I really enjoyed the dynamics between the two sisters. I liked the world building and how each of the two main characters has to adapt to be more like the other. That said, the story started off slow for me and I *cringes* found the writing to be a bit flat. There are plenty of twists and turns but I wanted them to be a little twistier.


And if everything had stayed the same, I probably wouldn't have finished, but... but, but, but then we get a better look at [name I can't say because possible spoiler] and now I need to know what happens. So I'm calling this a good start to what I hope will be a great series. And I need the next book now. :D

At first I felt like this was gonna be just like every other dystopian type YA book, boy was I wrong. There’s a pivotal moment very early in the book that just blew me away and I knew from then on I was going to LOVE this book. I would consider this book equally character driven and plot driven, which worked so well. I felt on the edge of my seat more often than not.

I love that it’s told in multiple points of view (Serina and Nomi) because they were both so different and had such opposites beliefs. At the beginning of the book I was definitely more into Nomi’s chapters, but eventually found myself looking forward to Serina’s just as much. I love when a book can get me to love a character I immediately felt like I was going to feel negatively about.

I will absolutely be continuing this series, I love the way it kept me hanging at the end of every chapter. It really set itself apart from other YA novels with this type of trope. The book was definitely easy to follow, which sometimes I notice isn’t the case with this genre.

One of the things I love about YA fantasy is that it's easy to find female protagonists. One of the things I dislike about it is a lot of it feels repetitive (to me, not necessarily to the main YA audience). So, while I was intrigued by the synopsis for Grace and Fury, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Turns out going in without many expectations means I was pleasantly surprised!

The story follows Nomi and Serina, a pair of sisters who live in Viridia, an Italian-inspired fantasy world where women are oppressed. Serina trains to be a Grace, a woman who could potentially be chosen by the Superior (the leader of the country) or his son, the heir, as a "companion." Nomi, on the other hand, is more of a rebel. Too bad the heir picks Nomi instead of Serina, leaving Nomi in a role she never wanted and Serina to get sent off to an island called Mount Ruin, a women's prison where they fight to the death for the "privilege" of food. (That's not a spoiler because it's right in the synopsis.)

I'm a sucker for stories about sisters, and I think that was a big part of the appeal for me. If it hadn't been about sisters, I'm not sure the story line would've kept me interested because it is a little simple. It ends with a bang, but be aware that this is the first half of a duology, so it ends on a cliffhanger.

As far as characters go, I did like Nomi and Serina and the relationship between them. I started out liking Nomi more and ended up liking Serina more. Nomi makes some bad decisions as a Grace. They can be explained by her unfamiliarity with palace life, but I wish Banghart would've noted that more. I also really loved that even though they get separated, or perhaps because they get separated, they learn more about each other. I hope Banghart continues building that relationship in the second book

The setting is somewhat interesting, although it could've been more detailed. My favorite thing is that it's very pro-women. In Viridia, women aren't allowed to learn how to read or choose their jobs or husbands or anything, and Banghart kind of hits you over the head with the necessity of women fighting, one way or another, for their independence. I was fine with it, but some readers might find it too heavy-handed. Part of Serina's journey is learning to trust other women instead of fighting against them, which is a great lesson for a YA book.

One thing that disappointed me is that it's so heteronormative. Serina ends up on an island full of women, a situation which opens her up to find friends and mentors, and yet her strongest relationship is with a male guard. In Nomi's story line, there are two brothers (of course), both of whom she's attracted to in some way. I just thought it was a missed opportunity to add some diversity, especially in a story about an oppressive world.

Some content warnings: there are scenes of attempted sexual violence, and there's a horse race that ends in the deaths of both men and horses (I don't know why that gets to me, but it does).

While there are aspects that could've been improved upon, I very much enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the next book. I'd recommend Grace and Fury to anyone interested in fantasy with a feminist angle.

This is a good choice for those who read The Selection and wanted a similar story with a little more grit. In a world where women are not allowed to read, work outside a few limited jobs, or even choose their own husband, Serina has spent her entire life training to be chosen as a Grace, the demure and submissive ideal concubine for the Heir. Nomi, her rebellious sister, was meant to be her handmaiden. One impulsive act by Nomi, however, ends up reversing their roles as she is chosen as a Grace while Serina is sent to a dangerous prison where she must fight for her life. Both girls must become something they never thought they could if they are not only going to survive, but also make a difference.

Grace and Fury reminded me of The Red Queen with the exception of magic and the society that the author creates in this book. I enjoyed the world building. The author created a world that was ruled by men leaving women to be pretty baubles to be traded and looked at as beautiful statues. They are not allowed to learn to read or write and have no choices in order to keep them harmless and docile. Some of them go along with this but one of the main characters, Nomi, believes that this is unacceptable and wants to carve her own path. She is rebellious which I loved about her although she does not always think before she acts. I didn't like Serina at first because I found her to be complacent. I think that she has the most growth in the story which made me change my opinion of her very quickly.
One of my favorite things about this book is the way that author portrays the strength of women in many different ways. She is able to capture how some may seem docile but theirs is a different type of strength. Most importantly, the author portrays women as a force that if pushed will show just what it is made of.
I didn't much care for the princes due to the plot point of the differences between them and their relationship feeling too familiar to me. However, I loved the idea of graces, how they came to be, and what they represented. I thought that it was an intriguing difference to other YA books that I hope the author will focus on more in the sequel. I want to know more about these women and how they felt about being chosen.

"In Viridia, women were oppressed because men were afraid of them."

In my honest opinion, Grace and Fury is the love child of a literary threesome (ménage à trois, if you want to sound fancy): The Handmaid's Tale, The Selection, and Red Queen. It seemed like the author selected tropes from each book and then tried to make them interesting—if not less disappointing—by integrating them into a story of sisterhood.

Serina is a demure and obedient girl who aims to be Viridia's princess by winning the heart of the Heir. Nomi, on the other hand, is a natural rebel who always questions the validity of her misogynist society. During the selection process, Serina's and Nomi's lives take an unexpected turn. Nomi inadvertently catches the eye of the Heir (and his younger brother), and Serina is sent to a deadly prison island for a crime that she didn't commit. Yearning to save each other from their respective cages, the twins fight battles both political and physical.

If I could disregard my jadedness, I would give Grace and Fury a higher rating. After all, it did inspire me with its feminist discourse. Women in this book were severely oppressed by men. They weren't allowed to be literate, get an education, and choose a career. In other words, men were their belligerent gods on Earth. As someone who understands and respects the true value of femininity, I wanted Serina and Nomi to overcome subjugation and experience the pleasure of agency, aka the power of choice. The quote above is so true: some men hate women just because they feel threatened. In the end, misogyny is just a matter of hurt pride.

Besides that, the plot was undeniably entertaining. Since I really enjoyed The Selection and Red Queen, I looked forward to Nomi's chapters. I was generally excited to read about her forced interactions with the Heir, whom I imagined as Prince Maxon/Cal. Hahaha. Come to think of it, Nomi and America Singer are similar in that both of them flinch at the idea of being royalty. Basically, reading this book was a pretty nostalgic experience.

However, I have to look at the other side of the coin. Many aspects of the plot were too familiar, making the characters lose their individuality. Also, the plot twist at the end was so predictable that I took a peek at the last chapter so that I could exclaim, "I knew it!" Finally, I wasn't a fan of any of the romantic relationships because they were so instantaneous. How can you kiss someone after four or five short conversations? Physical attraction isn't a valid reason if you want to promote the idea of true love.

All in all, Grace and Fury is a good YA fantasy/dystopian novel. Its message of female empowerment makes it worth your time. But if you're looking for something to blow your mind, this book might be a disappointment.

A YA Spin on THE HANDMAID’S TALE Set in 1600s Italia

** Trigger warning for violence against women, including rape. This review contains very vague spoilers.

“One evening,” Serina had recited from memory, her recent singing lessons coating her voice with honey, “as the sun eased toward the horizon and the moon rose from its slumber, two birds flew along the path made on the water by the setting sun. They dipped and sagged, their battered wings barely holding them aloft. Every now and then, one would falter and fall toward the water, all strength gone. The other would dive and catch the first on its back, carrying its partner for a time.

“The two birds traveled this way for many leagues, until the path of the sun had faded and the moon’s silver road appeared. The ocean shimmied and danced beneath the birds, intrigued by their obvious love for each other. The ocean had never loved anything so much, to burden its own back with another’s survival. It didn’t understand why the birds didn’t fend for themselves—the stronger leave the weaker and carry on.

“It took the ocean some time to understand that apart, the birds would never have made it so far,” Serina had continued, wrapping an arm around Nomi’s shoulders. “That their love, their sacrifice, gave them both strength. When at last, the two little birds, their bright red and green feathers tarnished from their long journey, could no longer hold themselves free of the endless water, the ocean took pity on them. Rewarding their steadfastness, it pushed land up from its depths—huge, lush hills with fresh, clean water, towering cypress trees, and all the fruits and berries and seeds they could ever desire. The lovebirds alighted in the shady, cool branches of an olive tree, their tired wings wrapping around each other, their beaks tucked into each other’s feathers. And at last, they were able to rest.”

###

Every aspect of their world, down to Viridia’s prisons, pitted women against each other while men watched.

###

Serina and Nomi Tessaro are daughters of Viridia – which kind of sucks, since women aren’t valued very highly in their culture. Women are only allowed three vocations: factory workers, servants, or wives. Rarely do they get to choose which. Also on the list of no-nos: reading, disobedience, impertinence, wearing their hair above their shoulders, cutting their hair without the say-so of a man, and engaging in violence, if even as a means of self-defense. Women who break the rules – so-called criminals – are imprisoned on the imposing volcanic island of Mount Ruin.

Serina and Nomi are alike in that they’re both gunning for a way out: Serina hopes to trade her dirty industrial village of Lanos for the rich, opulent city of Bellaqua by becoming one of the Heir’s first three concubines – his Graces. Viridia is a monarchy, presided over by a sort of king called the Superior. The present Superior has two sons, Malachi and his younger brother Asa; at his upcoming twentieth birthday celebration, Malachi will choose his first three Graces. Serina is determined to be one of them. Success will mean that she and Nomi – serving as her handmaiden – will be spared a lifetime of drudgery. Failure is not an option.

Nomi is the younger sister, and also the more rebellious – the Fury to Serina’s Grace. Nomi’s escape – and her downfall, perhaps – lies in the magical worlds that swell and beckon from between the covers of books. When Nomi is tempted by the palazzo’s vast library, things go sideways. Before the sisters can utter a tart retort, Nomi has been chosen as one of Malachi’s Graces, while Serina is condemned to fight and die on Mount Ruin. Both sisters must summon up the other’s strength to survive – and maybe even overthrow the patriarchy.

I love a good feminist yarn, and GRACE AND FURY doesn’t disappoint. Well, mostly. Initially the tone felt a little on the young end of YA for my taste, but I quickly warmed to each sister’s voice. I feel like the MCs could stand to be a little more fleshed out, but I’m hoping we’ll see this in the sequel. I thought Banghart did a great job with the supporting characters; I want to know more about Oracle and Maris and Helena and Anika – and Val’s parents, too.

I saw the surprise twist coming a mile away, and I bet more astute readers will spot it even sooner. (The clue for me was in the horses. Never trust a dude who abuses animals.) I almost had trouble believing that Nomi fell for the ruse (“It was so obvious now.” No kidding!), but once I sat back and tried to truly imagine myself in her shoes, I can kind of get it. I mean, she’s totally alone, completely out of her element, with no one to trust, and here comes this slithery little serpent telling her what she wants/needs to hear. And I mean, it’s not like she had any better options.

The climax of the story was well worth it; rarely do books compel me to talk (or shout!) back at them, but I was yelling and hand-waving at Serina, as though she could hear me (“Fight him! Challenge him to fight!”). The last scene just leaves so many possibilities open, I cannot wait to see where the story goes.

Also great is Viridia’s entire backstory, which prominently features strong, bad*ss women getting shafted by THE MAN. How many centuries, and how little has changed?

I really enjoyed this book. The plot twist of the sisters being forced to switch places was expected but still interesting. The monumental changes that took place in Serina we’re so intriguing to watch and I wanted the second book immediately, if not sooner!

This felt very much like a concept book - that the author had an concept or agenda and so hammered a square peg through a round hole in order to push that agenda. In this case, she wanted to write a book about young women who fight against their roles in society. But with very weak leads who do not take matters into their own hands and had to be rescued constantly, that point was completely lost. If anything, both our mains needed a man in their lives and never really organically grew to understand the strengths of each other's values and mindsets.

Story: Two sisters - one conforming to society values of the perfect woman and one fighting them - are caught in a web of intrigue when they find their roles reversed. One taught to serve must fight and one who always wants to fight must learn to be subservient. Will each triumph in their new roles and save the other?

The sisters are older and graceful Serina and younger hot-headed Nomi. Serina must constantly save Nomi from rushing in stupidly and endangering both of them; it makes it very hard for the reader to really like or want Nomi to succeed as a result. And of course, Nomi will ruin Serina's grounded and careful plans and place both women in life threatening circumstances. Had Nomi been more nuanced, I think this would have been a much more palatable book. But the simplistic nature of her characterization meant that the book was missing a core or heart that Serina's character just couldn't make up for by the end.

Serina fared a bit better but even then, she was the cliche of "I refuse to kill even to save others and myself" that honestly is so unrealistic in her situation as to be forehead slapping. We're supposed to see her become strong - but honestly, it was more about being inflexible and saved by the handsome heart-of-gold guard.

A twist at the end that could be seen a mile away didn't help much. I wish YA authors would write more characters with mettle, realistic motivations, and ingenuity. But until then, we will have to continue to see protagonists acting in unrealistic ways that more than likely would have seen them killed rather than dangled for the hero love interest to come rushing in and save them. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Fun read that kept me turning the pages. I loved the relationship of the two sisters and did not see the twist coming at the beginning at all! Really looking forward to the sequel to see where their story goes.

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I was honestly pretty underwhelmed by this. I have read a lot of YA fantasy and that could be why I found this so disappointing. I felt like this didn't bring anything new. There was no substance. The characters were bland, there was unnecessary instalove, the twists were pretty obvious, and I felt the plot advanced entirely too slow.

Although I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for a review (via netgalley), all opinions remain my own.

This was a book I could not put down. Talk about book hangover with this one. More then one day with dark circles under my eyes from staying up too late reading "just one more chapter".

One thing I did not love was the cliffhanger ending. While I love the idea of trilogy books, I hate it when they cannot stand alone. This is one of those books. Well, I guess it kind of stands alone, but it leaves a HUGE HUMONGOUS cliff hanger. Plus, you have to wait another YEAR for the answer. UGH! So frustrating. One reason that I like finding books like this after the author is finished with the entire series. I can read them all together.

Alas, that was not this case with Grace & Fury. This gem came out on July 31. That means you have a whole year to read it before book two is due for release and you are for sure going to want to read this one. While one sister is in the palace, the other in in jail. Just read the overview on the cover. Who wouldn't want to read that one? There were a couple plot twists that I loved and didn't see coming. Nothing so huge that it seemed "out of character" for our protagonists but just wild enough to keep you turning the pages. There were enough characters to keep me interested but not so many as to have me confused. PLUS their names weren't so confusing that I didn't remember who was who. I have had books with names that were so wild, so out there that I got them mixed up the whole book. SO frustrating and so not the case with this one.

Overall this is a great read if you love the dystopian type books. I loved it and plan to buy my own copy as well as the next two as they come out.

All her life, Serina has been taught what it takes to become a Grace. It is finally time to go before the heir and see if he will pick her, but when her reckless younger sister catches his eye and is chosen instead of her, Serina’s world is turned upside down. Now Serina is in prison for an action her sister committed; Nomi is stuck in the palace in a position she never wanted and is trying to determine if there is a way to save her sister. With all of the palace intrigue, who can Nomi trust? Will the sisters be reunited or will they run out of time?

Grace and Fury is the first book in a series with the same name. The story alternates between the sisters’ points of views, yet readers will easily be able to follow the story through the pages. Banghart has created characters that are easy to relate to and brings out hidden depths as they struggle to cope with their situation. Grace and Fury has two strong female protagonists which gives the novel just a little something extra for the reader to enjoy. I will be looking forward to the next installment in this world where women are too often overlooked.

Just finished #GraceAndFury by @tracythewriter and wow!! what a book!! It's been a while since I've read such a captivating fantasy. Lots of feminism and political intrigue. Absolutely loved Serina and Nomi's story. I'm already dying for the sequel because I NEED MORE

GRACE AND FURY by Tracy Banghart is a young adult fantasy novel told in alternating points of view, following sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro. The world reminds me of Renaissance Italy, with words like palazzo and gondola making appearances, and an island featured prominently in the story with a cataclysmic event akin to Mt. Vesuvius in ancient Pompeii. The sisters must navigate the patriarchal society where women are allowed to have only two jobs—in a factory or as a wife and mother—and cannot do anything without a man’s permission.

Serina has been groomed all her life to become a Grace—a woman selected by the royal monarch to live within the palace harem—so when she’s chosen to attend the Heir’s birthday ball, she believes her life is made. She’ll be able to provide for her family, allow her mother to retire from the textile factory, and give her family much needed wealth and rest.

Nomi has hated the idea of her sister becoming a Grace since she was old enough to talk. She longs for a life of her choosing, but when Serina is chosen to attend the Heir’s ball, she thinks her life as she knows it—or as she dreamt it—is over. No longer can she dream of her own life with her own choices, but she must attend her sister at the palace.

But when Nomi catches the Heir’s eye instead, and Serina takes the fall for Nomi’s dangerous secret, both of their worlds are forever changed.

I adored GRACE AND FURY. It’s a smaller novel at 320 pages, but it’s jam-packed with action and intrigue and survival. This isn’t <a href="http://tracybanghart.com/books">Banghart</a>’s first novel, and I hope it won’t be her last. I loved the setting and the world—grimy factory towns, gorgeous courts, splendid palaces, dangerous jungles, gritty jails. The places felt so real and realized, each lending a quality of grounded realness to the story.

<a href="https://www.lbyr.com/titles/tracy-banghart/grace-and-fury/9780316471411/">GRACE AND FURY</a> tackles themes such as misogyny, patriarchy, sisterhood, and survival through the dual narrative. Though at first I thought I knew who was Grace and who was Fury, it turns out that the two sisters are not quite what they seem. You’ll have to read the book to find out, but I think you’ll be surprised at the reveal as well.

If you loved books such as <em>The Valiant</em>, <em>The Handmaid’s Tale</em>, and <em>Caraval</em>, you’ll enjoy the political intrigue, the familiar setting, and the fierce sisterhood GRACE AND FURY has to offer. And the best part? This book is out now, so check out your favorite retailer or local library and grab yourself a copy!

Thank you to Hachette Book Group and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing a review copy.

Curse you Tracy for writing such a crazy good book and drawing me into the pages the way you did haha.

I loved this book so much.

I'm such a fantasy junkie and this book gave just what I was craving.

To start, I loved the sisterhood between Nomi and Serina. The two showed how much they love and cared for each other throughout the entire story. And I really appreciated a story incorporating that so much inside it. That sisterly love that was so much of the driving force behind both of their actions.

I didn't want to put this one down. I t had me flipping pages as fast as my eyes could read, and I was held in such suspense waiting to see what would happen. If someone wouldn't survive. And I love a book that can do that to me. I don't even mind the lack of sleep I got before finishing this one. It was so worth it by the time I got to the last words haha

Most definitely a 5 star read!!

Excellent! This was an almost non-stop adventure right through to the last page, and I loved every minute of it. The characters were fantastic. I was frustrated that Nomi's choices led to so much trouble for Serina, but I loved all the ways Serina developed and changed through the course of the book. No resolution really, so readers will have to wait for the sequel. It will be a must-read for me.

Grace and Fury is one of those books that caught me by surprise. I don't get taken by surprise by books. I can usually see a plot twist coming a mile away. I can usually see when an author is foreshadowing. I can usually see who the bad guy is in the book. I can usually call who is going to die. But not in Grace and Fury. The author did a fantastic job at keeping me in the dark with everything I stated above. And I loved it!!!

Grace and Fury starts off with Serina being chosen to go to Bellaqua to compete with other girls to become a Grace. Serina has worked her entire life to become a Grace. That dream is shattered when Serina's younger sister, Nomi, is chosen instead. It is further shattered when Serina takes the blame for something that Nomi did. That something has Serina shipped off to a prison island. There she is forced to fight to the death for food. Back on the mainland, Nomi decides to embrace her role as a Grace. She does that with the hopes that she will get Serina off the island and back with her. But Nomi is soon caught up in a dangerous plot. A plot that could end everything that she has worked so hard for.

I couldn't believe the injustices that the women in that society endured. They weren't allowed to go to school. They were dominated by the men in their lives. So, I loved it when Nomi bucked the rules. Learning to read was her way of thumbing her nose a the society that was keeping her down. Even as rebellious as she was, she was loyal to Serina. Using her position as a Grace, she did try to get her sister off that island. I was as surprised as she was when everything went down the way it did.

I didn't like Serina, at first. She had trained to be a Grace since she was a child and had no clue how the real world was. Being a Grace meant that her family would never go hungry. She also loved her sister. My turning from not liking her to liking her happened when she took the fall for Nomi. She could have taken Nomi down with her. And when she got to the island. Instead of having a breakdown, she did what she had to do to survive.

There are several twists and turns in the plotline. I wasn't ready for any of them. I thought that this was going to be one of those typical YA fantasy book that would be heavy on the romance and teen angst but would have no twists. Yeah, I was wrong. This book had more twists than a mountain road.

The fantasy angle of the book was fantastic. Set in an Italian-like country, the author did fantastic world building. The world was 3D, as was the character.

The YA angle I didn't feel. Yes, Serina and Nomi were in their late teens but it didn't read like it. If I didn't know their ages, I would have placed Serina in her mid 20's and Nomi as the teenager. This book also didn't have much angst that most YA books. Which was refreshing.

I do want to touch upon the amazing girl power vibe that was going on in this book. It was fantastic and I loved it!!!

The end of Grace and Fury was insane. Everything happened at once. I was surprised at what happened with Nomi. Very surprised. Surprised to the point that I had to wake up BK and tell him about it. He wasn't impressed...lol. I will say that the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Which means that I need to read book 2 when it comes out.

Onto why I gave Grace and Fury a 4-star rating. I loved how I was taken surprised time and again in the book. I liked Nomi and her rebellious ways. I loved the strong girl power vibe throughout the book. I didn't like how the women were treated in the book. I didn't like Serina at first. I also didn't like the cliffhanger.

What I liked about Grace and Fury (to recap):

A) Being taken surprise by the different elements of the book

B) Nomi

C) Girl Power

What I disliked about Grace and Fury (to recap):

A) How the women were treated in the book

B) Serina, the first half of the book

C) The cliffhanger

I would give Grace and Fury an Older Teen rating. There is no sex. There is kissing (that's about it). There is violence, sometimes graphic. There is no language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread Grace and Fury. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me to read and review Grace and Fury.

All opinions stated in this review of Grace and Fury are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

This book was intense! I was hooked instantly from the beginning. The story of two sisters and their place in the kingdom. Naomi thinks women should be more than what they’re merely supposed to do.
I greatly enjoyed this fantasy novel. One thing I loved about it was how the chapters switched back and forth and were told from the two sister's perspectives. I couldn't wait to fly through each one to see what happened to the other sister I had left behind just moments before!
I absolutely cannot wait to see what will happen in book two! Hurry up 2019!

I love the book. Great characters and world development. I love the character development in the book, it is what makes the story. The progression from scared girls to strong heroines is a great one and I can't wait to see what happens!

Spoilers!
Once Nomi found out who hid the book I knew Asa was no good. This was the only real predictable piece of the book.
As a reader I wish Serina had cut her hair, I feel like it would have lent more towards her breaking free of the rules.