Goodreads Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

I generally have to take a break between books in the same series. I don’t know why, it’s just one of those weird things I have. But in this case, I was ready to jump into the second book in the His Fair Assassin trilogy. The only downside in doing so? Now I have to wait for the third book to become available at my library. This book was so good, but it took a really dark turn with some twists that felt very Game of Thrones. Some of the scenes are truly brutal, but others are really beautiful, so it evened out. 

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was another book I received from Netgalley, the second in the His Fair Assassin trilogy.

The book centers around one of the other assassins marked by Death, Sybella, who’s story intertwines with that of Ismae and the political happenings from the first one. When I started this book, I expected it to be much like the first one, fairly darkish with a lot of politics and some action. However, Sybella’s story and the feel of her character was very different from Ismae’s. In fact, I was surprised at how much darker this one was. While Ismae’s story was sad, it was relatively tame compared to Sybella, who experienced even worse abuse at the hands of her family members. I hadn’t expected the book to be as blatant about the themes as it was, and Dark Triumph felt like a very different reading experience than the first one.

However, I think the author still kept with the theme, and I think the darkness of Sybella gave her the contrast that was needed to keep the characters apart while still keeping them in the same world and part of the same sisterhood. If anything, the writing may have been stronger for this one. I loved the characters, and Sybella’s romantic story was beautifully done. The politics were prevalent, but not overpowering, and the subtleties of the mystery of Mortain’s convent were shown throughout the book without yet bringing it to the forefront, leaving the reader wanting more.

One last kudos I’d like to give to this book: the author does the theme of forgiveness in a way that makes one question the concept as a whole. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but when Sybella faces one of the tragedies she’s had to endure in her life, the way she does it is a little bit unexpected and handled beautifully as part of the narrative.

I’m on hold to rent the last book in the trilogy from the local library, and I hope the people before me read fast, because I’m excited to see what the final book as to offer.

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Goodreads Review: Grave Mercy (by Robin LaFevers)

I really want to get back into reviewing and blogging about books, but it’s one of those hobbies of mine that come and go. However, I wanted to share this one because I really liked this book! Even moreso, I liked the fact that it was outside my usual genre and it still did a good job of holding my attention

Also, I am a sucker for romance, and after coming off of some pretty hardcore steamy contemporaries recently, the sweet subtlety of the love story in this book was a nice change. This was the first in the trilogy, and I’ve already started the second, so I hope to report that the trilogy stays strong. Stay tuned.

Note: As with many of my book reviews, I’m not good about summarizing the plot since I can’t do it as well as Goodreads can, so just click the link to read the synopsis. 

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received this book and the second in the series (review to come soon) through NetGalley. I’m not a huge fan of historical or political novels, so the fact that I really enjoyed this novel (which is both) speaks to how well-written and entertaining it was.

The premise of daughters/assassins of a death saint was interesting, and the religious angle of the story was interesting, well thought out, and helped lay the foundation for the actions of the main characters. I especially liked the aspect that an assassin didn’t have to hide the fact that they would have to kill someone marqued by the lord of death. It turned out to be a quirk of the world that had a bigger part later in the story.

The characters themselves are well written, and the author did a good job of maintaining the mystery of who some of the good guys and bad guys were. There were characters I would have liked to see more of, though I’m assuming they’ll be part of the other books in the trilogy.

The author was careful to include just enough politics to keep the intrigue of the story and to keep the plot moving. There were times that dragged a bit for me, not in the pacing, but in the content since the genre isn’t my first choice. What made up for it was the romance that threaded through the story and the sweetness with which the hero and heroine found themselves coming together through the novel. By the end of the novel, though, I was caught up in the whole plot and am excited to read the next book.

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