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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
This hurts to say, but for some reason this book just didn't work for me. I wanted to love it so bad, because I love Margaret Rogerson's other books, but something about this one just didn't do it for me. I think a lot of it comes down to my "YA fatigue," because I felt like a lot of this book would've been better as a darker, more adult story—and a longer story. I think this story would've really benefitted from taking more time to explore the world and side characters. I absolutely adored the revenant, and I was glad that (maybe minor spoiler?) but on the whole, I found most of the other characters lackluster and in need of more exploration. Artemisia wasn't a bad protagonist, but I also never found myself really caring about her besides enjoying her relationship with the revenant. I thought it was kind of strange that her name is Artemisia, too? Like, why does the protagonist have a name derived from a Greek goddess when 1) the book has nothing to do with Greek myths, and 2) Artemisia doesn't even really have anything in common with Artemis? You'd think her name was supposed to have meaning, considering it wasn't her birth name and there was an entire part explaining that, but it doesn't really fit at all. This is a minor complaint, but I thought it was kind of goofy, so I thought I would mention it. Basically, I was hoping for more. I'm still excited to read whatever Rogerson has planned next, though!
Spoiler
Leander didn't turn out to be just another evil villain who wanted power and that he had a bit more depth than that,
This was one of the weirdest best reads of the year for me because I’m pretty sure this is the first time I read a YA fantasy story that has a nun as a protagonist, but I LOVED IT!
The characters and the friendships were my favorite element. What made the book special for me was especially Artemisia’s bond with the revenant. I’m not going to say too much about it because it’s a big part of the story and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but I’ll say this: Artemisia and the revenant are going to be those type of characters that I will be forever in my heart. I also thought the whole classification of the spirits was fascinating, and the worldbuilding was great!
There’s no romance in this book, and I didn’t mind. My instinct was to ship when there were some interactions with a certain character, but she’s a nun so, or at least, she’s training to be one. It might have been wrong of me. I do feel like there are some hints at a potential romance in the following book, but the series could also remain romance-less all things considered. I’ll be happy either way!
The characters and the friendships were my favorite element. What made the book special for me was especially Artemisia’s bond with the revenant. I’m not going to say too much about it because it’s a big part of the story and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but I’ll say this: Artemisia and the revenant are going to be those type of characters that I will be forever in my heart. I also thought the whole classification of the spirits was fascinating, and the worldbuilding was great!
There’s no romance in this book, and I didn’t mind. My instinct was to ship when there were some interactions with a certain character, but she’s a nun so, or at least, she’s training to be one. It might have been wrong of me. I do feel like there are some hints at a potential romance in the following book, but the series could also remain romance-less all things considered. I’ll be happy either way!
Thank you so much to Margaret K. McElderry Books and Netgalley for providing an e-arc copy. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
This is going to be a super short and sweet review because honestly I just don't have many thoughts on this book... It was well written, action packed, and had lots of dark but impactful themes. But in the end, I just never felt connected to the story and therefore don't have many strong opinions about it overall.
If you're a fantasy reader and are looking for an action packed story with no romance, I would highly recommend this one. There is no romantic relationships throughout this book but there are some amazing platonic relationships explored. And that was honestly my favorite aspect of this story.
This follows a heroine who is sharing the body with a spirit as well as building a friendship with someone she never saw as friendly. And I really enjoyed the exploration of relationships outside romantic ones. I thought Rogerson did a fantastic job exploring kindness and humanity as well as friendship and trust.
But because I never felt emotionally connected to the characters, I never ended up feeling overly invested in the plot. Despite it being very action packed, I just felt like I was always watching from the outside, never feeling invested in the outcome. Things always seemed to work out really conveniently, so the stakes never felt high despite the otherwise dire situation.
Overall I enjoyed the story but it's just not one that is going to stick with me long term. I think Margaret Rogerson has amazing range as a YA fantasy author and I can't wait to see what she releases next. This one just wasn't my favorite of hers.
This is going to be a super short and sweet review because honestly I just don't have many thoughts on this book... It was well written, action packed, and had lots of dark but impactful themes. But in the end, I just never felt connected to the story and therefore don't have many strong opinions about it overall.
If you're a fantasy reader and are looking for an action packed story with no romance, I would highly recommend this one. There is no romantic relationships throughout this book but there are some amazing platonic relationships explored. And that was honestly my favorite aspect of this story.
This follows a heroine who is sharing the body with a spirit as well as building a friendship with someone she never saw as friendly. And I really enjoyed the exploration of relationships outside romantic ones. I thought Rogerson did a fantastic job exploring kindness and humanity as well as friendship and trust.
But because I never felt emotionally connected to the characters, I never ended up feeling overly invested in the plot. Despite it being very action packed, I just felt like I was always watching from the outside, never feeling invested in the outcome. Things always seemed to work out really conveniently, so the stakes never felt high despite the otherwise dire situation.
Overall I enjoyed the story but it's just not one that is going to stick with me long term. I think Margaret Rogerson has amazing range as a YA fantasy author and I can't wait to see what she releases next. This one just wasn't my favorite of hers.
My expectations of this book were so different than what I got.
And honestly?
I’m glad. It’s been a long time since I read a book where the main character doesn’t end up with the love interest. I appreciated the relation between Artemisia and the Revenant. Plot wise: it was okay. For a stand alone that is almost 400 pages it did its job well enough.
And honestly?
I’m glad. It’s been a long time since I read a book where the main character doesn’t end up with the love interest. I appreciated the relation between Artemisia and the Revenant. Plot wise: it was okay. For a stand alone that is almost 400 pages it did its job well enough.
VESPERTINE was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and though I was hoping to love it, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It has very different elements from the fantasy books I’m used to reading, and it feels very different from Margaret Rogerson’s previous works, but all the elements work so perfectly that it might just be my favorite book yet from this author!
The story follows Artemisia, a young novice training to become a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the dead so their souls may pass on and not turn into spirits with a hunger for human lives. Unlike many of the other novices, Artemisia actually enjoys her role. She feels much more at ease with the dead than the living, who don’t miss an opportunity to look at her with suspicion because of her complicated past. However, when the convent is attacked, Artemisia doesn’t shy away from trying to save all her sisters, and in doing so, she summons a revenant—one of the most powerful and dangerous of all spirits. The revenant possesses her body and becomes a constant voice in Artemisia’s mind, threatening to consume her with each passing second. However, Artemisia’s only hope to protect the living from the army of the dead is to learn to wield the revenant’s power, and the only one who can help her do so is the revenant itself.
If you love worlds with lore based on saints and spirits, then you’ll be as fascinated by this world as I was. There is so much to learn about the spirits, the saints and the revenants, and while much of it is woven within this novel, there are so many more mysteries to uncover and questions that need answers. The world of Vespertine is one that offers the potential for many interesting storylines, and I can’t wait to see where the author is taking it all!
My favorite part of the book, however, was the characters. Now, usually when I say this, I mean that there’s a romance between two incredible characters that kept me reading like an addict. Well, this is only partially true. While there is the possibility of a romance in the future book(s) with a character I was very intrigued by, romance was not a component of this novel! And I did not miss it. Why? Because the blooming friendship and incredible banter between Artemisia and the Revenant was all-consuming! I’m of the idea that romance is great when it makes sense, but a good friendship and found family bond can be just as beautiful and exciting. This book proves it! There was never a dull moment, and whether Artemisia and the Revenant were sassying each other or having a more profound moment, I was fully invested. I laughed, I shed a few tears, and both of them lodged themselves in my heart as one of my new favorite friendships!
In short, this book was amazing. Definitely a bit darker than the author’s previous works, but if you’ve enjoyed her previous books or are interested in a more mature YA story, than I definitely recommend this oen!
The story follows Artemisia, a young novice training to become a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the dead so their souls may pass on and not turn into spirits with a hunger for human lives. Unlike many of the other novices, Artemisia actually enjoys her role. She feels much more at ease with the dead than the living, who don’t miss an opportunity to look at her with suspicion because of her complicated past. However, when the convent is attacked, Artemisia doesn’t shy away from trying to save all her sisters, and in doing so, she summons a revenant—one of the most powerful and dangerous of all spirits. The revenant possesses her body and becomes a constant voice in Artemisia’s mind, threatening to consume her with each passing second. However, Artemisia’s only hope to protect the living from the army of the dead is to learn to wield the revenant’s power, and the only one who can help her do so is the revenant itself.
If you love worlds with lore based on saints and spirits, then you’ll be as fascinated by this world as I was. There is so much to learn about the spirits, the saints and the revenants, and while much of it is woven within this novel, there are so many more mysteries to uncover and questions that need answers. The world of Vespertine is one that offers the potential for many interesting storylines, and I can’t wait to see where the author is taking it all!
My favorite part of the book, however, was the characters. Now, usually when I say this, I mean that there’s a romance between two incredible characters that kept me reading like an addict. Well, this is only partially true. While there is the possibility of a romance in the future book(s) with a character I was very intrigued by, romance was not a component of this novel! And I did not miss it. Why? Because the blooming friendship and incredible banter between Artemisia and the Revenant was all-consuming! I’m of the idea that romance is great when it makes sense, but a good friendship and found family bond can be just as beautiful and exciting. This book proves it! There was never a dull moment, and whether Artemisia and the Revenant were sassying each other or having a more profound moment, I was fully invested. I laughed, I shed a few tears, and both of them lodged themselves in my heart as one of my new favorite friendships!
In short, this book was amazing. Definitely a bit darker than the author’s previous works, but if you’ve enjoyed her previous books or are interested in a more mature YA story, than I definitely recommend this oen!
—4 stars—
“With the revenant’s power, I could save everyone. But if I lost control, I might burn the world to ashes.”
————about the book————
Age: YA
Genres: fantasy,
Cliffhanger: no
Writing: 7/10
Quotes: 6/10
World building: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Romance: n/a (but was there a tiny hint??)
My rating: 7.5/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings———
Artemisia has lived in the convent since she was a child, training to be a Grey sister. But when her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, she awakens an ancient spirit, a revenant, to defend her home.
This was quite hard to rate,mostly because it had no romance so I’m sad but it just felt like something was missing. It was still amazing though, I loved the world and the characters!
(The revenant is hilarious)
But what I enjoyed most was how the world was so well explained; all the spirits were named and you were told what they did. (It was especially refreshing after my last book)
And another thing, as an atheist, I found it very interesting how the author portrayed this religion, and how gods believe in the bigger picture.
———Characters ———
Artemisia: her character, and how people perceive her, changed so much—from being the odd girl, to the hero who saved them all.
The revenant: I shouldn’t like it, but I do! It sometimes reminds me of Silas, with the pretending not to care, and quietly looking after Artemisia.
————Quotes————
“Why do you care, you horrid little nun?”
“This is my human.”
“How delightful. Being horrid must come naturally to you.”
———Random extra thoughts———
WAS THAT A CRUMB OF ROMANCE AT THE END?????
Thanks for reading!
“With the revenant’s power, I could save everyone. But if I lost control, I might burn the world to ashes.”
————about the book————
Age: YA
Genres: fantasy,
Cliffhanger: no
Writing: 7/10
Quotes: 6/10
World building: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Romance: n/a (but was there a tiny hint??)
My rating: 7.5/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings———
Artemisia has lived in the convent since she was a child, training to be a Grey sister. But when her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, she awakens an ancient spirit, a revenant, to defend her home.
This was quite hard to rate,
(The revenant is hilarious)
But what I enjoyed most was how the world was so well explained; all the spirits were named and you were told what they did. (It was especially refreshing after my last book)
And another thing, as an atheist, I found it very interesting how the author portrayed this religion, and how gods believe in the bigger picture.
———Characters ———
Artemisia: her character, and how people perceive her, changed so much—from being the odd girl, to the hero who saved them all.
The revenant: I shouldn’t like it, but I do! It sometimes reminds me of Silas, with the pretending not to care, and quietly looking after Artemisia.
————Quotes————
“Why do you care, you horrid little nun?”
“This is my human.”
“How delightful. Being horrid must come naturally to you.”
———Random extra thoughts———
WAS THAT A CRUMB OF ROMANCE AT THE END?????
Thanks for reading!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A great book without equal in the same genre that I know of.For similar books try a skinful of shadows.