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minervacerridwen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
How to start reviewing the ride I've just been on?
From the opening letter, I was hooked by the story. Events immediately took off, and meeting Nita, the tension between the sisters was immediately palpable, even as a lot of information about the characters was being shared. The pacing was inconsistent - suddenly it skipped seven years, and I had to recover from the time jump as if it had been my first ride in a TARDIS. Only to be dragged along with just as much enthusiasm into the next part, and the next, never knowing what the destination might be, but fully absorbed in the journey.
I adore so many different aspects of this book. The writing style! The footnotes (and the way the typesetting was somehow so cleverly done that reading them never made me get lost in the original sentence)! The cover! The poetry! The worldbuilding! And most of all: the main character, Lanie! It's such a breath of fresh air to have such a positive main character, without it ever feeling fake. Every other emotion is welcomed and even explored, but the way Lanie looks around herself in the world and LOVES made me want to read about her forever.Also, the slow-burn relationship between her and Canon Lir is described so beautifully courteously that even I, aromantic ace as I am, swooned.
There was a lot of description and background information, but to me it stayed just on this side of balanced, enriching the worldbuilding. At many times Saint Death's Daughter felt like the book equivalent of a pastry, or a whole bag of them. Sweet, layered, with a hidden core of sharp citrus tartness every now and then. Covered with a suspiciously blood red mirror glaze and sprinkled with crushed skeleton flakes. (As you may notice, it is also one of those books that makes me confirm my love for language and stories and books in general, and renews my inspiration and will to write.)
I marked a lot of content warnings (and possibly even missed some), as this is a story of someone born in a family of assassins and torturers, in a world with a history of war and hate against neighbouring nations - but much more importantly, I do want to mention that in spite of all that, an incredible amount of kindness is shown throughout the story. It's about death, but it's also bright and colourful, inspiring and hopeful. I look forward to the sequel.
From the opening letter, I was hooked by the story. Events immediately took off, and meeting Nita, the tension between the sisters was immediately palpable, even as a lot of information about the characters was being shared. The pacing was inconsistent - suddenly it skipped seven years, and I had to recover from the time jump as if it had been my first ride in a TARDIS. Only to be dragged along with just as much enthusiasm into the next part, and the next, never knowing what the destination might be, but fully absorbed in the journey.
I adore so many different aspects of this book. The writing style! The footnotes (and the way the typesetting was somehow so cleverly done that reading them never made me get lost in the original sentence)! The cover! The poetry! The worldbuilding! And most of all: the main character, Lanie! It's such a breath of fresh air to have such a positive main character, without it ever feeling fake. Every other emotion is welcomed and even explored, but the way Lanie looks around herself in the world and LOVES made me want to read about her forever.
There was a lot of description and background information, but to me it stayed just on this side of balanced, enriching the worldbuilding. At many times Saint Death's Daughter felt like the book equivalent of a pastry, or a whole bag of them. Sweet, layered, with a hidden core of sharp citrus tartness every now and then. Covered with a suspiciously blood red mirror glaze and sprinkled with crushed skeleton flakes. (As you may notice, it is also one of those books that makes me confirm my love for language and stories and books in general, and renews my inspiration and will to write.)
I marked a lot of content warnings (and possibly even missed some), as this is a story of someone born in a family of assassins and torturers, in a world with a history of war and hate against neighbouring nations - but much more importantly, I do want to mention that in spite of all that, an incredible amount of kindness is shown throughout the story. It's about death, but it's also bright and colourful, inspiring and hopeful. I look forward to the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Death, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Murder, Animal cruelty, Blood, Gore, Grief, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and Gaslighting
smileyblue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Within twenty pages, I fell in love with Miscellaneous ("Lanie") Stones and was entranced by the world that CSE Cooney had crafted. In sharp contrast with gothic, edgy tone adopted by other books with necromancer main characters, the energy of Saint Death's Daughter was bright, loving, and hopeful. The author's prose, reminiscent of parlor room period novels, held down the wondering tone throughout.
I was impressed by how deeply character-driven the plot was given that "new" magical properties are introduced at intervals. Despite some involvement of the world's twelve gods, at no point did it ever feel nauseatingly deus-ex-machina. Character deaths, too, felt in line with the story, not chosen to pluck at the reader's heartstrings.For example, after being so horrible to Lanie, Nita's gruesome death struck me as cathartic in a Roald Dahl sort of way.
All this praise aside, I found myself hungering for more of the first part of the book. In some ways, it felt like the heart of the story was with fifteen-year-old Lanie. Cooney's voice truly sparkled off the page when working with young Lanie's voice, reminding me of the whimsy of Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Perhaps this glittering nostalgia helped underpin the pain and nostalgia of the later portions of the book, but I wished to have had a bit more.
I was impressed by how deeply character-driven the plot was given that "new" magical properties are introduced at intervals. Despite some involvement of the world's twelve gods, at no point did it ever feel nauseatingly deus-ex-machina. Character deaths, too, felt in line with the story, not chosen to pluck at the reader's heartstrings.
All this praise aside, I found myself hungering for more of the first part of the book. In some ways, it felt like the heart of the story was with fifteen-year-old Lanie. Cooney's voice truly sparkled off the page when working with young Lanie's voice, reminding me of the whimsy of Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Perhaps this glittering nostalgia helped underpin the pain and nostalgia of the later portions of the book, but I wished to have had a bit more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Chronic illness, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Murder, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Death, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Drug use, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
hybridhavoc's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Overall I think this is a pretty good book. The structure gave me some pause part-way through, but only really because I'm so used to books that do the "Part 1/2/3" structure but are just delineating the three acts of their story. This book doesn't do that, and the parts are more akin to episodes of a mini-series.
I was also initially a little thrown off by wildly different tones in the book, but it turned out that there were pretty decent in-world reasons for this.On surge days the entire tone shifts into a sort of animated Disney movie sort of feel. Otherwise, outside of the surge days, this book's vibe reminds me a lot of Nettle & Bone.
That actually makes sense. Saint Death's Daughter and Nettle & Bone are both firmly fantastical fantasy. Nettle & Bone was likened to a modern fairy tale and I would agree with that. Saint Death's Daughter feels like it's walking a similar path to me.
If you're a fan of epic fantasy or Sanderson fantasy and you come into this book with that expectation, you may be disappointed.
My only issues with the book are:
I was also initially a little thrown off by wildly different tones in the book, but it turned out that there were pretty decent in-world reasons for this.
That actually makes sense. Saint Death's Daughter and Nettle & Bone are both firmly fantastical fantasy. Nettle & Bone was likened to a modern fairy tale and I would agree with that. Saint Death's Daughter feels like it's walking a similar path to me.
If you're a fan of epic fantasy or Sanderson fantasy and you come into this book with that expectation, you may be disappointed.
My only issues with the book are:
- The structure thing I've already mentioned, which stopped being a real issue once I reoriented.
- Action and tension are often paused for exploring a character's feelings/thoughts or touching moments.
- The ending felt a bit unsatisfactory.
Yes, Miscellaneous saved the day but granting mercy and being banished just wasn't what I wanted there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Animal death, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Torture, Bullying, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Death, Cursing, and Murder
sashahc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I just read “Saint Death’s Daughter” by CSE Cooney. For some reason, the TBR gods have been sending me Necromancers lately. This one has a literal allergy to violence, but was born into a family of assassins and executioners. It’s got court drama, family drama, ghosts, revenants, skeletons, shapeshifters, and a really interesting magic system. There are sweet parts, very grim parts, and it’s delightfully unpredictable and effortlessly queer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gaslighting and Domestic abuse
tah_014's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder, and Death
millibear's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
How to put this. If something makes me draw fanart, I suppose I simply must stan, lmao. I don't feel like I can give a well-constructed review here--I just want people to read this!!
Certainly the middle drags some as the characters are themselves at a loss at how to proceed during that period, but I felt like it was worth getting through as we got to see them learn to live with each other.
This book's got a young woman coming into her own power, grappling with her family legacy, and staring down certain war as an obsessed monarch tries to take apart the family she's created--all in here. A whimsical fantasy with veins of weirdness, and a really fun read.
I do love Laniebecoming the greatest necromancer the country's seen in centuries and taking that power to right the wrongs of her family at her beloved goddess's command. Is it her fault her family have been horrors for generations? No. But she still benefits from her family's legacy, and she's committed to balancing things out. A streak of nobility I can admire, and would love to see further acted on in future books.
Also, Bran Fiakhna's whole obsession with Lanie? Chef's kiss. We love that gay shit. And do not get me started on gyrgardon/gyrveard. Insane. If I think too hard about "I will have thee or I will have no one" I'll lose it.
A surprising amount of feet stuff, though, lmao.
Certainly the middle drags some as the characters are themselves at a loss at how to proceed during that period, but I felt like it was worth getting through as we got to see them learn to live with each other.
This book's got a young woman coming into her own power, grappling with her family legacy, and staring down certain war as an obsessed monarch tries to take apart the family she's created--all in here. A whimsical fantasy with veins of weirdness, and a really fun read.
I do love Lanie
Also, Bran Fiakhna's whole obsession with Lanie? Chef's kiss. We love that gay shit. And do not get me started on gyrgardon/gyrveard. Insane. If I think too hard about "I will have thee or I will have no one" I'll lose it.
A surprising amount of feet stuff, though, lmao.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Body horror, and Emotional abuse
displacedcactus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This is one of those very weird books that you're probably going to either love or hate. I personally loved it. But I don't even know where to begin with describing it. It's got violence and necromancy and assassins and revenge and shapeshifters and a magic puppy and a festival where almost everyone cross-dresses and a fire deity and politics and theology... There's family, by blood and marriage and choice.
If you like books with rich world building, complicated characters and relationships, and you can handle the massive pile of trigger warnings, go ahead and give this book a try.
If you like books with rich world building, complicated characters and relationships, and you can handle the massive pile of trigger warnings, go ahead and give this book a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Child abuse, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Slavery and Death of parent
Animal cruelty/violence against animals:aardwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cooney's prose is rich on the scale of croquembouche and should be treated accordingly. The prose and general structure walk a tightrope that passes over twee and saccharine, and there are occasional stumbles, but the overall effect is worth it. The book is the epitome of "no plot, just vibes" for nigh on 500 pages despite having a few vague throughlines. The feeling of being a fourteen year old goth listening to The Black Parade just before falling asleep. There aren't characters so much as beautiful paper dolls with clever joints being puppeted across a stage made of pitch-black cotton candy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Abandonment, Body horror, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Grief, Murder, Violence, and War
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Laine (Miscellaneous) Stones is the youngest daughter of Unnatural & Abandon Hope Stones (the names are all out-there ridiculous).- a family with a long line of executioners, poisoners, & assassins - usually in the service of their country, Liriat. Laine is different as she is a necromancer & grew up with an allergy to death, & was mainly raised by Goody Graves, the revenant tied to the Stones family by magic. Her older sister, Nita, is away at school when their parents die within days of each other, & when Nita returns she brings with her a captive, Mak, a man who turns into a falcon. The story unfolds as the sisters attempt to stop a creditor from taking all their worldly possessions, including their home. Laine is in love with Canon Lir, a firepriest, but is also courted by the Blackbird Bride - ruler of the Rook Kingdom & enemy of Liriat. Nita agrees to become a paid assassin to the Liriat court whilst Laine is left to bring up Datu, daughter of Nita & Mak, but Laine's powers continue to grow & soon she cannot hide away any longer.
This is not my usual genre of reading material but I was intrigued by the synopsis. The world-building is first class, there's lots of LGBTQA+ & minority representation, & I grew to like Laine, Mak, & even Goody. It should really have been a four star book, but at times the pace was glacial. There's so much detail (there are footnotes!) that it slows down the pace too much - I swear at one point it took almost a full page just to describe how Laine hesitated too long, & I felt a bit impatient with how passive she is at times. I also wasn't keen on any aspect of Mak's captivity, especially as he felt like he had no option but agree to be Nita's lover. If there is another book, I will probably read it as I would like to know what happens after that shocking betrayal at the end.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Rebellion/Solaris, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
This is not my usual genre of reading material but I was intrigued by the synopsis. The world-building is first class, there's lots of LGBTQA+ & minority representation, & I grew to like Laine, Mak, & even Goody. It should really have been a four star book, but at times the pace was glacial. There's so much detail (there are footnotes!) that it slows down the pace too much - I swear at one point it took almost a full page just to describe how Laine hesitated too long, & I felt a bit impatient with how passive she is at times. I also wasn't keen on any aspect of Mak's captivity, especially as he felt like he had no option but agree to be Nita's lover. If there is another book, I will probably read it as I would like to know what happens after that shocking betrayal at the end.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Rebellion/Solaris, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Death, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death and Kidnapping
rcsreads's review against another edition
Everything had a silly name and it added to the writers struggle to world build without just a dull information dump. It has potential but needed some heavy editing.
Plus 635 pages for part one of a trilogy is too long unless you're Robin Hobb!
Plus 635 pages for part one of a trilogy is too long unless you're Robin Hobb!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, and Death of parent
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