Godsgrave: Obsessed for the Second Time

When I finished Nevernight, I immediately sent an e-mail to the publisher basically begging them for a copy of Godsgrave. I think I used the word desperate in my e-mail. I didn’t hear anything back and thought I was going to die from need for the second book in the The Nevernight Chronicles. Imagine my PURE GLEE when Godsgrave was dropped onto my doorstep (aka my desk at work) by an angel (aka the mailman). I couldn’t wait to read it. This book took me stinking forever to get through due to life and other similar distracting things, but it was SO VERY WORTH IT.

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.

If you have not read Nevernight, the first in the series, you should click this link to read that review (…and then read the book) before moving on with this post!

a massive tournament, gladiatorial battles, and lessons about keeping your enemies close

4 Reasons I loved Godsgrave:

1. Like Nevernight, Godsgrave follows no rules. Kristoff blends different fantasy worlds, real-life cultures, and sci-fi-like settings to create an entirely unique world. As readers, we have grown to expect certain things of “fantasy” and “sci-fi.” Kristoff smashes those boundaries so that, as a reader, you don’t know what the hell you’re reading (in a good way, I promise). I can’t even describe these books to people, because I feel like I have to use so many adjectives. They’re truly their own thing. And that, my friends, is pretty damn impressive.

2. DAMNIT THESE CHARACTERS ARE SO STINKING GOOD. I’m getting all giddy thinking about how many characters I hated, then loved, hated again, then finally loved. Kristoff takes you on a whirlwind of emotions as you read through these characters interactions, and you don’t know who you can and can’t trust (sometimes you’re even left questioning our main character, Mia).

3. The authentic-AF relationship. View Spoiler »Thank you Mister Kristoff for creating a lesbian relationship that FOR ONCE didn’t feel like a political maneuver (because I’m sick to death of those). « Hide Spoiler

4. The bad-ass battles!!!!!!! I can’t add enough exclamation points to this. There is a massive gladiator-esque tournament going on for the majority of this book, and it’s gory, disturbing, heart-wrenching, and AMAZING. I was tense through so much of this book.

This book is a raunchy and violent rule-breaker. Don’t read this series because you think you know what to expect. Read this book to be uncomfortable, have your heart ripped out of your chest, and jump for joy when you find a new, completely unexpected favorite. 

Have you read a gladiator-type book before? Did you enjoy it? This was my first… and, well, you know how I felt about it. 

A.S. Thornton

A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.