Ben Pick
Written on Sep 30, 2021
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In a world where the suns almost never set, a woman gains entry to a school of infamous assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers that destroyed her family. Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father's failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she wanders a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and its thugs. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the hearth of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined. Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic, the Red Church. Deadly trials await her within the Church's halls: blades and poisons, treachery and death. If she survives to initiation, she'll be inducted among the chosen of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and be one step closer to the only thing she desires. Revenge.
The only reason I couldn't get into this book as because of how many footnotes there were and how hard it was to read them as an ebook. They pulled me out of the story rather than being fun. Eep.
"But after all, this tale is only one of three.Friends, I am kicking myself for letting this book sit on my owned TBR for as long as it has. I've been a fan of everything Jay's touched so far, so I came into this trilogy with some high expectations. While I struggled at times with the action-heavy scenes, I was absolutely hooked in the last third of the book and I am now eagerly writing thiws review so that I can dive into Godsgrave.
Birth and life and death.
So take my hand now.
Close your eyes.
And walk with me."
"Names speak to the namer as much as the named. Maybe I don't want folks knowing who I am. Maybe I like being underestimated."Sixteen-year-old Mia is an assassin-in-training, looking to gain the tools and resources necessary to avenge her family's death. With no one but her not-cat shadow companion at her side, she navigates the Red Church's school to learn the arts of thievery, poison, fighting, and seduction.
"Those who call the Dark... well, eventually it calls them back."I absolutely loved Mia and I couldn't help but root for her throughout the story. She's strong and fiercely loyal, but she is not without fear; there is a vulnerability to her character. Despite being sharp edges, Mia also maintains a purity of heart which the school tries to rip from her. Can you be a cold-blooded killer while also having empathy for others? Her character is so much more interesting because of this: the school is not a place for friends, but she opens herself up anyway. The friendships she forms are to be treasured, and undoubtedly the interactions between the characters were my favorite part of reading this book.
"This place gives much. But it takes much more. They may make her beautiful on the outside, but inside, they aim to shape a horror."While the main romance in the book being heterosexual, Mia is unabashedly bisexual without any need for justification or her coming out in text - which I appreciate.
“The books we love, they love us back. And just as we mark our places in the pages, those pages leave their marks on us. I can see it in you, sure as I see it in me. You’re a daughter of words. A girl with a story to tell.”The first two-thirds of the book manage to be action-packed while also setting a lot of the world-building up for the reader. This book uses footnotes to expand on some elements mentioned in the story, as well as add some snark and humor. I was worried the footnotes would be bothersome, but they worked well for me and enhanced the story.
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