Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers Narrator: Suzy Jackson, Amanda Leigh Cobb, Eva Kaminsky, Brian Munn
Series: Courting Darkness Duology #2
Published by Recorded Books on August 4, 2020
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Length: 17 hours, 33 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
When you count Death as a friend, who can stand as your enemy?
Sybella, novitiate of the convent of Saint Mortain and Death’s vengeance on earth, is still reeling from her God’s own passing, and along with him a guiding hand in her bloody work. But with her sisters on the run from their evil brother and under the watchful eye of her one true friend (and love) at court, the soldier known as Beast, Sybella stands alone as the Duchess of Brittany’s protector.
After months of seeking her out, Sybella has finally made contact with a fellow novitiate of the convent, Genevieve, a mole in the French court. But when Genevieve mistakenly draws the attention of the French king to the convent of Saint Mortain and its deadly arts, she may do her sisters (and herself) more harm than good. Sybella, having already drawn the ire of the French regent, may not be able to depend on her sister and ally as much as she hoped. Still, Death always finds a way, even if it’s not what one expects.
Igniting Darkness is the final book in the duology featuring primarily Sybella and Genevieve, but also Maraud. It is a continuation of the story begun in Courting Darkness, which definitely should be read first. Really the two books make a complete story with the main characters being much the same, and many of the plots unfinished in the first book. It is interesting to me that Sybella had a “book” in the original His Fair Assassin trilogy but her story is really not completed until this duology.
There are many aspects of the world and the characters continued and various little story arcs completed here. The author does a great job finishing up those details and the various characters we have come to appreciate. While the primary characters are Sybella, Genevieve and Maraud, there are many others involved.
There is the new relationship of the King and Queen. The King is young and still settling into his role. The Regent would prefer she had that role but she is a female. She still tries to control as much as she can whether by influencing the King or going behind his back to do what she wants. In fact, many in the King’s councilors would manipulate him. The Queen, our beloved Anne of Brittany, has frustrations in being kept from knowledge and input about her country, as her husband is really quite the misogynist with his lack of experience and knowledge.
It turns out not everyone is happy with Anne of Brittany becoming the Queen of France. Of course, the Regent doesn’t want her as she wants to control everything herself. Many of the main households in Brittany would still like to be separate. So there are some serious problems there.
Genevieve is so young. She has finally met up with Sybella and starts to learn about the convent, but not before she has made some serious mistakes and gotten tangled up in the Regent’s schemes. Sybella is always trying to keep herself and her younger sibling safe from her brother. Genevieve has a surprisingly good relationship with the King and a better one with Count Aungoleme than I recalled. In fact, the Count is not how I viewed him in the previous book.
I would still recommend starting with Grave Mercy as it sets up the world in this series so well. This story is a long, but good one with well built world and characters. I was happy to see my favorite characters succeed after much suffering and risk of their lives.
Narration:
The narrator for Sybella changed which was initially an adjustment. Suzy Jackson is back for Genevieve. Overall, I was very comfortable with the performances. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Robin LaFevers
Robin LaFevers was raised on a steady diet of fairy tales, Bulfinch’s mythology, and 19th century poetry. It is not surprising she grew up to be a hopeless romantic.
Though she has never trained as an assassin or joined a convent, she did attend Catholic school for three years, which instilled in her a deep fascination with sacred rituals and the concept of the Divine. She has been on a search for answers to life’s mysteries ever since.
While many of those answers still elude her, she was lucky enough to find her one true love, and is living happily ever after with him in the foothills of southern California.
In addition to writing about teen assassin nuns in medieval Brittany, she writes books for middle grade readers, including the Theodosia books and the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
Oh. I missed this was coming out. I need to finish this series up too.
I loved this and it was a satisfying end to several plot threads. It is a loooong audio though, and suspenseful because of the dangers.
I’ve never read LaFevers before, but it sounds like I might enjoy this series?
Assassin nuns – what’s not to love? It’s historical and follows some of the actual history of Brittany and the war with France in the 1487-1491.
I listened to the first of the duology last year, but realized that I need to finish the first trio before I slip into these. It’s interesting how many threads of intrigue and relationships are going on in this one.
yes definitely do the first trio as much needed background to follow the players in this duology. Plus it is excellent.
awesome cover and this does sound like a good series. thanks for mentioning to read grave mercy first. i forget to do that sometimes
I think it is always better but in this case there is so much character and world political background it is better that way. It’s a great trilogy and duology. Strong women characters in a patriarchal world.
I need to finish the last book in the Grave Mercy trilogy…but these look good!
yes I would definitely finish the first trilogy. Lots happens in that 3rd book that impacts this duology. A LOT. Happy reading!