Reviews

DNF'd. The concept was intriguing. However, things felt at odds with how the characters held values to their world and what was actually done (fighting against evil while using evil to fight it?). The world was not very fleshed out and characters are battling evil gaunts, feverlings, etc. which aren't really defined other than that they are different ways of dying. So it felt like the characters were just battling the dead of anything. The main character had no personality. I didn't care about them. I actually cared more for the revenant possessing her but even then not by much. I felt that the idea for this book was good but the execution of it was unclear and not fleshed out. I wanted to like it but after 100 pages I just didn't care.

sempiterne's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense 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

4.25

This book is literally everything that I love in fantasy.
The worldbuilding is very rich and the magic system/religion is so interesting, I adore when books explore the religion of a world (especially when the god(s) are real) which this 100% did.
I also love Margaret Rogerson's fmc's, they're always very practical, blunt and their internal monologues are always hilarious and Artemisia is probably my favourite.

The characters and their dynamics were really interesting too (especially the revenant and its history), the female friendship with Margeruite (?) was really necessary to flesh out the mc and undo the "not like other girl" vibes that were coming on strong in the beginning. I also loved the (very very faint) side romance with charles (?), he was just so whipped for her since the beginning and she couldn't see a thing, which is a trope I eat up every time.

Also, I really loved the plot twist near the end,

when we find out who the real villain was

and I was really glad the story went in that direction, although the end/final fight scene was very quick.

However, the pacing/plot felt a little weird, there wasn't really anything identifiably wrong but it just felt kind of like the story was jumping all over the place. Lots of small plots add up to the whole mystery in the end, and they all had a reason for being there, but it was a little confusing while you read. Not too big a problem though, just something I noticed while reading.

Overall, I really enjoyed Vespertine, it really hit every trope/theme that I love (unique magic system, exploration of religion and faith, cranky/antisocial/cynical fmc, strong female friendships, (semi)immortal/non-human being that doesn't just act like a normal person ect) and I love the authors writing style and worldbuilding! Definitely pick up if any of that interest you :)

eponineeurydice's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Oh, I know this one will stick with me for a long, long time. It was so fascinating; I'd never seen a cencept quite like it. The way that it was written, every little detail of atmosphere and worldbuilding, just felt so immersive and I was just so intrigued, waiting for every new detail. This has such great vibes; it is a little bit gothic and spooky and atmospheric... everything just came to life and jumped right off the page. And the main character?! I loved her! I was so here for the way she was portrayed, all of her trauma and social anxiety, how she was flawed but always pulled through... she was one of my favorite mcs of all time, and one of the bravest and most relatable I've seen. I loved the ending, and I felt like I was feeling every emotion that the characters were experiencing. Just such a fascinating, beautiful, one-of-a-kind read.

e_oneita's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This is my first book of 2022 and a phenomenal one to start the year off on. I read Rogerson's previous book, A Sorcery of Thorns and found it to be enjoyable and cute, but not totally gripping. With Vespertine, however, Rogerson truly hits her stride. The world-building is incredible and there is so much heart and warmth to what is in its raw form quite a bleak story. It is laugh-out-loud funny even while you have pricks of tears in your eyes because something terribly sad has happened or been alluded to.

I'm not sure how to write more without spoiling absolutely everything, so I will just say that I can't recommend Vespertine enough.

tanczaca_z_wilkami's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.25

Ten tytuł wyskakiwał mi w reklamach na Facebooku, Instagramie i na różnych stronach wydawnictw. Myślałam, że to znowu jakiś hype na coś, co ani nie jest za dobre, ani za porządne, ale skoro mają taki rozmach z reklamą to każdy się na to rzuca, by następnie srogo się zawieść. Nic bardziej mylnego.

Jest to solidnie napisana jednotomówka (choć po cichu liczę na kontynuację). To powiew świeżości w strumieniu fantastyki. Jest tu wisielczy, nieprzesadzony humor, postaci są barwne, możemy wyobrazić je sobie, jakbyśmy co najmniej stali obok nich i uczestniczyli w wydarzeniach. I co najważniejsze: autorka stworzyła świat, który jest AUTENTYCZNY. Czytelnik nie ma wrażenia, że jest to zlepek cząstek z różnych wydanych już pozycji, zmiksowany i wypluty na papier. Jest to historia z intrygą w tle, mrocznymi wątkami i błyskotliwym wykorzystaniem znanych religijnych zasad, osób i atrybutów. Nazwy czy imiona są wyważone, nie wyglądają, jakby ktoś walnął na pełnej petardzie czołem o klawiaturę i stworzył jakiś trudny do odczytania wyraz udający imię bohatera.

Wszystko współgra ze sobą i tworzy malowniczą historię z atmosferą i „żywymi” bohaterami. Takie książki należy chwalić, doceniać, a takich autorów podziwiać i uważać za wzór.

claudiearseneault's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

this was everything I wanted it to be. Good shit.

More...