Godsgrave Review & Discussion Video: Brutal and Bloody Gladiator Assassins

November 16, 2017 by Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | 5 stars, Books, Reviews

Godsgrave Review & Discussion Video: Brutal and Bloody Gladiator AssassinsGodsgrave by Jay Kristoff
Series: The Nevernight Chronicle #2
Published by Harper Voyager UK on September 7th 2017
Source: Publisher
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction
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A ruthless young assassin continues her journey for revenge in this new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

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.

Godsgrave is the sequel to Nevernight, the first book in The Nevernight Chronicle. This is a spoiler free review. 

What could be even more brutal than assassin school? Well my friends, I’ve learnt that there’s something even worse than killing people for coin.

And that’s killing people, for entertainment. In Godsgrave, Mia has moved on from the Red Church to bigger and better things. She’s now a gladiatii, fighting against a horde of terrifying beasts and gladiators with one intent – to kill and execute vengeance against the people who have wronged her.

She’s got a master plan and she’s not afraid to stick to it, despite all the mishaps, the fights, the surprises and the friends that she meets along the way. As we watch the scenes unfold, we’re never told how exactly she’s going to execute this plan. We’re witnesses to the terrifyingly practical mind of Mia, and she’s cold, calculated, but not without tinges of vulnerability.

Godsgrave is packed to the brim with brutal, bloody fight scenes, as we’ve come to expect from Jay Kristoff. Having read Nevernight, I felt so anxious while reading this book, wondering what she was going to do. Wondering who was going to die. Wondering whether the people she had met along the way, were going to stab her or betray her.

It’s also filled with hilariously distracting footnotes sprinkled throughout the chapters that are mostly irrelevant to Mia’s story. And yes, there are also a heap of detailed sexy scenes, which I wouldn’t recommend reading on public transport *awkward*.

She’d grown up inside books. No matter how dark life became, shutting out the hurt was as easy as opening a cover. A child of murdered parents and a failed rebellion, she’d still walked in the boots of scholars and warriors, queens and conquerors.

While I struggled with the flowery language in Nevernight, I found Godsgrave to be easier to follow, whether it’s because we’ve come to expect it or because it felt more succinct. It’s like everything that we know and we’ve come to expect from the first book, is woven in naturally here and expanded upon. From characters that we’ve met, to something that Mia might have thought in the past, to her childhood and scenes at the Red Church…it’s all here.

Also I kind of love how Mia’s daemons will please both lovers of dogs and cats – Mister Kindly, the brusque, sarcastic cat and Eclipse, the loyal, enthusiastic wolf that has a penchant for brutality.

Godsgrave’s twists and turns also left my mouth hanging open at certain points. I didn’t see them coming at all. When you reach the end of the book you’ll feel so incredibly frustrated that you’ll want to throw the book at the wall. In a good way, of course.

Godsgrave is an absolutely brilliant sequel to Nevernight and it’s even more brutal, bloody, sarcastic and glorious. It’s one of those books that you’ll want to re-read upon finishing the last pages, just to see the complex plot woven together now that you’re thoroughly warned. CAN WE HAVE THE NEXT BOOK NOW?

Rating: 5 out of 5

Thanks to HarperVoyager for sending me this book in exhange for an honest review.

Godsgrave is available from Australian bookstores for RRP$34.99.

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Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Tiktok@happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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6 responses to “Godsgrave Review & Discussion Video: Brutal and Bloody Gladiator Assassins

  1. I was honestly so torn about whether I enjoyed Nevernight or Godsgrave more, they’re both surprisingly different with each year bringing a new chapter to Mia’s life. I don’t know why but I expected a resurrection (I think I found it hard to believe what happened in Nevernight). Mia is such a champion for readers though isn’t she! As brutal as she is, she’s driven by emotion, passion and even compassion. I still need to review this one but just can’t find the words. Awesome review Jeann, bring on book three! <3
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    • I KNOW! They were both so good but in their own way. I’m not surprised when people are saying that they loved Godsgrave more though. Definitely love Mia’s character especially how she played out over Godsgrave! Thank you lovely!

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