some magical stakes, and then built up around that. And to be fair, the main pitch I saw was SERPENT & DOVE (which I have not read) meets The Bodyguard. So it's definitely a big part. And if that's more or less all you want, I think you'll be satisfied. But while the romance does feel stronger than the rest, it's only relative because the weak world and (despite the pitch) complete lack of tension or high stakes around it — both in the sense that there isn't that many times he's needed as a guard and also in the world-ending-event stakes. It is tasty in the sense that the dude is tortured and it's a slowburn and there's the whole taboo "no touchy" element at play and yes it was the best part of the book but, again, it's all relative. And I would've preferred equal parts of both.
While I appreciate the element added near the end when it comes to the MC trying to solve the riddle of how she might save the world, overwhelmingly the rest of the cast of characters just didn't stand out beyond their base archetype. And, in some sense, the solve that Alessa comes up with kind of goes hand in hand with how these characters ultimately end up : interchangeable.
I won't even go into the sibling dynamic because that infuriated me.
Also, there was a priest/religious conflict that gave me Winternight vibes but in a very try-hard watered down way (the character, not the author, I mean). I'll be curious to see if anyone else picks up on that. But actually I think watered down is a good all-around way to describe the story. I needed more lemons, and a whole extra heaping of sugar, in this glass of lemonade.
Having said all that negative stuff, however, I will probably read on if this is a duology (please be a duology) but if it's a trilogy.. time will tell.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
August 12, 2022
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
She’d tried to be what she thought the gods wanted her to be, what she was told the people needed her to be, and it had gotten her three dead partners, and a shell around her heart. She’d been stunted until she threw off the rules, shut the holy books, and let herself be the emotional, stubborn, distracted mess she was.
Well... this was a scrumptious treat 🍋
This Vicious Grace is a compelling YA Fantasy Romance following a heroine whose touch is a death sentence.
Tropes included:
— Forbidden Love
— Bodyguard is the love interest
— Savior/Chosen one (by the Goddess of Creation)
— Heroine with a death-touch
— Secret identity
— Close proximity
— Fun banter and chemistry
— Italian-influenced world
— Found family
— Magic
— Themes of grief, family and hope
— Entertaining side characters
Alessa and Dante were the stars of this book! I ate up their banter and flirty interactions the moment they met. It's always such delight to read books where a god-chosen Finestra and a bodyguard are within close-proximity which makes it harder on both to resist the sparks of attraction.
Alessa is the divine weapon of the gods whose purpose is to defeat the army of demons sent by the God of Chaos and save Saverio.
In order for a Finestra to succeed on their mission, they must choose a Fonte (a Partner) and become an amplifier for their magic to be able to defeat the demon hordes.
Alessa, so far, had ended up killing three of her Fontes.
Ridden with misery as time is running out, Alessa is determined to save Saverio now must find a Fonte she won't doom with her death-touch again.
However, due to her continuous failures, a priest manages to plant seeds of doubt in the people about Alessa's position are Fiesta and that she may be a false one.
Now that she had become a target for assassins and traitorous guards, Alessa hires Dante, an outcasted criminal, to ensure her safety until Divorando.
“You’re a savior. I’m an abomination. You got a castle, and I got locked in a shed by a man who tried to beat the evil out of me.”
I found the world intriguing but I did feel lost sometimes when it came to the plot. The pacing was a little unstable as well.
But I didn't focus on the plot as much as I did on the romance. I truly enjoyed it.
Even if you're in the fence about this book because its YA (Young Adult), I highly recommend it if you're in the mood for a fantasy romance!
She’d tried to be what she thought the gods wanted her to be, what she was told the people needed her to be, and it had gotten her three dead partners, and a shell around her heart. She’d been stunted until she threw off the rules, shut the holy books, and let herself be the emotional, stubborn, distracted mess she was.
Well... this was a scrumptious treat 🍋
This Vicious Grace is a compelling YA Fantasy Romance following a heroine whose touch is a death sentence.
Tropes included:
— Forbidden Love
— Bodyguard is the love interest
— Savior/Chosen one (by the Goddess of Creation)
— Heroine with a death-touch
— Secret identity
— Close proximity
— Fun banter and chemistry
— Italian-influenced world
— Found family
— Magic
— Themes of grief, family and hope
— Entertaining side characters
Alessa and Dante were the stars of this book! I ate up their banter and flirty interactions the moment they met. It's always such delight to read books where a god-chosen Finestra and a bodyguard are within close-proximity which makes it harder on both to resist the sparks of attraction.
Alessa is the divine weapon of the gods whose purpose is to defeat the army of demons sent by the God of Chaos and save Saverio.
In order for a Finestra to succeed on their mission, they must choose a Fonte (a Partner) and become an amplifier for their magic to be able to defeat the demon hordes.
Alessa, so far, had ended up killing three of her Fontes.
Ridden with misery as time is running out, Alessa is determined to save Saverio now must find a Fonte she won't doom with her death-touch again.
However, due to her continuous failures, a priest manages to plant seeds of doubt in the people about Alessa's position are Fiesta and that she may be a false one.
Now that she had become a target for assassins and traitorous guards, Alessa hires Dante, an outcasted criminal, to ensure her safety until Divorando.
“You’re a savior. I’m an abomination. You got a castle, and I got locked in a shed by a man who tried to beat the evil out of me.”
I found the world intriguing but I did feel lost sometimes when it came to the plot. The pacing was a little unstable as well.
But I didn't focus on the plot as much as I did on the romance. I truly enjoyed it.
Even if you're in the fence about this book because its YA (Young Adult), I highly recommend it if you're in the mood for a fantasy romance!
September 20, 2022
Is it not 2023 yet? Because I need the second book like I need oxygen to breathe.
In the past months, I’ve been on a love and hate relationship with fantasy books but this book just proved why I love reading fantasy in the first place. I’ll need to collect my thoughts so review to come! I just loved everything! The relationship between Alessa and Dante, and their friendship to the Fonti. Watch me turn this book as my new personality 😂
In the past months, I’ve been on a love and hate relationship with fantasy books but this book just proved why I love reading fantasy in the first place. I’ll need to collect my thoughts so review to come! I just loved everything! The relationship between Alessa and Dante, and their friendship to the Fonti. Watch me turn this book as my new personality 😂
Want to read
November 18, 2021I’ve been calling this the Seductive Lemon Book for little while now and I’d like to offer that up to Emily Thiede as a subtitle 💋🍋
June 9, 2022
everything about this book is mediocre and too convenient
January 22, 2022
I really liked the plot (Dante)
September 4, 2024
This is more of a slow burn, it doesn't have many action scenes but the ones it has are really well done. Romance is the forefront of this YA fantasy, but there is enough going on for it not to be bland. It was fairly obvious where the love interest was going from the start but it was still enjoyable.
There wasn't any steamy moments in this book to make me cringe, and although predicable the characters were well developed. The plot was well thought out flowed nicely which made it very easy to read. You can tell this is a first in a series because we do spend quite a lot of time on the world building and background. I would pick up the second book - depending on the synopsis but ultimately this could have been a standalone and I wouldn't feel like I was missing too much if I just felt it at the one.
This was enjoyable and easy to read, this is the first book I have read by this author and I would read more from them. I did think that some of the dialogue was a little strange though and I found myself thinking what a strange conversation - I wished there was maybe one of two more twists and turns.
There wasn't any steamy moments in this book to make me cringe, and although predicable the characters were well developed. The plot was well thought out flowed nicely which made it very easy to read. You can tell this is a first in a series because we do spend quite a lot of time on the world building and background. I would pick up the second book - depending on the synopsis but ultimately this could have been a standalone and I wouldn't feel like I was missing too much if I just felt it at the one.
This was enjoyable and easy to read, this is the first book I have read by this author and I would read more from them. I did think that some of the dialogue was a little strange though and I found myself thinking what a strange conversation - I wished there was maybe one of two more twists and turns.
November 2, 2022
I think I did myself dirty by putting certain expectations on this book and assuming it would be enemies-to-lovers romance, which I'm not sure where I got? Usually the grumpy/sunshine trope (or a close variety of the sort) works well for me, but I just felt like this story was a watery, minimalistic version of what I was hoping it would be. Definitely give this one a try for yourself though!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
February 29, 2024
desperately seeking the kind of young-adult fantasy series that used to completely take over my life and reside in my mind rent-free for months on end………
January 14, 2024
Oh boy.....
*spoilers ahead* also, I'm going to be mean😁
I'm Italian and of course I was curious to go into this due to the fact that this was heavily inspired by an Italian island the author visited at some point in her life.
I should have known better.
First of all Italian language is used pretty randomly, and although it is overall accurate, I honestly had some good laughs at how words were taken and used in certain contexts that were quite ridiculous. ....this felt like when you attempt to learn a language but all you are able to really learn correctly are swear words, you know? The swear words in this were accurate, the rest clearly was literally translated which, in many cases, it's not the best choice.
Also, Alessa is NOT the nickname you give to Alessandra. I mean Google sources will tell you that it has Italian origins but we don't really use it (Google lies). Find me 1 and I say 1 Alessa in Italy and I'll applaud you. Alessandra is usually abbreviate as Ale, Sandra or mayhaps (if she has mean parents) as Sandrina. Then you have names like Alessia. A-l-e-s-s-i-a. Alessa? Not so much. A small fact but it just rubbed me the wrong way all throughout this book. Just because Google says it's ok, it doesn't mean that is culturally accurate. Just like if Google says you are about to die horribly it is probably just a bad cold you know?
Now, setting my grievances aside as an Italian, this book was bad. Internationally so.
Basic, uninteresting writing style, boring and shallow characters and my favourite (I'm joking) part...the Divorando (don't get me started on how that Italian verb, divorando, is misused in here....). I had to pause when I got to the end and just put down the book for a while to be mad at it. So you telling me that the big fuss at the core of ALL this bloody nonsensical plot (ripped off Shatter me) is basically a storm of fu*king beetles (beetles=scarabeo in italian)??????? BEETLES?? SERIOUSLY????
I was expecting demons and epic battles and instead what happens is literally this: a storm of kinda bigger than usual beetles attacks the city once in a while. And to defend themselves, apparently, they need a sort of deity to deal with it.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
No Italian island worth of being called that would EVER need a whole religious order to fight insects. We are all seasoned warriors when it comes to insects in Italy.
A FLY SWATTER would have solved the problem!!!!
She's clearly not accustomed to Italian summers. I mean we are swamped with mosquitoes and we lay waste to them mercilessly with fly swatters.
Beetles.Ridiculous.
-"Here she stands, slayer of demons" -
I honestly bursted out laughing at that sentence. Still imagining my summers back in Italy fighting instects left and right. If Alessa is a slayer of demons, I've beaten the bloody Devil itself.
Beetles demons. Beetles, sheesh.
And another of my favorite parts (still joking).. they are basically fighting the bugs**Hum-Hum** FEARSOME DEMONS ("look like bugs to me"
"Shut up! I'm the finestra slayer of demons"
"You are the window, pfff window, what name is that for a sort of deity? Anyhow, you are a window slayer of bugs you mean"....
sorry went down a tangent here and started writing bad fanfic)
...and at one point a beetle cuts off parts of our main protagonist hair so one of her fonti approaches her in the mist of battle and starts to tie her hair back with an elastic (the fact that she had time to do that while battling FEARSOME demons *bugs, still bugs*...says a LOT about how even the characters where taking seriously the threat) and this Fonte tells Alessa
-"I always carry extra.."
-Alessa (window) laughed. "You don't even have enough hair to tie back"
-Kamaria nudged Nina aside to take her spot at Alessa's side. "No, but my friends do".-
🤯🤯🤯🤯 so you telling me that this motherfu*ker who does NOT need an hair band EVER keeps elastics in her pockets just in case one of her friends need one when fighting beetles????????
Have you EVER seen one of your friends with short hair or no hair carry in their pockets an elastic in case SOMEONE else needs it? EVER???????????
I mean let's all pause and think for a while that the author was so invested in her own beetles battle epic final scene that she took half a page to write about this exchange between characters. I know she meant to tell us that those two girls had become friends but that is NOT how you do it. That is simply absolutely ridiculous. Poor writing, I'm sorry, I feel like I'm being mean but I also feel like I need to be mean.
Dante was the only slightly not horrific thing in this, although he's made into the bad guy because he can heal himself.
Let's take another minute to realise that this woman created this accursed people in her story, these supposed "ghiotte" (wrong spelling- IF you have to use the word, it would be "ghiotti" plural- ) and the worst thing she could make them do to point them out as evil is giving them powers to heal themselves. Mind-blowing. I mean, from someone that the worst demon that she can think of is a beetle, what should I expect?
I'm personally offended this ever saw the light of day.
We seriously need to start holding our YA books at a higher standard.
*spoilers ahead* also, I'm going to be mean😁
I'm Italian and of course I was curious to go into this due to the fact that this was heavily inspired by an Italian island the author visited at some point in her life.
I should have known better.
First of all Italian language is used pretty randomly, and although it is overall accurate, I honestly had some good laughs at how words were taken and used in certain contexts that were quite ridiculous. ....this felt like when you attempt to learn a language but all you are able to really learn correctly are swear words, you know? The swear words in this were accurate, the rest clearly was literally translated which, in many cases, it's not the best choice.
Also, Alessa is NOT the nickname you give to Alessandra. I mean Google sources will tell you that it has Italian origins but we don't really use it (Google lies). Find me 1 and I say 1 Alessa in Italy and I'll applaud you. Alessandra is usually abbreviate as Ale, Sandra or mayhaps (if she has mean parents) as Sandrina. Then you have names like Alessia. A-l-e-s-s-i-a. Alessa? Not so much. A small fact but it just rubbed me the wrong way all throughout this book. Just because Google says it's ok, it doesn't mean that is culturally accurate. Just like if Google says you are about to die horribly it is probably just a bad cold you know?
Now, setting my grievances aside as an Italian, this book was bad. Internationally so.
Basic, uninteresting writing style, boring and shallow characters and my favourite (I'm joking) part...the Divorando (don't get me started on how that Italian verb, divorando, is misused in here....). I had to pause when I got to the end and just put down the book for a while to be mad at it. So you telling me that the big fuss at the core of ALL this bloody nonsensical plot (ripped off Shatter me) is basically a storm of fu*king beetles (beetles=scarabeo in italian)??????? BEETLES?? SERIOUSLY????
I was expecting demons and epic battles and instead what happens is literally this: a storm of kinda bigger than usual beetles attacks the city once in a while. And to defend themselves, apparently, they need a sort of deity to deal with it.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
No Italian island worth of being called that would EVER need a whole religious order to fight insects. We are all seasoned warriors when it comes to insects in Italy.
A FLY SWATTER would have solved the problem!!!!
She's clearly not accustomed to Italian summers. I mean we are swamped with mosquitoes and we lay waste to them mercilessly with fly swatters.
Beetles.Ridiculous.
-"Here she stands, slayer of demons" -
I honestly bursted out laughing at that sentence. Still imagining my summers back in Italy fighting instects left and right. If Alessa is a slayer of demons, I've beaten the bloody Devil itself.
Beetles demons. Beetles, sheesh.
And another of my favorite parts (still joking).. they are basically fighting the bugs**Hum-Hum** FEARSOME DEMONS ("look like bugs to me"
"Shut up! I'm the finestra slayer of demons"
"You are the window, pfff window, what name is that for a sort of deity? Anyhow, you are a window slayer of bugs you mean"....
sorry went down a tangent here and started writing bad fanfic)
...and at one point a beetle cuts off parts of our main protagonist hair so one of her fonti approaches her in the mist of battle and starts to tie her hair back with an elastic (the fact that she had time to do that while battling FEARSOME demons *bugs, still bugs*...says a LOT about how even the characters where taking seriously the threat) and this Fonte tells Alessa
-"I always carry extra.."
-Alessa (window) laughed. "You don't even have enough hair to tie back"
-Kamaria nudged Nina aside to take her spot at Alessa's side. "No, but my friends do".-
🤯🤯🤯🤯 so you telling me that this motherfu*ker who does NOT need an hair band EVER keeps elastics in her pockets just in case one of her friends need one when fighting beetles????????
Have you EVER seen one of your friends with short hair or no hair carry in their pockets an elastic in case SOMEONE else needs it? EVER???????????
I mean let's all pause and think for a while that the author was so invested in her own beetles battle epic final scene that she took half a page to write about this exchange between characters. I know she meant to tell us that those two girls had become friends but that is NOT how you do it. That is simply absolutely ridiculous. Poor writing, I'm sorry, I feel like I'm being mean but I also feel like I need to be mean.
Dante was the only slightly not horrific thing in this, although he's made into the bad guy because he can heal himself.
Let's take another minute to realise that this woman created this accursed people in her story, these supposed "ghiotte" (wrong spelling- IF you have to use the word, it would be "ghiotti" plural- ) and the worst thing she could make them do to point them out as evil is giving them powers to heal themselves. Mind-blowing. I mean, from someone that the worst demon that she can think of is a beetle, what should I expect?
I'm personally offended this ever saw the light of day.
We seriously need to start holding our YA books at a higher standard.
December 29, 2022
despite this being predictable, a carbon copy of from blood and ash and shatter me, and the main character (or any other characters really) having no personality. this was actually a pretty fun read. i had my suspicions that this book was inspired by FBAA but there was a scene that was almost directly taken from that book. i think the author is a good writer and knows how to tell a good story but she would greatly benefit from being more original instead of taking inspiration from already popular books
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