The Grace Tour with Kim Liggett Recap

I had the pleasure to attend the Boston stop for The Grace Tour at the Brookline Booksmith on Tuesday, October 8th, aka pub date for The Grace Year. I was so excited to see Kim Liggett along with moderator/author Sasha Alsberg and authors Holly Black, Rory Power and Libba Bray. I have been a huge fan of Kim Liggett’s books since I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of Blood and Salt at BEA 2015. Since then, Kim has published five books!

I met up with my friend Rachel for some ramen before heading over to Brookline Booksmith. I wanted to make sure I got a good seat so Rachel and I went to the bookstore fairly early. We browsed the store a bit and met a few YA book lovers. Rachel couldn’t stay for the event but I was so happy that I was able to see her for a little bit that night.

The panel itself was pretty hilarious. Sasha started off with an icebreaker. She asked everyone what is the most outlandish plot they wrote. She mentioned that she had a story where Justin Bieber and Criminal Minds merged together called FBI Girlfriend, Pop-Star Boyfriend.  Holly mentioned that she wrote Nights of the Silver Sun in which she mentioned she probably meant Moon. She wrote the story in 8th grade about the Interview with the Vampire mashed up with another book/show. Rory wrote a persuasive piece when she was 14-years-old about how a girl who convinced her parents to lease a horse for $20.00. Libba mentioned "all my crazy ideas have been published." She also talked about a vampire movie musical. Kim exclaimed she didn't start writing until she was 40 or so. She also said that there are no books in her drawers but at one point she had an idea for a necrophilia romance which was shot down.

Sasha talked about how The Grace Year is hauntingly beautiful yet she asks Kim, how do you scare your readers without showing it. Kim mentioned, "I don't think it's more horrifying compared to what we see everyday" when she talks about The Grace Year. With sexual assault, the Me Too Movement and how people are treated everyday, the apple is not far from the tree. Kim talks about how even thought she writes horror, she is afraid of everything.

Sasha discussed he mean girl trope and about what invokes girl on girl hatred. She mentioned about how there is a competition and how it can provide a story line and character development. She asked all the authors how do you tackle the mean girl trope and what do you think about it. Kim talked about how it is so easy to do. Girls should have offered a more helping hand. They shouldn’t bully. Kim mentioned about how this “book changed me. I changed how I view women. I grew up with Tierney.” Rory talked about how she “loves mean girls.” Her book has 40 mean girls stuck on an island. She talked about how “everyone sucks” and talks about feminism. Holly mentioned how we shouldn’t allow girls to be mean in fiction. Girls should have a complete set of emotions and not just being mean. Libba discussed about thinking about the internal misogyny and found families. There are so many ways to express feelings and sometimes people are not allowed access of rage. We need to practice being in the ring and to forge friendships. It’s about sparring and giving edges. Sasha talked about how girls should be empowering and there should be a mutual respect among people.

Sasha asked, "If your character lives until 80-years-old, what would they tell their grandchildren?" Rory thinks fondly about how her main character broke a nose over an orange. Holly mentioned how Aurora tells her children how Prince Philip ate a mouse heart. Kim exclaimed how Tierney tells how the grace year ended. Libba said two words..band camp.

In terms of mythology, Sasha asked Holly how she crafted her fairytale world and what she did for research. Holly talks about Brian Froud and Alan Lee’s book called Faeries and the movie Labyrinth. These frightening and folkloric creatures of nature intrigued her. She did a lot of research on England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. I love Brian Froud's work on faeries in general. I highly checking out his works and Amy Brown's.

Hearing from the authors about if they plan the twists and turns before the ending was fascinating. Libba talked about how she doesn't plan at all. She explores the human condition. Libba also mentioned about the project when she says "Help me, Baby Jesus." And the response is "Jesus can't help you." She goes where the series goes and where it takes her. In terms of being a plotter or a panster, Libba mentions how she puts the characters through so much and they go through so much growth. Of course she is panster.

Kim exclaimed that things get worse before they get better. She knew all of her story at once after getting inspired to write The Grace Year. This has never happened before with other novels. She was at Penn Station and noticed a family in front of her. There was a girl who was 13 to 14-years-old. There was a man passing by. He stared at the girl and looked up and down. A woman passed by and she looked at the girl but with a look of sadness. The girl was going back to boarding school. The parents were relieved since the girl was tucked away for a year, keeping her safe. It’s a brutal system. It’s a gut punch. The beginning and ending was written during the trip to DC. “I had to write the book,” Kim said. It was a profound and weird experience but she knew she had to have this story be told.

Sasha asked the panelists about how they feel about backlash when they kill off a character or if they put the character through a tough feat. Sasha talked about how she appreciates the invoking of emotions. Holly feels like a message is being sent in a bottle. She disconnects with sending emotional and angry feelings and how someone receives it.

The authors discussed about what was one thing they wish they knew before they published books. Rory said that she was lazy and said yes a lot to things. She didn’t know what she was getting into. She learned how the brain thinks and how to control her impulse. Sasha exclaimed that she wished she took a public speaking course and she learned that editors don’t edit the whole book for you.

Sasha talked about creativity and asked the authors about “what is something that refilled the creative well beyond your writing?” Sasha mentioned about how she likes to paint. Kim used to be a backup singer in the 80’s. She had Aqua Net hair and she started being a backup singer when she was 16-years-old. Kim fell in love with stories this way. She mentioned about how deep hurts come from young adulthood. It’s the heard of the matter. Everything else are symptoms. Right now, Kim doesn’t sing anymore. She had massive stage fright. She stepped in front to do a showcase and she froze. Normally, she doesn’t see everyone since she is not in the spotlight. Kim exclaimed how living your own life refills the well. She had a lot of life experience and she talking about enjoying yourself. Libba is a frontwoman of a band. She writes and records music. Occasionally she will have some performances. Rory watches TV such as Criminal on Netflix. Holly loves gothic interior decorating.

Sasha had several rounds of lighting speed questions and answers.

1. What is your favorite toothpaste?
Some answers included Sensodyne, Biotene and Tom’s.

2. What is your favorite writing instrument?
Libba: Pen and paper
Kim: Rollerball
Rory: Laptop
Holly: Laptop

3. What is your least favorite word? You cannot use moist.
Libba: Trump!
Kim: Winger
Rory: Fester
Holly: Carbunkle

4. What is your favorite baking dishes?
Libba: Seamless
Kim: Brisk chicken
Rory: Microwave
Holly: Pumpkin bread
Sasha: I can't bake cookies at al.

5. What is your favorite fall snack.
Libba: Pumpkin spice..."souls of my enemies"
Kim: Apples
Rory: Cheez-its
Holly: Coffee

6. Coffee or wine?
Libba: Coffee!
Kim: Coffee!
Rory: Yes!
Holly: Ditto

7. What is your favorite city?
Sasha: London
Libba: Providence...and all 14 that live there.
Kim: Rome
Rory: Edinburgh
Holly: London and Edinburgh

8. What is your least favorite clothing?
Sasha: Socks
Libba: Bra
Kim: Bra
Rory: Tights
Holly: Bra

Sasha asked the authors what they are reading currently or what they just finished reading. Libba mentioned Wilder Girls, Three Women and Middlegame. Holly said Wayward's Son. Sasha then ends her series of questions with, "What is next for you?" Sasha talked about an urban folklore fantasy. Libba said a vampire music musical but she really is working on the last book of the Diviners series, King of Crows. Kim is currently working on two novels. One is adult and one is YA. Both has to do about what ring women together. Rory is working on a new standalone that is coming out in 2020. She describes it as corn of horror and field of nightmares. Holly is finishing up the highly anticipated Queen of Nothing.

Sasha opened up questions to the audience. One reader/teacher mentioned how they are introducing social justice themes into their curriculum for their students. They asked the authors what is one thing you wanted to hear as a 16-year-old? What did you want to know? The authors talked about rules and permission. They are not trying to play by the rules to win because rules aren't set up for us to win. We need to dismantle the system. You don't have to ask for permission to do this.

Someone asked Rory about the integration of girls discovering queerness and the exploration and how that is natural. Rory responds with how it's an important element. It's not just one particular experience. She poses the question, "Do I want to be her or be with her?" Another person wanted to hear Rory talk more about the antagonists vs. protagonists. Rory mentioned, "Everyone is a protagonist in your own story." She loves terrible girls. Rory talks about how the darker parts of a story is acknowledging parts of themselves.

The panel ended with a signing and I was so excited to see Kim again. I saw Kim a couple time back in 2015 at BEA and the Boston Teen Author Festival when Blood and Salt was published. I haven't seen her since and I was ecstatic when she told me she will be around the Boston area in October. Of course, I made sure to block it out on my calendar. It was so great to be able to catch up for a few minutes with Kim and to congratulate her on her 5th published novel! I have been a fan since Blood and Salt, which is her debut novel. Definitely check out all of Kim's novels which include Blood & Salt, The Last Harvest, Heart of Ash, The Unfortunates and The Grace Year.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

Title: The Grace Year
Author: Kim Liggett
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication date: October 8, 2019
Pages: 416
Source/format: e-ARC//Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

A speculative thriller in the vein of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Power. Optioned by Universal and Elizabeth Banks to be a major motion picture!

“A visceral, darkly haunting fever dream of a novel and an absolute page-turner. Liggett’s deeply suspenseful book brilliantly explores the high cost of a misogynistic world that denies women power and does it with a heart-in-your-throat, action-driven story that’s equal parts horror-laden fairy tale, survival story, romance, and resistance manifesto. I couldn’t stop reading.” – Libba Bray, New York Times bestselling author

Survive the year.

No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.

In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why they’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive.

Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life—a society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman, but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other.

With sharp prose and gritty realism, The Grace Year examines the complex and sometimes twisted relationships between girls, the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make in-between.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

“They call us the weaker sex. It’s pounded into us every Sunday in church, how everything’s Eve’s fault for not expelling her magic when she had the chance, but I still can’t understand why the girls don’t get a say. Sure, there are secret arrangements, whispers in the dark, but why must the boys get to decide everything? As far as I can tell, we all have hearts. We all have brains. There are only a few differences I can see, and most men seem to think with that part anyway.”

Kim Liggett starts The Grace Year strong summarizing what a grace year is. It's supposed to be a time where young girls at the age of sixteen will release their magic into the wild in order to stop luring men from their beds, to stop making boys go mad, and to stop wives being driven with jealousy.

Tierney James is one of 33 girls who will leave for a grace year. As part of a promise of marriage, a boy will lift a veil of a girl of his choosing on Veiling Day. This year there are only 12 boys. However, Tierney doesn't want to get married. Those who are not paired up with a boy will live a life of hard work in a labor house. The girls must survive a year within the forest fending and foraging for themselves. After being purified, they can live a life as a wife who bears many children and takes care of her husband or to be a laborer in the mills, fields, etc.

Tierney is shocked but mostly furious when she can't set her life on her own terms. Tierney becomes the wild card. Besides not being able to live a life she wants, Tierney is stuck with mean-spirited and controlling Kiersten along with the other girls for a year. Kiersten rules with fear and the girls listen to her a la The Crucible. The madness spreads like crazy. However, Tierney is one of the girls who fights back. Tierney's decision for not giving into Kiersten's whim sparks a beginning of a rebellion. Women are pitting against each other in a catfight while trying to stay away from the poachers. It's the survival of the fittest.

Liggett's YA dystopian novel may be a break from her normal thrillers and horror novels but The Grace Year is poignant and thought-provoking. Her writing is gritty yet harrowing. There are hints regarding her love for horror sneakingly woven into the novel. The inklings of blood from the punishment tree to the madness the girls endure remind me of Liggett's previous books. After all she is the YA horror queen!

The novel does have some gruesome scenes that may not be for the faint of heart. Also, there is a teenage pregnancy present. Innocence is the color white during the childhood of a girl. Blood is the color red during the survival of a grace year. Death is the color black to the binding marriage that a woman endures. These colors are depicted in the hair ribbons in the females' hair.

If you are looking for a dystopian thriller that fuses classics with more contemporary novels, The Grace Year is for you. I agree with many other readers that The Grace Year is one part The Handmaid’s Tale, one part The Crucible, one part The Hunger Games, and one part Lord of the Flies. The Grace Year will become a new classic that will be read and liked by many generations to come.

FAVORITE QUOTES

“ “Someday, you’ll get a flower. It might be a little withered round the edges, but it’ll mean just the same. Love’s not just for the marrieds, you know, it’s for everyone,” she says as she slips a bloom into my hand. Uncurling my fingers, I find a deep purple iris, the petals and falls perfectly formed.”

“ “Hope,” I whisper, my eyes welling up. I don’t hope for a flower from a boy, but I hope for a better life. A truthful life. I’m not usually sentimental, but there’s something about it that feels like a sign. Like its own kind of magic.”

The Unfortunates by Kim Liggett

Title: The Unfortunates
Author: Kim Liggett
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication date: July 10, 2018
Pages: 224
Source/format: ARC//Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):
When seventeen-year-old senator's son Grant Tavish is involved in a fatal accident, all he wants to do is face the consequences of what he's done, but the consequences never come, even if headlines of "affluenza" do. The truth soon becomes clear: Due to his father's connections, not only will Grant not be held accountable for his actions, he's going to get away with murder.

When a long Tavish tradition approaches, a cave excursion on the Appalachian trail, Grant seizes the opportunity to take justice into his own hands by staging an accident and never coming back. But before he has a chance to enact his plans, the cave system collapses, trapping him miles beneath the surface with four other teens from much less fortunate circumstances. As they struggle to survive, they share their innermost secrets and fears, and just when it seems they might be on track to finding a way out, they realize there's something else down there.

And it's hunting them.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Grant Franklin Tavish the fifth is the privileged son of a senator. After the accident, Grant was bailed out of jail and didn't have to pay the consequences. However, he lives in guilt of what happened that day in December. Money can't buy everything and Grant conscience gets the best of him.

When Grant decides to embark on a Tavish tradition where the males go on a caving expedition solely, things go array. Grant lives in guilt and was about to end is life until he hears another voice. He ends up being saved by four other teenagers that attend the local high school. Kit, Deryll, Shy and Maria become very good friends with Grant. While the five try to find their way out of the cave, a monster is on the lose killing each teenager one by one.

I appreciate how Kim Liggett writes about each teenager with distinction. It is easy to follow who is who and each character has their own backstory and personality. I feel drawn to know more about the characters. Grant seems to be at ease when he befriends the four students. He even lets his guard down around him. Only one character in the book guessed correctly about what the monster is but unfortunately loses their life.

That twist at the end is perfect. There are hints of what the ending was going to be throughout the novel but the reader has to make sure to read each line carefully. Although short in length, The Unfortunates is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of the seat wanting to know what is going to happen and if the five will make it out alive.

Heart of Ash by Kim Liggett

Title: Heart of Ash
Author: Kim Liggett
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date: February 20, 2018
Pages: 288
Source/format: Hardcover from publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Synopsis (from goodreads.com): Ash may have escaped the immortal-worshipping cult that killed her mother, but the love of her life is still under its thrall. Dane has been possessed by his diabolical ancestor Coronado, a man who's fabulously wealthy, dripping with fame, and the leader of Europe's most dangerous immortal network. Dane begs Ash to join him at Coronado's castle in Spain, and swears that his blood bond with Ash is stronger than Coronado's hold over him. Ash is desperate to help Dane vanquish Coronado without having to sacrifice herself to the darkness. But when you're all in, blood and salt, the only way to hold on to the light might just be by setting everything on fire.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

"We're like a dissonant chord in the finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, begging for resolution. As long as we're apart, there will never be peace in the world...harmony." - pg 41 of Heart of Ash

Ash Larkin barely survived a year ago when she was caught in the crossroads of a cult's curse and tradition. Through her mother's sacrifice, she lived and evaded Katia's wrath but is is now an immortal. But because without darkness there can be no light, Ash's twin brother's blood can kill while her's can heal. In a star-crossed lover's story, she is drawn to Dane but Dane is possessed by the evil Coronado. Ash needs to find her brother Rhys before he is found by the Arcanum Council.

Kim Liggett starts the novel off strong with her vivid descriptions. Although readers are transported back to New York and Spain instead of Kansas, Liggett draws in the reader with intrigue. Ash tries to see the good in Dane and tries to believe that he is ultimately trying to fight off Coronado's grasp over him. However, Dane connections is the closest she has to finding Rhys.

Beth and Timmons have been very supportive of Ash during good and tough times. Timmons is always helpful and promises to take care of Ash and Rhys. Beth is Ash's friend who will do anything to be there for Ash. Dane seems like he wants to help Ash but Ash is suspicious of his true intentions.

Heart of Ash is more of a mystery Ash and Dane are trying to investigate. While trying to win over a strong group of immortals and convincing them they are Katia and Coronado, Ash and Dane need to be careful since there might be a traitor amongst them trying to get them killed.

Heart of Ash is everything I want to see in an atmospheric, twisty, paranormal plot line. With its compelling words, the tinge of darkness and the banter between Ash and Dane, it keeps you wanting more. I highly suggest this novel as well as the predecessor, Blood and Salt, to readers who love The Vampire Diaries TV series as well at Kerri Maniscalco's Stalking Jack the Ripper series.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling ARC: The Last Harvest by Kim Liggett

Marci from The Plot Bunny and I are showcasing Kim Liggett for the third post for Sisterhood of the Traveling ARC! Elizabeth from Book YAbber will be skipping this round but will be back next round. Because the three of us love reading ARCs, we decided on sharing our ARCs with one another, not only to allow each of us to read a new title, but to promote how obtaining an ARC is not about trying to hoard an ARC for yourself.

ARCs are meant for promotional reasons. We figured that if we can share one ARC amongst the three of us, it means that the publisher is getting three times as much promotion from one ARC. Each of us will be doing a post on the title we decide to share.

Elizabeth, Marci and I have read Kim Liggett's first book, Blood and Salt and it is beautifully written. Her sophomore book, The Last Harvest, has been on our TBR lists for the longest time and we are fortunate to read it early! Kim has wowed us with her writing and keeps us on our toes!

Title: The Last Harvest
Author: Kim Liggett
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication date: January 10, 2017
Pages: 352
Source/format: ARC from publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

“I plead the blood.”

Those were the last words seventeen-year-old golden boy quarterback Clay Tate heard rattling from his dad's throat when he discovered him dying on the barn floor of the Neely Cattle Ranch, clutching a crucifix to his chest.

Now, on the first anniversary of the Midland, Oklahoma slaughter, the whole town's looking at Clay like he might be next to go over the edge. Clay wants to forget the past, but the sons and daughters of the Preservation Society—a group of prominent farmers his dad accused of devil worship—won't leave him alone. Including Ali, his longtime crush, who suddenly wants to reignite their romance after a year of silence, and hated rival Tyler Neely, who’s behaving like they’re old friends.

Even as Clay tries to reassure himself, creepy glances turn to sinister stares and strange coincidences build to gruesome rituals—but when he can never prove that any of it happened, Clay worries he might be following his dad down the path to insanity...or that something far more terrifying lies in wait around the corner.

M Y  T H O U G H T S 

Clay Tate is forever haunted about the incident that happened one year ago with his father. His father's last words still linger. Living in Midland, Oklahoma can be tough especially when everyone knows the whole town. Clay becomes suspicious of the Preservation Society and what his father was trying to tell him before he died. From branding to occult rituals, Clay has no clue what he is in for. All Clay knows is that he gave up his dreams to play football and to go to college in order to take care of his mother and sisters.

Clay is a character that I can connect with. I love how he is family orientated. Clay's mother and his sisters, Jess and Noodle, are important to him. After all, he has to step up into a parental role ever since his father passed away. The way Clay is observant trying the piece all the clues is the best! He knows something is wrong and wants an answer. He will not settle until he finds out what his father was trying to prevent.

Kim Liggett is the queen of writing novels that are not only terrifying but they permeate deep into your core. After reading the first chapter, Liggett is not shy to dive right into the gruesomeness of the Neely Cattle Ranch slaughter. She goes right for the kill on page 3. She is a genius! Liggett leaves many clues and I had no idea how the novel was going to end which is freaking fantastic! I had two guesses about the prophecy. The ending is eerie and perfect in every way.

Liggett sets the bar for horror very high. The Last Harvest is absolutely frightening and mesmerizing! I was able to read this engrossing and horrific masterpiece in October which is the perfect time of year to be creeped out. You will never look at cattle and dolls the same anymore. There are mentions of religion, creepy dolls, occult rituals, death, mutilation of animals and possible incest. The Last Harvest is chilling to the bone and exquisitely twisted! Liggett knows how contort a story where your brain explodes. Beware when you read The Last Harvest.

"I plead the blood."

Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett

Title: Blood and Salt
Author: Kim Liggett
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 22, 2015
Pages: 368
Source/format: ARC from BEA15

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror.

“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”

These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.

Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.

As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt. 

My Thoughts

Blood and Salt is an incredibly captivating and compelling romantic horror love story. I was at the edge of my seat hungry for more. From the first page, I was hooked. Kim Liggett's Blood and Salt is the perfect read if you are hunting for a haunting and chilling horror romance. A dead girl always haunts Ashlyn Larkin. Ash finds out this girl is tied to her because of her mother's history in Quivira, Kansas. Ash ends up leaving her home in NYC with her twin brother to return to the spiritual commune her mother once lived in.

Ash and Rhys are twins and they are complete opposites of each other. Ash is daring, curious and competitive. Rhys is cautious and likes to follow everything by the books. There are a couple of twists and turns that I thought worked well in the book. I love the flashback memories that Ash has throughout the whole novel. It helps complete the story and ties the past with the present and future. The intricate history of Quivira definitely interested me. All I can think of is Vampire Diaries and the love triangle between Qetsiyah, Silas and Amara. The promise to be immortal between two people is not promised between the intended and someone is angry and wants revenge. The villagers of Quivira remind of the Travelers. Both live in a cult like world.

Liggett's descriptive words are hauntingly beautiful. She also adds a bit of comedy through Rhys and weaves magic within the a Village like society. Five hundred years will unravel due to the ultimate sacrifice of love!

I would definitely suggest reading this novel for the month of October. You will definitely be craving for more. Liggett's words bewitch the reader and you will be scared to turn off the light. For some readers, I highly suggest not reading this book at night. I cannot guarantee that you will have nightmares or be creeped out.