Grey Sister

“There are many poisons that will induce madness but none perhaps quite so effective as love.”

The training swords are no longer wooden and the risks are even higher as Nona continues to train under the Sisters of Sweet Mercy. Scarred from her battle with Raymel, a devil has invaded her body, feeding off her anger and guilt. Every day is a battle over her emotions as the death of Hessa weighs heavily on Nona's shoulders. Blocked off from the site of Hessa's death by the Sisters, Nona explores the under caves determined to find another way in. What she will find when she revisits the site of Hessa's death will force her to flee the Convent of Sweet Mercy. Thrown back into the world, Nona must put her years of training with the Sisters to use as she becomes the hunted.

I do have to say there were a few moments I was confused in this book. The first few chapters with Nona introduced a cast of new characters in the Grey class and it took me a while to grasp the change of pace. The devil Keot, in particular, caught me by surprise and I thought I missed something from the previous book. I even went back through Mark's summary from Red Sister and the last few chapters, but no, he simply wasn't mentioned until book two.

I do appreciate how Mark Lawrence included a summary of all the important parts from Red Sister. I feel like this should be something that should become a norm for authors. I love rereading my favorites, but sometimes you just don't have the time and want to jump right into the newest book in a series.

I was surprised when Nona no longer became the only point of view the reader was allowed to follow. Sister Kettle takes front stage and has her own chapters in Grey Sister. Her path is dark, full of shadows and poisons. Seeing a Sister in action and being able to experience battle from Kettle's point of view was intense. Although I do have to admit towards the end, Nona and Kettle flip flop point of views mid-chapter a lot and it became a bit repetitive for me.

I completely expected another book with Nona staying in the Convent to train in her new class, but I should have known it wouldn't be so simple. Mark Lawrence has a tendency to throw expectations out the window. With Nona on the run, the book reached a whole new level of tension. Between Keot trying to make Nona kill everyone and her desperate battles against would be assassins, there is barely a page left without blood and violence. It is nonstop action. Even the courtroom scenes aren't spared from it all.

I can't wait to read Holy Sister, but at the same time, I don't want Nona's story to end.