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jessereadsthings's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
An interesting if slow start to a series. One of my favorite parts of the book was Artemisia‘s evolving relationships with the revenant and her fellow trainee. I also, really liked Artemisia as a main character as well and can’t wait to see more of her in the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Child abuse
nimeneth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Self harm, and Death
Moderate: Confinement and Child abuse
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
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
4.5
“Sometimes, if you want to save other people, you need to remember to save yourself first.”
I love the world building in this story with nuns, sassy demons, and different classifications of spirits are all very fascinating.
The writing style is detailed and also easy to follow which makes it easy to get lost in it.
I love the interaction between Artemisia and the Revenant, they bicker with each other and the Revenant sassy remarks always liven up the story even more. I also like the growing enemies to friendship between artemisia and Marguerite, Marguerite is not the character I thought I knew.
Surprisingly, I don’t mind the lack of romance in this story. I was already preoccupied with everything that has been going on with saving the world.
The ending is wrapped up nicely, although it also left some unanswered questions which lead me to believe there would be a sequel. (I thought this one was a standalone just like other previous books)
I found out that this is a beginning of a series, nevertheless Vespertine can still be read as a standalone.
Overall, this is a fascinating, action-packed and enjoyable read. I really enjoy myself reading about this universe and getting to know the characters inside.
I’m really looking forward to read the next book from this author in the future!
Actual Rating: 4.5⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse and Blood
Minor: Suicide
ofliterarynature's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Self harm
baroo92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Super interesting worldbuilding! I was fascinated with the hierarchy of ghosts and their abilities. It definitely was a bit more tense and dark than I was expecting, coming straight from SoT- but a very cool narrative overall.
I really liked the explanation of the MC’s traumas and how they effected her- I personally read her as autistic coded, but that may be just me. The relationship with the revenant had similar tones to the relationship with Silas in SoT- a creature both terrifyingly deadly, and begrudgingly affectionate. It’s always a nice dynamic to see a traumatized kid befriend a centuries-old eldritch being!
I really liked the explanation of the MC’s traumas and how they effected her- I personally read her as autistic coded, but that may be just me. The relationship with the revenant had similar tones to the relationship with Silas in SoT- a creature both terrifyingly deadly, and begrudgingly affectionate. It’s always a nice dynamic to see a traumatized kid befriend a centuries-old eldritch being!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
lermaline's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Self harm
beholderess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Child abuse
natsbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Possessed as a child, successfully exorcised, and subsequently sent to train with the Gray Sisters as an individual with 'the Sight,' Artemisia would prefer to fade into the background, left alone with the corpses she must cleanse. When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, by a twist of fate - or perhaps divine intervention - she finds herself in possession of a reliquary, a holy relic containing a spirit. This particular reliquary contains a revenant, considered one of the post powerful and evil spirits.
Artemisia is untrained and bound to a spirit of great power, but she must fight the forces threatening humanity all while preventing her revenant from betraying her.
~~
The first chapter or so wasn't of great interest to me, in fact, I had actually almost paused reading it in favor of something else that has been sitting on my shelf for a few months. I'm incredibly pleased that I kept reading though because after that initial chapter or two, the story picks up and I was hooked. Although the story is very mission oriented and character driven, the world Margaret Rogerson created is a very interesting one and I would love to read more about it.
I think one of my favorite aspects was the Revenant itself and just this tense feeling that neither we as the reader nor our main protagonist really know what it's motives are, which really adds to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vespertine
Artemisia is untrained and bound to a spirit of great power, but she must fight the forces threatening humanity all while preventing her revenant from betraying her.
~~
The first chapter or so wasn't of great interest to me, in fact, I had actually almost paused reading it in favor of something else that has been sitting on my shelf for a few months. I'm incredibly pleased that I kept reading though because after that initial chapter or two, the story picks up and I was hooked. Although the story is very mission oriented and character driven, the world Margaret Rogerson created is a very interesting one and I would love to read more about it.
I think one of my favorite aspects was the Revenant itself and just this tense feeling that neither we as the reader nor our main protagonist really know what it's motives are, which really adds to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vespertine
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Self harm
Minor: Bullying
holodrum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
nxpe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Margaret Rogerson does not write a bad book- I am convinced. This book was so amazing, and I enjoyed it so much!
I was not expecting the extreme plot twists nearing the end, but they were very welcomed. I was convinced the priest had some sinister, horrendously evil plan... So, it being the Divine was a shock to me (I didn't mind though, she annoyed me a little bit).
I love the friendship development between Artemesia and Marguerite. I was worried because of the lack of romance in the book, but genuinely it wasn't needed. The friendship development between them and between Artemesia/revenant was beautiful. Also, I love the revenant! It was so funny, clever, and I love that it cared for it's vessels.
I love the friendship development between Artemesia and Marguerite. I was worried because of the lack of romance in the book, but genuinely it wasn't needed. The friendship development between them and between Artemesia/revenant was beautiful. Also, I love the revenant! It was so funny, clever, and I love that it cared for it's vessels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide and Vomit