spindola's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Vespertine caught me completely by surprise. The book throws you into a dark world where spirits threaten to inhabit those who are gifted with supernatural abilities. God is a Woman. A Catholic Church adjacent group governs over a theocratical society. There is a underlying feeling that something just doesn’t feel quite right.
Margaret Rogerson takes the time to introduce our shy and imperfect MC. The fact that Artemisia is not a perfect hero is my favorite aspect of the book. She is a relatable person. Her decisions make sense given her past. Her awkwardness is honest. She makes mistakes and tries her best to just be a decent person. What more could you ask for in a MC?
Margaret Rogerson takes the time to introduce our shy and imperfect MC.
Spoiler
Artemisia suffered a painful childhood that and the author does not shy away from that. Her childhood absolutely impacts her decisions and shapes her fear.kirstenariel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
alyara's review
dark
hopeful
inspiring
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
annabithebook's review against another edition
3.0
This book is more of a 3.5 but when pressed, I had to round down. I really struggled with this book. I am a massive Margaret Rogerson fan but this book felt simultaneously rushed and not developed far enough. It struggles with the "dropped in the world no backstory" which usually authors will creatively find ways to provide the background as you go along. I felt like the world/mythos was seemingly too massive to weave in this way and it left me feeling very confused and not clear on how all of it works together. I feel like this rating might improve upon a re-read, however, I don't have the motivation to read it again. The ending didn't leave me wanting more and therefore I'm not even excited/looking forward to the next one, sadly. There were moments where Rogerson's writing shone and the connections/depth/character development were incredible. But where the characters shone, the plot suffered. The revenant was, by far, the standout superstar of this novel, he gets 5 stars. Caitlin Davies brought these Characters to life brilliantly and I love her narration style!
britterization's review
3.0
It's His Fair Assasin meets The Bartimaeus Trilogy meets Shadow & Bone. Longer review to come - I liked it! 3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC which I received in exchange for an unbiased review. Vespertine is out 05 October.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC which I received in exchange for an unbiased review. Vespertine is out 05 October.
katrinaq's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
episkey's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Self harm, and Death
Minor: Suicide, Eating disorder, War, Vomit, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/injury detail, and Grief
cicelychau's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
aurum_rain's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
4.0