Review: Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2) by Jay Kristoff

 

*Review contains spoilers and spoilers from the previous book in the series. (Actually, only the 4th and 5th paragraphs have spoilers so just look away from there? Sorry but I have thoughts :P)

 

Godsgrave
(The Nevernight Chronicle #2)

by Jay Kristoff

September 5, 2017
448 pages

Goodreads   Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
A ruthless young assassin continues her journey for revenge in this new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

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.

Review

When I read Nevernight last year it was bold, brutal and bloody. This pattern definitely continues in Godsgrave. The story seriously never lets up on the explicit details and intense twists. What an exciting yet nerve-wracking book.

I found this sequel easier to get into than the first book. The refresher included at the beginning was a clever tool. It proved to be a big help in jogging my memories of events from Nevernight. Godsgrave is separated into three parts and while the formatting of each could get a little confusing, it kept me on track wanting to know. The footnotes were still present. Again they weren't really necessary and didn't contribute much to the book plot-wise. I will say the comic relief was there and it was interesting to learn more background to this big world.

Mia, now officially a Blade of the Red Church, continues to search for ways to exact revenge on the two remaining people that mercilessly executed her loved ones. There was immense growth on Mia's part in Godsgrave as she made discoveries, forged alliances, conquered trials and killed her way to the top. I won't say much about the tournament except that it's everything you'd imagine but even bloodier.

There's a shocker you need to brace yourselves for. The truth of Mia's parentage. Clever that it was never questioned until we got the answer in our face. I should've seen it coming with her brother but omg I did not expect her too. It's literally a slap in the face for Mia. Her revenge was all for her familia but her dad isn't her dad?!? Her mortal enemy is her real father!?! I thought things were bad already but wow they just got worse. I cannot see how this will ever end well for Mia.

I am very skeptical and honestly a little upset with the romantic direction in Godsgrave. Mia and Ashlinn reconnect and really get it on but I can't get over Ashlinn's previous betrayal. I loved Tric so it's really difficult for me to cheer this new couple on. If I'm being honest here, I want revenge for him. Even if it means stealing Mia's momentary bliss because let's face it, what she and Ashlinn have couldn't possibly last. Not when they're both stubborn-ass people- they're bound to clash (again) at some point. I'm curious where Mr. Kristoff is taking things given the resurrection of Tric (yessssss). Here comes the love triangle lol...

We're still nowhere near uncovering more about Mia's ability but I have to say, Mister Kindly and Eclipse were adorable! Not in a cute, fuzzy and huggable way but in a sharp tongue clashing, always fighting kind of way. Their jabs at each other were so fun to read; they even have nicknames for each other. It's definitely true love ;)

While I'm slightly miffed about the cliffhanger ending I'm really dying inside for the final book. It's sure to be a bloodbath! I mean spectacle! I'm silently shaking with excitement just waiting for the title reveal.
 

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way.