Thank you NetGalley and Simon Teen for a digital ARC of Vespertine!

Do you like those videos of unlikely animal friendships? If yes, check out this book for an unlikely dynamic duo between a powerful spirit and the untrained nun that ends up as its vessel.

Loraille is a world full of spirits. Those with the Sight are able to see them but are also susceptible to possession. Thus, children found with the ability are raised under the protection of the Clerisy and taught to use this ability to protect the world from spirits. Found late, Artemisia spent her childhood possessed. Now 17 and training to be a Grey Sister, she struggles with PTSD and anxiety. Despite Artemesia’s struggles, she is incredibly compassionate. When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, she summons a powerful spirit, a Revenant, to save everyone. Unable to return the Revenant to its relic, Artemisia strikes an alliance with it to uncover who is controlling the growing number of spirits in Loraille.

While I wasn’t totally invested in the plot, the atmosphere was great with its dark, gothic feel and interesting magic system. What really kept me engrossed was Artemesia’s character. Her journey from shy, solitary nun to someone who was beginning to appreciate not only those around her but her own self-worth was heartwarming. I especially loved reading the evolution of her relationship with the Revenant. Their conversations provided both humor and healing. Overall, this book was not what I expected, but in a good way. Vespertine is most definitely a ghost story but it’s Artemesia’s mental health journey that really shines through.

I truly enjoyed this book! Like all of Margaret Rogerson's books I found it very easy to read and follow along with the story. I don't think I've ever read a book with 2 MC's like the ones in this book

I don't think I've ever read a book where one of the main characters is inside the others head and not to mention an ancient spirit - who dare I say is pretty funny lol

Over all I liked this book as with all of Margaret's books and if she ever decided to revisit this world I would be interested in reading it for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Oh my god. Look, I love Rogerson's books. I love that she has Charlie Bowater illustrate the covers. I saw this and was like OH MY GOD THE COVER. A DUOLOGY. LETS GO. Then I was like SPOOKY SEASON BOOK. And then it kept getting hyped up...and I got the ARC. I am not disappointed.

Artemisia (also hello the NAME) is a nun. Who can see spirits. And prefers the dead to the living. And was possessed for a bit....and then finds herself a companion in the form of the highest level of spirit -- the revenant -- who turns out to be a sarcastic ally (and friend?) throughout the book. I absolutely loved the world building in this and the character development is *chefs kiss* Artemisia wielding the Revenant's powers? Amazing. I can't wait for the next book to see her become a Vespertine.

The plot twist? holy heck. I did not see it coming. I was for sure believing what had been set out and then BAM the twist. The writing was stunning and the imagery is BEAUTIFUL.

4.5/5 only because it did take me a while to get into it, but I have no regrets. BEAUTIFUL (and spooky) read.

Like all of Margaret Rogerson's books, what struck me most about this was how absolutely vivid the world she created was. The setting itself, yes, but also the spirits, the magic...

And of course, the people.

Artemisia is such a wonderful character, I adore her with every fiber of my being. And the revenant...I would die for her revenant without hesitation. The friendship that grows between them is just...oh my god. The author once described this book as a medieval Venom, and it is exactly that. The relationship between Artemisia and her revenant is gloriously well done, it grows so organically that it feels absolutely true to read.

The side characters, too, we so incredibly well crafted and brought so much to the story. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing where certain characters go in future books......

And the plot! So interesting! I don't think I've ever read a similar sort of story and that's always so much fun. A lot of this book was set-up and explanation, but it never felt that way. Again, the author manages to introduce concepts and magic and sinister happenings so beautifully organically, and if there's any sort of info-dumping, it certainly never read that way to me.

I also need to say: may all the gods bless Margaret Rogerson, because there was no romance in this. It absolutely didn't need it, and it was like a breath of fresh air to have a book that was focused on plot and developing relationships that wouldn't end up with kissing. I don't know if she plans to keep Artemisia romance-free, but I definitely got aro-ace vibes off her, and honestly I'm living for a character like this. There aren't enough, especially main characters.

Finally, I enjoyed the way this book was incredibly self-contained, but left just enough of an opening for more. Not all trilogies do this well, and I love it when they do. It's hard to wait for next installments and cliffhangers are the worst!

Vespertine is the first installment in author Margaret Rogerson's Vespertine duology. This is a story that takes place in a place called Loraille. Artemisia of Naimes 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 spirits with a ravenous hunger for the living. She would rather deal with the dead than the living, who trade whispers about her scarred hands and troubled past. All Gray Sisters are required to go through Evaluation.

This evaluation is done by Confessor Leander who sees something in Artemisia that makes her different from others. Another interesting dynamic; She has an upsetting history of trauma during her childhood when she was possessed by an Ashgrim spirit which is one of the Second Order spirits found below. When her convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, Artemisia defends it by awakening an ancient spirit bound to a saint’s relic. It is one of the Seven Revenants named Rathanael, a malevolent being that threatens to possess her the moment she drops her guard.

Wielding its extraordinary power almost consumes her—but death has come to Loraille, 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. Vespertine’s haven’t been around for years. Artemisia must now fight to work with and not be possessed by the revenant while they search for and fight the dark forces plaguing Loraille.

As she unravels a sinister mystery of saints, secrets, and dark magic, her bond with the revenant grows. Among politics and power-hungry people, war, and a threat that may consume her world, Artemisia and the Revenant, try to navigate into discovering who may be the true villain and that sometimes magic is not always bad or good. And holiness may hide a part of true villainy.

Artemisia is not described as beautiful, she's not skilled with a weapon, she doesn't have any special powers, except when combine with the Revenant. On the contrary, she's shy, traumatized by the sequels of childhood possession and abuse, socially anxious, physically scarred, and a recluse. She's basically lost everyone she's known, including the sisters of the convent when it is attacked and destroyed by possessed soldiers. Her banter with Rathanael is entertaining. He's as dangerous as any of his peers but not as malevolent, and he has the tongue of the most sarcastic and grumpy spirit you're going to find.

The Hierarchy of Spirits:

First order: The order of the innocents. Shade, Wisp.

Second Order: Souls lost to the forces of nature. Gaunt- death by famine; Frostfain - death by exposure; Undine - death by drowning. Ashgrim - death by fire.

Third Order: Souls lost to illness and disease. Feverling - death by fever; Witherking - death by wasting; Wretchling - death by flux; Blight Wraith - death by pestilence

Fourth Order: Souls lost to violence. Rivener- death by battle; Fury - death by murder; Penitent - death by execution; White Vicar - death of a slain cleric.

Fifth Order: The Seven Revenants:

Cimeliarch, the Bright

Architrave, the Dim

Cathethal, the Mad

Oremus, the Lost

Sarathiel, the Obscured

Malthas, the Hollow

Rathanael, the Scorned

I've been told that this is the first book in a duology, but I also felt like it did a fantastic job on standing on it's own. There are still threads left to be pulled on, but the conclusion is still a firm conclusion.

A relatively slow-paced, but super interesting story. I was drawn in by Artemisia's character right away. Training to be a nun, they are attacked by possessed soldiers and she ends up binding herself to a revenant to save her convent.
Let me just say the banter between Artemisia and the Revenant is actually endearing. The Revenant reminds me of a grumpy old man and I am here for it. I laughed out loud several times listening to its ramblings inside her head. Seriously, I could not get enough of them.
But... I digress... Artemisia becomes a saintly figure to the people because she is the only one to be a Vespertine in such a long time. So now it is upon her shoulders to defeat the evil raging across her lands without becoming a victim to the Revenant herself.
I will say that I tend to prefer a lot more action in my books, and while there were several high action moments, a lot of times it was just Artemisia and the Revenant along on their journey trying to figure out how to stop the evil from spreading. So instead of this being an all consuming, binge read, can't put down like I have found most of Margaret's other books, this was more of a leisurely tale that I could savor.

I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to seeing where this story leads to next.

I enjoyed this book, and I think the author's description of Venom with medieval nuns sums up the gist pretty well. I'm really glad that there wasn't any sort of romance between Artemesia and the revenant she was sharing her body with because that would have been too much, but I appreciated how they did build a mutually beneficial relationship, and you could tell the revenant did care about her in its own way.

I would recommend this book to fans of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series.

* I received an e-ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.*

Vespertine is the first book in a new duology from Margaret Rogerson that takes place in a world where spirits are used as weapons. The book follows Artemisia, who has been training to become a “Gray Sister” or nun. When dark forces attack the convent where she lives, she finds herself behind bestowed with a powerful relic. Relics are items that hold spirits. People with the Sight can use the relics, which have specific powers based on the type of spirit trapped within.

Forced into a journey she never planned for, Artemisia must step out of her comfort zone to save her kingdom. Saddled with a snarky Revenant, she has to make a truce with it to keep it from possessing her. They must learn to work together to stop an enemy that threatens them both. If they can’t, the world is doomed.

Overall I really enjoyed Vespertine. The relationship between Artemisia and the Revenant was awesome. I loved their banter. The world building was great as well. While at times it seemed wordy, the story progressed nicely. There is a lot of action in this book. Im looking for to reading the sequel.

Margaret Rogerson's newest book, Vespertine, is a fun and heartfelt adventure story that her fans will love. The characters were interesting well rounded, and you quickly grew to care about them. It was also refreshing to have a YA fantasy novel that had no romance but instead focused on friendship and learning to trust each other and not make judgments or underestimate people. I was sad when this book ended and wanted to continue following the adventures of the nun and revenant!
4.5 stars

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson will be published on October 5, 2021.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an eARC of this book.

It's been awhile since I've read a book that involves a character being possessed by some sort of supernatural being and being able to control and communicate with it. While it's not a new concept at all, I definitely enjoyed it here. The revenant is a mean grumpy creature that is all powerful, but has to put up with a strong female character who talks her way into getting the revenant to do what she wants it to do. Overtime it is gradually revealed that said grumpy spirit actually has a bit of a heart and starts to care for his vessel, providing advice to keep her healthy and interfering when it will keep her alive. It's a little predicable as others I've read like this are similar, but it is just cute, you know?

I also really enjoyed all the spooky vibes of this book. It deals with spirits that can possess others. There is a hierarchy to the spirits that designates their strengths and abilities. The atmosphere is chilling-- crypts are explored, the nuns themselves have to cleanse the dead souls, and old magic is being used to control an army of spirits. Really it's a great book to read around Halloween.

The characters are all well-developed. I especially liked the relationships that are crafted amongst them. Not only in Artemisia and her spirits, but also with some of the side characters-- the nuns, some people she saves, and her friends.

There was some slight pacing issues with some parts of the story seeming slow and not really important, but overall it adds to the new world Ms. Rogerson is trying to create. I'm looking forward to the next installment. It is a lot different from the author's other works, so if you like her work, just expect something new here; it is her first series after all. I also recommend this if you're looking for a YA fantasy that has a spooky setting and doesn't focus on romance (at least not in this first installment).

Thank you to the publisher for providing a free eARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This was really interesting! It was a bit hard to get into throughout the book, really, but once I reached maybe like half way through it picked up a little bit?? My favorite part of the book was really the bickering between the revenant and artemesia. It was just really entertaining and watching them sort of bonding throughout the book was interesting. I do wish that there was more involvement of other characters like more dialogue with them, I feel like a lot of the book was just her mind and I could've enjoyed more background into certain things. Other than that a really entertaining book! And I didn't really mind the lack of romance, which is something I usually like in fantasy books, but this book didn't need it and it wasn't missing at all.

I loved this book. I was slow to get into it but I really enjoyed the world, and the main character Artemesia. All of the characters felt incredibly real and I loved how slowly all of their motivations were revealed. The way this author handled a lot of difficult topics also struck a chord with me. I'm very much looking forward to book two. Siiiigh. I wish I had waited until they were both out to read book one because now I'm going to be impatient for two years. Also, the author herself describes it as medieval venom, and that is a great description.

Margaret Rogerson has rapidly become a buzzy name in the world of YA fantasy, though her latest novel, Vespertine, is just her third book. Her previous novels, An Enchantment of Ravens and Sorcery of Thorns are both fantastic reads in their own rights, with complex heroines, rich world-building, and unconventional plots. But Vespertine is far and away Rogerson's best work yet, a dark coming-of-age adventure about faith, belief, and morality in many forms. It's one of the best books you'll read this fall - and probably in all of 2021.

Vespertine is the story of Artemisia, once possessed by a vengeful spirit and now doing her best to go unnoticed in the world. For someone with the Sight and the ability to sense unblessed spirits, this is a challenge. Artemisia’s plans are foiled when disaster strikes the convent that has been her refuge. Given a relic that contains a powerful spirit known as a revenant, Artemisia must quickly learn how to control and communicate with it. As she attempts to stop great evil from occurring, Artemisia’s beliefs about the revenants will be challenged. With unlikely alliances, Artemisia and the revenant must work together to discover why someone has been using forbidden magic.

Vespertine felt significantly different from Margaret Rogerson’s other books and is likely my favorite one yet. It is clear that she has an incredible storytelling range. The world-building is immersive and well designed. There are lots of intricate details about the hierarchy of spirits, the history of the relics, and the rules of revenants. The pacing was excellent; it felt like there was never a dull moment. Artemisia is a strong and brave heroine who has already faced many horrors in her life. It was captivating to watch her attempt to control the revenant and establish a wary connection with them. The revenant was my favorite character, they had such witty dialogue. I’m excited to learn even more about the revenant and what the future holds for their partnership in the sequel.

If you enjoyed Robin LaFevers’ Grave Mercy (minus the romance), you would love Vespertine! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about brave heroines, vengeful spirits, and intricate world-building. I can’t wait for the sequel! Vespertine releases October 5, 2021. Thank you so much to Margaret Rogerson, Margaret K. McElderberry Books, Simon & Schuster, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For the publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble etc

I was very excited for this book because I adored The Sorcery of Thorns and fell in love with the authors writing in that book. After reading this, that is still my favorite book that she’s ever written. I had a lot of hopes for this book and was really looking forward to it, but it fell short of my expectations and sadly it wasn’t more than a three star read. That being said I was informed by the agent that the arc and final copy have some major changes, at least at is what she told me. With that in mind once the book comes out, I plan to pick it up and read it. I’m hoping that whatever changes were made will change my mind and that I will enjoy it more in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this to review! Margaret Rogerson writes some great fantasy, and I was excited to get to this one. I mean, just look at the cover! It definitely looks absolutely promising.

Unfortunately, I found the book overall difficult to get into. Even though Rogerson is a master at world building, there was something lacking in the character development. The relationship between the revenant and Artemisia was probably the most interesting thing about the book, but it wasn’t enough to fully connect me to the story. I just wanted more overall.

While I appreciate when fantasies don’t have romances, I think this one could have benefited from that. Fleshing out the characters would have helped to get me more engaged in the story. One of the things that I couldn’t necessarily figure out was Artemisia’s motivation for everything. Having that motivation would have helped in making the story more engaging.

Even though I couldn’t connect to the characters, I did appreciate all of the detail that Rogerson put into the world building. There were so many interesting little details that helped in creating this captivating world.

All in all, while this wasn’t quite the book I wanted, fans of Rogerson’s writing will still find something to like.

Possessed by an ashgrim, a soul who died by fire, as a child, Artemis has found refuge with the GraySiisters who exorcised her and trained her in tending the dead. .. When possessed soldiers attack her convent she takes the relic of the Revenant Rathanael from the dying prioress. Becoming the Revenant's vessel she saves many. In the following weeks the battle between Old Magic demons and humanity wages on. Artemis is revered as a Vespertine, a saint who wields a Holy Relic. . This was a slow yet interesting read for me as I had difficulty grasping the unique religion and magic system... The well drawn characters and developing relationships were the most rewarding aspects. I was fascinated with the relationship between Artemis and the revenant as they became partners rather than possessed and possessor. Others became unexpected allies in the battle for good..I would have appreciated more backstory about the revenants and initial battles but overall this was a good different fantasy. Artemis begins as an unlikely heroine but grows into a very memorable character.

This book hooked me right away, lost me for a hot minute, and then had me absolutely hooked again. I had some trouble reading Artemisia as a believable character. At first. Her temperament is distressing and somber, but I will say that Rogerson did a good job of keeping the tone of the story lighter with this type of narrator. I will say, that I also read the acknowledgements, as I think we all should, and it takes a special willpower to create something meaningful during hard times. And after finishing this story, I really do find this book meaningful. The relationship between Artemisia and the revenant is written so well. There are definitely some heavy topics, beware, but they're done with grace and I did find myself chuckling a bit at the dialogue and interactions of the two characters. There isn't romance, and as someone who LOVES a tad of romance in books, it was somehow refreshing. I love good character growth. I was waiting for the MCs big moment and I got it. What more could I ask for??? Also... what absolutely spectacular cover art!

Folks, she's done it again.
She was already on my watch list, but with this book, Margaret Rogerson is firmly on my "whatever-she-puts-out-I'm-reading-it" short stack. The world-building, the complex relationships with religion, the broken but morally stalwart heroines, the *swoon* damaged and darkly brooding, is-he-the-villain-or-a-hero antagonists -- her control of story elements in all her books is just *chef's kiss* fabulous.

Vespertine is action from the getgo, despite the setting of a medieval country convent in a fantasy-world version of what I'm assuming is France (Naimes and Roischal are not real places, to my knowledge, but I wish they were).
Artemisia ('scuse me while I steal that name forever), a novice nun and our heroine, immediately does battle with a spirit, which in this world is always the more-or-less corrupted soul of a dead person, in the dank catacombs of her convent. Kay. Shortly after this, we begin to realize Artemisia is not an average gal of 17; she has experienced -- and enacted -- things already in her life that cause her to be ostracized, feared, and scorned by her peers. Loneliness, however, seems to suit her. Whatever you want to label her, Artemisia's mental resting state means that she is perfectly fine, or at least content, being alone.

Some more things happen, driving the plot inexorably and un-put-downably forward(view spoiler). Once the initial shockwave of all this subsides, Artemisia and the spirit set off on the quest that is the book's primary plot. There's a confessor (priest) of questionable integrity; blighted, wasted countryside towns overrun with spirits; battles with savage ghouls; booby-trapped crypts; and honestly, very little romance, which is going to be a relief for a niche of fantasy readers who are A) perhaps younger or B) just not into all the biting, growling, and purring that others may be.

Artemisia is focused. (view spoiler)
She is also kind. Truly kind. While she is quirky, and blunt, and some of her other characteristics set her apart and keep her alone, she is never cruel. She constantly sees the good in others, and tries to help, in her way, wherever she can. She is self-sacrificing to a fault.

Another huge component of this story is Artemisia's relationship to her religion and her Divinity, the Blessed Lady. Whether or not you are a religious person, I think the emotional and spiritual struggles Artemisia goes through are, in a sense, universal. "Am I seeing signs because I want to or because they are real?" "Why do people do bad things?" "What causes suffering?" "Why am I here?"
The religious framework in the book is strongly reminiscent of Catholicism (but not, I felt, in a disrespectful or making-light way), from the pageantry and formality of ceremony to the existence of the Nuns and Brothers in their cloisters and convents to the single divinity. In this world, Old Magic was a practice that used to exist, but was outlawed as abhorrent to the Lady, and ravens are her chosen guardian/messenger/icon. Saints are revered for their self-sacrifice and successful battles against evil.

Something I love about this book -- and about all Margaret Rogerson's work, really -- is her head-on grappling with good and evil. In all three of her novels so far, the heroines have been taught, have been raised, to loathe and combat evil in one way or another. And they do, and they're good at it. But throughout their stories, evil never ends up looking quite the way they expected it would. I just.. I just love that so hard. Too often, we as people are willing to ascribe "good" and "bad" to groups as a whole. Too often we ignore the individuals that comprise a demographic or a unit and label the whole shebang as "right" or "wrong." Good and evil exist, but if only knowing which is which was always so black and white as we'd like to believe!
Artemisia, for good or for ill, and probably in large part because of the way her brain works (logically, unemotionally, stubbornly), drops the willful blindness of her sect in favor of discerning truth. Eventually she is willing to commit what is considered heresy, because ultimately that is what will serve the will of the Lady and do good. *internal wince* I mean. AH. This is such sticky territory, especially for a young adult audience, but I think Rogerson just absolutely nails it, handling the entire thing with finesse and gentility, while staying honest about the difficulty that seeking truth presents for our hearts and souls. It is easier to just walk in lock-step. But it's not always right.

10/10 recommend this book; I made note of several quotes on the DRC I received in exchange for my honest review (thank you, NetGalley) but will refrain from posting any until the final copy is released next month, except this one, because it just socked me in the gut:

I could easily imagine how Eugenia must have felt, willing to make any sacrifice in her despair. "That couldn't have been what the Lady wanted her to do."
"Are you so certain? Even if you're right, it was done in Her name. In the end, for you humans, does that make so very great a difference?"


Get yourself a copy of this from your local indie bookseller or library. Or, if you're a book collector or feeling as excited as I am, check out Owlcrate or Fairyloot's special editions (#notsponsored).

A SFF thriller in which a young woman must make a deal with the spirit trying to possess her, figure out what is going on with all of the newly dead and possessed who are attacking the living, and clear up some conspiracies. The influences of Garth Nix, Tamsyn Muir, and Lois McMaster Bujold are very clear in Vespertine, but it's a fun read and has plenty of original twists and details.