Reviews

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

cristina19's review against another edition

5.0

“Perhaps the decisions that shaped the course of history weren’t made in scenes worthy of stories and tapestries, but in ordinary places like these, driven by desperation and doubt.”

I can’t explain it exactly, but this book was made for the girlies who are obsessed with Joan of Arc

keeperofthequill's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

An original world that feels complex and full with well developed characters inside it. 

thetayloredpage's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kaylb123's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

luckylex's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

delilahmae's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

mdumler's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ollieoxnfree's review against another edition

5.0

Very pleasantly surprised by this little gem! Review to come.

thebookedpath's review against another edition

1.0

DNF'd. The concept was intriguing. However, things felt at odds with how the characters held values to their world and what was actually done (fighting against evil while using evil to fight it?). The world was not very fleshed out and characters are battling evil gaunts, feverlings, etc. which aren't really defined other than that they are different ways of dying. So it felt like the characters were just battling the dead of anything. The main character had no personality. I didn't care about them. I actually cared more for the revenant possessing her but even then not by much. I felt that the idea for this book was good but the execution of it was unclear and not fleshed out. I wanted to like it but after 100 pages I just didn't care.

sempiterne's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book is literally everything that I love in fantasy. 
The worldbuilding is very rich and the magic system/religion is so interesting, I adore when books explore the religion of a world (especially when the god(s) are real) which this 100% did.
I also love Margaret Rogerson's fmc's, they're always very practical, blunt and their internal monologues are always hilarious and Artemisia is probably my favourite.

The characters and their dynamics were really interesting too (especially the revenant and its history), the female friendship with Margeruite (?) was really necessary to flesh out the mc and undo the "not like other girl" vibes that were coming on strong in the beginning. I also loved the (very very faint) side romance with charles (?), he was just so whipped for her since the beginning and she couldn't see a thing, which is a trope I eat up every time. 

Also, I really loved the plot twist near the end,

when we find out who the real villain was

and I was really glad the story went in that direction, although the end/final fight scene was very quick.

However, the pacing/plot felt a little weird, there wasn't really anything identifiably wrong but it just felt kind of like the story was jumping all over the place. Lots of small plots add up to the whole mystery in the end, and they all had a reason for being there, but it was a little confusing while you read. Not too big a problem though, just something I noticed while reading.

Overall, I really enjoyed Vespertine, it really hit every trope/theme that I love (unique magic system, exploration of religion and faith, cranky/antisocial/cynical fmc, strong female friendships, (semi)immortal/non-human being that doesn't just act like a normal person ect) and I love the authors writing style and worldbuilding! Definitely pick up if any of that interest you :)