➽ This Vicious Grace is such an underrated Fantasy!! I don't think I've heard many people talk about it, but it was so good and unique. The story follows Alessa, a Finestra who is tasked with fighting a swam of demons that will try to devour her homeland. The power gets passed down from the previous Finestra and allows her to amplify other powers. She's supposed to have found her Fonte yet, a person with magical powers that she can strengthen in order to fight the impending threat. There's only one problem: Alessa's magic has killed the three Fonte who have tried. At this point she's getting desperate, as they need someone by her side, since her power relies on others. The worldbuilding was so interesting, I loved that it was Italian-inspired! It was nice that the Fonte were people of all genders and that the bond between Finestra and Fonte doesn't have to be romantic. It's a traditional bond, but not really like a marriage, so Alessa would be able to have another romantic partner.

➽ I really enjoyed Alessa and her character Arc! When she became the Finestra, she was stripped of her name and family, so she's been living in the holy Cittadella for most of her life, separated from everyone else. Alessa tries so hard to help her people, but she can't get her powers in control and fears touching others, as it could kill them. The situation is getting desperate as others have taken to calling her a 'false Finestra' and turning against her! I loved how the story explored how stifling all the traditions were and how Alessa has been isolated all her life and treated like a religious prop. She's experiencing true companionship for the first time in years and questioning if she should go along with everything the elders are saying. I loved the taking back agency, but still struggling with her powers and the guilt of killing her previous Fontes.

➽ I loved all the relationship dynamics!! Alessa's final attempt to find a Fonte doesn't start well as the contestants aren't thrilled to be her next victim and don't have much faith in her. I loved how they still slowly grew to respect and like each other, as Alessa really needed a support system. Even unlikable characters like Kaleb became endearing in the end! Of course I also adored the romance. Alessa hires a personal bodyguard, as she no longer trusts her staff. Dante's a trained killer from the undercity, but at least his loyalty can be bought. He ends up accepting her offer and begins to change her perspective. As an outsider and someone who'll be left to fend for himself when the monsters arrive, he's much more critical of the Cittadella. Alessa and Dante's bickering was so much fun and I liked how he tried to help her accept her powers!

This was a perfectly pleasant read that didn't do anything wrong, but wasn't particularly original either. Our heroine Alessa cannot touch anyone without killing them and our hero Dante is a grumpy bodyguard. The banter between the two leads was good and I enjoyed the Italianate setting, but overall, this won't be a very memorable read for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Das Buch ist sehr gut geschrieben. Die Geschichte ist gut durchdacht. Die Charaktere sind interessant und die Hauptchakakterin ist nicht passiv, sondern handelt aktiv. Das gefällt mir sehr gut. Leider hat mich bei dem Buch nicht so der Lesefluss gepackt. Ich habe es übee mehrere Etappen gelesen, aber das ist ja nicht schlimm.

Well, well, well... I did not expect to like this as much as I did. I thought it sounded interesting but from the blurb I was sort of expecting a different book. I am not sure that this is a romantic comedy? But, there is funny banter, a romance that I did like and an interesting concept. Was it groundbreaking? No. Am I slightly confused about some of the world building? Yes, but part of that could definitely be my own fault as I am not sure I took in a lot of the info dumping when some of the lore was explained at the start.
Once things really got going though, there was a lot to like - a girl with power thrust upon her who decides to do things her own way, a cast of side characters that were likeable if slightly under-developed.

I am looking forward to book two.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I just couldn't get into this for some reason. It sounds exactly up my street and has everything that I usually love in a novel, however the writing and the characters didn't speak to me. I may give this another go at a later date!

I unfortunately could not get into this book. But this might be for another type of reader, and wish the best for the writers.

4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this one and found myself eagerly turning the pages. The magic system was really unique and I really liked the idea behind it all.

I loved the slow-burn romance and found myself really rooting for Alessa and Dante! I liked watching these characters develop throughout and were super likeable.

I'm intrigued to see where the next book takes us, especially with all the twists and turns leading up to the ending of this one!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.

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

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

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

LOOOVED IT

This was such a great YA fantasy, I really loved the premise and it was well executed!

I was a bit confused at the beginning but I quickly picked it all up and loved it.

I really enjoyed Dante and Alessa together and the relationships she forged with the Fontes. It elevated the book in places I hadn’t expected it to and definitely improved the reading experience.

The Italian inspiration was so clear and it made me want to be on holiday so bad! The way this was woven through the book made it a really enjoyable read.

It was a little slow in places for me and the ending was a little conveniently tied up and rushed… I know there is a sequel coming which will most likely address this! Can’t wait to see what happens in Saverio next :)

4 stars

Thank you so much to Hodderscape and NetGalley for my e-ARC xxx

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede is a unique fantasy debut that effortlessly blends fantasy with romance. Alessa might be the Finestra, but she's an outcast. Her family has all-but abandoned her, her brother has tried to murder her and even the guards in her new home cannot be trusted. When Alessa stumbles upon Dante he becomes more than just her personal bodyguard. As she learns to control her powers, she understands that the 'way things are done' doesn't have to be the way that things are.

I loved This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede. I thought the world building was excellent, the character descriptions in-depth and also the imagination of this story. I cannot wait for the next instalment of Alessa's story!

I went to read this book without any knowledge on its premise and I'm glad I did because this was beautifully and richly written. I can't wait for the sequel!

A surprisingly hypnotic debut that leaves you wanting more. In an Italian-inspired world, a prophesied warrior has to fight an army of monsters to keep the apocalypse at bay, but she must be accompanied by a magical warrior - which is difficult when her last three partners were all killed by her. As exciting as the main purpose of the characters sound, it's the consequential journey and destiny that brings together these characters: giving the best tropes, from opposites coming together to a bodyguard romance. Mix an easily imaginable magic system and exciting action sequences, and a angst-filled romantic fantasy will impress - just like This Vicious Grace.

What a fantastic debut!

This Vicious Grace was a delightful and unexpectedly romantic read. I knew going into this book that there would be an enemies to lovers/slow burn but I wasn’t expecting it to bloom in an endearing and sweet way between Dante and Alessa.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Italian influence and the magic system in this world. I also liked how we saw a lot of insecurities and vulnerabilities between characters and seeing them overcome those hurdles.

I’ve heard there will be a sequel and I’m certainly looking forward to picking it up!

Unfortunately this one didn't work for me. Currently it's going to take a lot for me to really enjoy a YA fantasy, and this just gets lost in a sea of stereotypes and common tropes. Although I found the chemistry between Alessa and Dante to be pretty good, ultimately their relationship takes over the whole plot, to the point that the world building and story fall to the wayside about half way through and whimpered to an underwhelming ending.

Not for me. But if you like romance heavy YA with grumpy sunshine characters, you'll this one.

This was a great debut novel in my humble opinion! I got the Fairyloot exlusive signed edition with sprayed edges and I'm not mad about it, because have you seen that gorgeous cover??

While I enjoyed the world and its characters and the plotline with the Finestra and Fonte and the deadly touch, I did find the worldbuilding a little lacking. While there are supposed to be other islands like Saverio, we know nothing about them. (I'm sure that will be rectified in the next book though)
After a while, we find out that Dante is (view spoiler)

And another thing is that Alessa and her Fontes basically go from them being scared of her, to them being besties overnight, when we barely see them interacting with each other on the page. I feel like that part could have been fleshed out more, like the romance.
And I love the romance, you better believe I do! Dante is my baby and he made this book as good as it is!

I nearly had a heart attack at the end, so I can't wait to read where this is going next.

What if the power you had killed the ones you touched? What if you never wished you were the one, but noone seems to care and make an almost goddess out of you... or, well.... that was before you killed your last 3 partners.... now some are starting to think you might be better of dead, to get a new saviour which... isnt killing all their partners! So you might have to find a body guard to make sure noone kills you!

This was cute, funny and full of action. I loved if and definitely want to know what's coming next!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook, all opinions are my own.

THIS BOOK. I felt so sorry for Alessa, until Dante showed up ofcourse ;) I felt like the story progressed really naturally, I usually don't even like slow burn but this was written really well! I kind of want to compare them to the grympyxsunshine trope, but Alessa isn't really super sunshine?? more like, grmpy x less grumpy, which I loved! I can't wait for This Cursed Light!!!

I received an ARC of the book from the publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As a critic who is focused on representations of under-represented groups, my curiosity was piqued when I came across names such as Tomohiro, Kamaria and Saida alongside the likes of Alessandra and Dante, and also the depiction of queer relationships. However, I must say that I would much prefer if the book didn't drop in nods to these marginalised communities as in my opinion, more harm was done, than good.

The reason I say this is because Emily's depiction of them was done in a very superficial manner as if nothing about the way they are, their circumstances actually matter. Instead, many of these depictions appear to flirt dangerously with racial stereotypes. Guess who is the kind and gentle mentor who gets hurt or the sultry and flirty, potential love interest? Making things worse is the highly Eurocentric backdrop which made it seemed (albeit probably unintentionally) as though these cultures had been white-washed. In fact, the book is actually highly evocative of the forced conversions of native cultures by evangelicals.

Perhaps I am going a step too far but as someone who grew up loving books, unbothered by the fact that none of the characters look like me simply because it is more important to me that the stories engage with themes and concerns that resonates with me, something can be said about recent attempts to depict under-represented peoples here. Very often, it just feels like pandering. It feels like publishers are leeching onto a trend, a bandwagon that ultimately brings nothing to the table.

Strangely enough, the lack of nuance in depicting the foreign is not limited to the Orient. As mentioned, the book heavily engages with Latin/Italian culture. However, there is a certain strangeness in how despite Dante's insistence that the plural for 'Fonte' is 'Fonti' (something that is mentioned twice), 'Fontes' is used throughout!

A lot of the complains can be attributed to how the book is poorly written as we are often told and not showed why something is the way it is. Huge suspensions of belief were also required to engage with the book. For instance, there was absolutely no sense of urgency despite an incoming apocalypse. There is a great deal of world building and lore which is very, very fascinating but none of it appears to be explained or conveyed onto the page.

That said, Alessa is undeniably a strong and inspiring hero with struggles that are highly relatable so yes, the story is undoubtedly empowering. However, the problem to me is that she represents a form of feminism that reeks of White Feminism, a brand of female empowerment that is self-centered and unconcerned with other marginalised communities for they are regarded as being useful, only to make her seem more interesting.

This was a really interesting and thrilling read. I liked the fantasy elements and how it weaved in with the other genres. The writing was done really well and it kept me hooked all the way through as i wanted to know what happened to Alessa and Dante. The action set pieces were exciting and i enjoyed the tonal pacing as it done well and appropriate for the set up written by Thiede. I'm really looking to follow up books in this series as this one was such a good read.