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The Grace Year

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The Grace Year

By: Kim Liggett
Narrated by: Emily Shaffer
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The resistance starts here...

No one speaks of the grace year.
It's forbidden.
We're told we have the power to lure grown men from their beds, make boys lose their minds, and drive the wives mad with jealousy. That's why we're banished for our sixteenth year, to release our magic into the wild before we're allowed to return to civilization.
But I don't feel powerful.
I don't feel magical.

Tierney James lives in an isolated village where girls are banished at sixteen to the northern forest to brave the wilderness - and each other - for a year. They must rid themselves of their dangerous magic before returning purified and ready to marry - if they're lucky.

It is forbidden to speak of the grace year, but even so every girl knows that the coming year will change them - if they survive it...

The Grace Year is The Handmaid's Tale meets Lord of the Flies - a feminist dystopia about a young woman trapped in an oppressive society, fighting to take control of her own life.

©2019 Kim Liggett (P)2019 Penguin Audio Dark Fantasy Dystopian Fantasy Fiction Magic Science Fiction
All stars
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I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this story, the setting, the survival and romantic sub-plots. Everything worked in unison, every moment felt necessary and the narrator was a pleasure to listen too. My only grip was that a few side characters voices were annoying, but in the end this piece moved me to tears.

Enthralling

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I honestly loved this book! Finally something that was a bit different. I really enjoyed the characters and the development of the storyline

Captivating from start to finish

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This hits the notes in all the right places: the plot is straightforward enough with a very relatable protagonist; there are just enough haunting bits and they are quickly recovered; and the ideas run deep into our social and gendered realities.
I definitely concur it's a Handmaids Tale for older teen readers, and adults. I love the interview with the author at the end.

Women everywhere, listen up...

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Stunning! I loved every bit of this. Handmaids Tale crossed with Lord of the Flies. I broke, I healed, I cried, I smiled. I will be recommending to anyone who will listen. Amazing story Kim Liggett. Bravo.

My favourite book for the year

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Loved this. Unexpected. Empowering. With a strong message. I hope to take something away from this that will make me better.

Profound

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literally, every chance I got i would have my headphones in, think i did more kms in 2 wks than i have done done for ages!
wow!
and u know what? i loved the chat with the author & the storytellwer at the end, such a lovely gift.

couldnt put it down

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I loved this book, It's a book that needs your full attention.
It was a great story line.
be prepared to shed some tears.

Brilliant

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Just such a relatable story. Loved the characters of Tierney and Ryker. The world they live in with it's strict customs and rituals makes me think medieval but has so many parralels to modern society. The narrator did a great job of all the characters both male and female. Loved the interview with the author at the end. I couldn't stop listening to this book and didn't want it to end! Could easily lead to a sequel?

Not my usual genre but Wow!

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I loved the characters- the non stop plot with some solid unpredictable twists and turns. The narrator was perfect, and made the listening experience so enjoyable. Confronting and raw and compelling. Highly recommend.

A brilliant story I couldn’t put down

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Pro
- Interesting premise
- had lots of potential as a world

Con
- you don't really get to know the male lead, you're just expected to really like him over a very short period of time
- the other male lead, frankly seems nicer/braver/kinder
- the main character is very whingey
- we don't see the improvement in the female characters

I wanted to like this more

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