Scan barcode
headinthepages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Medical content, Murder, Torture, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Medical trauma, Self harm, Mental illness, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Vomit
mali33102's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
I love all of Margaret Rogerson’s books and this one was no different. She is a master of creating these extremely detailed worlds and bringing its’ characters to life. I was enraptured the whole time. I want more from the world, but she is also notorious for only writing stand-alone, which makes my heart sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Body horror
Minor: Self harm
sunsetcity's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, and Grief
jessicaludden's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
“The revenant might be a monster, but it was my monster.”
This was an interesting read. I loved the magic system and the whole concept of spirits, nuns, and relics, but I think the world building is lacking. The world in this story feels bigger than one book to me. There were many times while reading that I found myself confused on the logistics of the world and the possibilities of the magic. There were also many times I wished for more detail and backstory. For example, I would’ve loved more time learning about the origins of the revenants and the Old Magic that is constantly referenced throughout the book. It just didn’t feel like the way things happen in this world was explained very clearly at the beginning.
I think the central issue of the story and the big bad was underwhelming. I liked the plot twist that Leander actually had no idea about Sarathiel and it was actually the Divine who was helping him, but I think Sarathiel’s overall purpose got lost in translation between the soldier spirits, him killing the Divine, and the rituals that Artemisia needed to do to save the world (at least I think that’s what she was trying to do). The stakes never felt very high to me and I think it’s due to the lack of detail I had with the world building.
I also think the side characters fell a little flat. The seeds of character complexity were there, but it felt like something was missing in their connection to Artemisia. I think their friendships could’ve been used a lot better and been more important in her story.
What I loved about this story was the dynamic between Artemisia and the revenant. They had really good banter and were both very blunt with each other. The revenant was hilarious, but I also loved seeing it’s softer side as the story progressed. I loved seeing their relationship build and the trust get developed. I especially loved the ending where Artemisia realized Rathanael had decided to sacrifice himself in order to save her and destroy Sarathiel. Their connection was the best part of this book and it’s what occurred for most of the story, which makes sense because she was literally a vessel for it. Overall, I enjoyed reading this. It could’ve been better in terms of the world building, but Artemisia and the revenant’s relationship made it enjoyable.
Favorite Quotes:
“‘You miss feeling things. You like being in a human body.’
‘That doesn’t mean I want to be in yours!’”
“‘Have you ever considered that your body carries you?’”
“‘No, and I don’t see why it matters. Humans are so tedious. Oh, you have dangly bits. Congratulations, you’re going to put on armor and swing a sword about. Oh, you’ve ended up with the other kind. Too bad—time to either have babies or become a nun.’”
“‘I’ll remind you,’ it said finally. ‘Rather than expecting you to remember on your own. When you need to eat, when you’re sick or hurt, and whether it’s serious enough to seek help. But you have to promise that you’ll listen to me.’”
“…the longing I had felt that day and many days since was homesickness. Homesickness for a place I had never been, for the answers to questions I carried in my heart but for which I had no words. I hadn’t recognized it then, because I hadn’t understood what it felt like to have a home.”
“‘I’ll have you know that I’m very good-looking by undead standards…’”
“‘You are the worst vessel I’ve ever had…’”
“If power we’re a measure of worth, Charles wouldn’t have needed me at all.”
“I glanced around at her, Charles, Jean. The people in the hall. I felt the revenant, bristling with impatience. And I realized she was mistaken—I hadn’t been alone, not for some time.”
“Perhaps this was how history treated saints. It didn’t matter what was real, what had truly happened. Even as they lived, their lives passes into legend.”
“…I found myself crouched in an alley with my heart hammering, feeling like an idiot as the revenant flitted through my body searching for injuries, finding nothing.
‘What happened?’ it demanded for the fourth or fifth time. ‘What’s wrong with you?’”
“‘I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again.’”
“I knew then that we really were going to be all right, because I had survived it before, and I would survive it again.”
“The world was radiant. My thoughts were silver fire.”
“‘I don’t want to do it, which in my experience is the surest sign that I need to.’”
“‘Stop drying,’ I told him. A faint smile touched his lips. ‘Is that all?’”
This was an interesting read. I loved the magic system and the whole concept of spirits, nuns, and relics, but I think the world building is lacking. The world in this story feels bigger than one book to me. There were many times while reading that I found myself confused on the logistics of the world and the possibilities of the magic. There were also many times I wished for more detail and backstory. For example, I would’ve loved more time learning about the origins of the revenants and the Old Magic that is constantly referenced throughout the book. It just didn’t feel like the way things happen in this world was explained very clearly at the beginning.
I think the central issue of the story and the big bad was underwhelming. I liked the plot twist that Leander actually had no idea about Sarathiel and it was actually the Divine who was helping him, but I think Sarathiel’s overall purpose got lost in translation between the soldier spirits, him killing the Divine, and the rituals that Artemisia needed to do to save the world (at least I think that’s what she was trying to do). The stakes never felt very high to me and I think it’s due to the lack of detail I had with the world building.
I also think the side characters fell a little flat. The seeds of character complexity were there, but it felt like something was missing in their connection to Artemisia. I think their friendships could’ve been used a lot better and been more important in her story.
What I loved about this story was the dynamic between Artemisia and the revenant. They had really good banter and were both very blunt with each other. The revenant was hilarious, but I also loved seeing it’s softer side as the story progressed. I loved seeing their relationship build and the trust get developed. I especially loved the ending where Artemisia realized Rathanael had decided to sacrifice himself in order to save her and destroy Sarathiel. Their connection was the best part of this book and it’s what occurred for most of the story, which makes sense because she was literally a vessel for it. Overall, I enjoyed reading this. It could’ve been better in terms of the world building, but Artemisia and the revenant’s relationship made it enjoyable.
Favorite Quotes:
“‘You miss feeling things. You like being in a human body.’
‘That doesn’t mean I want to be in yours!’”
“‘Have you ever considered that your body carries you?’”
“‘No, and I don’t see why it matters. Humans are so tedious. Oh, you have dangly bits. Congratulations, you’re going to put on armor and swing a sword about. Oh, you’ve ended up with the other kind. Too bad—time to either have babies or become a nun.’”
“‘I’ll remind you,’ it said finally. ‘Rather than expecting you to remember on your own. When you need to eat, when you’re sick or hurt, and whether it’s serious enough to seek help. But you have to promise that you’ll listen to me.’”
“…the longing I had felt that day and many days since was homesickness. Homesickness for a place I had never been, for the answers to questions I carried in my heart but for which I had no words. I hadn’t recognized it then, because I hadn’t understood what it felt like to have a home.”
“‘I’ll have you know that I’m very good-looking by undead standards…’”
“‘You are the worst vessel I’ve ever had…’”
“If power we’re a measure of worth, Charles wouldn’t have needed me at all.”
“I glanced around at her, Charles, Jean. The people in the hall. I felt the revenant, bristling with impatience. And I realized she was mistaken—I hadn’t been alone, not for some time.”
“Perhaps this was how history treated saints. It didn’t matter what was real, what had truly happened. Even as they lived, their lives passes into legend.”
“…I found myself crouched in an alley with my heart hammering, feeling like an idiot as the revenant flitted through my body searching for injuries, finding nothing.
‘What happened?’ it demanded for the fourth or fifth time. ‘What’s wrong with you?’”
“‘I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again.’”
“I knew then that we really were going to be all right, because I had survived it before, and I would survive it again.”
“The world was radiant. My thoughts were silver fire.”
“‘I don’t want to do it, which in my experience is the surest sign that I need to.’”
“‘Stop drying,’ I told him. A faint smile touched his lips. ‘Is that all?’”
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, and Eating disorder
snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy YA novel that doesn’t star some conventionally pretty main character who’s more morally white than grey, so, hello breath of fresh air that is Vespertine !
The story centres around Artemisia, a young woman with a troubled past who’s training to be a Gray Sister (a nun who cleanses the bodies of the dead so that their souls can pass on and not rise as spirits that hunger for the living). She’s socially awkward, very introverted and 100% not looking forward to a life other than the predictable one of a Gray Sister. Unfortunately for her, she’s our main character so the Lady has other plans in store. Artemisia’s convent gets attacked and she awakens the revenant bound to a high relic. Thus, beginning her journey where she and the revenant must work together to save the kingdom of Loraille—all while unravelling the mystery and truths between the saints, magic and the spirits.
We move from one event to another rather quickly as the action never stops in Vespertine and that makes the book un-put-down-able. To complement this, there is no romance and instead, we’re given this delightful focus on Artemisia’s growth. I wholeheartedly adore this focus as we get to witness her coming out of her shell and leaving her comfort zone, navigating people and relationships, realizing things and just…growing in general.
Other than that, I enjoyed the dynamics between Artemisia and the revenant. The way they conversed and worked with each other was at times, entertaining and at others, heart-wrenching as one of them is a recluse who didn’t know how to connect and communicate, and the other, a snarky tsundere. However, I must admit that I was initially thrown off by how the revenant speaks. For a pretty ancient being that’s been locked up for quite a while and hasn’t actually conversed with others, he talks rather ‘modern’ (in Artemisia’s time).
I also greatly enjoyed how there’s actual communication between the characters. It’s not just talking, but proper attempts to really understand the other, especially after misunderstandings happen. This particular aspect shines in Vespertine and I love it.
The worldbuilding for this book provides a nice foundation for us to understand the simple yet well-thought-out magic system. Of course, there’s room for improvement and expansion, but since this is only the first book of the series, I’m excited to see how the world and the magic system expand in the sequel. I’m also excited to see where the story goes and how the relationship between Leander and Artemisia further develops since we’ve got this oddly anticlimactic but hopeful ending that foreshadows their potential reunion.
All in all, Vespertine is the kind of YA novel that I’m always looking forward to reading. A BAMF heroine who isn’t immediately powerful in her own right but becomes a bigger BAMF as the story progresses, no romance, and the multilayered theme of humans VS monsters all in one book? 10/10 my heart is sold.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy YA novel that doesn’t star some conventionally pretty main character who’s more morally white than grey, so, hello breath of fresh air that is Vespertine !
The story centres around Artemisia, a young woman with a troubled past who’s training to be a Gray Sister (a nun who cleanses the bodies of the dead so that their souls can pass on and not rise as spirits that hunger for the living). She’s socially awkward, very introverted and 100% not looking forward to a life other than the predictable one of a Gray Sister. Unfortunately for her, she’s our main character so the Lady has other plans in store. Artemisia’s convent gets attacked and she awakens the revenant bound to a high relic. Thus, beginning her journey where she and the revenant must work together to save the kingdom of Loraille—all while unravelling the mystery and truths between the saints, magic and the spirits.
We move from one event to another rather quickly as the action never stops in Vespertine and that makes the book un-put-down-able. To complement this, there is no romance and instead, we’re given this delightful focus on Artemisia’s growth. I wholeheartedly adore this focus as we get to witness her coming out of her shell and leaving her comfort zone, navigating people and relationships, realizing things and just…growing in general.
Other than that, I enjoyed the dynamics between Artemisia and the revenant. The way they conversed and worked with each other was at times, entertaining and at others, heart-wrenching as one of them is a recluse who didn’t know how to connect and communicate, and the other, a snarky tsundere. However, I must admit that I was initially thrown off by how the revenant speaks. For a pretty ancient being that’s been locked up for quite a while and hasn’t actually conversed with others, he talks rather ‘modern’ (in Artemisia’s time).
I also greatly enjoyed how there’s actual communication between the characters. It’s not just talking, but proper attempts to really understand the other, especially after misunderstandings happen. This particular aspect shines in Vespertine and I love it.
The worldbuilding for this book provides a nice foundation for us to understand the simple yet well-thought-out magic system. Of course, there’s room for improvement and expansion, but since this is only the first book of the series, I’m excited to see how the world and the magic system expand in the sequel. I’m also excited to see where the story goes and how the relationship between Leander and Artemisia further develops since we’ve got this oddly anticlimactic but hopeful ending that foreshadows their potential reunion.
All in all, Vespertine is the kind of YA novel that I’m always looking forward to reading. A BAMF heroine who isn’t immediately powerful in her own right but becomes a bigger BAMF as the story progresses, no romance, and the multilayered theme of humans VS monsters all in one book? 10/10 my heart is sold.
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson is available at all good bookstores.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Blood, Abandonment, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
nnniro411's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
A beautifully written story with characters that jumped off the page. I just have to say I adored the revenant so much, it was hilarious, dark, endearing, sarcastic and a little bit of a mother hen. I immediately loved this disembodied demonic spirit as soon as it spoke. Revenant and Artemisia’s banter was fun to listen to and seeing them go from adversaries to friends was so much fun. I also loved the side characters and enjoyed the mystery that they gave.
The world felt lived in and the world building was well done. We didn’t need exposition and instead taken into the world where we picked up the mythology as the adventure unfolded. I would not mind going back into this world if Roberson ever decided to continue the story.
The world felt lived in and the world building was well done. We didn’t need exposition and instead taken into the world where we picked up the mythology as the adventure unfolded. I would not mind going back into this world if Roberson ever decided to continue the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Bullying, War, Abandonment, Torture, and Gore
clairew97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Abandonment, Body horror, Animal death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Blood, Child abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Torture, Religious bigotry, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: War, Self harm, Ableism, and Vomit
Minor: Bullying and Suicide
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Blood
Minor: Suicide
aseel_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
i really enjoyed the two main characters of this story (artemisa and the revenant) - their relationship was lovely and full of sarcasm. not sure if the artemisa is coded for autism or trauma behaviours, its a bit confusing. the world is really interesting (thank god for the page of the order of spirits) but the plot was a little slow in pacing and the plot twist was so obvious, even i picked it up and i wasn't trying at all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Child abuse