Arc was given by the author & NetGalley


Actual Rating 3.5 ⭐

Content/Trigger Warnings: Abandonment, death, murder, attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, alcohol, blood depictions, graphic injuries, attempted murder, war themes, violence


I had such a wonderful time reading This Vicious Grace! The romance is truly what made this book for me. I absolutely freaking loved the romance in this book and it was so easy to Dante and Alessa together. It was chef's kiss for me and I will gladly devour more of these two together. However, if I had to fault this book for anything, this feels like a typical first book in a fantasy series. To me, it felt like there were a lot of things that were happening yet at the same time not much was happening and for me it lacked any kind of urgency. It felt like being in a high fantasy game wanting to explore all the things and things are happening, but no one seems to care about the main storyline only focusing on side quests (if any of that makes sense). Overall, this isn't a bad book and there's nothing truly wrong with it. I personally wanted more from it, but I do think this does a good job of setting things up for the next book. I still haven't decided if I'll pick it up, but I do think the characters and the romance alone is worth it.




All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.

This book was ok. Now I read it far after the fact of receiving a copy and I probably would have liked it more while I was in my YA phase.

There didn’t seem to be anything fresh in this book. It’s seemed to be influenced by From Blood and Ash. The book was ok but a bit slow, monotonous, and predictable for me. I don’t feel compelled to continue the series.

I apologize for posting such a late review/feedback on here, I only recently got to this book after taking with someone at Yallfest who is a big Emily Thiede fan, so I gave it a shot.

I thought this was just “okay”
I struggled with staying focused in the beginning and didn’t love the writing style. I couldn’t connect with the main characters and in all honesty, it took me almost a year to finish because I couldn’t stay hooked.

I requested this because I love YA fantasy. Appreciate the approval thought!

I felt like there were some pretty unique concepts/plot points for this one. The characters were intriguing and engaging. My only gripe would probably be the pacing felt a bit slow at times.

“Sympathy, kindness, love, and friendship—all those precious human experiences that made for a full life—those were for other people, not her.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Having had the pleasure of reading an ARC of This Vicious Grace, I can confidently say that Emily Thiede delivers a compelling debut that mixes fantasy, romance, and self-discovery in a way that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Alessa is a wonderfully complex character—she’s relatable, flawed, and utterly real as she grapples with her divine powers that seem more like a curse. I loved how Thiede explored the pressure of expectations and the journey of finding one’s strength. As Alessa says, “If you want to save me, then you’ll have to break my heart,” and let me tell you, that sentiment runs deep throughout the novel. The romance adds a thrilling layer to the story, and the chemistry between Alessa and her love interest is downright explosive. Apparently, I'm 2/2 for swooning for boys named Dante this year...

The pacing was spot on, with plenty of action and gripping moments that had me turning pages late into the night, because I did indeed stay up all night reading this.

Overall, This Vicious Grace is a dazzling debut that promises great things to come from Thiede. It’s perfect for fans of fantasy with a dash of humor and heartfelt romance. Can’t wait to see what she writes next! If you are a fan of Shatter Me, I would definitely try this one out! 🌟

Oh this was good! I decided to pick up a backlist book and am so glad I picked up This Vicious Grace. This was a fun, romantic YA story with well-developed characters, an interesting plot and magic system, and some top tier banter!

Alessa, the Finestra, has been chosen by the gods and is meant to be the savior of her village. The only problem is that she can’t seem to stop killing her potential mates. When the death toll climbs to three, Alessa hires a bodyguard named Dante to help protect her as she continues the search for her Fonte.

I couldn’t put this down once I started reading and had to know what happened next. I loved both of the main characters, and adored the romance between them. I can’t wait to pick up book two in this duology.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for a review copy.

A fast-paced, action-packed fantasy with a unique magic system and strong, well-developed characters. The romantic tension is engaging, though the plot occasionally feels a bit predictable. Still, a thrilling read for fans of the genre.

It was a little slow in the beginning but once Dante came into the story things started to pickup. Alessa and Dante had a lot of growth by the end of the book. They each showed strength of character at times when it would have been easier to be selfish. The secondary characters were also fleshed out enough that they were easy to care about too.

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede is a fast-paced and fun fantasy with a unique twist. The story follows Alessa, a girl who’s supposed to be a powerful savior for her people but is stuck with a deadly power that she can’t control. Her magic is meant to protect her, but it keeps killing everyone around her instead, making her feel like a danger to everyone she loves.

I really liked Alessa as a character. She’s strong but also really vulnerable, trying to figure out how to fix her situation while dealing with guilt and pressure. There’s also a great dynamic between her and the people around her, especially with a guy named Dante, who’s hired to protect her. Their chemistry is great, and the tension between them adds a fun layer to the story.

The world-building is interesting, with different cultures, magical systems, and the constant threat of danger. The plot moves quickly, with lots of action, magic, and mystery, but it also digs into themes of trust, identity, and what it means to be a hero. The pacing kept me hooked, and I was always eager to see what would happen next.

This book has a gorgeous cover and the story is one to match! I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read its sequel.

This Vicious Grace released in 2022, and I'm mad at myself for not reading this one sooner! The world, the magic, the characters, the romance, and how everything came together had me hooked from the beginning. I've been trying to figure out how to write my review for the past few days. I want to say so much, but I also really think this is a book you need to experience for yourself.

Alessa is an interesting main character. She's the Finestra and her gifts are supposed to save her country from the demons that can come and destroy everything and everyone. To do this she needs to find her magical partner (Fonte) to help her. The only problem is that she's had three Fontes and they've all died after touching her. Politics and people who believe she isn't the best thing for her country decide to try and take her down, so she hires her own bodyguard, Dante.

Alessa is a great main character. Even though she's scared of hurting another person with her gifts and letting down her country, she doesn't feel sorry for herself or try to take the easy way out. She's clearly going to fight for her people and maybe even traditions that just don't suit her or her needs anymore. Alessa is stubborn, caring, powerful, and willing to sacrifice everything for her people.

On top of that, we start to get a slow burn romance with Dante. He seems like a tough one at the start, but there's so much more to Dante and he's so protective. Seeing Dante and Alessa slowly get close and care for the other was so heartwarming. I loved that we got a romance, but that it didn't take over the story. Add some amazing side characters as we meet all of the possible Fontes and I was hooked. I can't wait to read the sequel!

This review will also be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on September 26th!

This book was good, and, though full of tropes that are fairly typical, put a little bit of a different spin on them.

I took one look at This Vicious Grace and fell in love. That cover pulled me in and that blurb piqued my interest like no other. I was worried all these green flags meant a bad book but this book was lovely!

This Vicious Grace has become one of my personal favorite ya fantasy books of all time. The magic system was flawless and so interesting right from the start.

My only issue with this one was just the world-building. I am sure the second book will build upon it more, so I didn't fault the book too much. I think things could have been explained a bit more or fleshed out better.

And while it may have ended in a frustrating cliffhanger, I can safely go read book number two now. I am glad I waited to read this one. The wait would have killed me for sure.

It was a fun premise and the romance was tense and delicious. I didn't love the Italian rep in this book, but overall it was a routine YA fantasy.

I loved everything about this book, the world was amazing and the magic was interesting to read about.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>This Vicious Grace</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>This Vicious Grace</i> introduces us to Alessa, a young woman with a powerful but dangerous gift meant to protect her people.

<h4>The Details</h4>

The novel presents a unique magic system centered around Alessa's gift and her role as a Finestra. This concept is fresh and adds an interesting dynamic to the story.

Thiede crafts a vibrant and detailed world with its own customs, politics, and history. The setting feels immersive and well-realized, drawing readers into Alessa's struggles and triumphs.

Also, Alessa's journey from self-doubt to empowerment is compelling. Her internal conflicts and gradual acceptance of her role add emotional depth to the narrative.

However, the story's pacing can be uneven at times, with certain sections dragging while others rush through pivotal moments. This inconsistency can affect the reader's engagement.

Furthermore, while Alessa is a well-developed protagonist, some secondary characters lack the same level of depth and complexity. Their motivations and backstories often feel underexplored.

Sadly, some plot twists and developments are foreseeable, which might diminish the overall impact for readers who enjoy more unexpected turns in the story.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>This Vicious Grace</i> by Emily Thiede is a solid entry into the fantasy genre, particularly for readers who appreciate unique magic systems and strong world-building. Alessa's journey of self-discovery and empowerment is a highlight, though the novel's pacing and character development issues slightly hinder its overall effectiveness. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more unpredictable and tightly-paced narrative, it offers an engaging and imaginative experience for fans of magical adventures and personal growth.

I don’t know why I put off reading this for so long because it was really good! I loved Alessa and Dante! The plot, worldbuilding, and magic system were interesting and intriguing. The writing was so descriptive and beautiful! I will definitely pick up the sequel!

Thank you so much to the Publisher for sending me a copy of this book! I really was excited to read this book because of the description and the cover. I ended up really enjoying this book! I think I would recommend this book for most young adults or adults

I really enjoyed this one and am a little upset that I left it on my shelf this long. But, the good news is that I'll get to read the next book and not have to wait for it to come out. This is a new adult book following the books protagonist Alessa. Alessa is deemed a divine savior of sorts but the catch is that she is supposed to save her island from a divine attack by funneling another's power. Her problem so far is that anyone she touches she can kill and her first three attempts at finding someone's power to funnel has resulted in three funerals. As you might guess this is making people a little nervous.

This book deals with the importance of connection, feeling seen, and also human touch. I work in a hospital and I recently had a patient that said he lived alone and rarely got to see people. He said one of the nice things about being in the hospital and doing physical therapy was that he was able to touch people. It was heartbreaking and really stuck with me, so when Alessa came along, I felt for her even more.