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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This was the first book I read for bookclub with my college roommates. I really enjoyed how sassy the Revenant is! I really enjoyed reading such a strong FMC's POV. The religious undertones/themes throughout the book were very interesting as well!
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm not sure if it was purposeful but the revenant caring for Artemisia and telling her to eat and rest made me think of mental health and learning to live with your demons. Overall I usually avoid most anything with religious tones but I enjoyed this and was hooked from the start.
Spells and Space Ships 2022: Monster (revenant)
Margaret Rogerson has become a reliable author for me. Her books have likable heroines (no mean feat with YA books), interesting worlds and magic that I always want to know more about. She's imaginative and her books always leave me feeling a bit lighter.
That may seem like an odd thing to say about this book which is about a priestess of death. Artemisia, our main character, wants to be left to her work with the dead, honoring and laying them to rest. She may have magical talent but she doesn't want to be around people. REALLY doesn't to the point of having a debilitating anxiety about it.
But fate, naturally, intervenes. When Artemisia is forced to wield a relic to defend her abbey, she becomes the mistress of a powerful revenant. In this world, the dead don't go to rest unless they are laid there. If you die peacefully you might become a shade that can't affect the world much. But those who die in horrible and/or violent ways can become powerful malevolent undead spirits, like Artemisia's revenant.
These two have to learn to work together and how to trust each other when there are very good reasons for no trust to grow. They also have to work to foil the plans of someone who wants to use necromancy for an evil purpose. The relationship between the revenant and Artemisia is the heart of the book. There might be just a hint of a possible romance but nothing comes of it in this novel. And I was glad of it. It does feel like this could be the beginning of a series. I know the author hasn't done that up until now but it very much feels like there's more of this story to tell! I'd love to read it.
Margaret Rogerson has become a reliable author for me. Her books have likable heroines (no mean feat with YA books), interesting worlds and magic that I always want to know more about. She's imaginative and her books always leave me feeling a bit lighter.
That may seem like an odd thing to say about this book which is about a priestess of death. Artemisia, our main character, wants to be left to her work with the dead, honoring and laying them to rest. She may have magical talent but she doesn't want to be around people. REALLY doesn't to the point of having a debilitating anxiety about it.
But fate, naturally, intervenes. When Artemisia is forced to wield a relic to defend her abbey, she becomes the mistress of a powerful revenant. In this world, the dead don't go to rest unless they are laid there. If you die peacefully you might become a shade that can't affect the world much. But those who die in horrible and/or violent ways can become powerful malevolent undead spirits, like Artemisia's revenant.
These two have to learn to work together and how to trust each other when there are very good reasons for no trust to grow. They also have to work to foil the plans of someone who wants to use necromancy for an evil purpose. The relationship between the revenant and Artemisia is the heart of the book. There might be just a hint of a possible romance but nothing comes of it in this novel. And I was glad of it. It does feel like this could be the beginning of a series. I know the author hasn't done that up until now but it very much feels like there's more of this story to tell! I'd love to read it.
A nun who wants nothing more than to continue in her path of tending to dead bodies... and the relic that calls to her destiny. Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses dead bodies of their souls otherwise the spirits will rise with a hunger for the living. She has been outcast ever since she herself was possessed by a spirit as a young child, but when her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia finds herself in possession of an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic... now bound to her. While trying to defend her convent she accidentally comes into possession of this new power, and this new spirit who is snarky, talkative, and constantly threatening to possess her if she drops her guard. After the attack Artemisia finds herself on the run from the priest confessor who seeks her powers and trying to solve a sinister mystery of saints, dark magic, and the new relationship between her and the revenant. This was a delightfully fun read. I enjoyed the revenant and Artemisia’s relationship so much, and getting to see them grow to trust one another and help one another, all while trying to solve a mystery? Perfection. I am so excited for the next book and to see where they go together.
*Thank you Goodreads and Simon Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
*Thank you Goodreads and Simon Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
i LOVE a high-stakes lone adventure novel! everything about this book was so well-thought-out! the protagonist is fully flushed out and every character has a discernible personality—plus, the world-building is meticulous. this is one of the best fantasy novels i have ever read.
Margaret Rogerson just keeps getting better! I loved this book! I feel like a lot of YA is the same plot over and over, but this is truly unique. And just look at that cover! I loved everything about it.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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:
No
4.5 stars. Loved this book! Very cool world building that reminded me of Sabriel, and I quickly fell in love with the MCs. I particularly loved the Venom-like relationship between the MCs. I did not know that I needed a Sabriel / Venom crossover until I read this book, but I’m glad that it exists. This was just so much fun to read. Definitely excited to try other books from this author now!
adventurous
emotional
funny
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