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asiamd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
This book was sooooo good. I loved the main character and her revenant!! The way the author added depth and feelings to every character that came on the page was amazing. I really adore books that allow for villians to also be victims of pain and fear and I felt like this book did a great job of incorporating that wit a kind of anti-hero in the revenant as well as all the other spirits throughout the book. I really liked the different take on religion as well, while it was really similar to Christianity(?) with the blind belief of the people, the praying, and the saints, Rogerson also made it unique in the book by adding a more ghostlike twists that in my opinion added way more humanity to what the spirits were. Overall I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day š¤ so 10/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence
Minor: War, Suicide, and Vomit
rachelgreenreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
This was such a great story. The MC is a badass, neurodivergent and disabled nun, who allies with powerful spirit to uncover a vast magical plot, as well as the obscured history of the powers that be in her world. Rogerson writes power and humanity really well, while also making you love her complex and imperfect characters. Similarly to Sorcery of Thorns, she has her characters question what has been deemed wholly evil in her charactersā worlds, and if such a thing even exists. She artfully complicates concepts of good and evil, through characters and archetypes which are both fantastical and easy to relate to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Vomit, Medical content, and Suicide
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I REALLY liked this. Artemisia is a fun, strange main character that misses social cues and has social anxiety, but it isnāt written in that cloying internalized misogyny āIām not like other girlsā way. She just feels like a real girl that spent her formative years in a terrible situation, and doesnāt quite know how to interact as a result. She also doesnāt fall into the boring misanthrope trope; she is incredibly kind and empathetic despite thinking sheās terrible at people & kind of wishing theyād leave her alone.
The world building in this novel is exquisite! I love when religious institutions are called into question and have their agendas interrogated. The friendships and interpersonal connection in this book are so heartwarming yet nuanced.
I loved how Artemisia was able to step back and consider how cloying and sacrificial āchosen oneā mentality is, and is able to empathize even with villains for that reason. Often in fantasy you get people chosen for or pushed into some grand fate and they kinda justā¦ go with it. In this, Artemisia goes with it, but she also clearly articulates how shitty and painful and isolating the road will be, and how much she feels like a pawn in someoneās game. Sheās tired, she forgets to eat, she realizes that caring for herself is just as important as the mission sheās on.
10/10 would recommend and I would not mind if this turned to a series (duology would be nice but I will take 3 if I must)
The world building in this novel is exquisite! I love when religious institutions are called into question and have their agendas interrogated. The friendships and interpersonal connection in this book are so heartwarming yet nuanced.
I loved how Artemisia was able to step back and consider how cloying and sacrificial āchosen oneā mentality is, and is able to empathize even with villains for that reason. Often in fantasy you get people chosen for or pushed into some grand fate and they kinda justā¦ go with it. In this, Artemisia goes with it, but she also clearly articulates how shitty and painful and isolating the road will be, and how much she feels like a pawn in someoneās game. Sheās tired, she forgets to eat, she realizes that caring for herself is just as important as the mission sheās on.
10/10 would recommend and I would not mind if this turned to a series (duology would be nice but I will take 3 if I must)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Murder, and Child abuse
Moderate: Child death and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Suicide
froukjemelenhorst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Netflixās Wednesday wishes it was this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicide
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
āSometimes, if you want to save other people, you need to remember to save yourself first.ā
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 donāt 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.
Iām really looking forward to read the next book from this author in the future!
Actual Rating: 4.5ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse and Blood
Minor: Suicide
neonfrills's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
Summary: Joan of Arc meets Venom. High fantasy setting where a nun ends up taking on this powerful spirit called a Relevant to help her fight. Normally it would most likely end up possessing her, but sheās able to keep it at bay and a la Venom, it becomes this sassy demon in her head who she has to work with to beat back this undead horde that is sweeping the land.
Characters: I love Artemisia and the Revenant's relationship. I went in thinking this was going to be a romance (because when something gets sold as Venom inspired, you canāt convince me that Eddy and Venom arenāt in love), but instead we got an honestly really sweet friendship of āGirl and her weird, murderous Pet Monsterā, which I also adore. I really loved all of the side-characters who end up making up Artemisiaās squad, and how over the course of the story, Artemisia learns to trust people and let them help her carry her burden instead of thinking she has to always be alone.
The only character I didnāt love for most of the book is Leander, mostly because I am begging Margaret Rogerson to not make him come back as the love interest in the next book. I have 3 people Iād much rather have her with (Marguerite, The Revenant and Jean), but also No Love Interest Supremacy. Artemisia doesnāt need a boyfriend to make her story worthwhile!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Torture, Kidnapping, and Grief
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
stacyaj's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide
yaoipaddle's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really like this book!
I like the world that it takes place in and I like all of the characters. There was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me interested but not so much that it felt like I had to stop and remember everything going on.
I really like the side characters as well. I think their interactions are really fun. I like learning more and more about the world and characters as the story goes on too. I also like how the story was not bogged down by any romance!
Sometimes I feel like certain characterization of Artemesia and the revenant is too rushed. I feel as though I would have wanted more struggle between them but so much of it feels skipped over. Also I dislike how most of the time Artemesia just passes out so the author can avoid writing the rest of the scene. But these are the only negatives of the book for me. I excuse it because it's YA but I hope the pacing is fixed in future books (I think it is a series.)
I like the world that it takes place in and I like all of the characters. There was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me interested but not so much that it felt like I had to stop and remember everything going on.
I really like the side characters as well. I think their interactions are really fun. I like learning more and more about the world and characters as the story goes on too. I also like how the story was not bogged down by any romance!
Sometimes I feel like certain characterization of Artemesia and the revenant is too rushed. I feel as though I would have wanted more struggle between them but so much of it feels skipped over. Also I dislike how most of the time Artemesia just passes out so the author can avoid writing the rest of the scene. But these are the only negatives of the book for me. I excuse it because it's YA but I hope the pacing is fixed in future books (I think it is a series.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide, Self harm, and Death
alexalily's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence, War, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Suicide