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books4susie's review against another edition
5.0
No second book letdown here. Sybella's background was heartbreaking but the story was so worth it! Even better than Grave Marcy.
420blazeit's review against another edition
5.0
re-read 2/9/2021
sybellas still the best badass, i relate to her in so many ways. her and beast are SO CUTE
first read 7/24/2019
this whole series is *chefs kiss* but sybella will forever be my fav. i've never liked historical fiction but after reading this take on it, i think i might just pick up more of it.
sybellas still the best badass, i relate to her in so many ways. her and beast are SO CUTE
first read 7/24/2019
this whole series is *chefs kiss* but sybella will forever be my fav. i've never liked historical fiction but after reading this take on it, i think i might just pick up more of it.
basilkumquat's review against another edition
2.0
Just as predictable as Grave Mercy, I could tell Beast was the one for her the second he appeared as a character. She lacks a voice and is in denial about her love, but thankfully a lot less denial than the first book's similar "man hangs around as woman doubts herself" plot. It makes me angry that two strong women, assassins even, are incapable of allowing themselves to recognize love even though I understand that they had harsh pasts.
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series and must finish it now. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long between books 1 and 2. If you want to see kick-ass young assassins overcoming personal tragedy and trauma to find their true purpose in life, look no further.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction.
It’s official. I love this series. I don’t know what took me so long to catch up with the rest of the world (actually yes, I do – TIME – there just isn’t time to read ALL the books!), but I am so glad that I did!
This second book follows Sybella. Her story is woven together with Ismae’s, so we get to learn some of the things that were going on with Sybella while the later events in book one were happening, and then we see where the story goes from there. I personally loved Sybella’s story – it may have been my favorite of the three. It’s a little darker than the first book in the series, but it still has all of the things I loved from book one – fantastic worldbuilding, a rich history, twists and turns, romance, and characters with depth!
What I loved:
Sybella’s secrets.
Right from the very start of the book, we learn some really interesting information about who Sybella is and what her assignment has been. We also start to see some of the horrors that she lived through as a young girl that sent her to St. Mortain in the maddened state that she arrived. But Sybella’s full story unfolds throughout the book, and we learn more and more about her background as the book goes on. I loved delving into that mystery and learning about what has turned Sybella into the somewhat hard, wild girl who Ismae met in the first book. Sybella’s story is compelling, and I felt connected to her from the very start, making this a fantastic read!
Complex family ties.
Sybella’s family ties are hinted at in the synopsis, and it sounds horrible – and, well, it is. Not only does Sybella want to escape her past (and gain vengeance), but she doesn’t want anyone to know about her family ties because she is ashamed of who she is. Sybella learns as the book goes on that she is not defined by her family, and that she has proven her own worth. I also love that Sybella’s relationship with her family is complex – especially where it comes to her brothers. Sybella loves one of her brothers, and he adores her and wants to protect her, in many ways, but that love has been twisted because of the circumstances that they grew up in (as is hinted at in the synopsis). I love that LaFevers showed the confusion and pain that can come with this sort of relationship – and the ultimate conclusion is both satisfying and saddening.
The romance.
I absolutely adored the Beast in the first book, so I was so happy to see that he was going to be center stage in this book! I loved the fact that Sybella sees past his physical appearance to the proud, loyal and passionate man who would do anything for those he loves (and for his country). The romance started out looking like it was going to happen a little fast, but it actually took quite a while to develop, which made me very happy. I thought that Sybella and Beast were perfect for each other – both loyal, strong and fierce, but also vulnerable in many ways.
The history. Once again, LaFevers managed to pull me into this 15th century world and the political intrigue that surrounded the duchess at the time. I absolutely adored this setting in the first book, and that didn’t change for book two!
The negatives:
Quick turnaround.
One character’s turnaround at the end of the book seemed to happen a little bit suddenly, and it felt a tiny bit convenient, but it worked so perfectly in other ways that I could forgive that.
Another fantastic book in the series!! In fact, I loved this series so much that I actually just moved right on to the third book (which is a feat for me since I’ve had such a hard time finishing series lately!). So, be watching for that final review. And, if you haven’t read this series yet, you are definitely missing out. Pick it up now!! I give this book 5/5 stars.
It’s official. I love this series. I don’t know what took me so long to catch up with the rest of the world (actually yes, I do – TIME – there just isn’t time to read ALL the books!), but I am so glad that I did!
This second book follows Sybella. Her story is woven together with Ismae’s, so we get to learn some of the things that were going on with Sybella while the later events in book one were happening, and then we see where the story goes from there. I personally loved Sybella’s story – it may have been my favorite of the three. It’s a little darker than the first book in the series, but it still has all of the things I loved from book one – fantastic worldbuilding, a rich history, twists and turns, romance, and characters with depth!
What I loved:
Sybella’s secrets.
Right from the very start of the book, we learn some really interesting information about who Sybella is and what her assignment has been. We also start to see some of the horrors that she lived through as a young girl that sent her to St. Mortain in the maddened state that she arrived. But Sybella’s full story unfolds throughout the book, and we learn more and more about her background as the book goes on. I loved delving into that mystery and learning about what has turned Sybella into the somewhat hard, wild girl who Ismae met in the first book. Sybella’s story is compelling, and I felt connected to her from the very start, making this a fantastic read!
Complex family ties.
Sybella’s family ties are hinted at in the synopsis, and it sounds horrible – and, well, it is. Not only does Sybella want to escape her past (and gain vengeance), but she doesn’t want anyone to know about her family ties because she is ashamed of who she is. Sybella learns as the book goes on that she is not defined by her family, and that she has proven her own worth. I also love that Sybella’s relationship with her family is complex – especially where it comes to her brothers. Sybella loves one of her brothers, and he adores her and wants to protect her, in many ways, but that love has been twisted because of the circumstances that they grew up in (as is hinted at in the synopsis). I love that LaFevers showed the confusion and pain that can come with this sort of relationship – and the ultimate conclusion is both satisfying and saddening.
The romance.
I absolutely adored the Beast in the first book, so I was so happy to see that he was going to be center stage in this book! I loved the fact that Sybella sees past his physical appearance to the proud, loyal and passionate man who would do anything for those he loves (and for his country). The romance started out looking like it was going to happen a little fast, but it actually took quite a while to develop, which made me very happy. I thought that Sybella and Beast were perfect for each other – both loyal, strong and fierce, but also vulnerable in many ways.
The history. Once again, LaFevers managed to pull me into this 15th century world and the political intrigue that surrounded the duchess at the time. I absolutely adored this setting in the first book, and that didn’t change for book two!
The negatives:
Quick turnaround.
One character’s turnaround at the end of the book seemed to happen a little bit suddenly, and it felt a tiny bit convenient, but it worked so perfectly in other ways that I could forgive that.
Another fantastic book in the series!! In fact, I loved this series so much that I actually just moved right on to the third book (which is a feat for me since I’ve had such a hard time finishing series lately!). So, be watching for that final review. And, if you haven’t read this series yet, you are definitely missing out. Pick it up now!! I give this book 5/5 stars.
alwaysbooking's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book in Robin LaFevers His Fair Assassin trilogy. The first book blew me away. Dark Triumph was not what I was expecting however it was just as good. This book was so much more dark than the first book.
Dark Triumph follows Sybella on her journey as Mortian’s assassin daughter. She was basically brought up in his convent from a young age to be an amazing assassin. When you first meet Sybella in Grave Mercy she seems off her rocker. However she bonds with Ismae during the beginning of that book. The convent sends her back to her family to spy on them. Sybella’s family is soooo horrible…. I can’t believe they would send her back there. Anything to do with her family is crazy.. these are probably some of the darkest part of the book. However she is promised that she gets to kill her other father D’albert. This guy is seriously evil people and he raises evil children for the most part. While she is there the convent sends word that she is to rescue beast (who was one of my favorites in Grave Mercy). However things never go according to plan…
I loved the imperfectness of Sybella’s character. She doubts herself so much and whether Mortian would want her to do what she is asked. Why does she enjoy killing evil people so much? Is she as truly evil as D’albert himself?? I loved how both of these book had slow burn realistic romance. Not insta-love at all.. Every character is flawed in some way, no one is safe in these books. Even Beast has a wild side that lets loose during a fight. These books are so well crafted you never know who to trust. Even family is not to be trusted.. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Dark Triumph follows Sybella on her journey as Mortian’s assassin daughter. She was basically brought up in his convent from a young age to be an amazing assassin. When you first meet Sybella in Grave Mercy she seems off her rocker. However she bonds with Ismae during the beginning of that book. The convent sends her back to her family to spy on them. Sybella’s family is soooo horrible…. I can’t believe they would send her back there. Anything to do with her family is crazy.. these are probably some of the darkest part of the book. However she is promised that she gets to kill her other father D’albert. This guy is seriously evil people and he raises evil children for the most part. While she is there the convent sends word that she is to rescue beast (who was one of my favorites in Grave Mercy). However things never go according to plan…
I loved the imperfectness of Sybella’s character. She doubts herself so much and whether Mortian would want her to do what she is asked. Why does she enjoy killing evil people so much? Is she as truly evil as D’albert himself?? I loved how both of these book had slow burn realistic romance. Not insta-love at all.. Every character is flawed in some way, no one is safe in these books. Even Beast has a wild side that lets loose during a fight. These books are so well crafted you never know who to trust. Even family is not to be trusted.. I can’t wait to read the next book.
esshgee's review against another edition
4.0
I am enjoying this fun series and like how none of the main characters are "all" good or "all" bad.
readsbylaura's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book with my whole heart. I love everyone in this book. I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS STORY AND I'M SO HAPPY TO READ THEM!
I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE NEXT BOOK!
I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE NEXT BOOK!