The following version of this novel was used in the creation of this study guide: Theide, Emily. This Vicious Grace. Wednesday Books. 2022. First Edition. Hardcover.

The novel starts on the island of Saverio at the funeral of Alessa’s third spouse, Hugo, the most recent Fonte, to die after her touch that is supposed to empower them. A priest tells the story of the gods Dea and Crollo who made a bet to prove humanity's worth. Crollo sends demons called scarabeos every few decades in an attack called Divorando, while Dea gives humanity the strength to protect themselves. However, to teach her people the power of community, Dea split the gifts between the Finestra and their Fontes. The third gift - a healing spring - was supposedly stolen by demons called ghiotte years prior. Unfortunately, Alessa is the first Finestra whose power overwhelms and kills her chosen Fonte, and a priest named Ivini convinces the people that killing Alessa is the only way to save them.

After Alessa’s guard refuses to arrest a potential assassin, Alessa decides to recruit Dante Lucente, a brooding fighter with the mark of a killer, to be her bodyguard. At the same time, she convinces the Consiglio that she will choose her next Fonte by Carnevale, but must move every available Fonte into the Cittadella to train with them. Only five arrive, and the arrival of the first of Crollo’s demons (the scarabeo) gives Alessa only a month to save the island.

As Alessa develops her first real friendship with Dante, she eventually learns that he is actually a ghiotte. Yet, his compassion and willingness to protect her convinces Alessa that the ghiotte are not the evil demons that others claim they are. With Dante’s healing power, Alessa is able to hone her power and start connecting with the powers of the other Fontes. Unfortunately, when Alessa tries to bond with a single Fonte, Kaleb, her power overwhelms him. Even though he survives, Alessa assumes this is a sign that she must end her life to let another Finestra rise. Dante convinces her otherwise, but he is soon arrested after Adrick learns of Dante’s heritage and tells Ivini, assuming that he is helping Alessa.

As Divorando approaches, Alessa realizes that her power is not meant to empower one Fonte, but all of them. So Kaleb volunteers to take Dante’s place, allowing the others to sneak him out and give him a chance to heal. On the day of Divorando, Ivini learns of Dante’s escape and tries to turn Alessa’s soldiers against her. However, she uses her newfound self-confidence to rally the troops, convincing them not to give into their fear. The battle against the scarabeo is difficult, and Dante even gives his life to save Alessa and the other Fontes. While she is able to return some of his own power to him, the energy used to bring him back to life cuts off the rest of his healing. Then, thanks to a cryptic message from Dea herself, Dante and Alessa realize that a much worse attack is coming, and the only way they can survive is to build an army of near-immortal soldiers: the ghiotte who were falsely accused and exiled for stealing a gift that Dea only meant for them in the first place.