I did have a bumpy start with this book and took me some time to accept the worldbuilding and the story itself as facts. The world is heavily inspired by Italian language and partially culture, with Italian serving as an old language that many are unfamiliar with. To those that understand Italian, it would seem weird that the main protagonist is called Finestra, which means window, but I do think it's nicely explained why she is called that way and it ties into the language really nicely. I did feel like the worldbuilding was sloppy at times, but it could be reworked a bit for the second book. It took me almost until the end to fully understand the threat Alessa has to face, but again, that maybe had to do with the (lack of) attention I was giving this book at times.

Some plot points were a bit bland for me and I found it hard to believe at times (that includes some reveals about a certain bodyguard and people's reactions to it and marriage between a Fonte and Finestra), but at the same time, it was a different approach than I was used to and I appreciated it when looking back at it. The book itself wraps up pretty nicely, but also feels like it could be just a standalone, because not that many things were established for the sequel and it felt like the author had a last minute thought about bringing on a new problem for our characters to solve.

As for the things that won me over, the first one has to be the found family. The synopsis didn't give us anything about that so I was so surprised. Since Alessa is basically counting the days until she has to pick her fighting partner (because she killed the first three by accident), it was imperative that she found her new Fonte as soon as possible. I loved how each of the Fontes was unique and had their own traits and powers and how they warmed up to Alessa over time. Towards the end, you could see how much love and closeness is between them. The second thing was the bodyguard trope. Dante as a character was interesting and mysterious from the start, but his relationship with Alessa complimented the story really well. It made me remember all the good things about that trope. Along with that, as I previously mentioned, I loved the Italian influence on the worldbuilding and how it served as an old language.

Reading this book was a pleasant experience in the end and the story pulled me in by the final conflict.

A big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this eArc!

One word: WOW!

I loved this so much. Bodyguard enemies to lovers romance. What more do you need?!?

(Please excuse any spelling errors with names/details since I listened to this and have no idea how anything was spelt.)

3.5/5 stars

This Vicious Grace is a fantasy YA set in an Italian inspired island. The story follows Alessa, a girl who is a finestra, someone who can amplify the magic gifts that belong to people known as fonte. Alessa must find herself a fonte to pair with and prepare to battle a hoard of demon like creatures who attack the island every few years. But unfortunately Alessa keeps killing her fonte as soon as she touches them, which is something required for her to be able to amplify their power. The story begins when Alessa is at the funeral of her third fonte, and she is beginning to realise that people are losing their faith in her ability and believe that maybe she’s better off dead. This leads Alessa to search for a bodyguard she can trust, which is where our love interest Dante comes in.

I really liked Alessa and Dante as main characters. Alessa was bit timid at the start but learned to grow into herself and became more confident as time went on. It was also refreshing to see a female character who didn’t shy away from her romantic feelings, which I feel is something we see a lot in YA romances. Dante starts off as a grumpy bodyguard, and even thought he keeps the grumpy composure up most of the time, we see his caring side start to show as the book goes on. Alessa and Dante complicated each other really well, and watching their friendship grow was really heartwarming.

The fantasy aspect of the book felt unique, but I had a hard time remembering names of things but I put that down to the fact that I was listening to the book and that the narrator was using Italian pronunciations for words. I wasn’t as interested in the overall plot as I was with Dante and Alessa’s relationship development, until some of the fonte side characters became more fleshed out and made me care more about what happened to them.

The one negative thing I would say on the book is that it had a big “forgiveness” theme going on which is something I’ve never been a fan of. Some characters in this book were forgiven way too easily for things they did and it really bothered me that there was no repercussions for them. I understand that forgiveness is something that people think should be shown in YA books to teach young adults a good example, but I think it sets a worse example to forgive people so easily for the awful things they do.

Since I listened to this as an audiobook I should mention that I thought the narrator did a very good job. She had a really good Italian accent for all the Italian words and did a good job with distinct voices for each character.

Overall I would say this was a good book, but it wasn’t amazing. My favourite part was Alessa and Dante’s friendship (and subsequent relationship) and I’d read the next book for their sake.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Alessa was chosen to be the Finestra. And with her role comes a great responsibility. She is destined to save her city from demons, but for that she needs a fonte, which is hard to find since her touch keeps on killing them.
When people start doubting Alessa's strength to keep the city from being attacked, Alessa's life is threatened and with the war getting closer, she has to figure out how to save the city and stay alive.

This story already starts off great with Alessa being the perfect protagonist. Like every so often, she fits into the role of the Chosen one who rather be ordinary, but she does it without being insufferably whiny about it. I loved the Italy inspired setting and the fact that the narrator could actually pronounce the words properly.
The romance made me swoon, because Dante was just the love-interest everyone loves and deserves.  I was intrigued all the way through the story, and I'm already anticipating the sequel.
If you enjoy fantasy books featuring demons, the chosen-one trope, magic and a swoon-worthy romance then this is a read you should pick up immediately.

I liked the Italian-inspired world and the place the magic ended up heading to, when Alessa worked out what it was that made her magic tick. It felt like it really suited the character and did lead to a far more spectacular ending then her magic following the world's "traditional" magic.

This was also the section where I liked Alessa a lot more. I completely understand why she has the "I'm awful and useless and terrible" mindset (I mean, who wouldn't after her previous experience?) However, it's a mindset that feels so stereotypical of YA fantasy heroines at the moment, and while having journeys that end in heroines loving themselves for themselves (albeit, usually only after a usually surly man has fallen in love with them, le sigh), it does start to feel very repetitive and "just like the norm", making it an element that doesn't stand out.

I really liked where I thought the ending was going, as the cost and sacrifice of Alessa's victory appeared to be so much stronger than often given in this sort of book. But then it was undone, taking the book to a more typical ending. It felt like a cop-out, undercutting the previous events and emotional beats. Not to mention the way the entire cop-out and ensuing characters weren't typing up the book but were entirely devoted to setting up the next one. It was a rather long denouement.

This book has two narrators, Carlotta Brentan and Michael Gallagher. Brentan is really good narrator - once I had the ability to listen in long stretches, she really brought me into the world and the story. It took a very long time for Gallagher to say anything, only narrating chapters 54 and 56 in a 58 chapter book. I honestly thought that, perhaps, he was being credited at the opening and closing remarks (the copyright stuff) speaker (turns out she did that!) So when he did come in, it was a surprise, and a pretty jarring one. It also felt so unnecessary to have his POV when the rest of the books was from Alessa. Not to mention those chapters were part of the undercutting and setting up the next book part.

I may or may not read the next book - I guess we'll see how my recollections have shifted in a year (have I remembered the ease of listening to the second half more, or the disappointment of some elements?)

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!

I’m going to be honest. I went into this book knowing nothing about it, but my gosh… It blew me away. I think it may be one of my favourite reads this year. I adored the plot, the characters, just everything. Emily has written a truly wonderful fantasy debut and I just cannot fault it.

It is enchanting, thrilling and has that wonderful fall in love with the bodyguard trope. I just loved every moment.

This was my first ever audiobook and what a way to start! The narrators had me feeling like I was living in the story. I was immersed from the very start and I found that it really helped to read and listen at the same time. This was easily a 5 ⭐️ Read.

The Book/story:
Excuse me. EXCUSE ME It’s almost rude how amazing this book is. It’s been a while since I last had a book that was near on impossible to put down and that kept me up all night but This Vicious Grace did just that.

I adored Alessa, she’s strong, smart and independent. Her loneliness endeared me to her straight away, we love reading about a strong female. Dante was… well there aren’t any words for Dante really, other thank DAMNNN.

This book is a guaranteed page turner that will have you gripped from the very first line. An addictive tale filled with witty banter, betrayals, found family and reluctant allies turned… well, you’ll have to read and find out 😏

This Vicious Grace was a debut novel and it was for me a 5⭐️ read. I’m picky about YA and to be honest it didn’t feel like a young adult. And what I mean by that is, it didn’t have a childish, too overdramatic feel. This fantasy-paranormal story had a great world building and plot. And my favorite part was the very touching romance. *Sigh*
I’m just going to leave this here and highly recommend this novel. There’s no cliffhanger but there is another novel. YES!! I. Can’t. Wait.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and ebook form. I listened at work and read at home. Both were great but I think I liked listening to it. The narrators were Carlotta Brentan and Michael Gallagher and they were outstanding. I hope to hear more from them.
Thanks Wednesday Books and Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley.
I’m leaving my review on Instagram, FB, BB, Amazon and B&N

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, the way all of it is narrated: just about EVERYTHING, makes me happy.

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

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

I just love listening to audiobooks, both narrators were excellent in this production and really brought the book to live. Told mainly from Alessa's voice it was good to hear Dante's voice at the end.

A gorgeous, slow burn fantasy romance Alessa can't touch anyone because her touch kills. With a traitor in her household and still without a fonte she hires Dante to be her bodyguard. She is falling for Dante and he shouldn't even be there. She longs for his touch, but that cant happen because of her powers. Armageddon is on its way and she needs a fonte to fight against the monsters but time is running out and how can she give herself to another when she's falling for her bodyguard. 

I just loved this story and the battles Alessa has to face. I loved how Dante helped her to control her power, such a tender moment. That ending! I need to know what happens next.  Brilliant start to the first part of this series and really looking forward to reading the next book.