extraordinarystardust's review against another edition
5.0
WOAH WHERE DO I EVEN START.
Okay so at first the whole nun thing had me like “is this really gonna be something I’ll enjoy??” But once I actually started reading I knew instantly that I would like the book. This YA fantasy starts off with a bang and only gets better from there. By about the 20% mark I was sure it was going to be a 5 star read for me (and I was right
Okay so at first the whole nun thing had me like “is this really gonna be something I’ll enjoy??” But once I actually started reading I knew instantly that I would like the book. This YA fantasy starts off with a bang and only gets better from there. By about the 20% mark I was sure it was going to be a 5 star read for me (and I was right
kappareads's review against another edition
4.0
*4.25 stars
I'm so so glad I adored this book as much as I thought I would. Even in a year where I haven't enjoyed a lot of YA fantasies, I ate this book up!
The biggest highlight were the characters. I'm a BIG fan of possession stories and this book filled that goal for me perfectly! Artemistia and the revenant had such a phenomenal platonic relationship! I loved all of their dialogue!
Also the vibes of the world were amazing! Dark cathedrals, hazy with incense, the whole whole with just a little gray tingle, I ate it up!
I'm so so glad I adored this book as much as I thought I would. Even in a year where I haven't enjoyed a lot of YA fantasies, I ate this book up!
The biggest highlight were the characters. I'm a BIG fan of possession stories and this book filled that goal for me perfectly! Artemistia and the revenant had such a phenomenal platonic relationship! I loved all of their dialogue!
Also the vibes of the world were amazing! Dark cathedrals, hazy with incense, the whole whole with just a little gray tingle, I ate it up!
fictional_wanderlust's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
esmeevandorst's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.25
mleetm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
I’d say this is an excellent book choice for a teen. I like the way it poses thoughtful questions. I also like the emphasis on inner strength, survival defying struggles, and eventual solidarity amongst women- young ladies in particular. It’s.. feminist in a new way, and I really enjoyed that. I also really liked this take on nuns, religion, and revenants/spirits. Very cool.
shadeofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
americangirlemmie's review against another edition
just not my vibe, though I love MR's writing as usual. may return to this later.
stephjlw's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
3 stars….
ahhhhhhhh, this is a book where I just kept waiting for it to take off, and it never really did. the first 60% was painfully slow, and I really considered putting it down. i felt like the story had potential, and it does, but in the end this just wasn’t for me.
Rogerson’s struggle while writing this novel is evident on the page, it’s largely joyless and the plot unfolds so slowly and then with reveals during the climax that feel out of nowhere. we spend way too long focused on the red herring antagonist and absolutely no time understanding the origin or motives of the actual villain. also the worldbuilding is sprawling, with little explanations- it wasn’t confusing, but leaves far too many questions that won’t get answered.
Originally this book was going to be a series, but I believe Rogerson has dropped her intentions to do so. It’s a pity, because this book and world is very unique, and it’s a cool concept, but ultimately I doubt I would return to this world of these characters- so I don’t mind that it seems like the author won’t either.
ahhhhhhhh, this is a book where I just kept waiting for it to take off, and it never really did. the first 60% was painfully slow, and I really considered putting it down. i felt like the story had potential, and it does, but in the end this just wasn’t for me.
Rogerson’s struggle while writing this novel is evident on the page, it’s largely joyless and the plot unfolds so slowly and then with reveals during the climax that feel out of nowhere. we spend way too long focused on the red herring antagonist and absolutely no time understanding the origin or motives of the actual villain. also the worldbuilding is sprawling, with little explanations- it wasn’t confusing, but leaves far too many questions that won’t get answered.
Originally this book was going to be a series, but I believe Rogerson has dropped her intentions to do so. It’s a pity, because this book and world is very unique, and it’s a cool concept, but ultimately I doubt I would return to this world of these characters- so I don’t mind that it seems like the author won’t either.
mw_rose's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE this book! It’s nothing like the books I’ve been reading within this genre and I am here for the energy it gives! The way Margaret wrote this book gave the plot an intellectual power that I loved and I instantly fell in love with the awkward, yet strong Artemesia and her sassy companion. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know