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The Grace Year

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

Kim Liggett

The Grace Year

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Garner County • Dystopian Future

Publication Year

2019

Publisher

Wednesday Books

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

Lexile Level

HL810L

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Super Short Summary

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett is a 2019 young adult dystopian novel about 16-year-old Tierney James, who, along with other girls from Garner County, endures a year of banishment to the woods to expel their "evil magic" and return purified. The story explores themes of survival, societal norms, and rebellion. The book depicts religious abuse, torture, dismemberment, sexual assault, and graphic violence.

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.3

186,832 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Kim Liggett's The Grace Year has captivated readers with its gripping plot and strong feminist themes, often drawing comparisons to The Handmaid's Tale. While the intense and sometimes gruesome narrative has been lauded for its bold approach, some critics feel the world-building and character development could be more nuanced. Overall, it's a compelling dystopian read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Grace Year?

A reader who enjoys The Grace Year by Kim Liggett is likely captivated by dystopian worlds, complex female characters, and themes of survival and rebellion. Fans of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games will find this book compelling. Its dark atmosphere and exploration of societal control resonate with readers interested in feminist literature.

4.3

186,832 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Tierney James

Sixteen-year-old Tierney is the fiercely independent main protagonist who values truth and survival skills, questioning societal norms and confronting the challenges of her grace year.

A beautiful and manipulative grace year girl set on marrying Michael, Kiersten leverages her influence to intimidate her peers and seize power within the camp.

Tierney's longtime friend, a caring and non-conformist young man who selects her as his bride with the intent of keeping her safe.

A poacher from the outskirts who becomes a pivotal figure through his unexpected connection with Tierney, challenging his own beliefs about the grace year girls.

A town guard initially trusted by Tierney for protection, whose later actions reveal a deep-seated belief in the magic and a menacing entitlement toward the girls.

A poacher harboring hostility towards the grace year girls, influenced by his belief in curses, whose actions reveal underlying tensions in the outskirts.

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Garner County • Dystopian Future

Publication Year

2019

Publisher

Wednesday Books

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

Lexile Level

HL810L

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