This Vicious Grace

“She might be but one stitch in the tapestry, but every stitch had a purpose, and threads couldn't become art without them.”

― Emily Thiede, This Vicious Grace

Long Story, Short

Alessa's touch kills. The magical weight of her power pulls too much out of her partners, and as the Finestra and protector of her island, she can't keep up the trial-and-error of finding a strong Fonte. But with enemies surrounding her on all sides, she might find strength in the unlikeliest places.

Tell Me About It

There is truly nothing more in this life that makes me happier than a beautiful, Italian-esque setting. And it was an unexpected relief to find a fantasy novel that didn't utilize an entire continent or gothic castle as its background. I felt like I could step onto the beach, enjoy a lovely limoncello, and soak in the Mediterranean sun.

I appreciated Alessa's character development from a shy doormat to a confident leader, but the flow of her behavior wasn't always accurate. Sometimes it felt as though she was suddenly daring without actually building her self-confidence. But of course, I loved Dante, because who doesn't love a stoic man with a heart of gold?

So overall, I found myself reading this novel quickly and I'm interested to see how Thiede takes this plot off the island. The world-building isn't overwhelming and the romance is sweet, so read this if you need a not-so-intense fantasy option.

Why...

You'll Love It

• Italian setting
• Magical powers
• Grumpy-and-Sunshine romance

You Might Not

• Only one big "battle"
• Character development is a little wonky
• LOTS of little side characters

Book Details

Publication: June 28th, 2022 by Wednesday Books

Author: Emily Thiede

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Learn more here.