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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
In short, Vespertine is a mix of the Lockwood & Co. books and a Shadow and Bone.
I liked the beginning at the nunnery but as soon as Artemisia left the covenant early on, I kind of lost interest because the book became quite stereotypical.
I liked the beginning at the nunnery but as soon as Artemisia left the covenant early on, I kind of lost interest because the book became quite stereotypical.
I like Rogerson's books, both for myself and for my teen, and this is the best one I've read. I didn't even need my "YA filter."
I usually have an internal filter when reading YA that reminds me that "this is YA, so don't expect tons." It also tells me to grit my teeth and ignore the romance, because usualy the romances seem like they're just there because the readers are teens and "that's what teens care about" (no, I don't think that, but other people seem to.
This book doesn't need that filter. The plot is straightforward without being boring, you can't guess the ending easily, and the main character, "Artemisia" is interesting. Like, really interesting, and complex (fwiw, others who've asked about whether she's on the spectrum, I'd say that if it wasn't in the back of the author's mind, I'd be pretty surprised). And the fantastical element -- the souls of the dead that remain on earth -- is really well done. The whole idea is innovative, and the fact that they aren't just obstacles but characters is unusual, and again, well done.
I usually have an internal filter when reading YA that reminds me that "this is YA, so don't expect tons." It also tells me to grit my teeth and ignore the romance, because usualy the romances seem like they're just there because the readers are teens and "that's what teens care about" (no, I don't think that, but other people seem to.
This book doesn't need that filter. The plot is straightforward without being boring, you can't guess the ending easily, and the main character, "Artemisia" is interesting. Like, really interesting, and complex (fwiw, others who've asked about whether she's on the spectrum, I'd say that if it wasn't in the back of the author's mind, I'd be pretty surprised). And the fantastical element -- the souls of the dead that remain on earth -- is really well done. The whole idea is innovative, and the fact that they aren't just obstacles but characters is unusual, and again, well done.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great book by Margaret Rogerson. I absolutely fell in love with her writing when I read Sorcery if Thorns and this book was just as amazing. She has amazing world building skills and her character development is always great! I loved Artemisia and her story. The revenant was very well written and the story moved at a wonderful pace. There was a wonderful set of side characters as well that kept the story moving. The banter in this book was excellent as well and there was humor laced throughout. This is a world k very much want to read more about and I believe this is going to be a duology, which is awesome! And the cover! Charlie Bowater always does amazing cover art. Love it.
This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am upset that this book will be considered a standalone until further notice (all due respect to the author, ofc). But I have not enjoyed a read this much in so long.
I'm shocked this was a DNF, however I just felt lost in the first third and wasn't interested in the stakes of the story overall.
I didn't really connect with this as much as I would have liked. Had it not been for the revenant I might not have finished it.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment