My feelings about Grace and Fury can be summed up thusly: Tropey and kind of predicable, but also quite entertaining. Like, entertaining enough to make me enjoy it despite the issues.
The Things I Liked:
- The characters were quite well done, and I enjoyed their development throughout the story. Serina and Nomi thought that they were so sure of their paths in life. And when everything is turned upside down, they're forced to see things from the other person's viewpoint, and I found that a fascinating story. Plus, they loved each other (and the rest of their family) quite fiercely, and I am always here for that in a story.
- Literally everything about Prison Island. Idk what it's really called, I could look it up, but does it matter? Anyway, it's awesome. It's all survival and girl bonding, and fighting oppression, and I am here for it.
- I loved that the women's friendships and bonds became important. Not just to survival, but to the girls. They each made some wonderful bonds while separated, and I felt that both characters grew a lot because of these interactions. A great message, especially since it really portrayed that women standing together could accomplish great things.
- Again, it was super readable and entertaining. It isn't measurable or objective, I just felt compelled to keep reading.
The Things I Didn't:
- The aforementioned tropiness. Trying to protect a sister? Check. Women oppressed in a world where men are in charge just because? Check. A crappy royal in charge? Check. So yeah, those things did make some parts kind of predictable.
- There were just a few things that... irked me. But they're a little spoilery? Like- when a group of women are trying to fight The Man, let them, right? They don't need some dude saving them! And it's pretty romance-heavy, which again, too many dudes in a shitty-dude world.
Will I Read the Sequel? Oh definitely. Is it wrong that I need more prison?
Bottom Line: While a bit predictable and trope-y, the story and characters were definitely entertaining enough to keep me excited to read!