should have known that I wasn’t going to be into this book from the beginning. This poor thing wanders around in a big dark cloak, a chip on her shoulder, and a big creepy bird. Even if she moves far away, looking and acting like that, no one will want to approach her. That and her attitude is just terrible. Which is partly why I chose 2 1/2 stars rounded down. I don’t like Alyce.
And this is coming from someone who was cast out during all my elementary, middle, and high school years, growing up in small town USA. I didn’t have many friends because I was half Asian. I got made fun of and teased more than anyone should have to go through. But that means I should be able to relate to this girl at least a little bit on some level… But nope. Not even a little.
Before I get into why I don’t like her or the other characters, I do want to say, the writing style is great. It did flow for me, but I kept getting angry at the people. I don’t recall there being more than a couple of nice people in this book. The main characters certainly weren’t. And that cover!!!! It’s sooo gorgeous!!!
So here is where *****spoiler alert***** I talk about the nitty gritty. I wanted to like this, but good lord Alyce was just totally unlikeable. She is constantly bating the other graces, and being mean to people even when they do something that is kind of nice. She takes Rose’s powers and practically squashes the life out of it, I’m assuming in retribution for all the snide comments and making Alyce lash out. As if that’s a totally even trade. Taking her powers is a horrible thing because apparently without their powers, the Graces night as well be normal humans without it.
Just so we’re clear on Alyce’s actions and whole frame of mind, let’s go over just a couple on instances. Alyce took a dress from Laurel without asking, which is stealing. But she called it pilfering, which sounds more sophisticated, but means the same thing. Neither here nor there. Every action Alyce took was for her own desires. She’s so selfish, especially when she swipes Aurora from everyone knowing that she’ll never wake up without someone, not her, kissing her. *****spoilers over*****
Anyway, I could go on venting for a while, but I think you get the gist. I am not saying this is a bad read. It’s not, I just couldn’t find anything relatable. But really, that’s probably only me. I just can’t stand people being terrible and heartless. It makes me cringe, and this one is full of cringeworthy characters. Even the one or two that we are led to believe are good turn out to be mean and awful. Just like everyone. I just wish there was something that really pulled me further into the book, but I just wasn’t in it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.