Reviews
Sybella + Beast ❤️❤️ It was very very dark but the relationships in this book help drive the plot. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Book #28 Read in 2013 Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers (YA) This book is the second in a trilogy. It picks up right where the first book, Grave Mercy, left off. This book focuses on the story of Sybella. She is a masterful assassin and has a certain target in mind. While waiting to strike, she must help a prisoner of war escape. Sybella gets more than she expected with this prisoner, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Duval and Ismae from the first book are in this book as well. The third book will be out in the spring of 2014. This book is action packed. The characters are complex and interesting. Sybella is a strong woman who takes care of herself. Along with the action of this book, there is humor and romance. This historical fantasy is an interesting mix of genres. Some historical figures are in the book, though the author details at the end some of the liberties taken with them. I recommend this book and this series. I received this book from Amazon Vine, in exchange for a review. http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The beginning of this book was completely fantastic, starting right where the last book ended but from the point of view of Sybella. It started with action and an intense and awkward exchange between Sybella and her brother and from there it got much better. Sybella's point of view is a lot more emotional even though she is more closed off than Ismae. Many times I just wanted her to get over herself and have a good cry! (Which she did halfway through. Good for her). My favorite character had to be Beast, for he showed a whole different side of himself than in the first book. I was in awe and I loved every bit of the book when he was involved. I still love the first book better, but it is probably because I got attached to Ismae and Duval. I can't wait to see how this whole thing ends. Although, since the book is based around real events, we can definitely predict how it will kind of end. Thumbs up.
This sequel was so much better than Grave Mercy. Sybella is such a deep character. Her history is so devastating, and I was on her side from page one. Sybella's struggle with knowing if her god was real or just something to hold her back was very real and raw. I loved how strong she is, her history is so dark that her rebuilding of her psyche is very impressive.
** spoiler alert ** This book is my absolute favorite in the series! I love Sybella‘ wit and sass. She is super ahead of the times. I enjoy the fact that each book covers the story of each of the main characters, making it even more intriguing to follow! The historical events in the story make it so much better to visual, this is one of my favorite era to read about. Definitely loved Sybella’s character growth and relationship with Beast! Although both had a tough life they still found a way to eachother and it was worth it. I can’t wait to read Courting Darkness! Amazing read!
So far this series has been fantastic. The characters make your heart break for them, but they aren't weak and self-pitying. Sybella is a genius character and LaFevers description of Beast and Sybella's relationship is so cute and comforting because of the way that he treats her. I would recommend this to everyone who likes a good action novel and a strong female lead.
In this sequel to Grave Mercy, Sybella is the main character and she has to rescue the mysterious prisoner. I love this book even more than the first, if that can happen, because I love Grave Mercy a lot!
I liked the first one but I LOVE this one. I guess I like being emotionally traumatized.
4.15⭐
The 2nd book in "His Fair Assassins" trilogy. This time the plot centers on Sybella, another of the awesome assassins trained by killer nuns who owe allegiance to Mortain, or death himself. Sybella has had a tough go of life, including a sociopathic father (who is the same one trying to usurp the Duchess of Brittany) and an incestuous brother. Pretty dark stuff. While she was able to escape this life for awhile at the sisterhood, she is forced to return to take down her evil father. The medieval setting is very authentic and exhaustively researched. Great historical fiction here. I also thoroughly enjoyed the kick ass women who are not afraid to fight for what they believe in and are not simpering damsels in distress. When Sybella pulls off the rescue of a huge behemoth of man, you just want to stand up and go "Girl Power"!
So I have no idea whether these books are historical fiction, or fantasy, or both, but whatever they are there GREAT. Dark Triumph was even better than Grave Mercy, possibly because it didn't waste as much time with subplots and such. Sybella is a fascinating character, with a beautifully dark past she shines through. I appreciated the Beauty and the Beast aspects, and the romance in this one was much better and less forced than in the previous installment. My favorite part was how Robin LaFevers touched on ugly things like abuse and incest without being overly dramatic, and how Sybella overcame and stopped such things.
Stopped at 90% because I don't know what's happening to me lately that I can't bring myself to get to the end. Not because I was bored but because my heart can't take whatever it is that happens at the climax omg I'm getting weak.
This book was given to me by the publisher for an honest review This review is also on my blog: The Realm of Books Rate: 4/5 You know those books that constantly keep you on your toes, making you wonder what the characters will do next? Or what deep secrets are hidden? Well this is definitely one of those books, I found myself intrigued every step of the way and I loved every bit of it! First off, IT HAD A MAP!! We all know how much I love maps, it makes me feel like the author knew exactly what they wanted and they went for it! The map is absolutely amazing and it kind of reminds me, of the old maps from Great Britain. In fact this whole book had a Great Britain feeling to it, I might be wrong but I think it is, since the French were involved and everything! Which brings me to my second love, medieval history! Dark Triumph had everything the battles, the duchesses, the lords, the swords, the clothing, absolutely everything! Our female protagonist Sybella, is darker than her other sisters. She bathes in the glory of battle and death. She has no qualms with killing, yet struggles with the idea that she might just be like her heartless father. Between Ismae and Sybella, I still like Ismae the most, but Sybella had this attitude about her that she takes shit from no one. Which I quite liked. While she would love to slip a little poison into the court's drinks, she believes her God - Mortain - has another need for her. After seeing a man bellow with pain from afar Sybella cannot get his bravery off her head. I loved the story line with Beast and Sybella, I honestly had no idea the book would take that direction. I knew what Sybella's mission was but it definitely took a 180 degree turn. Which like I said before Dark Triumph does keep you on your toes. I enjoyed how Sybella debates whether to kill a man or not, it was quite funny to read. Beast and Sybella are quite a pair, and watching those to fight together and fall in love was simply amazing. I truly do not know when they fell in love, I could say from the very beginning, but I honestly do not know. It was really cute to see this black haired goddess fall in love with this not so good looking burly type of man. Yet, it was refreshing because in every book I have ever read the male is always the hottest guy! There are some moments in Dark Triumph where I just had to set it aside, because this book does contain material that is very personal, and very sad. I loved that the author tied it in, just because it fits. But it was still very hard to read. So to warn you this book does contain a little adult material. The only disappointment I had was the slow beginning, I felt as if it dragged for a bit there. But no worries, it picked right back up and I enjoyed every minute there afterwards! I recommend this Dark Triumph to you! If you love adventure, some romance, and nun that kills for a living...well this book is just for you! I can not wait to pick up the next book - Mortal Heart - as I believe it will be just as good as the last two. xx Kat xx
