The Grace Year was a very suspenseful page-turner that I enjoyed immensely. It was full of surprising twists and turns, but it was also predictable at times. Which is okay with me since things I saw coming were things I wanted to happen LOL. The concept of the book, and the events that transpire are definitely horrifying at times, quite a lot like The Handmaid's Tale. The way the men in the society have created a culture in which the women are pitted against each other and constantly trying to outdo each other, is very similar to the book by Margaret Atwood. In my opinion, the men are persecuting the women so much because they know they are outnumbered, and are trying to maintain some sense of control over their society.
Along with similarities to The Handmaid's Tale, I also felt connections to The Hunger Games. This has to do with the survival aspect of the book, I mean they are locked into a arena like forest. Sure this "sanctuary" isn't meant to bring about bloodshed and violence until the last one is standing, but it doesn't mean that doesn't happen. You can definitely translate the social issues in this book to present day; the bullying, isolation, ganging up on each other, belittling. It showed the importance of female camaraderie, and that if we spent our energy on uplifting one another, we could accomplish so much more. Extremely bittersweet ending, and after reading this book, I'm excited to read more from Kim Liggett. FYI, just because this book is labeled young adult, DOES NOT mean that adult readers can't enjoy it. Synopsis from publisher: "In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That's why they're banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive. Sixteen year old Tierney James dreams of a better life- a society that doesn't pit friend against friend or woman against woman- but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it's not just the brutal elements they must fear. It's not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other."
Happy Reading!
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AuthorHi, I'm Genny! You can always find me with a book in my hand. Dystopian, Fantasy, and Historical Fiction are among my favorite genres. I hope you enjoy the reviews I provide and can help you pick out your next book! Archives
October 2020
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