Review: Courting Darkness

* First in a duology following the Grave Mercy trilogy *

Sybella has always been the darkest of Death’s daughters, trained at the convent of Saint Mortain to serve as his justice. But she has a new mission now. In a desperate bid to keep her two youngest sisters safe from the family that nearly destroyed them all, she agrees to accompany the duchess to France, where they quickly find themselves surrounded by enemies. Their one ray of hope is Sybella’s fellow novitiates, disguised and hidden deep in the French court years ago by the convent—provided Sybella can find them.

Genevieve has been undercover for so many years, she struggles to remember who she is or what she’s supposed to be fighting for. Her only solace is a hidden prisoner who appears all but forgotten by his guards. When tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to take matters into her own hands—even if it means ignoring the long awaited orders from the convent.

As Sybella and Gen’s paths draw ever closer, the fate of everything they hold sacred rests on a knife’s edge. Will they find each other in time, or will their worlds collide, destroying everything they care about? - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I have been waiting for this book since it was announced - because I Loved the trilogy. And I so enjoyed this book. I loved being back in this world and with these characters. I loved watching the Duchess try to find her footing in the new household while maintaining her independence. I loved watching Sybella verbally battle with the Regent. I liked Sybella's moments with her sisters and how she tried so hard to protect them. I enjoyed getting to know Genevieve. I'm curious to see where her storyline will lead. With so much danger and plot twists, I couldn't put this book down. I can't wait to see what happens next! 

Cover Thoughts: It's lovely, but I do prefer the old covers
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendations: A must have for your YA collection.

Review: Dark Triumph

 * companion novel to Grave Mercy *

Sybella's on a mission for the covenant  -she's forced to remain a part of her father's household. Her father's a monster. She's only there to gain information and hopefully use her skills to kill him when the time's right.

Unfortunately, he doesn't bear death's mark. Sybella wonders how that can be when he's done so many terrible deeds. Sybella must walk on eggshells so no one understands her true purpose. It means lying, sneaking around, and trying not to let her real emotions shine through.

When Sybella receives a mission to rescue a man in the dungeons, she comes up with a plan. She struggles to get the Beast from the dungeon to the waiting cart. She's dumbfounded when the man makes it impossible for her to return to the house.

Now she's stuck nursing him back to health as they make their way towards the Duchess. Sybella has news from her father's household. As soon as they arrive at the Duchess's fortress, they have work to do. Sybella's father isn't giving up until he achieves his goal. He has more plans in the works. Can Sybella and the Beast help save the Duchess's kingdom from falling into the wrong hands?

My Thoughts; Grace Mercy was one of favorite books from last year.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Plus I had very high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint me! I ADORED it!! Sybella's story is darker and slowly comes out during the story. While her story's heartbreaking, it's also uplifting. She has hope even though she's a fierce warrior, and seeks vengeance. I love the slow-building but intense romance. I enjoyed the political intrigue, the scheming, and the evil plots (which were icky, but ingenious.) I loved seeing Ismae, Duval, and the Duchess again. I liked how each book focuses on a different main character but updates you on the previous characters. A fantastic book full of danger, death, and romance that I couldn't put down!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Up Next: Moral Heart comes out in 2014 

Review: Grave Mercy

Ismae was born with a scar on her body and a father who couldn't stand her. He attempts to marry her away to the highest bidder. Just when Ismae believes her life to be over, help comes creating a new path for her.

Her scar is a mark that the god of Death claims her. She's brought to a covenant where she learns that she's an instrument of Death.They will train her to become an assassin.

Her training begins as soon as she's recovered from her ordeal. She learns she has a way with poisons. She takes classes and works to help create poisons and antidotes. Years pass.

Finally she's given her first assignment and then her second. The same man turns up at both places. Just as the Reverend Mother orders her to watch him, Duval bursts into the covenant looking for answers.

It's decided that Ismae will pose as this man's cousin in an attempt to uncover the issues at court. Someone wants the young ruler dead. Duval only wants to protect his half sister and he can't obtain information of trason if Ismae's killing the men responsible without interrogating them first.

Ismae's reluctant to go to court, but as a handmaiden of death, she has no choice. It's not long before she's away of double crossings, traitors, and evil happening right before her eyes. It's harder to uncover the mastermind behind the evil. She begins to hope it's not Duval as the Reverend Mother suspects. She doesn't want to have to kill the man she's grown to finally admire.

My Thoughts: This book blew me away! I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to do anything except read it until it was finished. I love the whole idea of this book. I loved Ismae's time at the covenant. I loved her first assignment and her second. I loved her time at court where she couldn't trust anyone. I loved her verbal wars with Duval.  I loved her moments with the Duchess and her sister. A magnificent YA debut!


Cover Thoughts: Brilliant.


Source: The Publisher - THANK YOU!


Similar Read: Poison Study


Up Next: Spring 2013 His Fair Assassin, Dark Triumph


Challenge: YA Historical 2012