Tuesday, March 19

Dark Triumph: Book Review and Giveaway

Dark Triumph

Robin LaFevers

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
April 2nd 2013
Young Adult | Historical
Official 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.

My reentry into this world was not as quick natural or as fluid as one of Sybella's many kills. After a year many of the details of Ismae's journey had become vague or slipped my mind altogether. I couldn't place names and everything together. It took a good eighty pages before I was on fairly firm ground. Once that happened I found myself immersed in another beautiful novel. The writing is fabulous. Nothing shallow or jarring.

So much darkness should be unbearable to read. Yet somehow there is just enough hope to keep up the spirits and keep the darkness from completely consuming the light. Mortain makes yet another great revelation! Purely amazing. To find beauty, love, redemption, and hope among the darkest of places.

I was wary of reading this book. I was just so attached to Ismae and couldn't imagine how anyone else could compare. Sybella rises to such a task and certainly does not disappoint. Beast is an absolute joy. Such an ugly behemoth should not so easily steal the heart and enliven the pages. His character is fabulous and so absolutely perfect. 

I find that after this second novel I am ready to pre-order the third without hesitation. Easily the third book will also be a stunner. Too bad the wait is so long. If you can stomach the darker nature and side in life this is not a book to miss. Characters you will fiercely love and a story filled with danger in every corner. Four hundred pages will be over before you are ready to part.

Content:
Sexual: Mild to moderate
Violence: Moderate to heavy

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Giveaway 
US Only
Must be 13 or older
(Note: This ARC has four pages missing from it.)

 a Rafflecopter giveaway