Historical Fantasy YA Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
Monday, November 17, 2014 | Posted by
kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews
Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers (His Fair Assassin #2)
Egalley thanks to Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Synopsis from Goodreads
When Sybella arrived at the doorstep of St Mortain half mad with grief and despair the convent were 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.
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 are 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...
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
7/10
* * *
I wasn't happy with Dark Triumph which is strange because I quite liked Grave Mercy. I am quick to acknowledge that it was purely personal. I did not enjoy the way Sybella's POV was structured and because of that I wasn't fully immersed into what was happening and mostly couldn't concentrate on Sybella and Beast's journey.Beast is another unresolved issue. His character is as vague as his interest in Sybella, and both their feelings don't have some sort of development. We are just presented with them as an accomplished fact. Well, excuse me! I'd like to see a bit more passion in a character who seems to be larger than life and an assassin who is supposed to have horrible psychological scarring.
Sybella's undercover role at her father's court is extremely passive until she receives the word that she is to free a prisoner her father keeps in his dungeon. Then due to a set of unfortunate circumstances she is breaking her cover and journeys to reunite with Ismae who lives at the duchess's court.
I think Sybella's partnership with Beast and their fights alongside each other is the only highlight of the book. I enjoyed their adventures and her work at the Duchess's court. However, everything else was rather tame and dull.
Is it because it's YA? Probably not. Think how raw and full of emotion Sarah J. Maas or Christine Kashore makes you feel. I think it's mostly to do with an author's personal style which feels more like middle grade than YA. Too many things are left unsaid and too many confrontations never happen, which is probably what left me so unsatisfied.
As I said, this is purely personal. I'm sure the majority of readers will find Dark Triumph very engaging and enjoyable.
* * *
К сожалению, книгу я эту читала без особого энтузиазма, и причины для этого у меня личные. Так что, вполне возможно книга эта вам понравится гораздо больше.Для меня проблемой оказались сам стиль повествования, из-за которого я не смогла заинтересоваться героиней и тем, что с ней происходило, а также огромное количество недосказанного и неслучившихся конфронтаций, которые так и просились в книгу.
Сибелла - хладнокровный, профессиональный ассассин, которая проводит несколько месяцев совершенно пассивно при дворе её отца, мечтая о том, как бы того убить. Однако ничего не происходит пока ей не приходит весточка о том, что ей необходимо освободить из донжона её отца одного из его узников и отправить его в Ренн.
В силу обстоятельст Сибелле и узнику, которого прозвали Чудовищем Де Варенна приходится путешествовать вместе, и именно их битвы и приключения плечом к плечу были единственной частью сюжета, которую я читала с удовольствием.
Сам Чудовище - характер без чётких рамок, и дать ему какую-либо оценку тяжело. Поэтому когда он и Сибелла признаются друг другу в любви нам это предоставляется как свершившийся факт. Ни о какой страсти между грандиозным воином и ассассином с глубокими психологическими травмами здесь и речи не идёт.
Я не знаю почему книга оказалась такой занудной и слишком мягкой. Жанр сам по себе я винить в этом не могу, так как посмотрите на то, сколько чувств в нас вызывают Сара Джей Маас или Кристин Кашор. Скорее это специфика авторского стиля.
Книга не для меня, но может кому-то понравится больше.

Historical Fantasy YA Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
2014-11-17T05:00:00Z
kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews
7/10|assassin|brittany|fantasy|historical fiction|robin lafevers|YA|ассассин|бретань|исторический YA|фэнтэзи|
BLOG ARCHIVE
-
▼
2014
(212)
-
▼
November
(17)
- The Postman Knock #104
- Sci Fi Romance Review: Cottonwood by R. Lee Smith
- Fantasy Romance Review: The Silver Pear by Michell...
- Erotic Romance Early Review: The King by Tiffany R...
- The Postman Knock #103
- Friday Mini Reviews #34: A Charm of Magpies series...
- Dark Fantasy Review: The Scholomance by R. Lee Smi...
- Historical Fantasy YA Review: Dark Triumph by Robi...
- Fantasy Audiobook Review: Twilight's Dawn by Anne ...
- Contemporary Romance Review: The Rosie Effect by G...
- Fantasy Romance Review: Entreat Me by Grace Draven...
- The Postman Knock #102
- Friday Mini Reviews (Audiobooks edition) #33: Anne...
- Paranormal Romance Review: Vincent by D.B. Reynold...
- November Book Releases I'm Dying to Read!
- The Postman Knock #101
- Blog Ahead!
-
▼
November
(17)

In case of zombie apocalypse
Hey, guys! I feel like I should say this just in case :)
If you'd like to sponsor a fellow book addict who sometimes can't sleep at night worrying that she won't have enough books to read if internet goes down in the event of zombie apocalypse (I'm convinced it's one of the top five ways to go for human race) you can donate through Paypal to olivesandacorns at gmail dot com or buy a book through any of the links provided with my reviews which will send me a small percentage from the sale. All proceeds will go towards my enormous TBR. I will also shelter you on the remote farm in Portugal when zombie apocalypse starts provided you survive getting there. There will be books, yay?
Thank you! Love you all
If you'd like to sponsor a fellow book addict who sometimes can't sleep at night worrying that she won't have enough books to read if internet goes down in the event of zombie apocalypse (I'm convinced it's one of the top five ways to go for human race) you can donate through Paypal to olivesandacorns at gmail dot com or buy a book through any of the links provided with my reviews which will send me a small percentage from the sale. All proceeds will go towards my enormous TBR. I will also shelter you on the remote farm in Portugal when zombie apocalypse starts provided you survive getting there. There will be books, yay?
Thank you! Love you all

Powered by Blogger.

Noteworthy Blogs
-
New Accessibility Plugin1 day ago
-
REVIEW: The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary2 days ago
-
-
-
On the Smugglers’ Radar4 days ago
-
-
December 2019 Must Haves1 week ago
-
[784]: Well Met by Jen Deluca1 week ago
-
-
-
