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thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
dark
tense
5.0
Oh, this book was a delight. IDK if it was intentional, but you could read this as a commentary on the Catholic Church and doctrine. I grew up Catholic and it didn't bother me, but I've also learned a lot more about the Church and its history since then so...? Anyway, Artemisia is so freaking relatable! Love an aroace protagonist, and the banter with the revenant was the cherry on top. The side characters are also great!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Self harm, Confinement, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Child abuse, and Suicide
needleclicker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Artemisia, the main character, is a novice nun in a world where those with the Sight care for the dead to make sure they don’t rise as spirits. She had a very hard childhood before being found by the nuns, which leaves her with panic attacks. She’s also depicted as neuroatypical. When conflict comes to the convent, Artemisia is forced to make a huge decision for which she’s not trained.
This kicks off battle with spirits, and attempts to figure out why the spirits are rising now when they haven’t in hundreds of years. Through it all, Artemisia forms friendships with a wide variety of people, some of whom initially appear to be antagonists.
I absolutely adore the relationship Artemisia and her revenant develop. It's so cute how it reminds her to take care of her body, etc.
All the characters are really lovingly drawn and interesting. This book has a lot of heart, and there’s a nice balance between dark and humorous/lighter. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
siannas_second_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood, War, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Eating disorder
jenna36's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Self harm
Moderate: Blood, Death, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide
valpyre's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
i have been so excited to read this book ever since rogerson announced its existence. i have always appreciated her skill for balancing internal and external detail and exposition, almost seamlessly. the world of loraille (fantasy france, admittedly) was so intriguing with the history that rogerson crafted in and around it. the clerisy was intimately familiar as a higher religious power, but its fantastical origins added depth and made me think about all kinds of theories as i read on.
when i started the book, i was immediately taken in by the protag, artemisia -- so much of her inner monologue was relatable, in the way that she was blunt and didn't socialize or act how others expected her to. i admit that i got a little annoyed when it was revealed how much she had assumed/ignored about the people around her later on, just pushing the boundaries of her surface level "not-like-other-girls" behaviour that i think rogerson had skirted well for most of the book. i think rogerson does a great job of showing us who people are in her books -- there are always wonderful little details dropped throughout, little dots to be connected. i also felt pretty touched as artemisia gained support throughout the book, as she is someone who is so used to being or feeling like she is alone.
the concept of the undead was really interesting to me as well. i often find rigid hierarchies/categories of fantastical beings to grow old quickly, but i think rogerson had enough variety in her undead that i didn't get tired of reading encounters with them. i'm intrigued to see where she will take artemisia and the revenant after this installment -- i loved how their relationship grew as the book went on, and i'm really curious if the revenants origins will ever be revealed.
when i started the book, i was immediately taken in by the protag, artemisia -- so much of her inner monologue was relatable, in the way that she was blunt and didn't socialize or act how others expected her to. i admit that i got a little annoyed when it was revealed how much she had assumed/ignored about the people around her later on, just pushing the boundaries of her surface level "not-like-other-girls" behaviour that i think rogerson had skirted well for most of the book. i think rogerson does a great job of showing us who people are in her books -- there are always wonderful little details dropped throughout, little dots to be connected. i also felt pretty touched as artemisia gained support throughout the book, as she is someone who is so used to being or feeling like she is alone.
the concept of the undead was really interesting to me as well. i often find rigid hierarchies/categories of fantastical beings to grow old quickly, but i think rogerson had enough variety in her undead that i didn't get tired of reading encounters with them. i'm intrigued to see where she will take artemisia and the revenant after this installment -- i loved how their relationship grew as the book went on, and i'm really curious if the revenants origins will ever be revealed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Self harm, Child abuse, Abandonment, Death, Eating disorder, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
yvonne_cl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Abandonment, Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Grief
chantellimus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
foreverinastory's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Agh this was so fun! I'm really glad this is a series!
Rep: White aroace (author confirmed) female MC with scarred hands, anxiety and possibly neurodivergent, BIPOC male side character.
CWs: Abandonment, body horror (possession by spirits), past mentions of child abuse, confinement, death, fire and fire injury, injury/injury detail, mental illness (anxiety), murder, panic attacks, violence.
Rep: White aroace (author confirmed) female MC with scarred hands, anxiety and possibly neurodivergent, BIPOC male side character.
CWs: Abandonment, body horror (possession by spirits), past mentions of child abuse, confinement, death, fire and fire injury, injury/injury detail, mental illness (anxiety), murder, panic attacks, violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
elderflower's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Another highly anticipated book. The first third was really dull. I thought about dnfing it a bit, but thankfully it got better. I did like the dedication though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Self harm
Minor: Murder and Suicidal thoughts
more content warnings: demons, demon possession, dead bodies, anxietybreezer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I had previously read and loved Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson so I was super excited going into this. It did not disappoint!
Our main character Artemesia is a Gray Sister trainee, cleansing bodies of the dead to allow their souls to pass on peacefully, when her covenant is suddenly attacked. To defend herself she harnesses the power of a powerful ancient spirit (called a revenant) that has been bound to a saint's relic.
The atmosphere and world setting (middle ages, religious France vibes?) was brilliant from the very beginning and the fast paced narrative meant I flew through this! I loved the magic system with the ancient spirits and their respective lores. It reminded me of the Numina trilogy by Charlie N. Holmberg so I would definitely recommend this if you liked that.
I loved Artemesia and she underwent some great character development. In my opinion this also had some great anxiety and PTSD representation as well as ace/aro representation. Artemesia also has a physical disability that was very refreshing to see explored in YA.
My only minor criticism was the limited development of the side characters but other than that! Her relationship with the revenant was one of the highlights of the book and it just kept getting better and better! Very excited for where this series may go next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader's copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader's copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, and Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Suicide
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