The Grace Year
by Kim Liggett
Though this is a dystopian YA story, there are no big revolutions happening in The Grace Year by Kim Liggett. Revolutions realistically begin as small acts over the span of many rebellions, and in puritanical Garner County, the rebellions are happening in girls like 15 year old Tierney Jones. Raised as a cynical tomboy in a society that believes women are harborers of harmful magic, Tierney is disdainful of the repressive roles women play in their society and dismissive of women and girls in general.
"I'm not like the other girls" is something Tierney never says outright, but it's something that tracks with her thought process. The Grace Year deconstructs this line of thinking, but it's a messy process. She's got to build relationships with other girls that test her preconceptions, but ultimately, Tierney relies mostly on herself. She's a strong heroine who doesn't sway with the wind-- she trusts what she can see-- and although she gives in to a few moments of doubt, the truth (her truth!) is what ultimately previals in this psychological, dystopian thriller.
The story feels by the book, and the twists, alhtough unexpected, left me wanting more exploration with other characters. She's both a well-meaning outsider and a judgemental figure, which means she has a lot to learn. Female relationships play a huge role in both her society, in the plot itself, and in the themes of the book. "The things we do to girls" was the theme that inspired author Kim Liggett, and although I couldn't stop thinking about the strong worldbuilding and the plot itself, I did find myself wanting more of this. There's a huge lull in the middle-- where female roles have nothing to do with Tierney, where Tierney's judgements about people in general are tested-- but her changed thoughts and feelings about the women in her life don't feel earned. There's a hole in the center of the book where these changes in her thought processes should be taking place.
But enough about what's missing!
Here's what's good: the characters and plot reeled me in. I read this in one sitting. If you don't want to think too hard, and you want a decent slow-burning yarn about a dystopian girl coming of age, grab this book. It's an all female Hunger Games surivial story with a dash of Lord of the Flies. This is a story about holding true to what you can prove, holding fast about what you know, while at the same time, being open to changing your mind about the people around you. Essentially, it's about growing up.
And if you do it well, it's about how you can inspire others with small acts of rebellion along the way.