I will update the review with a link to our blog closer to publication date.
I'd like to thank the publisher Hodder & Stoughton and netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

★ You do not want to miss this debut novel. This Vicious Grace knows what you want, and it delivers. With the bodyguard trope, enemies to lovers and a grumpy x sunshine dynamic between the two leads, this book combines your YA Fantasy wishlist with an Italian-inspired setting for the perfect summer read. ★

This. Book. Delivers!!! Emily Thiede did not come to play with This Vicious Grace and after a bit of a slow start, I'm so glad I kept reading. You do NOT want to miss this debut.

As I've just hinted at, this book did unfortunately have quite a little bit of a slow start. I knew, from the description, that an assassination attempt was coming, but (very minor spoilers, I guess?) this doesn't actually happen until Chapter 7. Granted, the book is 50-something chapters long, so this might not seem like the biggest deal, but I still felt like I was sitting around waiting for it to happen while Chapters 1-6 took their time setting the scene.

They did, definitely, set the scene though. I've (sadly) never been to Italy, but the summery Italian vibes were there. In case, like me, you're a bit annoyed you haven't been on holiday in the last - *checks watch* - 3 years, the world building in this book will no doubt amp up those feelings. Someone please get me to an airport... stat.

Aside from the beautiful setting, This Vicious Grace also deals with religious themes, through its divine and holy Finestra and Fonte, and all the lore surrounding them and their purpose of defeating these giant flying bugs that appear every few years to k!ll everyone. Obviously, the actual world lore and history and religion are more in depth than that, and the book does actually explain it all, but... you get the point. The Finestra (and her Fonte, who supplies her with magic) are in charge of defeating giant bugs. There's a few gods/goddesses in the mix, too.

Alessa is the current Finestra, but she's having a bit of a hard time at the start of the book (well, actually throughout the book, but what's new in the life of a protagonist, right?). She's just buried her third Fonte, because she keeps killing them all... oops? I will admit that I wasn't sure how to feel about Alessa at first, as I didn't think she really gained much of a personality until Dante showed up, but looking back on it, I can almost think this was a deliberate interpretation? Before Alessa has to hire him as her bodyguard, she doesn't really have her own identity. She's not allowed to be referred to as anything other than Finestra, her family aren't allowed to contact her, she has no friends, and she's stuck in this seemingly endless cycle of trying to save her world but killing the only person who can help her do that. As the book progressed, however, she definitely grew on me and I really liked her by the end.

Dante! Where do I start? This man brought the energy this book sorely needed. There's a grumpy x sunshine dynamic with him and Alessa that I simply adored. He definitely tries to be all dark and brooding and mysterious, but actually he's just a big softie and I loved him for it. I have to give credit where credit is due, Dante was very committed to his role as Alessa's bodyguard. Rent was due. I did like the reveal about him partway through the book (I can't remember exactly where it happens though, please forgive me. Somewhere around the middle, possibly?), but like a clown who doesn't recognise foreshadowing, I didn't see it coming.

The reviews I've seen for this book so far haven't mentioned it, so I'll throw this tidbit in here: this one's a lilllllll steamy. Just a touch. It's nothing wild, so don't go expecting some Katee Robert-level content here, it's definitely YA-appropriate, but by the time ~stuff~ happens, you'll probably be hungry for a little extra food anyway, and Emily Thiede came to serve. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, indeed.

Overall, I would highly recommend you preorder a copy of This Vicious Grace! Once this book got going, I struggled to put it down. The ending sets up the sequel nicely, and I can't wait to read it one day!

Thank you to Kate Keehan and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC!

↠ 4.5 stars

This felt like a very generic fantasy book. At one point, this was giving me, From Blood and Ashes vibes, what with the bodyguard and the chosen and all the pent up sexual tension between them, but, the story remained quite tame in comparison. Which is totally fine as this is YA and reads like one as well.

I honestly liked the main character, Alessa and could understand her frustration. I also loved how she continued to grow throughout the story and became the woman and leader that she was always meant to be. Dante was a typical male love interest - broody, mysterious and hiding a big secret. I am still not sure on what basis Alessa hired him in the first place, but, I truly enjoyed them as a couple. Their relationship progressed from being friends to being each other support system and to something so much more wholesome.

However, there are so many things that could have been delivered better in the story. Firstly, the world building is very minimal. Its Italian inspired and we get the basic history etc. But it lacks depth. The story also feels like its set in medieval times but the speech and mannerism of characters feels quite modern. Also, for a nation facing a possible cataclysm, these people seemed quite chill. Yes, Alessa and the other characters are worried about the upcoming battle but it never felt immediate or even urgent.

It also bothered me that they had 5 years to prepare for the battle but all the characters seemed completely out of their depth and without any clue about how to go facing the conflict. Alessa's is literally considered as a divine vessel, someone who has spend her days studying and trying to understand her divine mandate, yet she doesn't even completely understand the old text/language while Dante who has probably grown up on the street is fluent in them. Yes, Dante provides an explanation for this and I am with him, but it doesn't come across as believable that Alessa would be so clueless. The characters often talk that Dante could teach them fighting or the reading the old language and my brain was just like "all of you have unique powers and you were expected at any point of time to be the chosen Fonte so shouldn't these people be preparing for that role and literally not waiting for the last minute to learn all of this? Like why?"

The side characters were okay but no one stood out. The attempt to form a cool friends group didn't land for me as I don't think the relationship development between Alessa and the other Fontes was done that well. They lacked page time together so their sudden devotion to Alessa didn't come across as authentic. I was also a bit confused about Adrick's (Alessa's brother) motivations. In the first few chapters, he is projected as her only support system and then midway through his character does a complete 360 degree and the reason for it is never explained properly.

The not so urgent battle does happen at the end of the book but its over way too quickly to leave any impact. I think the romance was done quite well but all the fantasy elements felt lacking. I think someone who goes into this book expecting to read a good old fantasy romance will definitely have a good time.

What a great debut novel. This Vicious Grace is thrilling from the get go. I was completely immersed in this new world. Alessa is a captivating main character. Thiede's writing is flawless, bringing the reader into the fantasy world so skilfully that it seems effortless. I'll be waiting for the next instalment of the series and Thiede is an instant must read author for me now.

Absolutely adored this fantasy! It was the epitome of grumpy x sunshine with a smidge of Italian spice.

I thought the story was a fun ride that hit all the right beats for me: hero/antihero meet, dislike but inexplicably trust each other, get to know each other, share vulnerabilities and the rest is history. I enjoyed watching the MC go from unsure of anything to certain of her path and the future. I don't come across badass ladies who aren't great with their own power to begin with enough so this was a fun breath of fresh air.

Recommended if you like:
- Mask of Mirrors (for the vibe!)
- Rogue from X-Men
- The bodyguard trope

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

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?

Alessa has been thrust into a role she doesn’t want. After tradition breaks, she’s left floundering and is unsure how to navigate her role if things keep going astray. She’s had to grow up quickly, forsaking her family and being forced to become this divine saviour of her home. It’s clear that Alessa struggles with her position, and the fact that her touch is lethal - especially to those who are meant to be her partner in this endeavour. She’s very isolated and keeps her own company a lot. Perhaps it’s because of this that I just really struggled to feel a connection with her. I sympathised with her situation - that she’s incredibly frustrated and angry and heartbroken at it all - but couldn’t muster up more emotion than that for her.
Dante is snarky, broody and very closed off. He’s definitely one who keeps secrets and seems like he doesn’t care, when in fact he cares a lot. His blossoming friendship with Alessa was nice because we got to see a different side to him. He’s kind and considerate, not to mention incredibly loyal. I definitely felt more of a connection with him than I did with Alessa. I felt like I wanted to know more about his origins, what makes him tick and why he is so abrupt with everyone else but has such a soft spot for Alessa.

This is definitely a story with an interesting concept. I read the synopsis and immediately wanted to dive in. I just sadly didn’t feel as much of a connection as I wanted to with this book. I liked the characters but they lacked a bit of a spark. The pacing picking up towards the end was good but it did feel rather slow for me for a lot of it. The plot was generally good but it didn’t suck me in and have me desperate to read more. Of course, it could all be down to the mood I’m in - some books just hit differently if I’m more tired or it’s been a long week etc - but this story just did not grab hold of me and refuse to let go. I adore plots that capture my attention so thoroughly, I struggle to think of anything else other than reading more and finding out what happens. This just unfortunately wasn’t one of those. I am conflicted after the ending to read a sequel for this book because part of me is desperate to know what is coming but another part of me just isn’t invested in this enough. We’ll have to see when the time comes.

Overall, This Vicious Grace is a story with a great concept but just lacked in execution for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on 27th June.

4.5 stars
Emily Thiede’s magical debut is an utterly thrilling YA fantasy that’s full of heart, humour and a swoon-worthy romance that I literally couldn’t get enough of!

Alessa is supposed to be her island’s saviour with a gift to amplify her partners magic, but after three weddings and three funerals her abilities have only managed to kill every suitor with her touch. Now, there’s only weeks left until an angry swarm of demons descends on her island home, and Alessa is running out of time to find a new partner and stop the invasion.

After an assassination attempt from her own soldiers, the desperate Alessa hires the cynical killer Dante to act as her personal bodyguard, but his dark secrets may be the biggest betrayal. For he holds the key to her survival and her heart—the one person who can help her master her gifts or destroy her once and for all…

I absolutely loved every second of this, the world building was incredible and the opening line “Three Weddings. Three Funerals. A better person would’ve been devastated.” was just so attention grabbing, I knew that it was gonna be good!

With vividly lush prose and mouth-wateringly electable descriptions, Emily Thiede’s stunning fantasy weaves a gorgeously lush tale of connection, self doubt and self love with nuanced and emotionally complex characters I couldn’t get enough of.

Alessa, our protagonist was a wonderfully relatable and endearing character with a sharp wit, but the isolation and loneliness of her role (and her deadly abilities) has left her touch starved and craving any form of interaction—which I’m sure many will resonate with given the lockdowns and self isolation we’ve all endured the past few years.

The pacing did start off a little slow but, once Dante enters Alessa’s orbit and agrees to be her bodyguard things really start to get interesting. Dante is the perfect book boyfriend, he puts her first even in the early stages of their friendship (which I loved), he’s a self confessed book nerd and his cynical, bad boy grumpy demeanour pairs perfectly with Alessa’s more sunshine-y personality.

His chemistry with Alessa was also fabulously swoon-worthy and the slow burn build up between the two was absolutely perfect—not to mention I of witty, innuendo filled banter we a treated to. Trust me there’s no way you’ll be rooting for anyone but these two in this Serpent & Dove meets The Bodyguard YA fantasy.

The ending was an action packed and emotion-filled fight fest which I really enjoyed, I’ll admit I was on the edge of my seat for the entirety of it and in constant worry mode for all my favourite characters. I won’t go into too much detail but I will say that I’m now eagerly awaiting the sequel to see what happens next.

Overall, This Vicious Grace is a beautifully written and plot-twisty found family, forbidden/ friends to lovers romance that’s full of gorgeous prose, pithy Italian proverbs and a fantastic cast of characters that fans of YA fantasy or Kerri Maniscalco’s The Kingdom of The Wicked are bound to fall head over heels for.

Also, a huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the e-arc.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Alessa has been the Finestra for Saverio for nearly 5 years now, and normally, she would've found her Fonte and be well trained for the Divorando by now. But her gift - which will be useful for the battle - is deadly to the three Fonti she has already chosen, and the island are slowly turning against her. Fearing assassination from those who should protect her, Alessa seeks out her own bodyguard, and street fighter and outcast Dante is perfect for the role. Alessa needs to train on how to control her gift, and when she learns more about Dante, it's clear he may be the only one who can bear her touch, and her love?

I honestly didn't know what to expect going into this book. I remember I first learnt about it on Twitter, so immediately requested it on NetGalley (and was approved by both publishers, and the audiobook too). I am glad I hadn't looked at the synopsis again when I started the audiobook, because I was immediately drawn into the tale. Alessa discovered the was the new Finestra just after she turned 13, when her touch started to draw power from others. In the five years between the finestra being found, and the divorando, normally the divine pairing would be discovered, and well trained for the battle against Crollo's scarbeo. But though Alessa has selected three different Fonte, and married each one, they've all succumbed to her power, and she's left with only month's to get a hold on her gift. It's clear that a radical cult is set against her, and that her guards are willing to turn a blind eye against assassin's, so Alessa needs to find her own protection, and Dante is the best bet. I just adored the banter and chemistry between Dante and Alessa, and the fact that he was the only person who could bide her touch, and allowed her to control her powers, just a bonus. So much happened in the book, from Alessa being quite and vulnerable and weak character at the beginning, alone for so long, to her discovering friendship, love, and strength, ready for the battle against Crollo's forces. The twists and turns, especially in the final chapters, were so gripping, and I couldn't turn it off until the book was completed. I'm in awe of this debut, and can't wait for the sequel!

This Vicious Grace is a story of Alessa, an 18 year old girl who has been preparing for Divorando (translating to devouring), a potential end-of-the-world swarm of demons sent by the god Crollo. Every five years a Finestra is chosen by the gods, and is essentially a vessel of huge power, who must find and marry their Fonte (although a romantic relationship is not required) so that when united, the Finestra can amplify the Fonte's power to the extreme and save their land. The catch here is that Alessa, who is on the cusp of the next Divorando, keeps killing her Fonti.

-------------------------------------------------------

Italian influences, the end of the world and a grumpy x sunshine trope? As soon as I read this synopsis I knew it was for me!

I'll admit it started off quite slow, and it took me a hundred pages or so to get into, but when I did it flew by. You know when you think back on books you read years ago, that you loved and devoured, and think that YA fantasy books nowadays just don't quite compare? This story really scratched that itch. It had depth, character, twists, humour.

One of the biggest appeals to me is that although this is marketed as a Young Adult book, there was plenty of explicit scenes & profanity. The difference between a 17 year old character and an 18 year old character is gigantic, and if it wasn't for that, I don't think I would have enjoyed it anywhere near as much - but maybe that's just because I'm getting older. 🤷‍♀️

This didn't quite reach 5 stars for me as I would have enjoyed it to be fleshed out more. About halfway through, the events started to get choppy, but considering this is the author's debut I think it can be excused!

It's not often I buy a physical copy of a book after reading an arc but I need this on my shelves. I'm very excited for the next book, and I'm already thinking about all the potential prequel & spin off options I hope we get!

Thank you to Netgally and Hodder & Soughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From now on if someone asks for a YA fantasy romance, this is what they’re being recommended. I absolutely loved it! I’ve already got my hardback copy ordered for release day, as well as a signed bookplate from the author 😌

The setting was absolutely stunning, I actually felt like I was on the island with them, and it’s made me itch for a holiday surrounded by lemon trees, sipping wine and eating pastries.

Alessa and Dante were such likeable MCs that you just wanted them to thrive and get that happy ending.

The politics and world building were done really well. I hope if theres more books we get a better look at the gods and how things came to be.

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede is the first book in The Last Finestra series. It has a great hook - Alessa has a god-given gift of magic, supposed to help save her city from a vicious demon attack, except she keeps accidentally killing her suitors instead of amplifying their powers. She's pretty desperate, she had one job and she's definitely failing at it. In comes Dante, a mysterious rogue, who seems to be the one person she can touch - so she keeps him around as her bodyguard, all the while trying to solve her other problems. Sadly, I didn't stay as hooked to the story as I did to the concept, and found Alessa rather frustrating and the chemistry between both her and Dante and her and the other suitors lacking. A lot of people seem to really like this Italian-inspired YA fantasy though, so it's probably more on me than the book itself - a case of mismatched expectations and reality. I wish I'd enjoyed it more, but while it was a fine book to entertain, it wasn't more than that for me, and I don't think I will be continuing the series.

I really enjoyed ‘This Vicious Grace’ by Emily Thiede. I was hooked with the tagline, and the book delivered.

Alessa is such a wholesome character. You can clearly see how since the very beginning all she wants is to have family back and to belong, and she’s getting neither. She’s supposed to be her island’s saviour, and yet, it almost feels like she’s failing at that, with more and more people threatening her life.

I really enjoyed how high stakes have been since the very beginning of ‘This Vicious Grace’. Alessa has definitely not had it easy in this book.

While quite young and naïve in some ways, it was also good to see that Alessa was not afraid to ask for what she wanted, and articulate her needs, emphasising the need for communication.

Overall, a great start, and I will be waiting for the book 2.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC of "This Vicious Grace" by Emily Thiede.

This book was a slow burner to start but as the plot furthered, I started loving and enjoying every single detail Thiede wrote.

Thanks, Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review! It took me a while, but it was worth it!
I really loved the read. The writing style hooks you with the very first pages, the setting is very imaginative, the plot is intriguing and the main cast is amazing, flashed out and well-developed characters. The story strongly focuses on the themes of the things that lead to betrayal and what is needed to forge real trust and loyalty, Simply amazing read that will keep you emotionally invested from beginning to end!

Every five years the goddess Dea chooses a “Finestra” to defeat the demons attempting to destroy humankind, sent by the god, Crollo, in an event known as Divorando. In order to succeed, a Finestra must find her “Fonte” who she draws power from. Alessa Paladino is in her fifth year as the risen Finestra, and with Divorando on the horizon, she is yet to have her Fonte match. Instead, her powerful touch has inadvertently killed all three of her chosen Fontes. With those surrounding her beginning to suspect Alessa might be a false Finestra and a sign of the end of the world, Alessa must fight off attempted assassinations whilst trying to find the answer as to why she can’t keep a Fonte alive. With the help of an off-the-street-ruffian-turned-bodyguard, Alessa does not have long to avoid her enemies wrath and find answers, before Divorando arrives.

This Vicious Grace is an easily readable pageturner set in an intriguing world with likeable characters. This is the kind of story I enjoyed whilst reading it, but appreciate it more since finishing it.

Despite struggling to wrap my head around the world building at first, I really liked the world of Saverio. It explores the idea of good vs evil and the conflicts of having the fate of the world vested in one all powerful being. I particularly liked how Thiede explored the purpose, interpretation and practice of religious ideals. Do scriptures truly mean what they mean? Are they interpreted correctly? Through Alessa, the Finestra, who lives under the thumb of stringent rules that are deemed reasonable due to religious precedent, Thiede explores this dilemma.

As a result, for a good portion of the book, it was hard to know who Alessa truly was and who her role of Finestra required her to be. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this. It made her a mystery to unravel, and definitely relatable when one is trying to figure out who they are versus who they’ve been told to be. I could feel the pressure closing in on Alessa. I could feel the loneliness drowning her from within. I could feel her inner plea of desperation for connection to others. I was bursting with pride every time she resolved to continue the good fight.

I’m not one for spoilers, but I feel I need to state this: at Alessa’s lowest point in the book, she is encouraged by other characters to contemplate (and even commit) suicide. I personally did not find this written in too distressing of a manner, however, one size doesn’t fit all, so I felt it prudent to mention this.

What can I say about the mysterious underground fighter turned bodyguard? I *loved* Dante. I must commend Thiede for ensuring that Dante is not reduced to a powerful protagonist’s love interest. As the story unfolds, it’s clear he has his own arc, with a seemingly pivotal role for the sequel. Dante is mysterious and aloof, but deep down, Alessa and I were both certain he’s a morally good sweetheart who can’t not help someone in need.

The friends-to-lovers relationship between Alessa and Dante was so satisfying. Dante is the Flynn Rider to Alessa’s Rapunzel. Just as much as I relish love triangles or starcrossed tropes, I equally adore devoted lovers, and so far, that is what Dante and Alessa are. Thiede, please I beg of you, don’t blow a hole in my ship! Also, the supporting characters definitely enriched the story, rousing intrigue and suspicion.

Undoubtedly, This Vicious Grace is one of the most exciting YA fantasy debuts of 2022. The end of the book sets up the sequel’s direction nicely, and I’m very much looking forward to where those threads take the story next. Can I have it now, please?!

Thank you kindly to Hodderscape for an eARC in exchange for this honest review.

This is not my usual type of book but it certainly made a good impression upon me. The story and the world it was set in was interesting and immersive. The characters and especially the dynamics between them, were delightful. I will be watching out for more books from this author.

Swoon-inducing, gripping and filled with endearing banter, this was impossible to put down. I immediately started re-reading the moment I finished.

DNF 30%

I usually try to read and finish every book, but sometimes I just have to give up.
I'm an Italian reader, so when I saw This Vicious Grace has an Italian-inspired worldbuilding I was very excited.
Alas, after one page I wanted to tear my hair out.
90% of the words were wrong or they had no meaning in that context. Plus, some sentences were mistranslated and didn't make any sense. It was like the author used Google translate and just put the Italian translation in the book.
I'm sorry but I can't read a book in these conditions.

Thank you Emily Thiede, Hodder & Stoughton, and NetGalley for providing me with this arc.

I read the words. "Three weddings, Three funerals," and that was all it took for me to be hooked onto this.

I could try to come up with something to dislike, but it's not possible. The characters, their development, the way the love and betrayal and trust and loyalty is written, just about EVERYTHING, makes me happy.

This is one of the books I would want to read for the first time again.

The cliffhanger tho, can we get rid of that suspense asap?

Three weddings. Three funerals. A girl who is trying ever so hard not to kill her husband…but simply cannot help herself.

First impressions are just wow! I love the map of the city of Saverio. The opening page was fantastic - I was hooked! - and I love the immersion with Italian. Lyrical and macabrely beautiful.

I love the concept of the Finestra and Fonte - two halves that intertwine to make a whole. The magic system was also really enjoyable to read about, I liked how it was versatile and different depending on the individual that was using it.

Overall, this story was so fun to read! Imaginative, witty, beautifully romantic

4.5 stars!