Grace And Fury

Grace And Fury
Grace And Fury Book One
Written by Tracy Banghart
Fantasy, Dystopian, Survival
Published July 31st 2018
320 Pages
Thank you to Hachette Australia
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★★★★★
In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other on an island prison where women must fight to survive.

Serina has spent her whole life preparing to become a Grace, selected to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining example of the perfect woman.

But her headstrong and rebellious younger sister has a dangerous secret and one wrong move could cost both sisters everything.

Can Serina fight? And will Nomi win?
In the Kingdom of Viridia, young women compete for the prestige of Grace, chosen to reign without influence or authority. Gender inequality is prevalent throughout Viridia. Attractive young women are cultivated to become subservient, representing the throne and Kingdom respectfully. Women are refused an education, disciplined as concubines or handmaidens, both subservient positions.

Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves
Serina Tessaro is a Grace, a young woman of impeccable benevolence and revered for her physique and sensuality. Nomi Tessaro is a young lady of servitude in her position as handmaiden, ensuring Serina is overindulged. To be chosen as concubine to their heir of Viridia is an accomplishment, families are reimbursed monetarily, surviving poverty and low socioeconomic conditions, incentive for labour weary families. Nomi advocates for gender equality, the freedom to be educated, to be literate, to eradicate concubines and the female voice to be acknowledged and celebrated. Rebelliously, Nomi has learnt to read, a crime punishable by life imprisonment, her defiance capturing the heir, Prince Malachi and brother Asa, as Nomi is chosen to become a Grace in Serina's place.

And Though She Be But Little, She Is Fierce
The essence of Grace and Fury is liberation against the patriarchy and oppression of women. Although a Grace, Serina is a resilient young woman accused of concealing forbidden literature and removed as the appointed handmaiden, incarcerated on Mount Ruin, an island prison for women ostracised from society. Nomi is reluctantly navigating her new position as Grace, determined to pursue the disappearance of Serina as revolution within the palace begins to rouse. 

Serina's awakening is remarkable. Viridian women are sentenced to the island penitentiary, patrolled by armed and opportunistic male wardens. Estranged women are segregated, contending for meagre rations to survive. Girls are competitively conditioned throughout their lives, prevalent on the island where violence reigns. Afflicted by an insurmountable loss, Serina invokes change inspired by Nomi and her own defiance.

The Tale Of Two Princes And An Extra Guy
Prince Malachi is heir to the Viridian throne, a restrained, commanding presence. Asa is tender young man, unequivocally determined to revolutionise society, challenging inequality. His ideals captivate Nomi, sharing his fear for a tyrannical reign as the health of his father deteriorates. Supposedly, Nomi is an elementary challenge for Malachi to conquer as heir as the young Grace is manipulated and exploited.

On the island, Serina finds companionship in Valentino, a young soldier under the command of the Viridian monarch. Entrusting Valentino, Serina is desperate to escape the island, fearing persecution for inciting revolutionary conflict. The imprisoned female population of Mount Ruin is uprising.

Misogynist Bastards
Deception and betrayal reign within the kingdom, the patriarchy have ensured women remain docile and ignorant. Viridia hides an abhorrent history of misogyny, women in positions of authority were eradicated and now viewed as subordinate, deserving of servitude or to be aesthetically pleasing. Nae feckin' way. Rise up ladies.


Author Tracy Banghart has created a scintillating narrative, young women non conforming, demolishing the confines of traditional societal positions. Empowering, captivating and inciting until the final page.
For every woman who has been told to sit down and be quiet... And who stood up anyway.

25 comments

  1. Alright, I didn't need another fantasy novel in my TBR, but you have me adding this one. It seriously sounds amazing with all the feminist themes. I've got to meet these two characters too as they sound brilliantly fleshed-out.
    I'm glad this was a hit for you, Kelly!

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    1. The strong female character development in young adult lately has been brilliant and this one really surprised me. Especially Serina and her quiet determination. An amazing read.

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  2. This sounds amazing but your gif made me giggle a little. Spot on!

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I actually made it myself, if ever a book with misogyny deserved a Merida rant, it was this one. I loved the uprising of women and can't wait to see what the next installment brings!

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  3. "For every woman who has been told to sit down and be quiet... And who stood up anyway." I love that you ended your review with that. So so true, and I'm glad this was a book that dealt with that theme and it did it well. I like how the two sisters "lives" are kind of swapped if you will when Nomi ends up becoming a Grace. Definitely seems like a good read, thanks for sharing!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It's a subtle feminism beneath the surface of the female characters, the need for equality and to be respected. As characters begin to mature and experience the inequality, the uprising begins. It's such a momentous moment within the narrative Lauren. I can't wait to see what you think of this one!

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  4. This sounds such a powerful premise. I like the sound of this book!

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    1. It's incredible, captivated me from the very first chapter.

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  5. Whew, what a premise this is -- and Serina and Noomi,be still my heart they sound magnificent and complex.

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    1. Both sisters are imperfect, they're quite relatable especially navigating their male dominated environment. I loved their development throughout the narration, that slow building fury against feeling caged and the demands placed upon women within their society. Book two is going to be explosive!

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  6. Merida is definitely Nomi there. maybe i'll wait until book 2 by the looks of it.. i wanna be ready for the explosion

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    1. It's amazing Ailyn, I'd recommend to read it much sooner. I love the anticipation after such an explosive ending.

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  7. I really enjoyed this one! I grew suspicious of the bad guy when he started being too helpful. It shouldn't have been so easy for Nomi. I also thought Serina got the poop end of the stick. She was completely innocent and ended up having to literally fight for her survival. I would have preferred fighting my way out of the golden cage, but I can see how each situation was appropriate for both sisters. They needed that push. The ending was GAH -- need the next book, please!

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. That ending killed me! The next book is going to be explosive! I was completely unprepared for that twist, I was thoroughly enjoying it and didn't pick up on the little subtleties that other readers had. Serina definitely had the raw deal of the two but I loved her journey more so, she really grew into her character and I loved seeing her inner strength.

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    2. He was just being too nice, you know? He started to seem a little desperate when he wanted some random girl's help. If he were being honest, he wouldn't have trusted her with that information. I don't know though... it's in my nature to be suspicious of everyone when I read a book, haha. I do think Serina had the toughest experience, but I also think she adapted really well. She didn't sacrifice her beliefs or what she knew to be right.

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  8. Oh wow. Sounds like a really good girl power book Kelly! Plus that cover looks amazing <3

    xx
    Vanessa
    Blushing Geek

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    1. It is Vanessa and super intense with forbidden romances that thankfully, don't overwhelm the storyline. It's a brilliant read! Would love to see what you think of it.

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  9. Oh empowering awesomeness! I've been seeing this book everywhere, 'bout time I went and got myself a copy. Fantastic review Kelly <3 :-)

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    1. You'll love this one too Sarah, it's a fairly quick but intense read. Can't wait to see your thoughts!

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  10. Smol and fierce - a common I've heard about this one and I'm glad! I enjoyed her Rebel Wing series, so I'm super curious and excited about her newest novel

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    1. Ooh, I haven't read those Sophia but really curious now. Will have to hunt them down.

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  11. A book where you smash the patriarchy? Yes please, sign me up. It does sound rage inducing with the servitude of women and their lower status in society but honestly, it sounds like the best. especially as the two sisters end up switching their position in a sense. I find it interesting that it seems that even though women are a lower status there even seems to be a hierarchy amongst them. Your review makes this sound so so good and I am going to add the good old TBR even though I hate committing to series.

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    1. It's a society within a society almost. Another aspect that I enjoyed about this one is the reasoning males justified their treatment of women, there wasn't any particular reason. Ohhhh but there was my friend. What Nomi discovers will make you nod furiously, shouting damn right you should be scared. It was an empowering moment for women even if most haven't realised as yet.

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  12. It's kind of interesting that the girl on the cover of that book looks almost exactly like one of my friends :D
    This sounds like a really good book though! Amazing review. You are really tempting me to read this!!

    Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks

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    1. That's uncanny Evelina, you'll have to show her and see if she can see the resemblance as well! It's a brilliant read, one of my favourites this year actually. I love books that empower young women through revolution and change in male patriarchal societies. Although fictional, within the narrative there is an incredible amount of truth to how society still continues to view women and I'm all for stoking that fire to ignite young women to break those glass ceilings.

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