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jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the original trilogy. The combination of historical Brittany with assassins and fantasy made it so interesting. I liked all the characters and their relationships in that series. This one felt very different despite still have Sybell. Sybell as a character in this was still good and I liked her story but the alternative perspective with Genevieve didn’t work for me in this. I didn’t see how the stories connected and I found Genevieve such a boring character. I think maybe my expectations were too high because this was just very okay to me.
danielled75's review against another edition
4.0
Courting Darkness is a spin off book from the His Fair Assassin series, it’s been mentioned that you do not need to read the trilogy before starting this, but I’m going to disagree and say that you should read the trilogy first. There are things going on that you may feel lost and confused about.
The book is told in dual POV that goes back and forth between Sybella and Genevieve.
Courting Darkness picks up where Mortal Heart left off and we are following Sybella and Beast. Sybella and her fellow Handmaidens of Death are trying to come to terms with a world that no longer has the presence of Mortain and the mark that guided them, now they need to make choices that they see as being difficult since their training did not prepare them for this.
I was thrilled to see that Sybella and Beast were going to be back, they have an amazing dynamic bond.
We are also introduced to Genevieve, who is an initiate of Mortain. She has been undercover for 5 years in the French court and is starting to feel that the convent has forgotten about her and her mission. I did not care much for Genevieve, she seems to go through the story with blinders on and just wants to do things her way, with no consideration for others and the consequences her choices could lead to.
There is a lot of political intrigue that takes place in the book, which some may find boring and or confusing since there are several houses that are part of the book.
This book is a slow burn since there is no real interaction between Sybella and Genevieve until the end, which seems to be a build up for the second book.
I do plan on picking up the second book in the duology since I love Sybella and I want to see if Genevieve smartens up.
The book is told in dual POV that goes back and forth between Sybella and Genevieve.
Courting Darkness picks up where Mortal Heart left off and we are following Sybella and Beast. Sybella and her fellow Handmaidens of Death are trying to come to terms with a world that no longer has the presence of Mortain and the mark that guided them, now they need to make choices that they see as being difficult since their training did not prepare them for this.
I was thrilled to see that Sybella and Beast were going to be back, they have an amazing dynamic bond.
We are also introduced to Genevieve, who is an initiate of Mortain. She has been undercover for 5 years in the French court and is starting to feel that the convent has forgotten about her and her mission. I did not care much for Genevieve, she seems to go through the story with blinders on and just wants to do things her way, with no consideration for others and the consequences her choices could lead to.
There is a lot of political intrigue that takes place in the book, which some may find boring and or confusing since there are several houses that are part of the book.
This book is a slow burn since there is no real interaction between Sybella and Genevieve until the end, which seems to be a build up for the second book.
I do plan on picking up the second book in the duology since I love Sybella and I want to see if Genevieve smartens up.
alyssakate24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
carrotsbeach's review against another edition
I was listening to it on audio, but kept thinking about all the other books I would rather be reading. A little confused but I think it’s because there is a trilogy that is before this that you’re suppose to read. I’m not sure. But I’m putting it down for now
wonder_jenn's review against another edition
4.0
If you love the first trilogy, you should like this one just as much. I certainly do. It's always a pleasure to see the original characters, and the new ones are just as interesting to follow.
Robin LaFevers writes in a way I simply love. She can mix history, magic, court intrigues, romance, bonds or even tragedy in an efficient and engrossing manner. When I read her books, I can't help but love the characters. The good and the bad guys are both cunning and resourceful. It makes the story all the more exciting.
Robin LaFevers writes in a way I simply love. She can mix history, magic, court intrigues, romance, bonds or even tragedy in an efficient and engrossing manner. When I read her books, I can't help but love the characters. The good and the bad guys are both cunning and resourceful. It makes the story all the more exciting.
steph01924's review against another edition
4.0
So happy to be back in the historically twisty world of assassin nuns! Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Actual rating 4.5! I adore this series and I was so happy to see it continued in this spin-off, with Sybella as one of the lead characters. It's filled with political drama, backstabbing, and two powerful young women. It's a slow burn story with lots of character moments, great action scenes, and some truly romantic moments.
Sybella continues to lead the charge as the dark, fierce, hero who will dispense justice on anyone foolish enough to cross her or threaten those she loves. I enjoyed seeing her explore her character, grow, and make clever choices against the conniving regent. I would have loved to see more moments of her with Beast, but what they did share together merely reinforced what I loved about him.
Genevieve was nothing like I expected, as easily as fierce as Sybella, though a little more selfish. Still, she had her heart in the right place and worked with her ambition. She also made interesting choices and had thrilling encounters with mercenaries, prisoners, and more. I would love to see more of what she is capable of, and what she will do in the next book.
The only little complaint I have is that there were opened plot threads and a bit of a slower pacing. I have no doubt these will be resolved in the sequel, but right now I just want all my questions answered! I absolutely adore the gorgeous writing style, strong female characters, and the hint of dark fantasy within this book. It is a great addition for anyone who loves dark historical fantasy!
Sybella continues to lead the charge as the dark, fierce, hero who will dispense justice on anyone foolish enough to cross her or threaten those she loves. I enjoyed seeing her explore her character, grow, and make clever choices against the conniving regent. I would have loved to see more moments of her with Beast, but what they did share together merely reinforced what I loved about him.
Genevieve was nothing like I expected, as easily as fierce as Sybella, though a little more selfish. Still, she had her heart in the right place and worked with her ambition. She also made interesting choices and had thrilling encounters with mercenaries, prisoners, and more. I would love to see more of what she is capable of, and what she will do in the next book.
The only little complaint I have is that there were opened plot threads and a bit of a slower pacing. I have no doubt these will be resolved in the sequel, but right now I just want all my questions answered! I absolutely adore the gorgeous writing style, strong female characters, and the hint of dark fantasy within this book. It is a great addition for anyone who loves dark historical fantasy!
kimberly88's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Edelweiss for the DRC.
Wow. If you enjoyed the Fair Assassins trilogy, then you will also love the start of this companion duology. As the title might suggest, this story is quite dark, but is also full of fierce lady assassins trying to do what is right. I loved seeing Sybella and Beast together again, but I wasn't crazy about Genevieve. That ending will leave readers clamoring for book 2!
Wow. If you enjoyed the Fair Assassins trilogy, then you will also love the start of this companion duology. As the title might suggest, this story is quite dark, but is also full of fierce lady assassins trying to do what is right. I loved seeing Sybella and Beast together again, but I wasn't crazy about Genevieve. That ending will leave readers clamoring for book 2!
420blazeit's review against another edition
5.0
re-read 2/20/2021
AYOOO this whole book slapped. i feel so bad tht genevieve and margot were just LEFT to “spy” for so many years, like imagine how tf they felt. i see how margot drifted away from the lifestyle, and i think tht her dying was also a way to keep the amount of main characters to a minimum. and what i mean by tht is, we connect w sybella, ismae, and annith so well because we heard their whole story and witnessed an intense character arc. and focusing on two more girls at the same time would’ve made two characters who were both half done. so THEREFORE rip margot u won’t b missed
AYOOO this whole book slapped. i feel so bad tht genevieve and margot were just LEFT to “spy” for so many years, like imagine how tf they felt. i see how margot drifted away from the lifestyle, and i think tht her dying was also a way to keep the amount of main characters to a minimum. and what i mean by tht is, we connect w sybella, ismae, and annith so well because we heard their whole story and witnessed an intense character arc. and focusing on two more girls at the same time would’ve made two characters who were both half done. so THEREFORE rip margot u won’t b missed