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cmitchell2781's review against another edition
4.0
I dont know if this book was slow, or if my attention was just not set on reading, but it felt like the book dragged a little bit. However, it was a phenomenal story and I'm really really hoping for more along this storyline in the future. The whole concept was fascinating, and there's so many places the author could take this story. Despite myself having trouble getting immersed in the story, I still recommend this highly to other readers.
missgab721's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
shelbyswartzel's review against another edition
4.0
The books wasn't exactly my style. It was hard to follow in certain areas. But overall it was pretty good.
dottielottie1's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
courtney_saba's review against another edition
3.0
While I love this author, Sorcery of Thorns was by far superior.
What a great concept! A revenant, a powerful entity that can fight other spirits with ease, and a girl with the tenacity and the drive to work with this dangerous being. The beginning started out great. Then the story slowly declined.
While there were moments of excitement and intrigue, there was always the question in the back of mind: "what is this story actually about?" Because I still really didn't understand it's purpose, it's main themes, or really the plot. The book is called Vespertine, which is a highly skilled priestess, but Artemisia wasn't a Vespertine and desperately didn't want to be. The main "villain" was barely in the book, and when the scenes included the villain, I was left wanting. The final scenes were quick and the final villain didn't have enough scenes. Were we building to this? Something that wasn't even mentioned until the last maybe 100 pages? It left me meandering throughout the story, trying to figure out what is going on, why it's happening, and why I should care.
This concept of revenants and possession and a seemingly all-powerful and not always benevolent deity called the Gray Lady was brimming with potential! Just absolutely bursting with what it could've been. Maybe bc the author wrote a YA book instead of an adult one (which definitely would've allowed a lot more than what was put on these pages), and maybe bc the author wrote a main character that didn't want to talk or interact with anyone (which definitely makes it hard for character development and growth to occur, not to mention making connections with the necessary people to build intimacy and depth), the story ended up this way: sort of a letdown.
I would've wanted so much more time exploring the possession with the revenant, discussing deep questions, delving deep into each other's psyche, even allowing a sort of dreamwalking scenario so they could see one another. But the revenant took the backseat and despite moments of total possession, was really tame. Why? Why did it love its original vessel? Where did the revenants come from? It talked about being a child; do does this mean it was born somehow? Does it know the all-powerful Gray Lady? Why was it not a little more insane from being in a box for decades? What's the point of revenants? Are they angels, demons, something inbetween? What's the point of 7 of them? What is the point of the things they carry in the illustration Artemisia eventually finds? How did the artist know what they all looked like?! Did they know love, hate, guilt, shame, or were they meant to be emotionless? Why did the original saints do what they did to them? SO MANY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND LEAVING ME WANTING.
The ending was too quick and too easy. The epilogue also showed some heart that was missing in the entire book. Too little too late. Where was this hundreds of pages ago? These needed conversations and depth?
I wanted so badly for this to be a 5 star. I also wanted so badly for there to be romance, even just a little. There was zilch in this. Not a hint from Leander or even the revenant itself. Now that would've added another complex layer to the possession. Or even when we find some things out about Leander: if Artemisia and Leander had developed something between each other, had more conversations, more angst and intensity, I would've been DYING reading the last 80 or so pages bc it would've given that necessary depth to the story and the characters and absolute suspense of "omg, what's gonna happen, this is intense!!". I would've felt more for Leander and Artemisia and even the revenant! Romance isn't always butterflies and fluff, or even bondage and obsession. Sometimes it can give life to a story. Maybe the words I'm looking for are intimacy, vulnerability, heartache and heartbreak, making difficult decisions based on the circumstances the characters are in. That's what i was expecting going into this story. Something like Sorcery of Thorns, but better bc of the content and the thrill of possession and very dangerous entities. But that's not what happened here. Which really breaks my heart.
This was a letdown, for sure. I'll still be reading Rogerson's future works, but with hope that this is just a stepping stone and learning moment so that next time she has a brilliant story idea, she'll throw away the reins and let the beast fly.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
What a great concept! A revenant, a powerful entity that can fight other spirits with ease, and a girl with the tenacity and the drive to work with this dangerous being. The beginning started out great. Then the story slowly declined.
While there were moments of excitement and intrigue, there was always the question in the back of mind: "what is this story actually about?" Because I still really didn't understand it's purpose, it's main themes, or really the plot. The book is called Vespertine, which is a highly skilled priestess, but Artemisia wasn't a Vespertine and desperately didn't want to be. The main "villain" was barely in the book, and when the scenes included the villain, I was left wanting. The final scenes were quick and the final villain didn't have enough scenes. Were we building to this? Something that wasn't even mentioned until the last maybe 100 pages? It left me meandering throughout the story, trying to figure out what is going on, why it's happening, and why I should care.
This concept of revenants and possession and a seemingly all-powerful and not always benevolent deity called the Gray Lady was brimming with potential! Just absolutely bursting with what it could've been. Maybe bc the author wrote a YA book instead of an adult one (which definitely would've allowed a lot more than what was put on these pages), and maybe bc the author wrote a main character that didn't want to talk or interact with anyone (which definitely makes it hard for character development and growth to occur, not to mention making connections with the necessary people to build intimacy and depth), the story ended up this way: sort of a letdown.
I would've wanted so much more time exploring the possession with the revenant, discussing deep questions, delving deep into each other's psyche, even allowing a sort of dreamwalking scenario so they could see one another. But the revenant took the backseat and despite moments of total possession, was really tame. Why? Why did it love its original vessel? Where did the revenants come from? It talked about being a child; do does this mean it was born somehow? Does it know the all-powerful Gray Lady? Why was it not a little more insane from being in a box for decades? What's the point of revenants? Are they angels, demons, something inbetween? What's the point of 7 of them? What is the point of the things they carry in the illustration Artemisia eventually finds? How did the artist know what they all looked like?! Did they know love, hate, guilt, shame, or were they meant to be emotionless? Why did the original saints do what they did to them? SO MANY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND LEAVING ME WANTING.
The ending was too quick and too easy. The epilogue also showed some heart that was missing in the entire book. Too little too late. Where was this hundreds of pages ago? These needed conversations and depth?
I wanted so badly for this to be a 5 star. I also wanted so badly for there to be romance, even just a little. There was zilch in this. Not a hint from Leander or even the revenant itself. Now that would've added another complex layer to the possession. Or even when we find some things out about Leander: if Artemisia and Leander had developed something between each other, had more conversations, more angst and intensity, I would've been DYING reading the last 80 or so pages bc it would've given that necessary depth to the story and the characters and absolute suspense of "omg, what's gonna happen, this is intense!!". I would've felt more for Leander and Artemisia and even the revenant! Romance isn't always butterflies and fluff, or even bondage and obsession. Sometimes it can give life to a story. Maybe the words I'm looking for are intimacy, vulnerability, heartache and heartbreak, making difficult decisions based on the circumstances the characters are in. That's what i was expecting going into this story. Something like Sorcery of Thorns, but better bc of the content and the thrill of possession and very dangerous entities. But that's not what happened here. Which really breaks my heart.
This was a letdown, for sure. I'll still be reading Rogerson's future works, but with hope that this is just a stepping stone and learning moment so that next time she has a brilliant story idea, she'll throw away the reins and let the beast fly.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
gilbertbg1's review against another edition
4.0
Such a great book. Dark and eerie in all the right ways, the setting was so easy to fall into, and the development of Artemesia's views and her character development were exceptional. great twists made for a book that kept me on my toes and kept me guessing all the way to the end. Truly recommend this book. I also really enjoyed that this book has a disabled lead character and how that informs her character and the story as a whole.
luna2_2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bratzdoll444's review against another edition
4.0
the first portion of the this book starts off quick with the action, and then slooooowwsss down so much in the middle, and then picks up again at the end.
I enjoyed the main character and the revenant together they were so funny, stubborn, witty, and SOFT!
the side characters were pretty average, i did love the friendship between Artemisia and Marguerite it was so cute!
it was a nice, quick read. It’s a little slow and i was in a reading slump so i put this down previously before.
edit: no shade the nightmare from one dark window has nothing on the revenant. better banter, better character, that actually HELPED and made the story great. i
I enjoyed the main character and the revenant together they were so funny, stubborn, witty, and SOFT!
the side characters were pretty average, i did love the friendship between Artemisia and Marguerite it was so cute!
it was a nice, quick read. It’s a little slow and i was in a reading slump so i put this down previously before.
edit: no shade the nightmare from one dark window has nothing on the revenant. better banter, better character, that actually HELPED and made the story great. i
sanne6je's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
Totally different from her other books, but still enjoyed it. Sad about the lack of interaction of Artemisia and Marguerite. All other books had some romance aspects in it and this didn’t.
Totally different from her other books, but still enjoyed it. Sad about the lack of interaction of Artemisia and Marguerite. All other books had some romance aspects in it and this didn’t.
smartinez9's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn’t the biggest fan of An Enchantment of Ravens (while the writing was good, I found it derivative and unsatisfying), but I loved the lore and execution of Rodgerson’s second novel, Sorcery of Thorns, and this one as well. Our protagonist is prickly, resourceful, and intrepid, perfectly suited for the medieval, clerical setting. Her transformation into a Saint and reliance on relics is reminiscent of the Grisha trilogy. I would very much love a sequel or follow-up novella expanding on her relationship with Leander.