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faeriecircles's review against another edition
My interests just changed. I really loved what I read though, and would love to go back to it when im feeling that vibe again.
lis_allenwalker's review against another edition
5.0
As I’ve been making my way through my own personal backlist (only 23 titles left!) I’ve been surprised at how many good books I’ve had sitting on my home shelves for years just waiting to be read.
This was great, even though there was no romance (which is usually a deal breaker for me
This was great, even though there was no romance (which is usually a deal breaker for me
saumigraph's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
halierivers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is my first book by this author and I had such a blast. I’m so disappointed there won’t be more of Artemisia and gang. The world was subtly but fascinatingly built. Loved the spirit hierarchy and the history behind it. Loved the descriptions of magic and fire. And there was just enough loose threads for a continuation of the story, but it is true this serves well enough as a standalone. I just wish there was more.
At any rate, I am excited to read her other standalones even though I’ve seen that they also are too short for her readers liking. Only in the best of ways where you just want to stay in the world a little longer.
At any rate, I am excited to read her other standalones even though I’ve seen that they also are too short for her readers liking. Only in the best of ways where you just want to stay in the world a little longer.
madelynskies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
fancyghost's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? No
4.0
dsarbear's review against another edition
fast-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
5.0
craftycrystalv's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Interesting story. Pacing was up and down. I skimmed here and there.
Interesting story. Pacing was up and down. I skimmed here and there.
hanie_hadadnia's review against another edition
5.0
بعد از مدت‌ها کتاب نخوندن
بعد از تلاش‌های بسیار ناموفق برای خوندن این کتاب
بالاخره امروز ظهر نشستم سر این کتاب و تا ساعاتی بعد از نیمه شب تمومش کردم و باید بگم که بعد از مدت‌ها دوری از کتاب‌ها، وسپرتین من رو ذوق زده کرد و خوندنش عجیب بهم حال داد و خیلی از حال و هوا و کارکترهای کتاب خوشم اومد، به ویژه از "بازمانده"ی عزیزم
بعد از تلاش‌های بسیار ناموفق برای خوندن این کتاب
بالاخره امروز ظهر نشستم سر این کتاب و تا ساعاتی بعد از نیمه شب تمومش کردم و باید بگم که بعد از مدت‌ها دوری از کتاب‌ها، وسپرتین من رو ذوق زده کرد و خوندنش عجیب بهم حال داد و خیلی از حال و هوا و کارکترهای کتاب خوشم اومد، به ویژه از "بازمانده"ی عزیزم
mastersal's review against another edition
4.0
Something about Margaret Rogerson’s books just work for me - she is batting 3 for 3 for me with this newest book about nuns who exorcize ghosts.
The world that Ms. Rogerson created was both familiar in its mythology - which is based Christian church theology mixed with actual ghosts and demons. It gives this book this creepy edge which, surprisingly, I enjoyed despite being a complete chicken when it comes to horror. For example, the world is a female led theocracy which I did not expect given the Church motif - and was a twist on the typical world construction.
As always, Ms Rogerson is smart in her writing choice - her use of these familiar tropes allows her to focus on her characters and on her pretty fast paced plot. We don't have to spend page and pages explaining made up language and terms. As a result, most of this book I found to be tightly focused. However, the pace was just a little off compared to her books - possibly because this is a first in a series.
In the book our heroine, Artemisia, has to form a pact with a revenant. It’s not exactly a sunshine-grump friendship (think grumpy and grumpier instead - which I kind of loved!) but a lot of time is spent with these two characters. That was mostly fun but it did leave the plot behind a little. I loved our revenant and his snark - but I was still distracted by the end of the world stakes.
This book is Ms. Rogerson’s most ambitious in that she is setting up a bigger macro plot - which I didn’t find the clearest and just a little convenient in the ending. The reveals were not really earned in my mind.
This could have been a standalone as well but I still trust the author to pick up the next book in the series. There are some interesting place that Artemisia can go as a character and one in particular bleaker take I am intrigued to see if Ms. Rogerson takes. This book is still optimistic and sweet in places so I want to see if it becomes darker as some of the inspiration tales behind the book would imply.
This is also the most hopeful book in its use of religion that I’ve read in a while. It was nice to see a positive use of the Church motifs which was also not explicitly faith based fantasy. See:
“You see, here is the Lady’s grace. It has been here all along. She has shown me Her grace in a drink of water when I was thirsty and bread when I was hungry … not through miracles, but through the kindness of those who stood to gain nothing from helping me. It is through the hands of strangers that She carried out Her will.”
In the end, the world with its creepy supernatural creatures, the discussion of faith and the two leads and their snark won me over. Despite a middle slowdown in pace, I really enjoyed the writing. Worth checking out for the setting and the promise of a fun series where the world really opens up.
The world that Ms. Rogerson created was both familiar in its mythology - which is based Christian church theology mixed with actual ghosts and demons. It gives this book this creepy edge which, surprisingly, I enjoyed despite being a complete chicken when it comes to horror. For example, the world is a female led theocracy which I did not expect given the Church motif - and was a twist on the typical world construction.
As always, Ms Rogerson is smart in her writing choice - her use of these familiar tropes allows her to focus on her characters and on her pretty fast paced plot. We don't have to spend page and pages explaining made up language and terms. As a result, most of this book I found to be tightly focused. However, the pace was just a little off compared to her books - possibly because this is a first in a series.
In the book our heroine, Artemisia, has to form a pact with a revenant. It’s not exactly a sunshine-grump friendship (think grumpy and grumpier instead - which I kind of loved!) but a lot of time is spent with these two characters. That was mostly fun but it did leave the plot behind a little. I loved our revenant and his snark - but I was still distracted by the end of the world stakes.
This book is Ms. Rogerson’s most ambitious in that she is setting up a bigger macro plot - which I didn’t find the clearest and just a little convenient in the ending. The reveals were not really earned in my mind.
This could have been a standalone as well but I still trust the author to pick up the next book in the series. There are some interesting place that Artemisia can go as a character and one in particular bleaker take I am intrigued to see if Ms. Rogerson takes. This book is still optimistic and sweet in places so I want to see if it becomes darker as some of the inspiration tales behind the book would imply.
This is also the most hopeful book in its use of religion that I’ve read in a while. It was nice to see a positive use of the Church motifs which was also not explicitly faith based fantasy. See:
“You see, here is the Lady’s grace. It has been here all along. She has shown me Her grace in a drink of water when I was thirsty and bread when I was hungry … not through miracles, but through the kindness of those who stood to gain nothing from helping me. It is through the hands of strangers that She carried out Her will.”
In the end, the world with its creepy supernatural creatures, the discussion of faith and the two leads and their snark won me over. Despite a middle slowdown in pace, I really enjoyed the writing. Worth checking out for the setting and the promise of a fun series where the world really opens up.