Book Review : The Graces by Laure Eve
24th November, 2016
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Fenrin, Thalia, and Summer are siblings in the Grace family. They are wealthy and charming. Not to mention that they are whispered to be witches, Everyone wants to be their friend. But luck favours the new girl, River, who wants to be a Grace more than anything.
With such a brilliant cover and the story being about witches, I was instantly attracted to the book. However, it was not as I expected the book to be.
The Twilight Comparison
[vcex_spacing]After a few pages into the book, I felt the plot seemed familiar, too familiar – Twilight! A new girl. A group of mystical siblings. There is the YA cliché of the one hot guy, Fenrin, who is the heart throb of every girl in town. The new girl has a crush on the hot guy. And so on.
About sexuality
[vcex_spacing]When River says she doesn’t like Fenrin (she actually does), Summer, one of the Grace sisters, says she must be gay. River denies being gay and the conversation rolls on. That seems to put Fenrin on too high a pedestal. Liking a person has nothing to do with being gay or not.
Unrealistic twists
[vcex_spacing]At first it says, no outsider stays in the Grace group for long. It is not clearly mentioned what makes River worthy of an entry into the sibling group. What does she have that no one else in town has?
There is a website that proves that the Graces are witches and gives detailed explanations. River finds out who made it because he quotes a line from the website. How can that be conclusive? Anyone who has read the website can do that. Also, there being a website out in the open – Why are the Graces not bothered at all by it?
The name
[vcex_spacing]River hates her actual name, so she gives herself the new name ‘River’. I could not understand why there is so much secrecy surrounding her name. Perhaps the mystery will be answered in the sequel.
Final Verdict :
[vcex_spacing]I think The Graces had a lot of potential. I started the read with a lot of expectations. The blurb was fascinating and if it had been executed better, it could have been a major hit. The pace did pick up after a huge chunk of the book was over, but by then it is too late to hold a reader’s interest. If you won’t mind Twilight in a new bottle you might enjoy the read. Else, no.
Title : The Graces
Author : Laure Eve
Publisher : Faber & Faber
Published : 2016
Language : English
Pages : 415
Rating : 2/5
Much thanks to Faber & Faber for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
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Have you read The Graces? Did you love it or hate it? Did any of these point bother you? Will you be reading the sequel?
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This is on my TBR – I’ll probably be getting to it in the next couple of months. It has such cool potential, but I have heard mixed reviews. I’ll be curious to see what I think about it. Lovely photo and perfectly written review per usual 😀
Thank you so much. I hope you will enjoy it more than me if you pick a book up.
Ouch. This just sounds like a trainwreck. Too bad. I’ll have to get this off my wishlist
I am not sure if you will enjoy it. As I said there are bad and good reviews. Maybe you can find out for yourself by borrowing a copy? If the above points do not bother you, that is.
I feel like I’ve heard everything and nothing about this book so far. I keep seeing it pop up everywhere I for some reason I’m really intrigued by the cover but I can’ work out why. This is probably the first proper look I’ve taken at the story. It does sound interesting but I feel like the general consensus over the book is similar to you opinion; there being potential but it’s just not quite executed well enough. Such a shame! I think at the end of the day I’m still really curious to read the book and see how I find it, myself! Great review!!
Thanks. I think you should read it and find out for yourself. I was curious after the highly positive and negative reviews. I fall on the wrong side but who knows, you might enjoy it.
I can tell you didn’t like this book very much because your review is curt and short! Usually, you have lots to say about books you enjoy.
I don’t think I would like this book at all. I also read Jo’s review and she gave it an even lower score!
That conversation about River’s sexuality would have annoyed me to no end…
Did the author think people already forgot about Twilight that the story could be rehashed all over again?
Haha. You read my mind Naz. Yes, sadly it is too similar to Twilight and many illogical plot holes are there in the story.
Lovely review! I was SO interested when I read the blurb for this, and I love the cover as well. Too bad it didn’t meet your expectations, it indeed sounds like this had so many potential to be a great book. I think I’ll have to think about it before putting it on my TBR 🙂
Some readers did enjoy the book. It just wasn’t my thing. I hope you will see other reviews and decide if you will enjoy the read
The synopsis sounds super cool, but a new version of twilight? Ugh that makes me shiver. I do think that I’ll give this book a try one day though. I’ve always preferred reading about witches over vampires so maybe that will be the resounding difference for me? Oh well, we’ll see.
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Thanks for visiting. Maybe you can borrow a copy and give it a try? I hope you will enjoy the read more than me
I actually loved this one. I didn’t actually see the Twilight similarities until now….and I like I can kind of see it?? But it felt very different to me, so I’m glad about that!! I didn’t loathe Twilight but it wasn’t a favourite or anything. I was a bit confused as to why River’s name was so secretive too?? WEIRD. And I mean, the ending was definitely better than the beginning and River WAS a bit insufferable with her “better then everyone else” attitude….but I still did love most of it. hehe.
Oh yes, I remember talking to you about it on your blog. We can’t like the same books, right? I am glad you found it to be an enjoyable read. It is excellent that you didnt think Graces resembles Twilight. Now I can see why you loved the read.
I got this out from the library, I hadn’t heard much about it except that it had witches in it and it was a new release. Now that you compare it to Twilight, I’m automatically turned off reading the book lol. thanks for the review Resh!
No problem Jeann. Yes it does have alot of Twilighty vibes. Some readers liked it though.
Oh no. I was so excited for this. Plus I hate this cover. THE RED ONE IS SO COOL WHY DID NOT WE GET IT?? Just no. I haven’t read Twilight, but it was coming on TV the other day. I watched a little bit but then abandoned it because it was hellish boring, and plus THE STALKING WAS TOO MUCH FOR ME TO HANDLE. #sorrynotsorry
Haha. In that case, I don’t think you will like the book. River is obsessed with the Grace family in this one. Thanks for visiting.
I feel like I’ve mostly seen (really) negative reviews for this one! And from your post I don’t feel like it’ll be something worth picking up either, which is a shame bc the cover is just so gorgeous, I’d love a physical copy.
I was so disappointed. The cover really caught my eye. But the story of Graces didn’t. The concept was good. I really wish it was executed better.
I actually liked this book! It was an okay-ish three star read until the twist at the ending, which was when I realized WOW. I NEED that sequel!
It’s so sad that you feel like this is YA Cliche, and I agree that some parts like her name and WHY River was a new part of their group weren’t explained, but I did like the book overall.
Will you be reading the sequel?
I am glad you enjoyed the read. Isn’t it wonderful that we all have different tastes? I don’t think I will be reading the sequel. But I hope you will. And also that you willl enjoy the sequel even more than Graces. 🙂