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laurenleigh's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Though I don’t think I came to this book at quite the right time and struggled a bit to get into it, I found the premise alone quite interesting, especially as a Catholic high school survivor lol. This world is pretty much ruled by the Church, and there are evil (or maybe not so evil?) spirits that can possess certain people, those with “the sight” to see them. Our main character and her developing relationship with her possessor was surprisingly sweet and heartwarming! I also loved the “turns out that girl you think is weird is actually an awesome friend to have” trope. Great audiobook narrator too; her voice for the revenant was amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
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? Yes
4.5
“Sometimes, if you want to save other people, you need to remember to save yourself first.”
I love the world building in this story with nuns, sassy demons, and different classifications of spirits are all very fascinating.
The writing style is detailed and also easy to follow which makes it easy to get lost in it.
I love the interaction between Artemisia and the Revenant, they bicker with each other and the Revenant sassy remarks always liven up the story even more. I also like the growing enemies to friendship between artemisia and Marguerite, Marguerite is not the character I thought I knew.
Surprisingly, I don’t mind the lack of romance in this story. I was already preoccupied with everything that has been going on with saving the world.
The ending is wrapped up nicely, although it also left some unanswered questions which lead me to believe there would be a sequel. (I thought this one was a standalone just like other previous books)
I found out that this is a beginning of a series, nevertheless Vespertine can still be read as a standalone.
Overall, this is a fascinating, action-packed and enjoyable read. I really enjoy myself reading about this universe and getting to know the characters inside.
I’m really looking forward to read the next book from this author in the future!
Actual Rating: 4.5⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse and Blood
Minor: Suicide
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, War, Violence, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
baroo92's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Super interesting worldbuilding! I was fascinated with the hierarchy of ghosts and their abilities. It definitely was a bit more tense and dark than I was expecting, coming straight from SoT- but a very cool narrative overall.
I really liked the explanation of the MC’s traumas and how they effected her- I personally read her as autistic coded, but that may be just me. The relationship with the revenant had similar tones to the relationship with Silas in SoT- a creature both terrifyingly deadly, and begrudgingly affectionate. It’s always a nice dynamic to see a traumatized kid befriend a centuries-old eldritch being!
I really liked the explanation of the MC’s traumas and how they effected her- I personally read her as autistic coded, but that may be just me. The relationship with the revenant had similar tones to the relationship with Silas in SoT- a creature both terrifyingly deadly, and begrudgingly affectionate. It’s always a nice dynamic to see a traumatized kid befriend a centuries-old eldritch being!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
nxpe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Margaret Rogerson does not write a bad book- I am convinced. This book was so amazing, and I enjoyed it so much!
I was not expecting the extreme plot twists nearing the end, but they were very welcomed. I was convinced the priest had some sinister, horrendously evil plan... So, it being the Divine was a shock to me (I didn't mind though, she annoyed me a little bit).
I love the friendship development between Artemesia and Marguerite. I was worried because of the lack of romance in the book, but genuinely it wasn't needed. The friendship development between them and between Artemesia/revenant was beautiful. Also, I love the revenant! It was so funny, clever, and I love that it cared for it's vessels.
I love the friendship development between Artemesia and Marguerite. I was worried because of the lack of romance in the book, but genuinely it wasn't needed. The friendship development between them and between Artemesia/revenant was beautiful. Also, I love the revenant! It was so funny, clever, and I love that it cared for it's vessels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide and Vomit
caidyn's review
dark
emotional
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
4.5
What an enjoyable read! It reminded me a lot of Sorcery of Thorns -- inanimate objects being able to talk and do other things -- but also different. Religious and with things we'd call demons. I really enjoyed this book and loved the characters, especially the revenant. Overall a fantastic read and I hope that this does get another book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Self harm, and Fire/Fire injury
stacyaj's review against another edition
dark
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide
yaoipaddle's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really like this book!
I like the world that it takes place in and I like all of the characters. There was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me interested but not so much that it felt like I had to stop and remember everything going on.
I really like the side characters as well. I think their interactions are really fun. I like learning more and more about the world and characters as the story goes on too. I also like how the story was not bogged down by any romance!
Sometimes I feel like certain characterization of Artemesia and the revenant is too rushed. I feel as though I would have wanted more struggle between them but so much of it feels skipped over. Also I dislike how most of the time Artemesia just passes out so the author can avoid writing the rest of the scene. But these are the only negatives of the book for me. I excuse it because it's YA but I hope the pacing is fixed in future books (I think it is a series.)
I like the world that it takes place in and I like all of the characters. There was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me interested but not so much that it felt like I had to stop and remember everything going on.
I really like the side characters as well. I think their interactions are really fun. I like learning more and more about the world and characters as the story goes on too. I also like how the story was not bogged down by any romance!
Sometimes I feel like certain characterization of Artemesia and the revenant is too rushed. I feel as though I would have wanted more struggle between them but so much of it feels skipped over. Also I dislike how most of the time Artemesia just passes out so the author can avoid writing the rest of the scene. But these are the only negatives of the book for me. I excuse it because it's YA but I hope the pacing is fixed in future books (I think it is a series.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide, Self harm, and Death
chamaeleontis's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Violence, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal cruelty, Death, Excrement, Grief, Medical content, Self harm, Suicide attempt, War, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Gore, and Torture
r_a_bell's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
The writing in this is so beautiful. The way the main character slowly develops relationships with the other characters makes you invested. And the plot and system of magic is really interesting and clearly well thought out.
The way of depicts the effects of trauma and discusses it feels very real and doesn’t smack you in the face. It feels natural to the story, not forced.
I also really liked that there wasn’t a big romance or love interest. Not every story needs to revolve around one and it actually makes it more engaging. There is a romance between side characters which is cute and endearing, and helps bring a certain lightheartedness.
This is a really great book for someone who feels like they’ve outgrown YA in some ways, but can’t seem to get into adult fiction and how detached it often feels.
The way of depicts the effects of trauma and discusses it feels very real and doesn’t smack you in the face. It feels natural to the story, not forced.
I also really liked that there wasn’t a big romance or love interest. Not every story needs to revolve around one and it actually makes it more engaging. There is a romance between side characters which is cute and endearing, and helps bring a certain lightheartedness.
This is a really great book for someone who feels like they’ve outgrown YA in some ways, but can’t seem to get into adult fiction and how detached it often feels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, War, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief, Murder, Self harm, Gore, Animal cruelty, Torture, and Eating disorder
Trigger warning for animal abuse is for the most minor of mentions, it’s something I’m extremely sensitive about, so I really mean minor. Nothing is actually described it’s just mentioned to explain the behavior of an animal (who is then treated very nicely and heals from the trauma). Eating disorder isn’t really for an eating disorder, but more for disordered eating, if that makes sense. It’s not an eating disorder that’s described, but the way a character’s eating behaviors are described could be triggering for some people