Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

4.5 (8)
$12.99

Product details

Web ID: 15416089

An international Bestseller. From the New York Times bestselling author of Sorcery of Thorns and An Enchantment of Ravens comes a thrilling, and dark coming-of-age adventure and (Cultures) about a teen girl with mythic abilities who must defend her world against restless spirits of the dead. The spirits of the dead do not rest. Artemisia is training to be a Gray Sister, a nun who cleanses the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on, otherwise, they will rise as ravenous, hungry spirits. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who whisper about her scarred hands and troubled past. When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia defends it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint's relic. It is a revenant, a malevolent being whose extraordinary power almost consumes her but death has come, and only a vespertine, a priestess trained to wield a high relic, has any chance of stopping it. with all knowledge of vespertines lost to time, Artemisia turns to the last remaining expert for help- the revenant itself. As she unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, Artemisia discovers that facing this hidden evil might require her to betray everything she believes if the revenant doesn't betray her first.

  • Product Features

    • Suggested age range- 14-18 Years
    • Format- Paperback
    • Dimensions- 5. 5" W x 8. 3" H x 1. 2" D
    • Genre- Fiction
    • Publisher- Margaret K. McElderry Books, Publication date- 11-01-2022
    • Page count- 416
    • ISBN- 9781534477124
  • Shipping & Returns

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    • For complete details, see our Shipping and Returns policies.

Ratings & Reviews

4.5/5

8 star ratings & reviews

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1 year ago

Dark and captivating

I am the type of reader that doesn’t often get totally sucked into a book, and if I’m not feeling it 100% I simply can’t finish it. I was immediately hooked as soon as I opened Vespertine’s cover, however, and couldn’t put it down! The characters, their development, the dialogue (especially between Artemisia & the revenant), the plot & its twists, the spooky/dark themes… it was all fantastic. This was the first book I have read by this author but now her other works are at the top of my tbr list!

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from PA

Amazing book!

Truly one of the best books. Rogerson does it again in a similar vein to Sorcery of Thorns with this dark twist on religion and fantasy. If the reader takes a deeper dive into the analytical behind this book, they will find that it is a very good representation of mental illness and disability portrayed in the form of a hero fighting her demons and falling into friendship with them. The emotion is raw. The actions are realistic. This quickly became one of my top 10 favorites.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago

Confusing

This book was so confusing to me. But kept my interest

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago

Obsessed

I would viciously ugly cry for a second book and a third? I would simply transcend. I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did but let me just say, wow.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from NC

Be Careful Nun

Margaret Rogerson builds a fascinating world of spirits and monsters in Vespertine. Artemisia has had a violent past, and just wants to live in the peace of the Gray Sister convent. Except there are unrestful spirits stirring. When possessed soldiers attack, she has no choice but to seek help from a revenant of unspeakable power, one with a voice of its own. Together with new friends, they must uncover a deadly plot that threatens everyone. Margaret Rogerson builds her world quickly, setting up the lore of expelling and capturing spirits. It is these powerful captured spirits called revenants that help dispel dangerous uncontrolled spirits. The action picks up quickly as Artemisia is taken away from safety, where she must make a choice to stay passive or to fight. Which is an incredible challenge for her to overcome. As she must face her own character, and past trauma, in order to find the strength to face an overwhelming evil. Artemisia is a quiet character who still feels the effects of the trauma of her past. Which makes her seem a bit frightening with her scarred hands, standoffish nature, and weak social skills. She feels like an outcast and becoming the legendary Vespertine, the protector, is a challenge she is not prepared for. Artemisia’s strengths lie in her empathy with others. She readily understands the value of revenants as beings even when her previous notions are challenged. Despite her social difficulties, the physical cost, and past trauma she is willing to fight for the wellbeing of others. She finds loyal friends in people she would not otherwise have met. Artemisia’s willingness to fight for those who frighten, and do not understand her is what makes this book impressive. Even through her personal struggles she finds that others still value her as a friend, as she learns to value them. With an added bonus of a mystery villain, and exciting conclusion.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from NOVELty Reads

Dark, Gothic and Mysterious

Margaret Rogerson weaves a fantastic and enriching tale filled with darkness, power and mystery. The book follows novice nun Artemisia as she awakens an old, powerful Revenant to save her convent from evil. With a dark and gothic aesthetic, this book provided the high stakes action I've come to expect from this author. I believe if you like fiction on the darker and mysterious side, you can expect to enjoy Vespertine.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from San Francisco, CA

Amazing dark standalone fantasy

Loved this standalone fantasy! It’s dark, atmospheric, and also heartwarming. I related to Artemisia’s anxiety around people and I loved watching her begin to trust others. There are a couple friendship arcs in this that really filled my heart with that good ache. The world is complex and can be a little confusing at times, but I still felt immersed in the world. I love the author’s writing and it really shines in Vespertine. I felt like I was walking alongside our characters as they navigate damp and dark tunnels, traverse forests, explore grand cathedrals, and so much more. This was a fast moving plot with lots of action and turns while still being character led. I especially loved our Revenant. The whole possession concept was executed so well. Artemisia and the Revenant’s interactions were both hilarious and heartwarming. I loved how sassy and blunt they were each other. They added the much needed comic relief to an otherwise dark and heavy fantasy that’s full of things like blood rituals, torture, murder, possession, ghosts, heavy religious themes, depression, trauma, panic attacks, and more. Also for all the romantics, there is no romance in this book. While I personally would have liked to see a very small romantic subplot, but it does not lack at all for not including a romance. And I love that we have a YA fantasy with no romance since there are many readers looking for these.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago

Action packed

Doesn’t waste time getting into the action. Fast paced the whole way through. Stands on its own but I think there is a possibility for a series. Will 100% read more by M. R.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com