Serina has been groomed her entire life to become a Grace to serve her king. Her sister Nomi has been trained to be her sisters handmaiden. Their roles are thrown in turmoil when Nomi gets picked to be a Grace and Serina is thrown in prison. I enjoyed following Nomi's story the most and was hoping she would see the betrayal long before it happened. Serina's character development was more intense and I'm looking forward to see how she leads in book two.

The storyline is unoriginal and the plot is predictable. This story would be best for young readers who are new to the genre or reading and haven’t read this same plot line several times.

I'm always a huge fan of discovering not just new authors but new series as well. this first introduction to the world of Serena and Nomi gives us even more than we were hoping for. It's a slightly different genre than i've been spending time with lately but i think that it's good to have a palate cleanse.

This story is one where we get to see different perspectives of life since each sister has their own place in society. There's the element of being put on a pedestal, being treated like royalty and yet they have to conform and not.

there are bits of this story that triggered memories of other series that i've read, where there are constant fights to break the norms and expectations of society, but done with a fresh take and angle that made it really easy to read. Enjoy!

This was an interesting start to a new series. I really liked the strong female leads in this, and how the author brought forward the oppression of women in a central way. I loved the sisters’ love for one another, and their drive to protect the other. The alternating POVs was great, and much needed in this novel. It did become a bit slow a somewhat flat in some places, but overall, I would say that it is a solid foundation to the series, and I am interested enough to continue to see how it plays out.

For me, this book was just okay. I did enjoy reading it which is why I am giving it 3.5 stars, and the feminism was a really nice touch, but overall it just felt like any other YA fantasy.

I loved the sisters and how much they cared about each other, and pretty much the whole plot revolves around them trying to find a way to save each other. I don’t think that they made very good decisions about how to help each other, and in fact, a lot of their decisions put other people at risk.

I also really liked that even though it is still a European style fantasy, it was made more unique by having more Italian aspects, which I don’t often see in fantasy novels that I read.

The main thing that I loved about this book was how it handled the oppression of women and there is a reveal about the history of this particular world and its treatment of women that really intrigued me and I want to see how that aspect plays out.

The biggest disappointment for me was that I guessed the plot twist at the ending, which was not really a surprise to me. That particular plot twist is something that I’ve been encountering more often in YA fantasy (Red Queen, anyone?) that I just don’t think that it is as unique or shocking as I think it was meant to be. Maybe this is just me moving farther away from YA fantasy because they are all so similar, but this just really didn’t stand out among the tons of other books just like it.

That being said, it was still enjoyable and a fast read, but whether or not I continue on with the series remains to be seen.

I have to say, the description of this as being a combination of The Selection, Caraval, and The Handmaid's Tale was surprisingly spot on. I thought it might have a slow start that would pick up a ways into the book, but it went very quickly after the "selection" and never let up. I enjoyed both the girl's stories, as you see each of them basically thrown into the other's life and struggling to survive in it. I had a feeling the twist at the end was going to happen (I've seen that trope too many times), but it still works, and I look forward to the sequel.

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.

I wanted to like Grace and Fury so much more than I actually did. I’d heard such great things. “A fierce, feminist read!” “SO much fun!” “Compelling characters!” and found none of it to be true.

The world Serina and Nomi live in is frustrating and sexist as all get out – which I expected from the synopsis. It’s loosely based on Italy and Pompeii, and had really interesting elements. It was a solid foundation for an interesting story.

Grace and Fury certainly has a strong argument to be made for being a strong, feminist story, unfortunately the feminist elements made for a predictable read. Exactly none of the “twists” in Grace and Fury were surprising. It was delightful to see women supporting women and taking power into their own hands, but it was so predictable as to be boring. A particular twist at the end had me throwing my hands in the air exclaiming “WELL DUH!”

That being said, there were some great elements to Grace and Fury I wanted to call out. Serina is chubby. She is not lithe and thin, she is a Rubenesque beauty, with curves – which is the ideal in this universe. As an aspiring Grace, she is expected to live to the cultural ideal, so it was refreshing to find a cultural ideal that wasn’t stick-thin. (That being said, she’s chubby not fat which is a distinction, so I can’t really call it fat-rep.)

I appreciated the accurate-feeling portrayal of women’s oppression, and how hard it is to fight the status quo, and how awful the consequences for doing so can be.

All that being said, Grace and Fury was an unsatisfying, predictable read. If you’re looking for a feminist book where your every narrative expectation will be met with no surprises, Grace and Fury is that book.

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.

Oh my word! I read the synopsis of Grace and Fury and I thought it sounded good, but nothing prepared me for the greatness that is Grace and Fury.

The beginning was a bit slow and hard for me just because I'm not used to reading stories in third person, but I could feel the goodness bubbling under the surface if I just stuck with it. Grace and Fury was like The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor and it's I was sucked in I couldn't put it down.

There were so many moving parts and different pawns were in play that I don't know how Tracy Banghart was able to keep it all straight! I initially thought that I would favor Nomi, the rebellious sister over her counterpart, Serina, but Serina turned out to be a total bad ass! I was seriously surprised and charmed by her growth and becoming tough as nails and standing up for what she believes.

Both Serina and Nomi were thrust into situations that were the complete opposite of what they were essentially groomed for and it was awe inspiring to see them go to great lengths to get back to each other and right the oppressive situation that not only them, but all women living.

Grace and Fury is an empowering tale or bold sisters who took risks in a time when no one else would. The story is filled with cloak and dagger moments and clandestine meetings. Grab this story and experience the brilliance of Tracy Banghart!

"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.

WOW!
That was such a good read!
I loved everything about this book, even the villain lol!
I would recommend this book to anybody who likes feminist fantasy novels!

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.