Title: The Graces
Author: Laure Eve
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Paranormal Fantasy
Source: Free ARC from ABRAMS Kids
Rating: B-
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from ABRAMS Kids via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review (and trust me, honest is always what you’ll get).
Review: The main character (her name changes at some point in the story, so I’m keeping it basic) is the new girl, having recently moved from “the city” (we never know where exactly) with her mother. Her father is not in the picture (we find out why later), and they have moved for her benefit, for a new start because of some dark reason of which we are not immediately aware. She tries very hard to not stand out, and doesn’t make friends very quickly. Self-identifying as other, she finds herself drawn to a family called the Graces, consisting of three teenagers who attend her school. They are an old family, established in the area, the most powerful and the most mysterious. Rumors about the family abound, and they cycle through “friends” like most of cycle through toilet paper. There is something about them that makes her think they will understand each. When she succeeds in befriending them, things begin to unravel in ways she never expected, and her truth is eventually forced out.
The story was well-written and there was plenty of mystery. Are they witches or aren’t they? What did the main character do that was so horrible? Where is her father? And while I suspected that things would not be all well in the end, I didn’t guess specifically what she had done. I don’t know how you could, honestly. It was entertaining and had magic and fair amounts of teenage angst. And a seriously beautiful cover (I’m referring to the gorgeous red one). It was perfectly adequate, and in no way a waste of my reading time. I’m not going to run through the halls recommending it, and I don’t know for certain that I’ll pick up the next in series (I was a little shocked it was part of a series, honestly), but a good read.