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dembury's review
5.0
A thoroughly excellent fantasy novel that reminded me of other magical school-setting stories such as "The Name of the Wind" and "The Poppy War". I'm totally enamored with the main characters, a group of young girls who are learning at a convent run by badass mystic nuns. I loved seeing their relationships form and grow with one another; Lawrence is also getting extra points by me because of the beautiful ways he wrote these girls - they're so well fleshed out and flawed and just plain amazing. The handful of scenes that flashed forward to the future (I think?) were slightly confusing but took nothing away from the book. I'm reallyyyy looking forwards to reading the rest of the trilogy!
k_shanahan's review against another edition
5.0
4.5*
A little confusing at times- I was still working out which nun was which in the final chapters of the book. But aside from that the story is incredible and the characterisations are so detailed. Can't wait to start the next book.
A little confusing at times- I was still working out which nun was which in the final chapters of the book. But aside from that the story is incredible and the characterisations are so detailed. Can't wait to start the next book.
shani0101's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book, I really really did. But sadly, I don't. I brought the second book, Grey Sister, on a whim because of the back cover blurb in 2019. I held on to the book for years until I was able to buy the first and last book in 2023.
But now that I have read the first book, I don't know if I want to move on to the second. Red Sister was such a let down. There was pages and pages of information dumps which was so boring. When the scenes started to become interesting, there was a break in the scene for nonstop internal monologues or because of her connection with Hessa. This would make the chapters so unnecessarily long and drawn out.
Nona's secret as to why she was really given away was not surprising at all, although I still don't understand why soldiers would come after her at such a young. I think it was mentioned that she did something to someone when she was young. But at the time, Nona was just a poor outcast in her town, I don't think soldiers coming after her was necessary.
I did enjoy the world building. I was able to picture each setting(the towns, the convent of Sweet Mercy, the trial, and etc). Although, I still don't understand the whole Ice thing that is happening with the world.
But now that I have read the first book, I don't know if I want to move on to the second. Red Sister was such a let down. There was pages and pages of information dumps which was so boring. When the scenes started to become interesting, there was a break in the scene for nonstop internal monologues or because of her connection with Hessa. This would make the chapters so unnecessarily long and drawn out.
Nona's secret as to why she was really given away was not surprising at all, although I still don't understand why soldiers would come after her at such a young. I think it was mentioned that she did something to someone when she was young. But at the time, Nona was just a poor outcast in her town, I don't think soldiers coming after her was necessary.
I did enjoy the world building. I was able to picture each setting(the towns, the convent of Sweet Mercy, the trial, and etc). Although, I still don't understand the whole Ice thing that is happening with the world.
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
This book took over my brain until I finished it. Very violent magical murder nuns school book! Yay! I loved how Nona is independent to a fault and how it routinely gets her into trouble. Hessa lives in my brain rent free. Best girl. Can't wait for book two.
rdawnl's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this. The story kept my interest the whole way through, even though it took me longer than usual to finish. I was actually a little sad when it ended, I wanted to keep reading.
d3vilxl3gacy's review against another edition
4.0
A harsh world breeds just as harsh people when the nuns turn out to be the feared warriors and rogues in an intense power struggle for too little land. A prophecy that breaks cliches sets the stage for some of the best written children and teenage characters I've read as of late with real emotion and actions that make perfect sense. Nona is a great POV character to experience this bleak world through as she evolves and comes into her own, not letting the world, or herself, change who she really is. Just shy of a prefect score and I'm excited to continue this series.
kayteaface's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 / 5
I'm so, so torn on how I feel about this book. Maybe I had my hopes set too high on just how much I thought was going to love it as it was one of my most anticipated reads; it sounds like it has everything I'd love in a story - and to an extent it does. The plot has me hooked. A medieval-style fantasy with a sci-fi twist? I'M HERE FOR IT and I can't wait to get my hands on Grey Sister.
I loved the friendships and the characters themselves - Nona's group especially. Hessa was a sweet angel, and Jula, Ruli and Ara grew on me so much. Sisters Kettle and Apple might be my OTP.
The negatives for me were the writing and the world-building. This was my first of Lawrence's novels so I didn't know what to expect, but from this alone I wouldn't say his style of writing is my favourite. I also felt like the world-building was lacking. There are so many things mentioned but not exactly unexplained - a red moon? Also the magic system. I know that this is only the first novel and is setting up the trilogy but hoo boi, maybe I'm impatient with not having facts right there and then. I just felt quite confused and like I needed more explanations and backstory to fully appreciate the story. I hope that in the next two sequels things will come to light properly and I won't be left with unanswered questions.
I'm so, so torn on how I feel about this book. Maybe I had my hopes set too high on just how much I thought was going to love it as it was one of my most anticipated reads; it sounds like it has everything I'd love in a story - and to an extent it does. The plot has me hooked. A medieval-style fantasy with a sci-fi twist? I'M HERE FOR IT and I can't wait to get my hands on Grey Sister.
I loved the friendships and the characters themselves - Nona's group especially. Hessa was a sweet angel, and Jula, Ruli and Ara grew on me so much. Sisters Kettle and Apple might be my OTP.
The negatives for me were the writing and the world-building. This was my first of Lawrence's novels so I didn't know what to expect, but from this alone I wouldn't say his style of writing is my favourite. I also felt like the world-building was lacking. There are so many things mentioned but not exactly unexplained - a red moon?