Book Summary
"No one speaks of the grace year. It's forbidden. In Garner County, the 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. With sharp prose and gritty realism, The Grace Year examines the complex and sometimes twisted relationship between girls, the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make in between." *book description is from Goodreads.*
Book Review
This. Book. Absolutely amazing! Such beautiful writing and a story on womanhood, being a young woman facing obstacles and challenges, how women are judged, the distinction and relationship between men and women, and survival of the fittest. This book is similar to those who have read and enjoyed The Hunger Games, The Haindmaid's Tale, and Lord of the Flies. Liggett does a fantastic job incorporating key elements of bravery, strength, courage, and love. The story is told in first-person narrative and Ligget's descriptive, emotional writing, makes you feel like you are the main character going through her personal and physical struggles. It's more storytelling with less dialogue but it flows absolutely well. She connects the whole story vividly for everything to come full circle. The. Ending. What a mind-blowing, open ending! I love how it is left for an open discussion and interpretation! Whether the ending can be seen as heart-breaking, hopeful, or beautiful, I believe there is no wrong answer which makes it just as amazing. This is a book I will recommend to every woman moving forward without a doubt. An emotional masterpiece. Go read it!
Rating: 5 stars
Enjoy & Happy Reading!