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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This YA fantasy was quite the breath of fresh air amongst a genre currently filled with all similar staples. Holy spirits, a stubborn introverted main female lead, absolutely zero romance and just a story solely about saving the day. I burned through this in a matter of hours. My favorite part of this was the growth of the relationship between Artemisia and the revenant to basically becoming stubborn best friends. They’re there for each other - they understand each other.
The plot was great, the pacing and the world building was so well done and easy to follow. There isn’t an over abundance of characters and each character shines just the right amount. I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to in all honesty.
The plot was great, the pacing and the world building was so well done and easy to follow. There isn’t an over abundance of characters and each character shines just the right amount. I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to in all honesty.
3.5 stars
read on my blog
cw: blood
**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Like many others, I loved Margaret Rogerson’s last book, Sorcery of Thorns, so naturally I was so excited about her next release! I jumped at the chance to read it early. Vespertine untangles the secrets of saints and spirits, ultimately discovering the true bond of friendship.
Despite her high affinity to control spirits, Artemisia wants nothing more than to be a Gray Sister, an order that cleanses corpses so that their spirits do not become malevolent spirits that will possess those with the Sight. When possessed soldiers attack her convent, she is forced to accept the power of a saint’s relic, containing a revenant, the highest order of spirit. There are so few of these relics that no one alive knows how to control these spirits; however, with time running out to discover why more and more spirits are possessing people, Artemisia must team up with the revenant in her relic to solve this mystery.
The worldbuilding was really cool! I always enjoy stories that focus on saints and holiness, and this book was no exception. I also feel like Rogerson has a talent for immersing you in a world without overexplaining or info-dumping. The different orders of spirits are explained seamlessly with the plot.
I really liked Artemisia’s character arc. She was possessed by a low spirit as a child; as a consequence of this, she has a talent for controlling higher order spirits. This also contributed to her selfless nature: She rarely thinks of herself in any situation, instead always wanting to protect others, even if they’re afraid of her. Over time, the revenant helps her realize that sometimes she needs to think of herself first in order to really help others.
Her relationships with the other characters were also well fleshed out. I feel like a common factor in Rogerson’s story is the “immortal figure who begrudgingly grows to like the protagonist” character, which here is the revenant. As much as it threatens Artemisia, you can tell that it cares for her and they gradually form a friendship.
Artemisia also forms a stronger friendship with Marguerite, another novice at her convent that she previously thought hated her. It was nice to see how other characters continue to care about Artemisia when she so obviously cares for others, even if they don’t realize it at first.
In case anyone was wondering, there’s no romance in this book! This wasn’t a mark against the book; I just wanted to clarify for anyone who was expecting one.
My one real complaint about this book is that it’s so interesting in the first 50 pages…and then nothing happens for the next 250 pages. Okay, events happen, but I feel like it dragged so much that I began skimming some parts. The last 100 pages were thrilling though; we finally get the bulk of the action here, and this last quarter made me enjoy the book so much more.
Vespertine was an intriguing book that explored a world of saints and spirits. I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the characters, as well as the protagonist’s friendships with the other characters. If you enjoyed either of this author’s previous works, I think you’ll like Vespertine!
original review:
good for the first 50 pages and then basically nothing happened for the next 250 pages...but the last 100 pages were good so I ended up liking the book more than I previously thought
read on my blog
cw: blood
**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Sometimes, if you want to save other people, you need to remember to save yourself first.
Like many others, I loved Margaret Rogerson’s last book, Sorcery of Thorns, so naturally I was so excited about her next release! I jumped at the chance to read it early. Vespertine untangles the secrets of saints and spirits, ultimately discovering the true bond of friendship.
Despite her high affinity to control spirits, Artemisia wants nothing more than to be a Gray Sister, an order that cleanses corpses so that their spirits do not become malevolent spirits that will possess those with the Sight. When possessed soldiers attack her convent, she is forced to accept the power of a saint’s relic, containing a revenant, the highest order of spirit. There are so few of these relics that no one alive knows how to control these spirits; however, with time running out to discover why more and more spirits are possessing people, Artemisia must team up with the revenant in her relic to solve this mystery.
The worldbuilding was really cool! I always enjoy stories that focus on saints and holiness, and this book was no exception. I also feel like Rogerson has a talent for immersing you in a world without overexplaining or info-dumping. The different orders of spirits are explained seamlessly with the plot.
I really liked Artemisia’s character arc. She was possessed by a low spirit as a child; as a consequence of this, she has a talent for controlling higher order spirits. This also contributed to her selfless nature: She rarely thinks of herself in any situation, instead always wanting to protect others, even if they’re afraid of her. Over time, the revenant helps her realize that sometimes she needs to think of herself first in order to really help others.
Her relationships with the other characters were also well fleshed out. I feel like a common factor in Rogerson’s story is the “immortal figure who begrudgingly grows to like the protagonist” character, which here is the revenant. As much as it threatens Artemisia, you can tell that it cares for her and they gradually form a friendship.
Artemisia also forms a stronger friendship with Marguerite, another novice at her convent that she previously thought hated her. It was nice to see how other characters continue to care about Artemisia when she so obviously cares for others, even if they don’t realize it at first.
In case anyone was wondering, there’s no romance in this book! This wasn’t a mark against the book; I just wanted to clarify for anyone who was expecting one.
My one real complaint about this book is that it’s so interesting in the first 50 pages…and then nothing happens for the next 250 pages. Okay, events happen, but I feel like it dragged so much that I began skimming some parts. The last 100 pages were thrilling though; we finally get the bulk of the action here, and this last quarter made me enjoy the book so much more.
Vespertine was an intriguing book that explored a world of saints and spirits. I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the characters, as well as the protagonist’s friendships with the other characters. If you enjoyed either of this author’s previous works, I think you’ll like Vespertine!
original review:
good for the first 50 pages and then basically nothing happened for the next 250 pages...but the last 100 pages were good so I ended up liking the book more than I previously thought
challenging
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
I enjoyed this a lot more than [b:Sorcery of Thorns|42201395|Sorcery of Thorns|Margaret Rogerson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541621322l/42201395._SY75_.jpg|61425757]. SoT was still pretty good, but this book knocks everything its predecessor did right out of the park, and fixes the things it did wrong (no romance plot thank god).
I enjoyed the "magic" system a lot, using the trapped souls of ghosts as magic is incredibly unique and well done.
If I had one complaint it would be that the characters are a bit flat with the exception of the main character and her revenant spirit.
Good book, I liked this a lot.
I enjoyed the "magic" system a lot, using the trapped souls of ghosts as magic is incredibly unique and well done.
If I had one complaint it would be that the characters are a bit flat with the exception of the main character and her revenant spirit.
Good book, I liked this a lot.
I enjoyed this so much. I’ve never read anything in the fantasy genre quite like this. I obviously loved the relationship between Artemisia and the revenant. The revenant was so wonderfully sassy. His snarky attitude never got old. I also loved how continuously humble Artemisia was throughout her entire journey, even after being named a high saint. She never gave herself nearly enough credit. She was always so determined and resilient.
Also, how can you not love Priestbane and Trouble? Precious animal companions; always there, close by, waiting to lend a helping hand.
I don’t really have any complaints about this book other than the fact that I couldn’t seem to get very attached or interested in the other characters. Outside of Artemisia and the revenant, the others felt kind of dry and bland to me.
Overall, I really loved this book.
I’ll definitely be looking at more of Margaret Rogerson’s work.
Also, this one seemed to leave off in a way where we might see more of Artemisia and the revenant. (I sure hope so.)♡
Also, how can you not love Priestbane and Trouble? Precious animal companions; always there, close by, waiting to lend a helping hand.
I don’t really have any complaints about this book other than the fact that I couldn’t seem to get very attached or interested in the other characters. Outside of Artemisia and the revenant, the others felt kind of dry and bland to me.
Overall, I really loved this book.
I’ll definitely be looking at more of Margaret Rogerson’s work.
Also, this one seemed to leave off in a way where we might see more of Artemisia and the revenant. (I sure hope so.)♡
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
3.5
Eh szkoda, że książka mająca ponad 400 stron zainteresowała mnie dopiero po 300 stronach :’)
Może bez przesady, bo na początku tak do strony 50/60 też byłam całkiem zaangażowana w fabułę, ale później marzyłam żeby przebrnąć przez nudny fragment, ktory się dłużył i dłużył ;/
Generalnie polecam, ale nie jest to nic wyjątkowego
Eh szkoda, że książka mająca ponad 400 stron zainteresowała mnie dopiero po 300 stronach :’)
Może bez przesady, bo na początku tak do strony 50/60 też byłam całkiem zaangażowana w fabułę, ale później marzyłam żeby przebrnąć przez nudny fragment, ktory się dłużył i dłużył ;/
Generalnie polecam, ale nie jest to nic wyjątkowego
Barnes and Noble pitched this book as “Venom meets Joan of Arc” and I was immediately sold. And I wasn’t disappointed — tight writing, a story that made my pulse pick up at times, compelling characters with arcs that delighted me by going places I didn’t expect. This book was a treat, and an excellent way to cap off my 2022 reading.
The story got a bit slow at times, but overall, I was sucked in. Artemisia and the Revenant were particularly delightful — prickly and antisocial and so inherently good at the heart of things. I also enjoyed Leander’s arc; Margaret Rogerson initially drew him one way, and then skillfully made me doubt his intentions and motivations until the refreshing truth went past the boundaries of cliches. The same could be said to some extent of both Revenants, as well. I really hope a sequel is in the works, because Rogerson left plenty of room for future stories and this world deserves more exploration.
The story got a bit slow at times, but overall, I was sucked in. Artemisia and the Revenant were particularly delightful — prickly and antisocial and so inherently good at the heart of things. I also enjoyed Leander’s arc; Margaret Rogerson initially drew him one way, and then skillfully made me doubt his intentions and motivations until the refreshing truth went past the boundaries of cliches. The same could be said to some extent of both Revenants, as well. I really hope a sequel is in the works, because Rogerson left plenty of room for future stories and this world deserves more exploration.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
This book was an entirely unique experience from page one. I couldn't help but be sucked into the story and unable to read anything else.
Artemesia, the main character, is a nun. Not just any nun. In this world, nuns are responsible for making sure that dead bodies brought to them, don't come back--as evil spirits. They're called Gray Sisters. And the spirits they encounter can be levels one, through level five.
Artemesia, from the beginning, has a noticeable talent and skill at her job. And yet she is different than the other girls. This is due to her past--being possessed as a small child. Because of this, and her ability to fight that possession, Artemesia is special.
She is tested beyond all, however, when there is an attack on the convent and she must harbor the Revenant--a stronger spirit than she's ever encountered.
I wasn't expecting to like the revenant. But the relationship between the revenant and Artemesia served to bring a certain amount of levity throughout a story with a pretty serious plot.
This is a little outside the box for me, as there was no romance in this story. But, that wasn't as big of an issue as I would've guess because I absolutely loved the characters, setting, and plot of this story without the added romance. It was incredibly intriguing and captivating.
This was the absolute perfect story to read during the fall season. And, that it's the first in a new series, leaves me eager for more!
Artemesia, the main character, is a nun. Not just any nun. In this world, nuns are responsible for making sure that dead bodies brought to them, don't come back--as evil spirits. They're called Gray Sisters. And the spirits they encounter can be levels one, through level five.
Artemesia, from the beginning, has a noticeable talent and skill at her job. And yet she is different than the other girls. This is due to her past--being possessed as a small child. Because of this, and her ability to fight that possession, Artemesia is special.
She is tested beyond all, however, when there is an attack on the convent and she must harbor the Revenant--a stronger spirit than she's ever encountered.
I wasn't expecting to like the revenant. But the relationship between the revenant and Artemesia served to bring a certain amount of levity throughout a story with a pretty serious plot.
This is a little outside the box for me, as there was no romance in this story. But, that wasn't as big of an issue as I would've guess because I absolutely loved the characters, setting, and plot of this story without the added romance. It was incredibly intriguing and captivating.
This was the absolute perfect story to read during the fall season. And, that it's the first in a new series, leaves me eager for more!