zarhara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcohol, Violence, War, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Minor: Torture and Child death
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Hate crime, War, Vomit, Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Body horror, Physical abuse, Murder, Deportation, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Stalking, Bullying, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gaslighting, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Police brutality
marine2907's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Torture, Sexual content, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Infertility, Suicide attempt, War, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Violence, Body horror, Child death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
takarakei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- 1st in a duology (book two out August 2023)
- Italian inspired fantasy
- Touch her and you die trope (like actually)
- Bodyguard trope
- FUNNY, witty banter
- Found Family
- If your love language is hugs... this is it!
- Made me want to eat all the lemon things
3/5 🌶️
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Suicide attempt
eatingbrains's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The chosen one chooses a (life) partner to weather the battle with, and with our main character, she has chosen and killed three times while trying to train for the end of the world.
I have some issues with the book, but overall it was very readable and the ending left enough questions and plot for the next installment. Not sure if I would continue, but I'm not immediately opposed.
Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Outing, War, Child abuse, Deportation, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Blood, Police brutality, Torture, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Sexual content
toffishay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Alcohol, War, Death, Murder, Xenophobia, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Grief, Genocide, Confinement, and Child death
Moderate: Abandonment
looseleafellie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book grabbed me from the first page and did not let go! Alessa’s predicament took me through a full rollercoaster of emotions that didn’t let up until the end. Just when I thought things were going well, something else terrible would happen, and I was LIVING FOR IT!
Alessa’s romance with her grumpy bodyguard, Dante, was so cute and felt like a rom-com nestled in a fantasy world <3 I personally wish the romance had been dragged out more because I’m a slow-burn fiend from slow-burn hell, but it made sense for the story and characters that their romance would develop relatively fast.
I loved the squad of characters that formed during the story. The themes of connection and community were beautifully woven in. There was also an interesting exploration of religion and myth that I’m excited to see expanded as the story continues!
While the ending was satisfying on its own, there’s a clear setup for a sequel. I, for one, am DYING to see what’s next for Alessa and her friends!
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ebook ARC!
CWs: Violence, murder attempt, death, grief, blood, ableism, alcohol use, suicide attempt by drowning, religious bigotry, PTSD, dubious consent (quickly dealt with), giant insects, and mentions of child abuse and child death. More details on the author’s website.
This book also contains a non-graphic sex scene. The characters involved are over 18.
Graphic: Alcohol, Ableism, Suicide attempt, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
demjin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is 3.5 stars, it was gonna be 4 but the ending ruined it for me. I was here for the book and fine with the lackluster worldbuilding when I was enjoying the romance but the ending brought too much plot into the picture that I didn't care enough about. It was like it was trying to be something it didn't need to be.
But I'm always here for grumpy-sexy-deadly bodyguard would do anything for girl when she bats her eyelashes at him trope and I'll stand by that
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Murder, War, and Suicide attempt
patricktreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I would absolutely recommend this book, and I can’t wait to hopefully read more.
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Death, Violence, and Sexual content
theappalachianbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The people of Saverio are beginning to doubt her ability to protect them and she no longer trusts the guards who are meant to protect her. Alessa hires a brooding street fighter with a few secrets up his sleeve as her bodyguard and begins to train with the Fontes that remain on the island, the few that didn’t leave in fear, hoping to build a connection that will stop her from killing them. But will this be enough to stop the demons when they come?
With beautiful, engaging and atmospheric writing, This Vicious Grace was a compelling debut with so many things that I adored, like the italian-inspired worldbuilding and mythology, the found family trope, a grumpy but sweet bodyguard, and endless batter. Thiede pairs divine magic and religious tension in the best way and crafts characters who grow with each page, who are deeply fascinating and loveable. If you love books with all of this, several scenes that will have you sobbing into the pages and more, This Vicious Grace is perfect for you.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, War, Abandonment, Gore, and Violence