tashva's review against another edition
2.0
Okay. I am so sick of bad editing. The story had good bones, a solid idea. And then the macro editor or whomever did a shit job of making the story make sense. The timeline is WAY screwed up. There's not enough description of how terrible things actually are. The main character flip flops back and forth about who she is (so desperate she tries to kill herself; next page, she would never do that, she's too strong). There's a good story in here somewhere, but this is like a first draft story outline.
sarahweyand's review against another edition
3.0
(2.5 stars) This feels like a 2012 YA dystopia that was forgotten about and then published in 2019. I thought the plot was interesting enough but didn't feel super connected to any of the characters. However, I do think the idea was interesting and I did enjoy the atmosphere and challenges the Grace Year presented. It certainly had a lot going for it and I could tell this book had something it wanted to say.
Downfalls: The main female antagonist felt so evil and for what? Very one-dimensional and shallow. I wish there had been more world-building as well, but the book already felt long enough as-is that more exposition would have dragged it down even more. The romance was boring and I felt no chemistry between the characters. So on and so forth. I probably would have enjoyed this in my post-Hunger Games quest for The Next Great Dystopia.
I think this book works well and is enjoyable as a horror/thriller when viewed from a lens of religious misogyny / extremism, which is why I'm rounding up to three stars and not down to two, but I went in expecting a feminist book and that's not what I got. With the exception of the last couple pages, this was not a feminist book - and that's okay! A book can be about religious oppression, or even about the oppression of women, and not have to have a feminist tone (the rebellion plot felt kind of shoehorned in save for the last few pages), and I felt the plot could have really shined as a horror without that aspect. Even if you argue that this book is feminist, it certainly doesn't present any sort of intersectionality along with it, which is a little disappointing. Overall, I'd pass on this one.
Downfalls: The main female antagonist felt so evil and for what? Very one-dimensional and shallow. I wish there had been more world-building as well, but the book already felt long enough as-is that more exposition would have dragged it down even more. The romance was boring and I felt no chemistry between the characters. So on and so forth. I probably would have enjoyed this in my post-Hunger Games quest for The Next Great Dystopia.
I think this book works well and is enjoyable as a horror/thriller when viewed from a lens of religious misogyny / extremism, which is why I'm rounding up to three stars and not down to two, but I went in expecting a feminist book and that's not what I got. With the exception of the last couple pages, this was not a feminist book - and that's okay! A book can be about religious oppression, or even about the oppression of women, and not have to have a feminist tone (the rebellion plot felt kind of shoehorned in save for the last few pages), and I felt the plot could have really shined as a horror without that aspect. Even if you argue that this book is feminist, it certainly doesn't present any sort of intersectionality along with it, which is a little disappointing. Overall, I'd pass on this one.
savanhahope's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow wow wow wow wow. This is the best book I've read in a long time! It's handmaid's tale meets lord of the flies, (and maybe a little hunger games) and everything was so well thought out. Don't even get me started on the ending because I'll cry. Needless to say, you need to read this. This book was written for women everywhere who have felt like their voices haven't been heard. Check TWs!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Grief, Classism, Confinement, Pregnancy, Murder, Death, Misogyny, Mental illness, Child death, Blood, Sexism, and Animal death
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Cannibalism, Gore, Animal cruelty, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Incest and Infertility
hmblvj's review against another edition
5.0
I had to walk away and let this book settle before writing a review. I've seen many reviews talking about comparisons between The Handmaid's Tale, The Hunger Games, and other dystopian tales. I felt it was more The Handmaid's Tale meets Gather the Daughters. There is a bone chilling bleakness to the story with only snippets of relief. This is not a light fluffy our heroes will win through and make everything better kind of read. This is more of a how did we get here and will our heroes manage to make a difference story. Well worth the time to read it is already on my reread list.
malaynachang's review against another edition
4.0
MY OPINION: ****
I loved the idea of this book and once I heard the synopsis, I just knew I had to read it. I was intrigued by the characters and the basic premise of the novel. It's been a while since I've read a young adult dystopian so I was happy to try to this one out and was more than satisfied with it overall.
At sixteen years old, the girls are believed to acquire a magic that they can use to bewitch the men. Because of the misogynist atmosphere of the book, the girls are sent away on a "grace year" to get rid of their magic. Once they return, those who were "veiled" right before they are sent off are able to get married and have kids with the men who chose them.
Tierney isn't like the other girls. I usually despise this trope because what does that really mean? However, in this very sexist society, there was a clear stereotype of what "the other girls" are, none of which Tierney fills. She doesn't want to get married and she prefers to work in the fields for the rest of her life. She also is highly against the idea of magic and that supernatural element that everyone else seems to be so convinced exists. This causes many clashes with the other girls and ends up with Tierney being cast out of the community at the grace year.
The grace year thing sort of confused me at first because so much was happening all at once. We got introduced to the other girls and their various personalities, including Kristen, the mean girl of the novel. I think Kristen was honestly just influenced by the whole magic idea and was scared of who she was, which resulted in her becoming the villain. I honestly think she wasn't that bad by the end and started to understand her character a lot better. I also loved Gertrude and seeing how strong she was while dealing with the rumors and slurs going around about her.
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. The beginning was rather slow and the middle started to pick up the pace. However, the end half felt so rushed, especially the romance between Ryker and Tierney. I honestly didn't know something was going on there until they were suddenly like sparks are flying and I'm in love!!! If their relationship had been slowed down and developed more, I would have felt a lot more attached to Ryker than I did by the end.
The ending was both satisfying and unsatisfying. I loved seeing the character development in each and every one of the girls from beginning to end, especially Tierney, Kristen, and Gertie. I also loved seeing how they all came together as one by the end to fight against the oppressive men. However, I hated how Tierney's story ended with Michael and that entire bit. While I won't spoil anything, I just wish it had been less rushed and more believable than it ended up being.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a female-driven young adult dystopian novel!
Main Character: Tierney
Sidekick(s): Gertrude, family, etc
Villain(s): Kristen, the men, magic, poachers, etc
Dystopian Elements: This was all set in a "futuristic" world.
I loved the idea of this book and once I heard the synopsis, I just knew I had to read it. I was intrigued by the characters and the basic premise of the novel. It's been a while since I've read a young adult dystopian so I was happy to try to this one out and was more than satisfied with it overall.
At sixteen years old, the girls are believed to acquire a magic that they can use to bewitch the men. Because of the misogynist atmosphere of the book, the girls are sent away on a "grace year" to get rid of their magic. Once they return, those who were "veiled" right before they are sent off are able to get married and have kids with the men who chose them.
Tierney isn't like the other girls. I usually despise this trope because what does that really mean? However, in this very sexist society, there was a clear stereotype of what "the other girls" are, none of which Tierney fills. She doesn't want to get married and she prefers to work in the fields for the rest of her life. She also is highly against the idea of magic and that supernatural element that everyone else seems to be so convinced exists. This causes many clashes with the other girls and ends up with Tierney being cast out of the community at the grace year.
The grace year thing sort of confused me at first because so much was happening all at once. We got introduced to the other girls and their various personalities, including Kristen, the mean girl of the novel. I think Kristen was honestly just influenced by the whole magic idea and was scared of who she was, which resulted in her becoming the villain. I honestly think she wasn't that bad by the end and started to understand her character a lot better. I also loved Gertrude and seeing how strong she was while dealing with the rumors and slurs going around about her.
My biggest issue with this book was the pacing. The beginning was rather slow and the middle started to pick up the pace. However, the end half felt so rushed, especially the romance between Ryker and Tierney. I honestly didn't know something was going on there until they were suddenly like sparks are flying and I'm in love!!! If their relationship had been slowed down and developed more, I would have felt a lot more attached to Ryker than I did by the end.
The ending was both satisfying and unsatisfying. I loved seeing the character development in each and every one of the girls from beginning to end, especially Tierney, Kristen, and Gertie. I also loved seeing how they all came together as one by the end to fight against the oppressive men. However, I hated how Tierney's story ended with Michael and that entire bit. While I won't spoil anything, I just wish it had been less rushed and more believable than it ended up being.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a female-driven young adult dystopian novel!
Main Character: Tierney
Sidekick(s): Gertrude, family, etc
Villain(s): Kristen, the men, magic, poachers, etc
Dystopian Elements: This was all set in a "futuristic" world.
lslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
4.5Stars
Ok! I ended up loving this book. What a powerful YA read.
Read if you Love:
▫️YA reads with some suspense
▫️Dystopian Society
▫️The Hunger Games and The Handmaids Tale
▫️Strong Female Heroines who want to change the world.
▫️Unique Stories
▫️Ribbons and Braids
In Garner county, when girls are 16 they are brought to a remote island to unleash their seductive evil magic. When they come back the chosen girls and the ones that survive are expected to take their rightful place as wife and child bearer. Our main character Tierney about to embark on her grace year dreams and strives for a better life.
There is a lot to love about this book. I loved Tierney her fierce determination, her Individualism, her bravery and her commitment to helping the other grace girls.
The setting and imagery in this book was also amazing and I love all the feminist vibes. This book is a mix of everything, suspense, romance, adventure and even some magic.
This book is definitely dark and sad but also hopeful. The ending does leave some unanswered questions but like the book I hope Tierney’s cause will continue on! Sequel please!
Ok! I ended up loving this book. What a powerful YA read.
Read if you Love:
▫️YA reads with some suspense
▫️Dystopian Society
▫️The Hunger Games and The Handmaids Tale
▫️Strong Female Heroines who want to change the world.
▫️Unique Stories
▫️Ribbons and Braids
In Garner county, when girls are 16 they are brought to a remote island to unleash their seductive evil magic. When they come back the chosen girls and the ones that survive are expected to take their rightful place as wife and child bearer. Our main character Tierney about to embark on her grace year dreams and strives for a better life.
There is a lot to love about this book. I loved Tierney her fierce determination, her Individualism, her bravery and her commitment to helping the other grace girls.
The setting and imagery in this book was also amazing and I love all the feminist vibes. This book is a mix of everything, suspense, romance, adventure and even some magic.
This book is definitely dark and sad but also hopeful. The ending does leave some unanswered questions but like the book I hope Tierney’s cause will continue on! Sequel please!
alekya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
spauffwrites's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I wanted to tell everyone about. Then I read The Grace Year. The Handmaid’s Tale meets the Hunger Games meets the Salem Witch Trials. So compelling and so brutal in parts, but there’s a message of hope at the end. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was because I didn’t feel invested in the main love story, but I’d be willing to reconsider my opinion with a reread. Or perhaps a sequel? Please let there be a sequel.
amberdeexterous's review against another edition
3.0
This one leans a bit too heavily into familiar YA and genre tropes for my liking. The concept was incredibly strong, but the story itself was nearly indistinguishable from a free little library paperback romance novel with a dash of Handmaid’s Tale lite.
ambervandoorne's review against another edition
4.0
I can’t stop thinking about the metaphor of cannibalism that weaves through this story. I do find truth in the way women are always consumed by others. Men possess, control and utilise women’s bodies for their own pleasure (and hatred). The grace year girls reminded me that women can be each others most terrifying threat.
I liked the feminist theme in this novel, how haunting the idea of it is. It felt like The Handmaid’s Tale x The Hunger Games. Very dystopian, yet very real.
I liked the feminist theme in this novel, how haunting the idea of it is. It felt like The Handmaid’s Tale x The Hunger Games. Very dystopian, yet very real.