Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Bookinistas: GRACE by Elizabeth Scott

Okay, so we have to begin this post with a confession. Neither of us have read LIVING DEAD GIRL by Elizabeth Scott. We have heard absolutely incredible things about this book, but are kind of terrifed. We both have daughters and have vowed to read the book after they are grown and gone.

But when an ARC of Elizabeth's newest book GRACE crossed our paths, we each devoured it in a matter of hours. This book is truly like nothing we've ever read. Check it out...

Here's what the back cover has to say:
Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

Told in spare, powerful prose by acclaimed author Elizabeth Scott, this tale of a dystopian near future will haunt readers long after they've reached the final page.

Lila's Take:
This book truly is haunting. The idea that Grace's world could be our near-future is terrifying. Even more terrifying is the fact that in some countries, this already is a reality. Terrorism, suicide bombers, child-soldiers. And yet Elizabeth writes with such an undeniable beauty, her flawless prose in stark contrast to the dark themes of the book. This is an intense book that really makes you think about how incredibly lucky we are for the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis. GRACE would make a fantastic pick for a YA book club.

Here's what the other Bookanistas are up to this week:


17 comments:

Matthew MacNish said...

What a strange premise for a story! It does sound a little depressing but probably also very powerful, and moving. Sometimes that's what storytelling is all about anyway. I don't mind a sad, tragic tale, as long as it's well told.

Martina Boone said...

This sounds so powerful! It reminds me of The Host a little bit by your description. Can't wait to check it out. Thanks, ladies!

Stina said...

Considering how much I liked LIVING DEAD GIRL (tho it did freak me out), I'll definitely be checking this book out. :)

Creepy Query Girl said...

I never heard of 'Living Dead Girl' and this book does sound like an intense read. Thanks for the review!

Kerri Cuev said...

Wow this sounds amazing and powerful! Looks like this will be added to my list.

Unknown said...

Wow both these novels sound very interesting, something I'm definitely going to have to check out, though I'm not good at eerie books that give me the heebie jeebies. Never stops me.

PS - I have an awesome author interivew today... Maybe a new book for your TBR list in 2011?

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

It sounds like one of those books that you have to read with a box of tissues in hand. Beautiful review. I love it when a book surprises me by making me like it, even while it unsettles me.

Patti said...

I love these kind of books. I'll be adding this one to my ever growing list.

Tere Kirkland said...

Yeah, I haven't been able to convince myself to read Living Dead Girl (since I know it will be good but also probably haunt me for life), so I'm looking forward to Grace. Thanks for the review, y'all!

Christine Fonseca said...

WOW! Want to read this one too...man my list is getting long long long!

Shannon Messenger said...

Awesome review, you guys. You always make me want to read the book! Bravo! :)

Amy Lukavics said...

Awesome review. I'll need to pick this one up!

Jemi Fraser said...

Another one for my wishlist - sounds like a unique premise

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Wow. Now I have to go to Amazon and one click BOTH books. You guys are killing me with all these Bookanista reviews! :-)

lexcade said...

oooooooooooooooooo! wants to read!!!!

mockingjay first, and then some of these others...

Alex Bennett from Electrifying Reviews said...

This one looks so great! I can't wait to read it!

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Hi, Lisa & Laura,

I haven't read "LIVING DEAD GIRL" either (and I'm not sure if I will), but I really would LOVE to win this one.

Thanks for the neat contest and best of luck to everyone...especially me. (LOL!)

Cynde

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