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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
Got an arc from Netgalley
In a lot of ways, this scratched the Young Elites shaped itch in my brain. It felt very much like a spiritual successor to that, one of my absolute favorite fantasy series, and I enjoyed that a lot. I wasn’t sure at first if this was gonna be For Me, there’s a LOT of worldbuilding needed in a story like this and the way it was presented in early chapters felt not quite clunky but a bit repetitive. Along the way though, it found its footing, and maybe because I’m a sucker for a good Pathetic Man But it got to a point where. I was genuinely intensely invested, and I read a solid 45% of this in a day. I’m definitely curious enough to see where we go from here!
In a lot of ways, this scratched the Young Elites shaped itch in my brain. It felt very much like a spiritual successor to that, one of my absolute favorite fantasy series, and I enjoyed that a lot. I wasn’t sure at first if this was gonna be For Me, there’s a LOT of worldbuilding needed in a story like this and the way it was presented in early chapters felt not quite clunky but a bit repetitive. Along the way though, it found its footing, and maybe because I’m a sucker for a good Pathetic Man But it got to a point where. I was genuinely intensely invested, and I read a solid 45% of this in a day. I’m definitely curious enough to see where we go from here!
Three pages in I knew this was going to be a five star for me. I absolutely adored this book.
I thought the concept was awesome. It shows the dangers of othering people and blindly clinging to faith.
I love old European architecture and this world being Italy inspired made it so beautiful to picture.
Damian has to be one of my all time favourite MMCs he is such a darling. His complete devotion to Rosanna and his struggles with PTSD made my heart ache. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a character whose love was this intensely palpable.
Rosanna is a total badass, I loved her. Her determination to bring down a society that actually benefits her made me greatly respect her character. She isn’t there to “save” Damian shes challenges him so he can learn to save himself. I’m really excited to see how her powers develop in book two.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I am foaming at the mouth for the sequel!
I thought the concept was awesome. It shows the dangers of othering people and blindly clinging to faith.
I love old European architecture and this world being Italy inspired made it so beautiful to picture.
Damian has to be one of my all time favourite MMCs he is such a darling. His complete devotion to Rosanna and his struggles with PTSD made my heart ache. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a character whose love was this intensely palpable.
Rosanna is a total badass, I loved her. Her determination to bring down a society that actually benefits her made me greatly respect her character. She isn’t there to “save” Damian shes challenges him so he can learn to save himself. I’m really excited to see how her powers develop in book two.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I am foaming at the mouth for the sequel!
This book broke me out of my fantasy slump! I’ve struggled so hard to engage with second world fantasy lately, but this book was so seamless and beautiful it felt like I was right there in the story. Everything about it was excellent - the characters, the PROSE, the mystery, the world. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced reader copy and I will absolutely be preordering so I can have the final version on my shelves - highly recommend. MK Lobb is a debut author to watch!
My rating: 3.5/5 '⭐️s
The Seven Faceless Saints is a good fantasy suspense/murder mystery book. The book revolves around a disciple of Patience FL and a former soldier ML, now the Head of Security at the Palazzo (home of disciple representatives). The story follows the two main leads as they endeavour to identify a serial killer within Ombrazia while they circumnavigate their relationship.
Overall, I would give this book 3.5/5 stars. While I enjoyed the story, it hasn’t been enough to encourage me to invest in the next book of the duology. However, it will not deter me from picking up another M. K. Lobb book in the future. As this was her debut novel, I am more than happy to check back in with her on her next new adventure to see how she develops her skills.
Favourite quotes:
“You don’t have to be part of the group being mistreated to know what’s happening to them is wrong.”
“The best time to show mercy is when someone doesn’t deserve it.”
The Seven Faceless Saints is a good fantasy suspense/murder mystery book. The book revolves around a disciple of Patience FL and a former soldier ML, now the Head of Security at the Palazzo (home of disciple representatives). The story follows the two main leads as they endeavour to identify a serial killer within Ombrazia while they circumnavigate their relationship.
Spoiler
I found it difficult to become invested in this book until nearly halfway through, resulting in this becoming a stop-and-start reading experience. M. K. Lobb kept me reading as I loved her skillful weaving of the suspense/mystery scenes. Some world-building tactics made the book feel more like homework rather than engulfing me in an adventure. I felt the information concerning the affinities of the guilds was divulged in such a way that necessitated documentation to keep pace with who may or may not be the killer. The hot-cold romantic interludes between the LCs early on in the book left me confused, especially when these moments took place during inappropriate moments (i.e. in the morgue over a dead body). As such, the connection between FL & ML felt less genuine. I also found the aspects of the world-building I enjoyed didn’t seem to play a part in the story (i.e. readings from Saints and Sacrifice). I also felt scenes with the FL’s mother could have developed into something more, but instead, were only included to provide evidence of her mental state. Perhaps, this will be further developed in the next book.Overall, I would give this book 3.5/5 stars. While I enjoyed the story, it hasn’t been enough to encourage me to invest in the next book of the duology. However, it will not deter me from picking up another M. K. Lobb book in the future. As this was her debut novel, I am more than happy to check back in with her on her next new adventure to see how she develops her skills.
Favourite quotes:
Spoiler
Death still stalked his every waking moment. It traced cold, malevolent fingers down his spine and hissed garbled nothings in his ear.“You don’t have to be part of the group being mistreated to know what’s happening to them is wrong.”
“The best time to show mercy is when someone doesn’t deserve it.”
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not even sure what to say other than what a clever and refreshing story!
Rich with Italian influences, this book plays on the old myth of the seven deadly sins and mixes it with Greek/Roman mythology to establish the broken country of Ombrasia. It was familiar enough to not have to worry about keeping up with the details of how the heirarchy works, but refreshing enough to be interesting.
I think the most refreshing part of this story was that the characters are explicitly morally grey. They have to face the fact that someone can both be happy about what is a bad occurrence for someone else, while still being sad and supportive for the other person. There’s no right or wrong in life, just choices and consequences.
I’ve seen a lot of complaints about the pacing, and while I agree it was slow to start, the mystery was compelling and clues were dripped in just enough to keep me hooked. While some of the internal monologue was repetitive at times, it did contribute to the characters learning about themselves and the truth about life.
I will say, I wish the mystery was a little more detailed. It went from “here’s clues and a revelation about the clues” to “here’s the murderer” kind of abruptly, but that’s again kind of the charm of the story, I think. It’s unusual to have a story where things aren’t following the “rules.” And this did it well.
I also appreciate seeing representation in that the FMC is morally grey, stabby, and bi. The romance is childhood sweethearts to enemies to lovers, which is also refreshing as that isn’t very common.
I’d recommend this to fans of Belladonna and This Vicious Grace. It’s a lot darker than either of those, but had similar vibes in a lot of ways. Not sure why Six of Crows was used in promotion, as I personally am not a fan of that book and I saw no similarities, except the trope of found family.
Rich with Italian influences, this book plays on the old myth of the seven deadly sins and mixes it with Greek/Roman mythology to establish the broken country of Ombrasia. It was familiar enough to not have to worry about keeping up with the details of how the heirarchy works, but refreshing enough to be interesting.
I think the most refreshing part of this story was that the characters are explicitly morally grey. They have to face the fact that someone can both be happy about what is a bad occurrence for someone else, while still being sad and supportive for the other person. There’s no right or wrong in life, just choices and consequences.
I’ve seen a lot of complaints about the pacing, and while I agree it was slow to start, the mystery was compelling and clues were dripped in just enough to keep me hooked. While some of the internal monologue was repetitive at times, it did contribute to the characters learning about themselves and the truth about life.
I will say, I wish the mystery was a little more detailed. It went from “here’s clues and a revelation about the clues” to “here’s the murderer” kind of abruptly, but that’s again kind of the charm of the story, I think. It’s unusual to have a story where things aren’t following the “rules.” And this did it well.
I also appreciate seeing representation in that the FMC is morally grey, stabby, and bi. The romance is childhood sweethearts to enemies to lovers, which is also refreshing as that isn’t very common.
I’d recommend this to fans of Belladonna and This Vicious Grace. It’s a lot darker than either of those, but had similar vibes in a lot of ways. Not sure why Six of Crows was used in promotion, as I personally am not a fan of that book and I saw no similarities, except the trope of found family.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the digital ARC of this book.
I believed that I had read some good books lately. I read a lot of fantasy and I enjoy most of it. Now that all feels inferior to this book. It has been so long since I had to put a book down, turn off my device or take a break from reading because I was so annoyed at a character or frustrated at not spotting a twist, for having an inkling and then convincing myself I was wrong. But this book. THIS BOOK. Multiple times I had to put by iPad to one side and just shout, sorry to my neighbours.
I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with characters, I became addicted and read two thirds of this book in one sitting. I can’t wait to tell everyone to read this book. The writing made the story flow so easily that, even when introduced to new concepts and learning about the saints, powers and history, it didn’t feel alienating or confusing like some books can.
I desperately need more.
I believed that I had read some good books lately. I read a lot of fantasy and I enjoy most of it. Now that all feels inferior to this book. It has been so long since I had to put a book down, turn off my device or take a break from reading because I was so annoyed at a character or frustrated at not spotting a twist, for having an inkling and then convincing myself I was wrong. But this book. THIS BOOK. Multiple times I had to put by iPad to one side and just shout, sorry to my neighbours.
I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with characters, I became addicted and read two thirds of this book in one sitting. I can’t wait to tell everyone to read this book. The writing made the story flow so easily that, even when introduced to new concepts and learning about the saints, powers and history, it didn’t feel alienating or confusing like some books can.
I desperately need more.
yes yes yes! i liked the concept and the characters being morally gray and knowing it and OWNING it (minus damien until the end maybe). ros is so girl boss i love her, and the ending? damn. would not have seen it coming. like the foreshadowing you don’t notice until you find out and you’re like OH DAMN WAIT! the twist adds a whole other layer to the rest of the book.