Release Date: April 2, 2013
Series: His Fair Assassin #2
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Amazon Vine
IBSN: 9780547628387
Blurb:
Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.
But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?
This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.
Grave Mercy was an unexpected gem for me last year. I went into it with some hesitation, but promptly devoured it and then added it to my favorites of 2012 list. I was so blown away by the world that took fantastical elements and added them into a historical setting. The idea is genius and so readable. I’m not the biggest historical fan, so I was just absolutely thrilled with the execution of Grave Mercy and I’ve been anxiously awaiting Dark Triumph ever since.
Dark Triumph is a companion novel that takes place right after the first book, but with a different main character. I was the tiniest bit sad when I found that out. I adored Ismae and Duval. Their romance was sooo swoonworthy and Ismae’s growth was fabulous. I guess that leaves little room for another story from her point of view, right? I was excited to get to know Sybella better and to learn more about her mysterious past.
Sybella wasn’t as easily likable as Ismae for me. She is very rough around the edges and harsh. She has an excellent reason to be. With her upbringing and family it’s a wonder she was even half as well adjusted and nice as she was. She does kick a lot of ass and has less qualms about it than Ismae, which I really liked.
There were just a few things that kept me from OMGLOVING this one like I did the first book. The biggest thing was the romance. It doesn’t show up until you’re well into the story and then it shows up suddenly and without much warning. One minute they were disdainfully helping each other and the next Sybella was utterly in love. It moved way too quickly for me and without much logic behind it. After the warm and fuzzy swoon fest in Grave Mercy I was pretty disappointed with this romantic story line. There’s also a lot of angsting about things that obviously aren’t going to matter on Sybella’s part. I definitely think that some of her emo worrying could have been removed from the story and it wold have been better.
All of that being said I still really enjoyed Dark Triumph. It has all of the same political intrigue and incredible fantasy elements as the first book. I was pulled right into the story from the very first chapter. These are sweeping epic fantasies and I really can’t recommend them enough.
Grace Mercy by Robin LaFevers
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Deerskin by Robin McKinley
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
I was afraid that Grave Mercy, being as so awesome as it was, would raise my expectations for Dark Triumph and result in me being disappointed. Sounds like that may be the case. But I’m okay with that because I LOVED LaFevers’s world. I love the darkness and fantasy and history and intensity throughout. So, I’m going to have to actively lower my expectations (thanks for the help, by the way) before I pick this up.
Great review. : )
Jessie Marie recently posted..Waiting on WWW Wednesday | 20 March 2013
The world is definitely my favorite part! I hope you love the book!
I really enjoyed Grave Mercy, and am looking forward to this one. I’m glad that you loved this one. It’s too bad it wasn’t the same amount of love, but it seems like the series is holding up!! Great review.
Amy @ Book Loving Mom recently posted..Review: Period 8 by Chris Crutcher
Grave Mercy was so amazing. It’s just too hard to follow a book like that up. But this one is still great. I hope you love it.
Lori recently posted..Review: The Rising by Kelley Armstrong
I’m almost ashamed to say that I haven’t read Grave Mercy yet. *hangs head in embarrassment*
I do want to read it, but it is a little intimidating. I think I might try it via audiobook. I’ve heard such wonderful things about it, so I really need to give it a try.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted..Suspension of Disbelief – Where’s the Line?
OMG READ IT!
I am so excited to pick this one up! I felt Ismae’s story wrapped nicely and was happy to hear we were going to learn about Sybella, I was so curious about her from Grave Mercy. Bummer about the romance angle though! But I still love the whole concept and am curious how Death will be handling this daughter!
Lovely review
Elisa recently posted..Review – The Enemy
I hope you really enjoy it!
I really enjoyed this one! Reviewing it next week. And I’m excited about the third book
Jen @ YA Romantics recently posted..Blog Tour: INTERVIEW with If You Find Me author Emily Murdoch
Me too! I can’t wait.
Can you believe I still haven’t read GRAVE MERCY? I know, I know. I even have a copy! But I read the first couple chapters and just couldn’t get into it. When I’m more in a historical mood, I’ll try it again.
I tend to be sort of iffy about companions unless it’s contemporary, where I sort of expect them. But I think it’s cool that she’s writing the books about different assassins. That cover, though. Not NEARLY as cool as the first one!
KM recently posted..[Total Fangirl] Review: Clockwork Princess, by Cassandra Clare
You need to read it asap!
And yes, this cover isn’t nearly as awesome as Grave Mercy.
I actually loved the romance in this one and totally felt it. But I guess I can see how some could interpret it a bit differently. I think maybe because of how broken she was she just didn’t even consider that he could ever care for her so she denied her feelings. I don’t know. But I loved it! I’m glad you still ended up loving the book even if the romance wasn’t as good. And I think I maybe liked Duval and Ismae’s romance more, but not TOO much more.
Candace recently posted..Reviews: Requiem by Lauren Oliver & Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
I actually wasn’t a HUGE fan of Grave Mercy, although I enjoyed it. I really enjoy historical fiction, but for me it fell short because the character didn’t really accomplish anything, and I didn’t like Ismae, but I still want to give Dark Triumph a try.
Janita @ Book, Interrupted recently posted..Throwback Thursday (8)
I hope you do, and that you like it!
I can’t wait to read this one since I really enjoyed the first book. I did feel like there was just something small missing from the first story though and if Sybella is more rough around the edges I think that will make me like the story even more. I think that I was a little bored with the heroine in the first book because I wanted her to have more of an edge that girls in fantasy books usually have. I’m glad this one is a little bit darker even if the romance comes out of nowhere.
Thanks for the great review, sorry you didn’t like this one as much as the first.
Alexa recently posted..Fields Of Elysium