Release Date: September 7th 2017

Published By: Harper Voyager

Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Purchase: Booktopia The Book Depository

Rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis: Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church hierarchy think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending the men who destroyed her familia; in fact, she’s told directly that Consul Scaeva is off limits. But after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia suspicions about the Red Church’s true motives begin to grow.

When it’s announced that Scaeva 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 him. 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 love 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: Godsgrave is the bloody and stabby sequel to Nevernight, and wow, did this book live up the expectations that the first book set!

Godsgrave was one my most anticipated releases of 2017. I loved Nevernight and I could not wait to delve back into this brutal world filled with blood and death, revenge and sacrifice. And holy shitballs this book was one dark and twisted rollercoaster!

Although Nevernight was the beginning of this series, Godsgrave delves right into the heart of the story. This, whilst a middle book, was a solid addition to the series with loads of things to keep you excited along the way.

Mia, although undeniably fierce, at times did annoy me with her single-mindedness. Normally when this happens it turns me off a character, but Jay masterfully spun this aspect on its head and made me root for Mia, even through my frustration, in hopes that she would learn, grow and develop. And while any growth didn’t happen immediately, it was done in a realistic manner that made me feel that any changes in Mia was well thought out and totally within character.

But while there were certainly moments when I felt frustrated at Mia, with her single vision and stubbornness. this a part of who she is, and I loved the fact that while she may (or may not) stay on the path she wants, she has physical, mental and emotional barriers thrown in front of her, and these she must overcome. There is no easy road to achieving her goals… will she achieve them, or will the goal posts change along the way?

For me this book was really about Mia’s journey. She has come a long way from the orphaned child talking to shadows… she has now achieved the first of her lifelong goals, becoming a member of the Red Church. Although this is only the beginning for Mia. There are a lot of challenges she must face being a member of the Red Church, some of which is although she has proven herself, she is still seen as not worthy. However is all as it seems to be amongst these assassins, or is there something deeper that is being hidden amongst the members of Our Lady of Blessed Murder.

We also get to see a lot of friends and foe that we love (or love to hate) in this sequel, but we also get to meet some fabulous new (and possibly murderous) characters. But friends and foes blur the lines in Godsgrave while Mia is challenged at every turn, everything she thinks she knows and wants will be brought into question. And this is probably one of my most favourite things about this story - Mia has to grow, to adapt, and that includes finding information or being in a new situation which will challenge her beliefs, her desires, her actions - or it has the potential too at the very least.

I will admit that I didn’t enjoy some of the relationships as much as I would have hoped. Some moved too fast, and others too slow.. but there were a lot of twisted environments and circumstances, so I don’t judge that too harshly. Some of these issues were resolved further into the story, while others may be resolved in the following book.

There are twists and turns through this book, some of which I saw coming and others that blew me away. There is never a dull moment on this journey, and wow are there some exciting times ahead in this series! (I won’t say any more due to spoilers).

And don’t fear, we still get the amazing footnotes in Godsgrave. These are something that I adore - they are filled with information, antidotes and laugh out loud moments.

This highly anticipated sequel is well thought out, action packed and it will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. It will throw twists at you and it will leave you hanging, or crying, or screaming, or all of the above.

Now, that ending! OMG! I didn’t know if I wanted to hug or slap (metaphorically) Jay for that ending. It was a killer… but not only did Jay cut your jugular open, he then rubbed salt into the wound. Bravo Jay, bravo! I cannot wait for the next book! We are in for a fun and bloody ride!

Godsgrave is plain badass. With phenomenal world-building and complex characters, this is one epic series! This dark and powerful story is filled with sacrifice, revenge, sarcasm, gore and talking shadows, political intrigue, plotting, deception, and lots of stabby stabby. Oh, and a MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER FOR US NEVERNIGHT FANS!!

Never flinch. Never fear. Never forget.

Oh god, how are we going to survive another year until the next book??? I need a Mr Kindly to make me feel better (although that’s not really his style, but he would be a good distraction).