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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Beginning was a bit slow (but not boring). Middle was good, then the last part was really cool. Loved the Eddie-Venom dynamic that Artemisia and the Revenant had going on
Aw, damn. I really wanted to love this. Don’t get me wrong, I did like it, but I absolutely loved Rogerson’s previous two novels and was hoping that Vespertine would be on that level. This should’ve been the perfect read for me: it’s spooky, steeped in religion and lore, and has a battle between the living and the dead that won’t stay dead (a la Sabriel, which was a formative book for me). But Vespertine just felt so bland to me. The plot felt like it would go in circles and never truly felt like it was building towards something. Problems would be presented that would be solved within the chapter. The final battle was literally SO QUICK. I feel like the end was setting up for a sequel, and I’m on the fence right now because I know I love Rogerson’s work, so the possibility of me liking the sequel better than this is high…but I don’t know if this is the series for me.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Slowly, Rogerson is becoming an author I really enjoy. I didn't love an Enchament of Ravens, but I adored Sorcery of Thorns and this one also was really great. Artemisia is a likeable main character, who clearly had trauma (rightfully so), but slowly starts to open on up to the thing she understands the least; other human beings. The world is quite richt and feels fairly unique in the way she used demons and how they come to be. There waws almost no romantic, making room for different types of friendship. I really liked the Artemisia's and the Revenant's banter, and than we got Margeriet back, Jean, Oliver, the captain and overall a wonderful cast. I like that few characters were wasted. Also, I like how they didn't make Leander the bad guy; he did bad things, but he did them with good intensions. But the reason he failed and Artemisia didn't, was because she had others to rely on. I will say it was a bit of a blurr, as at some point I was like, how much more is going to happen??? But I think the overall pacing was fine. The ending was open enough to make room for a possible sequel, but there was a solid ending that doesn't feel unstatistfying if there is never a sequel. Though, I will say, I wouldn't mind more Artemisia and Lenaer, not necessarily romantically, but I really liekd their vibe.
this book was incredible! it was so satisfying and truly defied the stereotypes associated with stories about big hero journeys. artemisia is a fantastic protagonist and i found that she was so refreshing as a main character. she, like the book, takes many famous tropes and turns them on their head. she isn’t the sequestered nun longing for adventure, she actively tries to evade her hero’s calling and stay where it’s safe! the people don’t believe the authority figures and instead turn to her as their savior! it’s a beautiful story about revealing the true nature of institutions you might have trusted your whole life, and of understanding that change can be scary, but it is ultimately very necessary for you and your world.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Gonna pick this one up again just not the right time for it
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
Wow! What a magnificent novel! Sad it won't be continued (though I truly get the author's reasons) but happy it worked on its own. The world building but most importantly the character development was worked out wonderfully! I felt connected and in awe while reading this and am sure going to miss this novel's world and characters!