An enchanting tale that is so wonderfully atmospheric 😍

This Vicious Grace, has such a intriguing premise & most certainly does not disappoint!
Emily has crafted such an epic world & story - as the reader I promise you won't be disappointed!!

Following our main character Alessa's journey proved to such an adventure ( very random but I also have to add that I love her name! 😂)

The magic system, the romance, the plot - how do I even pick my favourite part?!

Would definitely recommend picking this one up! 🤍

Somebody get me book 2 right now 🙌🏽

I'm calling it.
This Vicious Grace is going to be my new favourite duology, and I will be needing all the copies so they can sit pretty next to legends like The Queens Rising, Strange the Dreamer, We Hunt the Flame, Six of Crows, The Never Tilting World, These Rebel Waves, and more favourite trilogies than I should mention in a single review!

Marketed as Serpent and Dove meets the Bodyguard, I can confirm this is the fantasy bodyguard story we all need in our lives and I would die for Dante and Alessa - indeed for almost every Fonte and Finestra in this captivating story!

This Vicious Grace is a nice easy read, with beautifully simple but thorough, lifts from the page, world building, which brings to life a fantasy Italian like world with a well developed magic system, history, faith, and folklore to make you feel like you are walking the Cittadella with Alessa as she tries desperately to not kill another Fonte while having the fate of every man, woman, and child rest in her hands. Hands that can kill with a touch.

Alessa is lonely, but feared by most. Having had to give up every part of her old life, including her family and her name, she has no one to turn to when those meant to protect her, try to kill her. Though hired to do a job, Dante is unafraid of her, and offers just a little of what she so desperately needs. A friend.
Dante has his own damage, his own losses and guilt, and his own special brand of charm, which you can't help but love.

I honestly adored this book and I can't wait for the conclusion so it's getting 5 stars from me.

I liked this book a lot, it’s a great debut novel. I did find it a little slow paced to begin with, but once the pace picked up it just kept getting better.
Alessa is a fabulously strong lead female character and I totally loved her. I also loved the way she and Dante interacted with each other once he was introduced.
Like any good book that’s the beginning of a series, it ends in such a way that it leaves you wanting more and keen for the second book to be released. I would definitely recommend this book.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /4 stars
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
This Vicious Grace is a story about Alessa, the Finestra, who has killed her three previous spouces with her powers and needs to find a fourth quickly before the island is attacked by vicious creatures.

“Chi cerca trova. Seek and you shall find”

This Vicious Grace is an Italian inspired story, which HELL YES! As someone who is half Italian, I love reading books that explore that! I loved the language being used often in this book haha. Some of the words though, I think could’ve been better or differente because they were a bit cringy. Some words, like Dea and Finestra, seemed a bit straightforward in using. I think the writer could’ve used a little bit more creativity. As Dante said in the book “I feel ridiculous calling you ‘Finestra’, window”, it really summed up what I was thinking from the beginning… it was cringy to keep on reading that. To someone who doesn’t know the translation, it might sound like a pretty word, but for me it was just a bit weird.

From the very beginning, you really get thrown into this story. It starts off with a very fast pace and Alessa’s chaotic life really corresponds with the pacing. I do think the pacing could've been slowed down and overall more consistent. The few first chapters are quite strong on world-building, but while it wasn’t really an information-dump, I still felt a bit overwhelmed by it. It also often seemed as if certain plot point or information should’ve been given (maybe it was and I just didn’t understand or grasp it) because often I was confused and wanted more information to better understand.

The magic system is another amazingly written part in this story. It is very intriguing, with Fonti and a Finestra, Ghiotti and scarabeo. While it took me a while to fully understand what they all meant and what the differences were (again, more information that I wanted sooner in the story), once it was clear the cleverness and well though-out system really blew me away. It is just a bit of a pity it took reading almost 60% of the book to fully understand it.

The characters were truly amazing. Alessa is quite smart and very relatable with her thoughts and feelings. Dante truly stole my heart this book! He is very sassy (love it!), witty, but also very caring and sweet. I also really loved the mystery surrounding his name hahaha. The others in the book, the Fonti, family, mentors, are also really well written and fleshed out. I would love to explore their stories more though.

I loved the romance, enemies-to-lovers part in this story and was really invested in it! It is quite a main focus and the chemistry between Alessa and Dante really shone on these pages. It really added to the story instead of taking away from it.

The ending felt a little rushed to me. With the battle at the end, which I loved how that all played out, it felt really quick somehow. It somehow felt too quick. I did really like how this book ended though. It isn’t on a cliffhanger, but it is a bit like getting a small taste of what’s to come and wanting more.

Overall, it was a really good book that I enjoyed. I would’ve liked it to be a bit slower paced, but the magic and adventure in the story is really solid and intriguing.

I had a surprisingly fun time with this book! I think I initially wrote this off as a copy of all the various other similar YA books I had read in the past, and in some ways I still think that is true, but this book does some really interesting things that I think Emily Thiede should be praised for and I would probably recommend this book to YA readers who want something familiar but different enough!
The plot itself is fairly predictable it has to be said, though I did enjoy the pseudo-italian setting which took me back to many a trip with my family in the pre-pandemic times. Is it mainly Italian words and references to Limoncello? Perhaps - but it feels different enough from 'basically just medieval europe generic land' that we've seen before.
What I really want to shout out is the fact that Thiede has clearly thought about the ramifications of her worldbuilding and attempted to make them as inclusive as possible. 10 years ago this book would have been 'a man and woman always save the world and they are always in love and soulmates and are together forever'. Thiede intentionally creates a world where they CAN be those things but there is no obligation, there is room for LGBTQIA+ characters in the magical metaphysic of this world in a way that doesn't feel clunky or forced it just is how the magic is set up. It feels silly applauding that someone remembered people exist but I have to do it for all the times I have asked 'but what about...?'.
Overall this didn't feel groundbreaking in terms of the plot, I think it'll appeal to people who really want that cheesy YA/NA time where the magical contraception is mentioned a couple of chapters before a spicy scene (I laughed but it's a great idea). But Thiede is clearly an author who is thinking about the things that matter to me and I'll be really interested to see what she does next!
My rating: 3.5/5 stars
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley - all opinions are my own.

I found this to be quite a unique story. I really liked the characters, especially Alessia and Dante and the banter between them. I felt that this was a slow-paced story but I still enjoyed reading it and I also liked how it ended. I m really excited to read the sequel!

Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the eArc!

Alessa is the chosen Finestra, the Gods chose her to bond with a partner and magnify their magic in order to overpower the evil swarms that will attack their island. But Alessa is different, and every partner she has touched so far she has killed. After multiple assassination attempts Alessa takes her safety into her own hands and hires Dante, a marked killer, as her bodyguard. But Dante has secrets of his own. Can Alessa learn to manage her gift before its too late?

A fantastic debut from Emily Thiede! I devoured this book in about two days and loved it. There was the perfect balance between the plot occurring and us learning more about each of the characters. Alessa is a magnificent protagonist, a girl who craves freedom but also who is full of kindness and knows what she must do. Her loneliness due to not being able to touch is so well written. Dante is cynical, moody and snarky, but all in the best way. He is one of the only people who doesn’t treat Alessa differently and so they have a fun relationship. All the characters in this novel were well written and had a lot of depth to them.

The plot itself took many turns that as a reader I wasnt always expecting but greatly appreciated. And it was left wide open for sequels but not on a cliffhanger.

Overall a very strong fantasy debut for Emily Thiede and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!

This book releases on the 28/06/22, definitely recommend reading when it comes out!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This Vicious Grace is brilliant and I loved it. From the very first page of the novel, Thiede immediately captured my attention and I was immediately invested in the story. Opening with drama mixed with morbid humour, as Alessa looks upon the third spouse she has murdered. This was not her intent, of course, the 'marriage' is to secure her power and to take her place as the saviour of her people. Her failure does not only begin to spell doom for country, but for herself, as forces around the city (some very close to her) plot to kill her in an attempt to end the 'curse' they believed is placed on her.

And what a journey this was! I loved that there was no easy fix for Alessa. Her struggle with her power continued throughout most of the novel (and in the end really, no spoilers but while there is a sort-of resolution, I expect a lot more to be revealed in the sequel). Par of Alessa's journey was beginning to demythologise the stories she was told about herself, the Fontes, the 'monsters' that surround them, and their history. I wish we got a little more in the way of solid answers re Alessa's powers, as some of it did not feel very clear (just perpetually waiting for that other shoe to drop), but I am hoping the sequel will either solidify what we know or it will progress the story by revealing more secrets.

I loved the characters in this. Some of them were tricky (like Kaleb), but I loved seeing how the Fontes (Fonti?) grew, and the development in their relationship with Alessa. Again, not wanting to be too spoiler-y, but there were certainly some very heart warming scenes between them all, that gave me the 'chosen family' (even if slightly begrudging lol) feels. I am excited to see where they all go in the sequel. This whole dynamic, again, was a part of deconstructing the history - so I am excited to see where it goes.

Of course, my favourite part of the entire book was Alessa and Dante. I loved them so much. I loved how the second he set eyes on Alessa he was essentially a goner for her. I loved the joke they made about her crying - can't remember specifically, but I love their banter. I loved how they started off as reluctant, begrudging allies who built up to a tentative to a steady friendship, finding comfort in each other and companionship, before you know . . . hehe. The next step. And just oh my god my heart hurt for them. For Dante thinking he was and would never be good enough. For Alessa wanting to protect and support him as much as he does her. And again, my comment re the found family and the Fonte's applies to Dante to - he was such an important part of that relationship and I loved how he had his own relationships with them too.

All in all, I freaking loved this book. Can I have the sequel? Please?

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

This book may start slow, but you know exactly the point where everything is going to kick start.
Alessa is an amazingly strong character who just wants the best for her home. I loved the world-building, there were points where I wanted and needed information, but it all made sense.
Dante strolling in really got it started and I swooned.... Bring on book 2, I need it asap!

Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa is the Finestra and she needs a Font, but they keep dying. Her touch should be magnifying their powers not killing them. She needs a partner to save her home of Saverio from demons. When rebellion is sparked and her life is in danger, she hires a bodyguard, Dante...

This is such an engaging premise, with Italian-flavored flair and a touch of cynicism. The narrative has a lyrical touch presenting such imaginative and senses-driven figurative speech. Thiede gifts us with an all-enveloping world and mythology that has you enthralled. The situation exceeds the expectation of humor and thrills.

Alessa may be the 'chosen one' but hers is an existence of loneliness. She is grounded in the sense that she has doubts and worries like everyone else. The evolution of the great characters and the relationships (some more than smile-worthy) are so well written and tug at your heartstrings. You always care the fiercest for characters or relationships that are supposed to be doomed.

You will absolutely adore Dante and his 'grumpiness'. Alessa and Dante bring the best out of each other when they aren't throwing bars, intentional or unintentional insults, sarcasm and the whatnot at each other. I chuckled, snorted, even laughed in pure glee so many times.

Showing duty, betrayal and prejudice, this book is about belief. Belief in yourself. Belief that people will stand up to the occasion if given half the chance. It is also about love and to paraphrase the book it doesn't demand perfection. It does demand, like life in general, to be yourself.

Absolutely entertaining, beautifully unpredictable and so gasp-worthy, there were times when I read so fast I thought I would get whiplash. This book is a new favorite and I cannot wait for the sequel.

Alessa is a stellar main character, I could not wait to see what happened next! Each chapter was better than the last. Completely engrossing, highly recommend!

An immersive Italian references endowed fantasy book and it's a part 1. Left me hooked and so now I can't wait for the 2ñd book in the series. The atmosphere is wonderful. And the characters I thoroughly loved. Amazing.

This Vicious Grace was a wonderful debut, with charming characters and great world-building. I loved Alessa and Dante's relationship so much and how it naturally progressed throughout the book. My heart broke for both of them as they struggled to deal the fact that they weren't 'normal' due to things completely out of their control. Seeing Alessa finally find someone who she could be friends with and have a human connection with - even just have a simple hug - was so gratifying. I enjoyed all the Italian references in this too, as well as the wider magical elements. All in all, this is a great start to a fantasy series if you're looking for a new one!

(PS - it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, which makes me desperate to read book 2!)

Thank you to Hodder for my earc of this book!
I really enjoyed this one. It felt a little slow to start but when we meet Dante properly at the ~40% mark it got very good.

My thanks to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Emily Thiede for an advanced copy of This Vicious Grace in exchange for an honest review.

Fromt he moment I heard that this was Italian-influenced, I was sold. As a huge fan of Kerri Maniscalco's 'Kingdom of the Wicked' series, I just needed more Italian magic in my life. This Vicious Grace did not dissppoint!

Alessa and Dante - love love love them! I can honestly say the grumpy bodyguard trope is one of my favourites, and this was great. The magic system was interesting too.

Really looking forward to the conclusion of this one!

This book was definitely everything I expect in a fantasy book: dark, tense, and perfectly paced. I genuinely disliked the beginning, I have to admit, because I found it slow and dense. However, looking back on it, I now realise it was setting the pace for the rest of the book because the author didn't have to explain everything as the events were occurring, which may have lessened the high. The characters were nothing short of amazing, and I immediately warmed up to Dante because we're so similar in many ways. I also loved how the side characters had backstories and weren't there for the sake of it. The ending was a bit too rushed for my liking, and I wish they had sort of ended the book after Dante's "death" because then there'll be this sort of momentum to propel the readers towards the next book. However, I did really enjoy it, and I'm working on a review to post on my Instagram closer to the release date (@maryamofthebooks)!!

This Vicious Grace is an amazing newcomer.
I loved the Italian inspired setting - the names, the language and all of the world. Even though it wasn't a big part of this book, I also quite enjoyed the culinary parts. Very nicely done.
A slight minus in world building for the fact, that I got a bit confused with the magic and mythological parts. It took me quite some time to figure out the magical system and to understand what exactly Divorando is and how it worked. And even after I understood it, I was a bit disappointed in that explanation. I would've expected a bit more finesse, but then again we only needed to dive into this world in this book. I'm sure there will be a lot more excitement and action in the second book.

The characters were amazing.
Starting with Alessa - she had to carry a heavier weight than basically everyone on her shoulders and she had suffered for it. It's only understandable that she started out as an insecure and closed off girl. I really liked her development though, fighting her fears, working on her powers and standing up for herself.
Dante was obviously amazing. He's exactly the type of character I love - protective, sweet, secretive.
I liked the whole arc with Adrick as it was quite unexpected and I enjoyed the fact, that the Fonti didn't just turn out to be "the bully", "the sweet one" and so on.

The plot was pretty great. It was interesting, but a bit slow and with all the building up, I would've expected a grander ending, but again, this is just book number one and I'm looking forward to reading number two.

The writing was beautiful. Emily Thiede is a great author and she really made me emphasise with Alessa.
Overall - awesome book, can recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Alessa has a special gift that is revered throughout her people, but it is not functioning right. When her people turn on her, she enlists the help of cynical outcast Dante.😄

So, I have already forgotten everything about this story, and I have just read it.😅
I just thought it was pretty predictable and generic.😒

There are so many clichés, and I would love to list them, but I would get too close to spoiler territory.😕
And don't get me wrong, I love a good trope or two.😃
But please be original in how you incorporate them, or at least surprise me once in a while.😬
But nope.😔

I mean, the premise is: powerful, but very secluded girl, meets cynical outcast who has lived a difficult life.🫢
We all know how this story goes, right?🙄

Anyway, if you like the tropes, absolutely go for it!😄
It is just not for me anymore.😬

I absolutely devoured this Italian-inspired YA fantasy. Alessa and Dante were wonderful main characters and their romance was incredible. The premise of the story was utterly engaging and the world-building was richly detailed and atmospheric. The setup for book two has me dying to read it and I need Alessa and Dante to get their happy ever after. I can't recommend this enough!