Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for giving me access to an advance copy to review!

Ms Rogerson can commit no sin in my eyes, and this was no different. While this doesn't have the same warm/cozy vibe that her previous two books did, I adored Vespertine.

Artemisia is a socially anxious, traumatised, outcast who is just looking for a quiet life, when she suddenly finds herself at the centre into the Lady's plans to defend Loraille from an enemy everyone thought long dead. I had never read a protagonist quite like Artemisia before, and I really enjoyed seeing her grow and change throughout the book. I also really like how her interactions with other characters develop as the story progresses, as you see Artemisia come out of her shell a little bit. Combined with the religious imagery, the French-esque setting, and Silas-esque companion to Artemisia, Vespertine was a slightly darker but equally as lovely read. I cannot wait to see where Rogerson goes with the rest of the series!

CW: child abuse, death/violence, ritual self-harm