Strange Grace

Three Grace is set in a village protected by dark magic through an ancient bargain with the devil in the forest. Every seven years, a young man must run into the woods on the slaughter moon as a sacrifice to keep the village safe and prosperous. The story follows three teenagers: Arthur, the boy raised to be the next saint and sacrifice; Mairwen, a witch's daughter connected to the forest's power; and Rhun, the expected saint who has been prepared for the role his entire life. Their fates become entangled when the bargain begins to change and the forest demands its due earlier than expected. The novel explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and the price of safety through its blend of horror and dark fantasy elements. The story examines how traditions shape communities, how gender roles can restrict or define people, and what individuals will risk for those they love.

Readers describe Strange Grace as an atmospheric dark fantasy with LGBTQ+ representation and a complex polyamorous relationship at its center. Readers praise: - The lyrical, poetic writing style - The eerie forest setting and folk horror elements - The portrayal of the three main characters' relationship dynamics - The exploration of gender identity and sexuality - The witch craft and ritual aspects Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, especially in the first half - Confusing timeline jumps - Plot points that feel unresolved - Writing style can be too flowery for some Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (180+ ratings) Several reviewers note the book works better as a character study than a plot-driven story. As one Goodreads reviewer states: "The atmosphere and character relationships carry this book more than the actual plot." Multiple readers mention needing to reread sections to follow the non-linear narrative structure.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig A tale of sisterhood and sacrifice unfolds in an isolated coastal manor where dark magic and ancient gods demand yearly offerings.

The Bone Houses by Emily-Lloyd Jones The dead rise in a Welsh-inspired forest where a gravedigger's daughter must confront ancient curses and folk magic to protect her village.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw Three drowned sisters return each summer to a harbor town, taking the bodies of local girls and dragging boys to their deaths.

The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton Eight generations of witches on a Pacific Northwest island face their destiny as blood magic and ancestral curses resurface.

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman Four founding families in a small town use ritual magic to contain an ancient beast that demands sacrifices to keep their community safe.

🌲 The novel draws heavily from Celtic folklore and the concept of a "tithe" or sacrifice to nature spirits, incorporating elements of ancient British traditions where communities would make offerings for protection and prosperity. 🌙 Author Tessa Gratton wrote Strange Grace while living in a cabin in Kansas, which helped inspire the isolated, forestial atmosphere of the story. 💝 The book features a polyamorous relationship between three main characters, making it one of the few YA novels to explore this type of romance in a fantasy setting. 🗡️ The story's premise of sacrificing the best boy in the village every seven years echoes historical "sin-eater" traditions, where one person would take on the community's sins and burdens. 🌿 The witchcraft elements in Strange Grace are based on hedge witchery, a traditional practice focused on the relationship between humans and the natural world, particularly involving healing and plant magic.