A review by alidathealien
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I picked up this book because it was recommended for people looking for more Yellowjackets, and I think on that front it really delivered! Loved seeing how the girls responded to being alone for the first time in their lives, not to mention alone in the wilderness and having to survive. It was every other aspect of the book that made me roll my eyes.
Firstly, there's a semi love triangle, because of course there is. But having the love interest be someone who's literal job is to torture and kill these girls???? Jfc.
Secondly, it doesn't make sense to me that Tierney would be so against the customs of the county when that's all she's known her whole life. The whole time reading it I was thinking "but what if Tierney was a stout believer in the magic and everything? What if it's not until her grace year when she can't find her magic that she begins to realize something's off?" And tbh I think that would be a much more interesting story than a girl who already thinks it's all bullshit from before the book even starts.
Anyways, shout out to the scene where Ryker is telling Tierney about his family while staring wistfully at his figurines and Tierney thinks to herself "I thought the figurines represented girls he's killed, but I'm starting to think they're actually his family" YEAH NO SHIT. you're just STARTING to think that????
Firstly, there's a semi love triangle, because of course there is. But having the love interest be someone who's literal job is to torture and kill these girls???? Jfc.
Secondly, it doesn't make sense to me that Tierney would be so against the customs of the county when that's all she's known her whole life. The whole time reading it I was thinking "but what if Tierney was a stout believer in the magic and everything? What if it's not until her grace year when she can't find her magic that she begins to realize something's off?" And tbh I think that would be a much more interesting story than a girl who already thinks it's all bullshit from before the book even starts.
Anyways, shout out to the scene where Ryker is telling Tierney about his family while staring wistfully at his figurines and Tierney thinks to herself "I thought the figurines represented girls he's killed, but I'm starting to think they're actually his family" YEAH NO SHIT. you're just STARTING to think that????
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Suicide, Bullying, Gore, Sexism, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Vomit, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Misogyny