Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin, #2)

by Robin Lafevers

When Sybella arrived at the doorstep of St Mortain half mad with grief and despair, the convent was only too happy to offer her refuge - but at a price. The sisters of this convent serve Death, and with Sybella naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, she could become one of their most dangerous weapons yet.

But her assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to the life that nearly drove her mad. Her father's rage and brutality is terrifying, and her brother's love is equally monstrous. But when Sybella discovers an unexpected ally she discovers that a daughter of Death may find something other than vengeance to live for . . .

Action, courtly intrigue, supernatural and a beautifully written romance to bewitch fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black.

• ISBN10: 0547628382
• ISBN13: 9780547628387
• Publish Date: 2 April 2013 (first published 1 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 12 May 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Houghton Mifflin
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

Originally found on my blog Oh, For the Love of Books!

I was looking forward to Dark Triumph for quite some time after the awesomeness that was its predecessor, Grave Mercy. As with all sequels, I was hesitant. Could it really live up to the previous book? Well, it's hard to compare them because, while they are in the same world, they are more companion novels rather than sequels and are vastly different from each other.

Grave Mercy was a book filled with tough characters, political intrigue and secrets. On the other hand, Dark Triumph is a heart-wrenching, raw personal story. While I admit that I was looking forward to a kick-butt character and more politics, I was not disappointed with this story in the slightest.

The small glimpse we get of Sybella in Grave Mercy intrigued me. She was mysterious and feral. I expected this book to be about lots of death dealt by her. Instead, this is her journey of growth. Although her phsyical strength doesn't take precedence in this book, her emotional resilience does, making her just as tough in a different sense.

Sybella has been through hell and back. Simple as that. And, while different from my expectation, I was honored to learn about her story. And believe me when I say it's a hard one to read. She has been through so much that it is no wonder she was that way. All the pain, abuse and heartbreak was bound to make her somewhat insane. But I loved to see how she overcame. Most would give in, become complacent, or go all out insane. Sybella was not without damage and was emotionally crippled, but she did overcome. She's a fighter through and through. While she may not show much physical toughness in this book, she's most definitely tenacious in her own right.

But she wouldn't be where she was without Beast. Personally, I adored him. Not only was he a bit of a lighthearted, comic relief, it was refreshing to see a love interest who wasn't considered handsome. For Sybella, it's hard to love. She has been through far too much for that. But I loved seeing how they truly got to know each other and that, although the men in her life thus far had proven cruel and messed up, not all men were like that. It also showed that everyone needs help. You can't always do things on your own. You need someone, whether a friend, family or love interest, beside you to help you get through the tough times and that is precisely what Beast did.


Overall
This book is raw and unflinching. Whereas in Grave Mercy the political intrigue and plot took center stage, Dark Triumph stands out through its phenomenal character growth and emotional roller-coaster ride. I can't say that all those who enjoyed Grave Mercy will love Dark Triumph, but I will say give it a try. The plot-line is still moving forward and the world LaFevers created is as vivid as ever.


If you've read Grave Mercy, are you looking forward to Dark Triumph? If you've already read it, did you like it? Let me know in the comments below!

All the best ♥
Mackenzie

[e_rodz_leb]

Find the original review here:Reading with ABC

I’ve always loved historical romances, in fact, I read it for years before discovering YA. It was with great pleasure that I read Grave Mercy, book one of the series, which I loved. Dark Triumph was, as the title alludes, darker still, but even better than the first one.

Dark Triumph starts about a few weeks before the ending of Grave Mercy and finds poor Sybella in the D’Albret’s household. We don’t know much about Sybella from the previous book, only that when she arrived to the convent, she was kind of crazy and tried to kill herself, and that she excelled at her classes and was a close friend to Ismae and Anith. That’s all we knew. A lot is explained in this book, but most of it is disturbingly heartbreaking and so sad. Sybella is a mess. She’s had a really hard and horrific life and somehow came out of it with her sanity (almost) in place. I can honestly say that I’m not sure I could have done the same. She so scared, but at the same time, she is so brave; she is fiercely loyal to those she cares about, she’s smart, and an expert assassin. She tries to do the best for her god, the convent, her friends, and those she loves, but it’s really hard to do.

What can I say about Beast? As you can imagine by the name, the man not only is of gigantic proportions, but he’s as stubborn as a mule and quite ugly. In fact, Sybella takes every opportunity to tell us just how ugly he is. But she also realizes that he is good to the core. Beast has a protective instinct that is a mile long and he cannot avoid wanting to help those weaker than him. Beast also had a painful past and understands Sybella better because of it. I am extremely happy that they found each other, that they managed to find a ray of light in all the darkness.

We get to see some of the characters we came to love in the first book. Ismae and Duval are still with the Duchess and trying very hard to hold on to the kingdom. The Abbess is also in this book and I have to say that I don’t like the lady one bit (and no one else seems to like her either). D’Albret is a devil; he is one of the worst ‘bad guys’ ever! Seriously, he is so nasty and scary!

The plot is a little less political, but more dangerous and deadly. The facts in which the story is based on are true, but some things are altered to accommodate the story line. The religious undertones are also a crucial part of the story and Saint Mortain is never too far, but unlike Ismae, Sybella takes more liberty with her victims and more pleasure in the act of killing. Darkest Triumph is fast paced, full of intrigue, twists and turns; it’s a thrill to read and it kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing is flawless, deeply descriptive, and at times lyrical. The characterization is outstanding, LaFevers manages to create a host of flawed, imperfect characters that are in different end of the scales, either so endearing to the reader that he or she overlooks everything else; or so evil that they are very easy to dislike.

Even if you are not a fan of historical fiction, I urge you to give this series a chance. It is so incredibly good, that you will not regret it! I cannot wait for Mortal Heart, book three of the series, due to be published next year.

Some quotes for you:

“Hate cannot be fought with hate. Evil cannot be conquered by darkness. Only love has the power to conquer them both.”
“And just as love has two sides, so too does Death. While Ismae will serve as His mercy, I will not, for that is not how He fashioned me.
Every death I have witnessed, every horror I have endured, has forged me to be who I am -- Death's justice.”

“In the distance a wolf howls. Let it come, I think. Beast will most likely simply howl back, and the creature will either turn tail and run or fall into line behind him, like the rest of us have.”

“For all that I have kissed before, I have never felt anything like this. It is as if I have swallowed a tiny piece of the sun, its warmth and light reaching into every corner of my soul and chasing away the shadows.
I surrender to that kiss - surrender to the strength and the courage and the sheer goodness of the man.”

About the cover: I liked the cover of Grave Mercy a lot more, but I understand why this cover is so much darker and mysterious; it matches Sybella and the story better.

[lizarodz]

Find the original review here:Reading with ABC

I’ve always loved historical romances, in fact, I read it for years before discovering YA. It was with great pleasure that I read Grave Mercy, book one of the series, which I loved. Dark Triumph was, as the title alludes, darker still, but even better than the first one.

Dark Triumph starts about a few weeks before the ending of Grave Mercy and finds poor Sybella in the D’Albret’s household. We don’t know much about Sybella from the previous book, only that when she arrived to the convent, she was kind of crazy and tried to kill herself, and that she excelled at her classes and was a close friend to Ismae and Anith. That’s all we knew. A lot is explained in this book, but most of it is disturbingly heartbreaking and so sad. Sybella is a mess. She’s had a really hard and horrific life and somehow came out of it with her sanity (almost) in place. I can honestly say that I’m not sure I could have done the same. She so scared, but at the same time, she is so brave; she is fiercely loyal to those she cares about, she’s smart, and an expert assassin. She tries to do the best for her god, the convent, her friends, and those she loves, but it’s really hard to do.

What can I say about Beast? As you can imagine by the name, the man not only is of gigantic proportions, but he’s as stubborn as a mule and quite ugly. In fact, Sybella takes every opportunity to tell us just how ugly he is. But she also realizes that he is good to the core. Beast has a protective instinct that is a mile long and he cannot avoid wanting to help those weaker than him. Beast also had a painful past and understands Sybella better because of it. I am extremely happy that they found each other, that they managed to find a ray of light in all the darkness.

We get to see some of the characters we came to love in the first book. Ismae and Duval are still with the Duchess and trying very hard to hold on to the kingdom. The Abbess is also in this book and I have to say that I don’t like the lady one bit (and no one else seems to like her either). D’Albret is a devil; he is one of the worst ‘bad guys’ ever! Seriously, he is so nasty and scary!

The plot is a little less political, but more dangerous and deadly. The facts in which the story is based on are true, but some things are altered to accommodate the story line. The religious undertones are also a crucial part of the story and Saint Mortain is never too far, but unlike Ismae, Sybella takes more liberty with her victims and more pleasure in the act of killing. Darkest Triumph is fast paced, full of intrigue, twists and turns; it’s a thrill to read and it kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing is flawless, deeply descriptive, and at times lyrical. The characterization is outstanding, LaFevers manages to create a host of flawed, imperfect characters that are in different end of the scales, either so endearing to the reader that he or she overlooks everything else; or so evil that they are very easy to dislike.

Even if you are not a fan of historical fiction, I urge you to give this series a chance. It is so incredibly good, that you will not regret it! I cannot wait for Mortal Heart, book three of the series, due to be published next year.

Some quotes for you:

“Hate cannot be fought with hate. Evil cannot be conquered by darkness. Only love has the power to conquer them both.”
“And just as love has two sides, so too does Death. While Ismae will serve as His mercy, I will not, for that is not how He fashioned me.
Every death I have witnessed, every horror I have endured, has forged me to be who I am -- Death's justice.”

“In the distance a wolf howls. Let it come, I think. Beast will most likely simply howl back, and the creature will either turn tail and run or fall into line behind him, like the rest of us have.”

“For all that I have kissed before, I have never felt anything like this. It is as if I have swallowed a tiny piece of the sun, its warmth and light reaching into every corner of my soul and chasing away the shadows.
I surrender to that kiss - surrender to the strength and the courage and the sheer goodness of the man.”

About the cover: I liked the cover of Grave Mercy a lot more, but I understand why this cover is so much darker and mysterious; it matches Sybella and the story better.

[bookishzelda]

This is one of those books that I’m not sure how to put into words how much I loved it. Grave Mercy was really good but Dark Triumph was to me amazing.

When we were introduced to Sybella in Grave Mercy I was never very sure if I liked her or not. I thought this person is probably crazy but Ismae had seemed like she trusted her and it made me too. This sounds weird since they are book characters but that is seriously what I thought. Sybella is by no means naive even though she is really a novice assassin. Her tortured life has seen to that and we start off the books with only bits and pieces of what has happened in the past. When things are finally revealed it went beyond even my worst assumptions. She is amazingly strong and hardened and yet she wants to protect the innocent. It didn’t take me long to warm to her character.

Beast was such a great match up for Sybella and I didn’t care that they kept calling him ugly it didn’t even register on my radar because he is such a great character. I love the way that he is able to banter with Sybella so easily. Plus he just ignores any of her attempts to sway him from having any interest in her. I loved him for it, how could she not too. For a girl who has been so mistreated Beast is like a lifeline, but he is not so far from her own nature that it would make the match unbelievable. They both enjoy battle lust and therefore it’s something that gives them common ground. They can fight side by side or exchange ideas on battle tactics. This is the kind of girl that Beast needs for the lifestyle he leads, rather than someone that waits at home from him. Plus with Sybella being so exposed to the ugliness that beautiful things can hide she easily sees Beast gentle eyes and demeanor even though he is scarred and “ugly”.

We have a lot of great side characters. Yannic, the loyal gargoyle, had his moments of stealing the show even though he couldn’t even talk. We also have the reappearance of Ismae which at first kind of took me off guard. It was weird not being in Ismae’s head when she was interacting with Sybella. It was nice though to see the two cross paths. You are looking at things from Sybella’s eyes now so it gives it a different take. There is also Julian who for some reason I had a soft spot for, even thought that seemed wrong but I felt like he really cared about Sybella and that their twisted world is what caused the strangeness in their relationship.

This story had more adventure then Grave Mercy. Where Grave Mercy is set more in the political aspects and the court intrigue this novel is more about being on the field and in the front lines. Sybella and Beast not only spend time in the Lion’s Den but also must cross the countryside to meet up with the Duchess. They also often find themselves engaged in different types of battles as they go along.

My heart really went out to Sybella in this book and I cannot wait to read Annith’s tale next. Robin created such a wonderful world that it’s easy for me to get lost in. After reading the book I had to take a minute to collect myself and remember that there is no one out to kill me and I don’t live in Brittany.

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

Dark Triumph is a heart pounding and dark enthralling sequel to, Grave Mercy. Brilliant in detail, rich in darkness, and rife with epic adventure it is young adult novel that will blow your mind! Fantastically compelling, you will not want to put this book down until the last page has been read. It dares to pull you back into a world full of deep betrayal, dark secrets, and dangerous treachery. It is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, anticipating what dark secret may be revealed next, what dangerous twist is to come, and what daring move will be made.

Sybella is beautifully rich, complicated, and complex character. Gorgeously flawed, she is incredibly easy to sympathize with. Her fierce heart and loyalty to those she cared most about, is what really drew me to her character. Heartbreaking, I found her wonderfully intriguing. Robin LaFevers paints an interesting portrait of her, mad with grief from a truly tortured childhood, and yet a strong determined young noblewoman hell bent on surviving in her father's house. She is a gloriously written tapestry of hope in a disparagingly dark and deary world, an achingly beautiful heroine.

LaFever's writes her villains the way that villains should truly be written. There isn't any black and white involved and yet, they are just as dark and sinister as they are complex and intriguing. I marveled at how beautifully written and implemented, old characters were brought back into the fold so flawlessly, and how it only added more richness to the story being told. This is definitely one of LaFever's strong suits, when writing a truly brilliant and captivating story. Dark Triumph, never bored me once while reading, and continued to hold my attention strongly with it's gorgeous sinister plot twists, beautifully broken characters, and fantastic dangerous enthralling moments.

It seems as if Robin LaFevers has cornered the market on writing truly amazing heartbreak and betrayal. If ever there was a story revolving around that, then Dark Triumph is at the top of the list in all of it's stellar glory. This is a delectable, dark, and treacherous read that will ensnare you deep into it poisonous web of deceit and hold you there until the bitter end. There's reading a book that you think you'll enjoy and then end up loving and then there's delving into a world so imaginative, bleak, dreary, and darkly seductive in such a cunning way that you find yourself dizzy and drowning, yet yearning to know more. That is this book!

This trilogy will change you forever, but I don't have to tell you that. Just reading the first book, will be enough to do you in.

[kimbacaffeinate]

6 out of 5 Typically I write my review within twenty-fours of finishing a book but I actually waited three days to write my review for Dark Triumph. I wanted to see if the mad gushy feelings I had for the book and series would subside. They did not, its official this series is my current number one favorite historical fiction series in the young adult genre. Grave Mercy the first book in the His Fair Assassin series was my top read for 2012 and its predecessor Dark Triumph blew it out of the water. Robin LaFevers is pure genius at creating fleshed-out, kick-ass and believable characters all while spinning a historical fiction that holds you captive.

Since meeting Sybella I was anxious for her story and I loved the way the author began the tale. We are taken back to the final battle scene that Ismae faced. Sybella is once again in her father’s home and has snuck on to the roof to attempt to warn Ismae. As the battle begins she is impressed by one warrior who she assumes battles to his death. On a mission to serve Mortain she has returned to the home of her nightmares. It is here we discover all that makes Sybella tick and learn of the sinister residences who reside within. When she receives a message from the mothers advising her to save the prisoner, she quickly learns the warrior lives and he is known as the Beast. The tale that unfolds is action-packed as Sybella comes into her own, questions her calling and seeks revenge..Ooh and just maybe finds love.

LaFevers breathes life into her characters, giving them depth and believability.* I actually think she lives with them* Sybella is damaged, but feels Mortain and the nuns gave her life. Until now she has never questioned them but when a mark fails to appear on the evilest of men, she begins to question her faith and its teachings. I really like her as a character even more than I adored Ismae. She is kick-ass and a warrior at heart, she enjoys the kill but her vulnerable side and inner strength stole my heart. I have often felt that a true hero doesn’t often come in a smexy package and such was the case with the Duchess's warrior known as Beast. A hero can be scarred, with a crooked nose and rough, battered hands and sometimes he can be downright ugly with the purest of souls. I fell for this big, ugly oaf in a bad way from his kick-ass fighting skills to his soulful eyes. The relationship that develops between Beast and Sybella was slow to build, sweet and felt raw and beautiful. The Reverend Mother unnerves me as does her treatment of Sybella. I am quite anxious to learn more about the nun’s intentions Ismae is back and we hear news regarding Annith whose tale will be share next. The villains are ones you will love to hate, and the twisted story of Sybella’s brother and step-mothers was extremely well done and disturbing.

Grave Mercy was flawless to me that is until I read Dark Triumph. The author has given us more depth, a tighter tale and it flowed like honey as I slipped from reality completely.*Happy Dance* I love world-building and while LaFevers admittedly took some liberties with her historic timeline, she created a very suspenseful, action packed version of it. It has long been speculated that the Grimm brother’s fairy-tale Bluebeard was based on a real person and the fable’s influence has been weaved into the tale and I gobbled up ever dark moment of it. Such suspense! Between d’Albret’s attempt to marry the Duchess and the evasions of countrysides I was completely enthralled by the battles, conspiracies and characters. There are dark topics to discover within the pages as LaFevers holds nothing back in revealing the horrors of Sybella’s childhood, the gritty bloodthirsty side of battle, and one’s personal struggle with faith. She handles them beautifully, with knowledge and insight. I did not want this tale to end, as the author kept me held me captive. We do get some closer with an expectation that Mortal Heart will share Annith’s story. I adored Beast and Sybella they have won a special place in my heart.
ARC provided for my unbiased review.

See more of my reviews @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[inlibrisveritas]

This is book 2 in the His Fair Assassin series, so if you have not read Grave Mercy then there may be some slight spoilers for you. You can read my review of Grave Mercy here: Review

Dark Triumph begins about 5 chapters before then end of Grave Mercy, so there is a bit of overlap in the events but instead of following Ismae this focuses on Sybella. I remember her from the first book and I wasn’t entirely sure if I liked her or not, but now I can honestly say I love her just as much as I love Ismae.

LaFevers keeps the wonderful writing and detail, but instead of focusing on the political battles and overall events of the world like Grave Mercy she brings the focus down to a personal level so that we are put directly in the middle of Sybella’s life. We get to see just what kind of monster her father truly is as well as the people she had to deal with growing up and it gives us some valuable insight on why she’s so dark and independent. Her father, who I can’t name because I can’t remember if it’s said in Grave Mercy, is a vile man and is the head of a very damaged and dangerous household where even the slightest bit of doubt on loyalty can lead to your death. LaFevers even gives us more information on the Nine, who are the Saints/Gods of the book, and we get to see more of their ‘children’ as well. The intrigue and warfare is still present but instead of seeing it on a grand scale we get to see it focused in one household for half of the story, which in my opinion raises the stakes and made it that much more gripping.

Sybella is a very strong main character who carries a very unique voice. She’s a incredibly smart, a bit ruthless, and very determined individual, and she can most certainly hold her own against all manner of enemies. I especially loved her growth as a person over the course of the story, she opens up a bit and is pulled out of the mental darkness she’s been in for so long (thanks to a very unique and amazing relationship that she develops with a certain someone). We do get to see some of the characters from Grave Mercy again like Ismae, Duval, Beast, the Duchess, D’Albret, and the ever frustrating Reverend Mother. We even get to learn more about a few of them. Which ones? I won’t say, you’ll just have to find out.

I was utterly addicted to this book and even after I finished it I kept talking about it, I even thought about starting it over and re-reading it. This is one of the few series I’ve read where the second book is as consistent and wonderful as the first book, and try as I might I can’t pick a favorite between the two because they just that good. I think that if you loved the first book then it goes without saying that you should definitely pick up a copy of Dark Triumph. I can’t wait for Mortal Heart, book three, so I can find out what happens with poor Annith.

I received this in exchange for an honest review.