by Mark Lawrence
Series: Book of the Ancestor #2
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
In Mystic Class Nona Grey begins to learn the secrets of the universe. But so often even the deepest truths just make our choices harder. Before she leaves the Convent of Sweet Mercy Nona must choose her path and take the red of a Martial Sister, the grey of a Sister of Discretion, the blue of a Mystic Sister or the simple black of a Bride of the Ancestor and a life of prayer and service.
All that stands between her and these choices are the pride of a thwarted assassin, the ambition of a would-be empress wielding the Inquisition like a blade, and the vengeance of the empire’s richest lord.
As the world narrows around her, and her enemies attack her through the system she has sworn to, Nona must find her own path despite the competing pull of friendship, revenge, ambition, and loyalty.
And in all this only one thing is certain.
.
There will be blood.
Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence is the second novel in the brilliant Book of the Ancestor series. Once again Lawerence transported me to the Convent of Sweet Mercy where Nona must choose her path. Captivating, well-developed and engaging Mark Lawerence is a mesmerizing and skillful storyteller.
“Never be so focused on picking a lock that you forget kicking down the door is also an option.”
I thought Red Sister was brilliant from the dying world to the magic and orders, but it pales in comparison to Grey Sister. After the climactic ending of Red Sister, we are back at the Convent of Sweet Mercy. Nona is shadowless and attending Mystic Class where she immediately makes an enemy.’
I was impressed by the amount of world-building we see at the beginning of Grey Sister. For some, this may slow the pace, but Lawerence’s prose and attention to detail bring Nona, her friends, and the world into brilliant color. Nona is faced with having to choose her path, dealing with her perceived failure for not saving her friend, and dealing with politics and the Inquisition shaking the foundation of all that she has committed herself to since pledging to the sisters.
The characters are well developed, and Nona and her friends have become tight. Each offers something unique and their interaction, sneaking about and faith in each other and the sisters made for compelling reading. With the convent, magic, and hierarchy this is Harry Potter for adults. We are introduced to a new character who added a little humor named Keot. I won’t tell you anything more..enjoy!
The first one-third of the novel focuses on Nona, her friends, and convent life. The second part has the Inquisition arriving, and the focus moves to Abbess Glass and the disturbances within the kingdoms. We then face a climactic scene that forces Nona to leave her friends and let me tell you, from that point on I could not set this book down. I lived, breathed and thought of little else. The action-scenes, struggles and dungeon scenes held me spellbound. The final part of the book brings characters together for nail-biting scenes like those in power makes plays for control, the Sisters make decisions with lasting effects and blood is shed. It was incredible to me how vivid the scenes were, without being wordy Lawerence delivers powerful prose as characters are tested.
The ending allowed me to catch my breath but left me anxious for the final book. I plan to do a re-read of this series on audio before the final novel, Holy sister releases in 2019.
With the convent, magic, and hierarchy the Book of the Ancestors trilogy is Harry Potter for adults. #NewRelease Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence #mustread #fantasy Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I haven’t started this series but by the sound of this book, I should start reading them. I am a bit behind in my reading tho. You just keeping making my TBR list bigger! =) I love it tho thanks for having such great reviews for me to want to read more books and expand my library!
Mary
Kimberly
I am really enjoying this series and the girls.
Stefanie
This looks like a good series. I’ll have to look for it at our local, used bookstore.
Kimberly
I hope you find a copy. I am sure the library will have it 🙂
Stefanie
If I have to look at Half Price Books, that means the library doesn’t carry it. :O(
Stephanie Jane
I hadn’t been aware of this series before, but it looks really good 🙂
Kimberly
Glad I could put it on your radar Stephanie. Have a great weekend!
Cricket
I just looked to see if my library has book one and it’s billed. :/ This sounds like a world I could get lost in and I can’t wait to read them.
Kimberly
Yay. I hope you love it Cricket 🙂
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
Oh this sounds gorgeous! I need to get this and the first book immediately. I’m glad I have until 2019 to read them!
Kimberly
Yay. I hope you love them Katherine 🙂
Daniela Ark
OOOOOOOHHHH I’m still trying to finish Red Sister but going slooooowly becasue I’m in a mini slump right now but I AM SO HAPPY to hear there is a 5-start ARC treasure chest is waiting for me at the end of that loooong 470 pages rainbow!
Kimberly
Ugh, slumps are the worst and I loved Red Sister, but yep this was stunning.
Barbara Strickland
I hate it when you give 5’s, really I do. It does sound wonderful, I hate my tbr list too. ):
Kimberly
I am so sorry 🙂
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I recently bought the first audiobook in this series and now I am even more excited to get started with this one. It is good to know that the second book is even better.
Kimberly
I bet it rocks on Audio 🙂
Lily
harry potter for adults huh? 😀 Oh now I am even more curious, this looks like it can be a lot of fun, love the sound of this world and characters
Kimberly
Yay, glad I piqued your interest 🙂
Kristin @ AddictedtoHEA
The second book actually surpassed the first??!! WOW! I have the first book on my TBR but I haven’t bought it yet. I’m kind of waiting for a price drop 😉 So stupid stingy with my gift card, huh? But I added the second book to my TBR so now I won’t let this series slip by 🙂
Kimberly
I hope you enjoy them when you do. 🙂
Angela Adams
“Convent of Sweet Mercy” — Intriguing name. Thanks for the post.
Kimberly
Yes, where young girls learn spells and deadly skills 🙂
Heidi
I am completely drawing a blank on this series??? I read another brilly review for this last week and the line where you call this HP for adults has me wanting to head to the library and get the audio of book one. I must read this.
Kimberly
I think this would be fun on audio. Yes, the school teaches all kinds of classes and gave me a magical HP vibe but darker 🙂
Blodeuedd
I read book 1 from the library so I emailed them to tell them to get book 2, stat
Kimberly
I hope they get it for you!
Melliane
yes! I really enjoyed this one as well!
Kimberly
And now we wait for the next one 🙁
Kimberly
Not different sisters for each book rather a group, and not at all like you think. These girls are assassins.
Lorna
New to me series and author. I am not a fantasy reader, but this does interest me a bit. How old are these girls? And they are in a convent school? Each book features a different sister, I take it? 5 stars has me really wondering. Fantastic review!
Kimberly
Oops sorry, they are young.
Nadene
My appetite has been whetted. I never read Harry Potter,( I know shame on me ), but you make me want to read this series.
Kimberly
*blinks* No Harry Potter? *faints*
Tyler H. Jolley
Thanks for introducing me to this series, Kimba!
Kimberly
Happy to do so 🙂
Debbie Haupt
I totally agree with your thoughts on Grey Sister Kim it was amazing. I’ll be featuring it tomorrow and will include my editorial review. And you’re so right about the world building in book one of an epic fantasy like this. I just adore Lawrence and have been devouring his novels since Prince of Thorns. Fantastic Review Kim and exactly what I would have said if I didn’t have to limit mine to 200 words LOL 😉
Kimberly
Yes, writing those RT Reviews are hard…especially when you want to say more.
Sophia Rose
Soon, soon, soon…. oh man. Can’t wait!
Kimberly
Enjoy my friend!
Cindy
Ok wow! How have I missed these books??!!? I cannot wait to find time in my busy TBR/ARC schedule to start Book Of The Ancestor series. What a great review and many thanks for bringing these books and author to my attention 🙂
Kimberly
Happy to share Cindy 🙂
Ailyn Koay
Harry Potter for adults heh! I’m looking at my library now.
Kimberly
Enjoy!
verushka
I just discovered the Grey Sister, so wasn’t sure quite what to make of it, but I can totally work with Harry Potter for adults lol!
Kimberly
I am really enjoying this series 🙂