This is one of those books that sucks you into it and then you exist in its world, alongside its characters. So then when it finally comes to an end ,you find yourself almost feeling out of sorts, trying to come back to reality. This feeling was probably caused by two things in particular, one being just how dense the story itself is. I can definitely see why some people had their issues with it because it is a very slow paced novel, it’s a story that you have to work for, it’s intricately woven, characters and writing are both very full. It’s what I call a ‘life book’ where a lot of it is just watching the characters go about their day to day lives, and in this case it had the charm of being set in a small and paranormal town. This also took me quite a while to read, because it was just so dense and slow, that it almost has a lulling quality and is just generally hard to speed through. I truly didn’t mind taking my time with it though, because I was always invested, I actually quite like stories like this, it feels like more of an achievement when you finish it. Some have called it boring, but I love fly on the wall ‘life’ books, especially when the writing is so gorgeous and the storyline has an air of mystery about it. Although it was of a slower pace and was day to day stuff, it felt like lots of things were significant, again, this could of just been because the writing seemed to be written with such purpose, but I literally highlighted every other sentence in this.
It’s quite hard to establish a general plot, but I guess the most central theme of the book and what everyone’s actions are based around, is the bargain and more specifically, the slaughter moon. At the very start we witness a sacrifice taking place, 10 years ago, when one of the saints ran into this forest and never returned. Then we are catapulting into the present where 3 years before the saint John Upjohn took his turn and went into the forest, and eventually escaped, albeit without his hand, which was taken by the devil. John is the first saint to run, escape and then actually stay living in Three Graces, the only other three saints that survived left town. So it’s been 3 years since the town gave a saint to run, and so the bargain should hold for the full 7 years. However, it’s only been 3 years and uncharacteristic things are starting to happen, a woman is having trouble with her pregnancy, there is a sick horse and there is blight in the crops. These things just don’t happen in Three Graces, because the bargain ensures that these unpleasant aspects of nature and life don’t happen, it is their protection and their comfort.
So with these unusual things happening, the few that are privy to what’s happening are forced to consider that there is something wrong with the bargain, as that’s the only logical explanation for these strange new occurrences. However, when the leaves on the Bone Tree turn red, it is clear that something has happened to the bargain and that the forest requires another saint, 4 whole years early. And so the main body of the novel is the lead up to the next slaughter moon and choosing a new saint, how this affects the town and our three protagonists. Then the actual slaughter moon ritual and then the events after. The Book is actually split into specific sections, the new section highlighted with a blacked out page, almost marking the significance of each one and closing the chapter of the last one. Understandably, the pace picked up most towards the later sections of the book, and there were some very big reveals indeed, but I honestly can’t choose a favourite section, they each had bits that I loved and the writing was strong the whole way through.
So I’m a big fan of anything set in a small town and especially if it happens to be witchy, so Strange Grace was a real treat for me. This is not just another story about a small town where magical beings live and magical things happen. The magic is actually in the place itself and so the town is isolated, by choice more than anything, why let outsiders into this safe haven. In a way though, the town’s also a prison even if some can’t see it and with some truths about the bargain coming to light, the town’s forced to question how the bargain has affected them negatively. Yes, they heal quickly, always have as much rain as they need to etc, but they’re not truly living. I just thought that it was a nice spin on the classic story that it’s the actual place that is magical and not the people, except for Mairwen and her mother who are descendants of the Grace witches.
The three protagonists were Mairwen, Arthur and Rhun. Much to my delight I happened to love every single one of them. Each of them have their place in their small community, even if Arthur doesn’t believe he does. Mairwen is seen as the odd, but endearing ancestor of the powerful Grace witches, she’s looked at side ways for her oddities, but she’s very much loved, she longs to answer the sinister call of the forest, as she feels that’s where she belongs. Arthur is also seen as other, people treat him like/he makes himself an outsider, he’s argumentative, cold and keeps to himself, Mairwen, Rhun and the wider Sayer family are the only people he gives the time of day to, he’s been hurt and is still hurting. And lastly, Rhun, like Mair and Arthur, stands out from the rest of the town. Rhun is seen as the ‘golden boy’, he’s good hearted and generally good at everything, he’s beautiful and is deeply loved by the whole town and loves the town back equally, if not more. With Rhun being all that he is, it’s an unspoken and unconfirmed fact amongst everyone that he will be crowned the saint and therefore, will be offered to the devil in the forest as a sacrifice to keep the bargain alive, for it requires the best of the best and that is unquestionably Rhun.
It’s funny because you can’t really call what Mair, Rhun and Arthur have a friendship, as there are a lot of blurred lines and well, it’s strange to think that Arthur has ‘friends’, because he’s Arthur. Rhun cares for them both, Mair cares for them both, but has a love hate relationship with Arthur and Arthur has a love hate relationship with both of them (one sided in regards to Rhun). But things get much more interesting and complicated, when we realise that there’s a polyamorous aspect their relationship has. Mair openly kisses both of the boys and then we learn that Rhun has kissed Arthur before and that he’s very much in love with him, but Arthur rejects him. I actually really loved reading about the dynamics in their relationship and the different ways they all loved each other. Their unique relationship also for me, reinforced that this town is on its own and has its own way of doing things. We didn’t really get to see how outsiders reacted to it, because the way Rhun felt about Arthur was something that only the three of them really knew, although there is a poignant scene between Rhun and his mum. This was probably not an easy relationship for any writer to portray, so beautifully and convincingly, therefore, I really think that the author did an incredible job.
This was one of the most unique and memorable books that I’ve read, for a number of reasons. The premise of the book is just so original and was executed so well, the characters, especially the main trio, were expertly crafted and I miss each of them, the writing was so haunting and last but not least, it included some barely touched upon subjects in YA, such as a polyamorous relationship and gender. I really loved Arthur’s story of struggling with fitting people’s ideas concerning gender and the journey he went on, better understanding himself and who and what he should be, and who and what he should love. I could seriously talk about this book for hours, because it was just so unlike anything I’ve ever read and truly made me think and feel deeply. I know that there have been very mixed reviews for this book, probably because it’s so one of a kind, but I would definitely recommend picking it up, if it interests you even just a little bit.
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Muse
This book sucks you into it and then you exist in its world, alongside its characters.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2019Verified Purchase
Judith Kirk-Browne
Well written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2019Verified Purchase
Samkasin
Schwankende Spannungskurve
Reviewed in Germany on 6 September 2019Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Haunting, Beautiful Novel with lots of Heart
Reviewed in Canada on 26 November 2018Verified Purchase
Léa
good
Reviewed in France on 31 December 2020Verified Purchase