Title: Godsgrave
Author: Jay Kristoff
Type: Fiction
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Imprint: Thomas Dunne Books
Publisher: Macmillan
Date published: September 5, 2017
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 448
Source: Publisher

A physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.

Set in the world of Nevernight, which Publishers Weekly called “absorbing in its complexity and bold in its bloodiness,” Godsgrave will continue to thrill and satisfy fantasy fans everywhere.

– MY REVIEW –

If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that Godsgrave was one of the releases that I most looked forward to in 2017! I absolutely loved the first book in the series, Nevernight (you can read my poorly-written, gushy review here, haha), and I was greatly looking forward to see where Mia’s adventures took her to next! While you read this review, I would also like for you to keep in mind that it is very rare for me to like a sequel as much as, or more, than the prequel, especially in trilogies. Here goes.

I really like that the same satirical and sarcastic narrative tone from Nevernight remained the same (especially in the footnotes), since that was one of the things that I enjoyed most in the prequel. I rambled about the footnotes in my review for the first book, so I won’t do so here, but I do want to say that I found them enjoyable…and have found that others have found them enjoyable as well, while others dislike them entirely. Kristoff’s writing has depth and quality, while the English major in me really enjoys, and his world building is out of this world! (See what I did there?)

There was definitely some character development in this book, and I also really enjoyed the interactions, and especially the banter that some characters shared. I do want to say that there was a same-sex relationship in this book that I did not feel was entirely believable. This may be an unpopular opinion, and I am not being homophobic here at all! I am very much an advocate for gay rights and the equality of all people. I also really enjoy books containing same-sex couples! I just felt almost as if it was added in for the sake of adding diversity to the book, just because it felt a little forced to me? I feel horrible saying this, since I am a great fan of Kristoff and this series! But I think that it had to be said.

That aside, the plot was a roller coaster ride! There were a few breaks in action, but it felt almost as if I was given the shortest amount possible to catch my breath before being plunged back into everything. The plot is complex, evenly-paced, and quite satisfying while also containing twists and turns which I never saw coming!

Overall, I highly recommend this book to those who have read and enjoyed Nevernight, I also recommend the series to those who enjoy a badass female character, as well as a complex and epic fantasy world. I am not sure how I am going to survive the wait for book three!

– ABOUT THE AUTHOR –

Jay Kristoff is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of THE NEVERNIGHT CHRONICLE, THE ILLUMINAE FILES and THE LOTUS WAR. He is the winner of four Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, nominee for the David Gemmell Morningstar and Legend awards, named multiple times in the Kirkus and Amazon Best Teen Books list and published in over thirty countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 13030 days to live. He abides in Melbourne with his secret agent kung-fu assassin wife, and the world’s laziest Jack Russell. He does not believe in happy endings.

– PURCHASE LINKS –

THANK YOU FOR READING MY REVIEW! HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK? AND IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT YET, DO YOU WANT TO, OR NOT? HOW COME? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!