The Grace Year

An interesting novel that doesn't live up to the hype.

Tierney, a completely bland narrator, is sent, along with all the other girls of her age, to live in the woods for a year. How this tradition came to be established is never touched upon; and no one is allowed to talk about it, which is terribly convenient from a story-telling perspective if you haven't got a rationale for your novel's premise. The pacing's solid but all the characters are like stick figures and the world-building is flimsy. Ultimately, it felt like a concept in search of a story.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press who very kindly sent me an advance review copy.