reader_jenn's review against another edition
5.0
I eagerly waited for this sequel to Grave Mercy and I was not disappointed. This book has the same amount of intriguing plot and deeply interesting characters, yet it seems that Robin LaFevers brings the story to a whole new level.
Sybella's story is much more grim and dark that Ismae's and I think that makes her journey more heart wrenching. I could not be seperated from this book during the time that I read it. Even if I wasn't reading it, I just wanted it close by in case I could spare a moment to get back to LaFevers' world.
I was a bit skeptical at first when I read that Beast would be a love interest for Sybella. After reading it, I wouldn't want it any other way. Their relationship is slowly and beautifully strung together on the pages and I couldn't believe how perfect they are for each other.
5/5 stars, I highly recommend you read His Fair Assassin series
I can't wait for the last book to be released in 2014, I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with myself until then..
Sybella's story is much more grim and dark that Ismae's and I think that makes her journey more heart wrenching. I could not be seperated from this book during the time that I read it. Even if I wasn't reading it, I just wanted it close by in case I could spare a moment to get back to LaFevers' world.
I was a bit skeptical at first when I read that Beast would be a love interest for Sybella. After reading it, I wouldn't want it any other way. Their relationship is slowly and beautifully strung together on the pages and I couldn't believe how perfect they are for each other.
5/5 stars, I highly recommend you read His Fair Assassin series
I can't wait for the last book to be released in 2014, I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with myself until then..
hanakorc's review
5.0
I liked this even more than I liked Grave Mercy.
Ismae in Grave Mercy was incredibly likable but there was a part of her character that didn't feel real to me. Sybella, though less likable, is a complex, beautifully thought-out, and wonderfully written character. I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes and getting some insight into the events that made her into an abrasive and distrusting person.
Second books of trilogies are often tricky to write, and I usually find them to be the worst book. This book has its own unique plot, insight into characters we met in Grave Mercy but didn't get to explore, political intrigue, individual character development and growth, all while moving along the greater over-arching plot of the trilogy.
I really enjoyed Dark Triumph and am looking forward to the third!
Ismae in Grave Mercy was incredibly likable but there was a part of her character that didn't feel real to me. Sybella, though less likable, is a complex, beautifully thought-out, and wonderfully written character. I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes and getting some insight into the events that made her into an abrasive and distrusting person.
Second books of trilogies are often tricky to write, and I usually find them to be the worst book. This book has its own unique plot, insight into characters we met in Grave Mercy but didn't get to explore, political intrigue, individual character development and growth, all while moving along the greater over-arching plot of the trilogy.
I really enjoyed Dark Triumph and am looking forward to the third!
ellen's review
5.0
WOW wow wow
i have no idea if i liked this one or grave mercy better but WOW this was amazing
and i thought ismae's life before the covenant was bad....... MAN sybella
i am so glad we got to see more of beast
now GIVE ME ANNITH
i have no idea if i liked this one or grave mercy better but WOW this was amazing
and i thought ismae's life before the covenant was bad....... MAN sybella
i am so glad we got to see more of beast
now GIVE ME ANNITH
kalie_universe_pristineprose's review
5.0
Wow, much darker than the last one. But totally worth it cause BEAST!!! Ugh, I love this man so much.
wildflowerz76's review
2.0
Evidently I'm in the minority on this one. I liked the first book this series very much, so I was eager to read the next one. But I found that I just wasn't connecting to Sybella for some reason. I can't really find fault with anything in the story, but I found myself getting bored about half way through.
This book also seems very, VERY dark and brutal for a YA book. I mean, if it were JUST the assassin bit, maybe, but there's horrid torture, incest, rape... It feels like with just one of these elements, maybe, but all of them make for some pretty grim reading.
I don't know. Is this a trilogy or a series? I might be up for reading another, but I don't think I want to commit if it's more than that. We'll see.
This book also seems very, VERY dark and brutal for a YA book. I mean, if it were JUST the assassin bit, maybe, but there's horrid torture, incest, rape... It feels like with just one of these elements, maybe, but all of them make for some pretty grim reading.
I don't know. Is this a trilogy or a series? I might be up for reading another, but I don't think I want to commit if it's more than that. We'll see.
themeghanseim's review
5.0
This book series is like a mini Game of Thrones with female assassin protagonists. The villains are deliciously evil, the plot complicated but without over-doing things, and so mysteriously enticing that I could not put either books down. Can't wait to read the third one.
I disliked Sybella at first in Ismae's book, but in Dark Triumph she grew wings and flew into my heart like one of her crossbow quarrels and will probably stick there forever, her bloody tragically beautiful story bleeding into my heart forever more.
Seriously. Read these.
Update after second reading: I still love this book and Sybella's story dearly. Maybe even more dearly this time around
I disliked Sybella at first in Ismae's book, but in Dark Triumph she grew wings and flew into my heart like one of her crossbow quarrels and will probably stick there forever, her bloody tragically beautiful story bleeding into my heart forever more.
Seriously. Read these.
Update after second reading: I still love this book and Sybella's story dearly. Maybe even more dearly this time around
hpiekut's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
claudiaque's review
4.0
This follow up to Grave Mercy does one of my new favorite fantasy tropes which is main character swaps in the same world. I love being able to focus on one character for an entire novel and then switch it up so new things can happen in the same established world.
In Dark Triumph we follow Sybella, a sister at the convent to Death to our first main character. Sybella is much more traumatized and wild when coming to the convent and in this novel we see why as we get her background. Sybella has been placed in a dangerous household to spy and possibly assassinate a powerful man.
This story was a lot darker than the first and definitely look at triggers if this something that is concerning (rape, sexual assault, incest, child abuse to name a few from memory). I found the plot to be very high stakes and interesting. Sybella was a great character and watching her deal with her past and avoid current traumas was a really good story. The villains of the story were dynamic and terrifying in their own ways. There is a lot of action which I think people could enjoy.
I liked the romance even if I felt it was a little rushed especially given how closed off she is in the beginning. I didn’t even realize there was a romance for the first like third of the novel and then it snowballs afterwards. But still its nice to have not a typical romantic lead for the story.
The whole book itself is obviously setting itself up for the last installment where I am guessing we resolve the bigger issues that aren’t resolved here.
If you liked the first one I think you would like this one as well.
In Dark Triumph we follow Sybella, a sister at the convent to Death to our first main character. Sybella is much more traumatized and wild when coming to the convent and in this novel we see why as we get her background. Sybella has been placed in a dangerous household to spy and possibly assassinate a powerful man.
This story was a lot darker than the first and definitely look at triggers if this something that is concerning (rape, sexual assault, incest, child abuse to name a few from memory). I found the plot to be very high stakes and interesting. Sybella was a great character and watching her deal with her past and avoid current traumas was a really good story. The villains of the story were dynamic and terrifying in their own ways. There is a lot of action which I think people could enjoy.
I liked the romance even if I felt it was a little rushed especially given how closed off she is in the beginning. I didn’t even realize there was a romance for the first like third of the novel and then it snowballs afterwards. But still its nice to have not a typical romantic lead for the story.
The whole book itself is obviously setting itself up for the last installment where I am guessing we resolve the bigger issues that aren’t resolved here.
If you liked the first one I think you would like this one as well.
yungokssss's review
4.0
I do greatly regret deciding to listen to the audiobook version of this story. At the rate it was going, this was going to be a 3-star review at best. Whoever gave voice to the book did it in such a manner that Sybella’s voice was so weak and woe-me, seemingly constantly on the edge of either tears or hysteria. Listening to the actual words themselves, however, I felt the power of her character, and so I’m glad I decided to finish the last seventh of the book by actually reading it instead of listening. In my head, I was able to give Sybella’s voice the strength and hint of sass that I believe she absolutely deserves. I was able to regain interest and respect in the story.
And Beast! From the moment he was introduced in Grave Mercy, I took a liking to him. I’m glad he found his epic match in Sybella. I only hope that someday I will actually read this book so that I am able to properly enjoy the characters and their insane storylines, and give this book the rating it probably deserves.
And Beast! From the moment he was introduced in Grave Mercy, I took a liking to him. I’m glad he found his epic match in Sybella. I only hope that someday I will actually read this book so that I am able to properly enjoy the characters and their insane storylines, and give this book the rating it probably deserves.