DNF @ 25%. This just wasn't for me. I've tired her other books as well and couldn't get into them either. Definitely a me thing and think if you enjoyed her other books you'll really like this one!

I loved this book. It was my first experience of Margaret Rogerson's writing and I'll be immediately prioritizing her other books after this.

The world building and the character development/personalities were so fantastic. I especially loved the sass of the Revenant and the overall relationship between her and Artemisia. I liked that this book didn't have romance as well. It wouldn't have fit with Artemisia's development and there's really something to be said about just a good story that isn't driven by two people falling in love.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the e-Arc.

I've read 2 of Margaret Rogerson's 3 books now (already planning on reading the third) and I love how familiar and comforting they feel. The worlds and characters are different, but similar in theme and the way her writing makes you feel. They're comfortable and warm - despite the subject matter in this one.
I loved this story and the character of Artemisia. Her struggles and anxieties felt so real and I loved how they were handled and written.
I'm also usually such a sucker for romance and look for people to ship at every opportunity, but I actually liked how this book had no romance. It was the relationships that were important, the connections made with other people, not romantic love - at least not yet. And I liked how the book ended, leaving the story open for more while also not leaving any major cliffhangers.
The only thing I will say is that I almost didn't read this book because of the description - it's a little confusing and made me wary of diving in, but it is a hard book to describe and once I started reading I was hooked!

I fell in love with Margaret Rogerson's writing when I first read Sorcery of Thorns. Naturally, I dove at the chance to read Vespertine. This is the start of a new series of the same name and guys? I'm already counting down the days for the next release.

Artemisia has not had what one would call a happy life. Yet, she's found a semblance of peace among the Gray Sisters. She's in training to become one, where she will help cleanse the bodies of the dead and provide final rights to those that have passed on.

This is one of very few paths for those such as Artemisia. For she has the sight, and all with the sight are vulnerable to possession. Yet one event is about to change the course of Artemisia's life, as she steps up to defend her convent and those within.

"Sometimes, if you want to save other people, you need to remember to save yourself first."

So there were a lot of reasons why I was desperate to get my hands on Vespertine. First, that title and cover! Second, obviously at this point, I'm going to read anything written by Margaret Rogerson. It's just a fact. And finally? Rogerson herself described Vespertine as a "medieval Venom starring a nun and a ghost." Yes, please!

Vespertine was somehow everything and nothing like what I expected. It was even better. Artemisia's story is so compelling that it's easy to be curious about her and her past even right from the start.

Throw in ghosts and the risk of possession? And suddenly, this story just got a whole lot bigger. I love how Rogerson played around with classic storytelling elements and some ideas from the church. Concerns about good versus evil, possession, and saintliness. It made for an interesting mixture, to say the least.

While reading, it was easy to feel the Joan of Arc vibes. Obviously, there are a few significant twists in this narrative, but the fantasy elements made the whole story stronger if you ask me. And that's coming from somebody who hardly read novels with a strong religious backdrop.

I can tell you with complete honesty that I fell in love with Vespertine and every little detail within. Especially the character development – and no, I'm not just referring to the humans in this case. It was such a delightful surprise, yet one that was very much necessary for this plot.

Here's hoping we'll get news on the sequel soon because I am dying (no pun intended) to learn more. I want more lore, character development, and this world as a whole. In short, I want more of all of it.

Well. It's been a little bit since I hated reading something. Guess it was bound to happen again. I'm just surprised it was a Rogerson book seeing as I enjoyed Enchantment of Ravens and Sorcery of Thorns.

So are there things I'm going to dissect and give you reasons for why I thought this book was a damn slog? Nah. It was just one of those that was 100% not for me. I didn't like the characters, I didn't like the plot, I found the world really confusing, and I could almost feel my brain making the decision to reject absorbing any of it because it was boring as hell.

But you know what? I'm in the minority here. It has high ratings. So maybe you'll love it. I just really really really did not and felt relieved when I got to the end.

Thank you so much to Margaret K. McElderry Books and Netgalley for providing an e-arc copy. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

This is going to be a super short and sweet review because honestly I just don't have many thoughts on this book... It was well written, action packed, and had lots of dark but impactful themes. But in the end, I just never felt connected to the story and therefore don't have many strong opinions about it overall.

If you're a fantasy reader and are looking for an action packed story with no romance, I would highly recommend this one. There is no romantic relationships throughout this book but there are some amazing platonic relationships explored. And that was honestly my favorite aspect of this story.

This follows a heroine who is sharing the body with a spirit as well as building a friendship with someone she never saw as friendly. And I really enjoyed the exploration of relationships outside romantic ones. I thought Rogerson did a fantastic job exploring kindness and humanity as well as friendship and trust.

But because I never felt emotionally connected to the characters, I never ended up feeling overly invested in the plot. Despite it being very action packed, I just felt like I was always watching from the outside, never feeling invested in the outcome. Things always seemed to work out really conveniently, so the stakes never felt high despite the otherwise dire situation.

Overall I enjoyed the story but it's just not one that is going to stick with me long term. I think Margaret Rogerson has amazing range as a YA fantasy author and I can't wait to see what she releases next. This one just wasn't my favorite of hers.

This was really good, the characters were fun and the plot was interesting, The only problem I had was the fact that I was reading it when I had a ton of college things to do and I forgot a ton of the details. I would reread this again because what I do remember I really liked.

Vespertine is a fascinating world full of multilevel sprits (their spirit personality depended on their manor of death), relic wielding nuns, and vengeful high spirits. The book had a slow start but once the story got going things pick up to an interesting pace. My favorite part of this book was the development of the relationship between Artemisia and her in house revenant.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.

Not sure why I for this ARC way after release date. I happen to have already read it by then. This book was one I was greatly looking forward to... however it was a disappointment. The author is great at side characters, I'll give her that.

This was my first book by Margaret Rogerson and it certainly will not be my last! I enjoyed every moment with this story and I’m so excited to see where it goes next! I really enjoyed the lore Rogerson created in her story as well as the depiction of such strong female characters. The found family and the character growth was amazing to see as well. Typically I need a book to have romance for enjoy it (that’s just a personal preference) but even though there was no romance plot in this story it was so remarkable It really didn’t need romance to keep my attention!

Could not recommend this one enough!

Vespertine packs in the action, drama, darkness, lore, and more to create a whirling dark tale for YA fans. This is a wild ride for readers, with twists and turns coming from every direction in the dark.

Artemisia of Naimes is one of the Gray Sisters, and her dream is to stay and tend the dead forever. However, life has other plans for her. She ends up becoming linked to a revenant, and must figure out where the Old Magic is coming from before disaster and tragedy occur.

This was easily one of my favorite books that I've read all year. I enjoyed Artemisia as a heroine, because she was so real. She had times where she was afraid, but her thoughts were pragmatic and even in danger, she did not hesitate to harm herself in order to save others. She is witty, self deprecating, but also quite insightful. She is a main character that I admire wholeheartedly.

The magic system was simple, yet detailed, and was interwoven perfectly with the religious aspects of the novel. I really enjoyed the interactions between Artemisia and the other characters, especially the revenant. I definitely will be preordering the sequel the instant it is announced!

Oh. MY. GOSHHHHHHH! I adore Margaret Rogerson and she has done it again.

The only thing I would change is WHERE IS MY MAP. I WANT A MAP. THIS FANTASY LAND DESERVES A MAP. WHERE IS MY MAP!? PLEASE!!!!!!

Most fantasies have either a feudal system/ monarchy (like ALL of them) or sometimes a democracy.

But not this one.

This has a CLERISY.

A what did you say? A clerisy. Kinda like if the Vatican ran a bigger country. All those with The Sight are conscripted to a monastery or a nunnery. There they are trained to fight the undead using bound spirits. The have censers and knives and saints and and the world building is ON POINT. A lot was borrowed from the catholic church, it also takes place in a fictional version of France? The land has similarities to France.

Um also can i say? THERE'S LIKE NO ROMANCE-- currently. There is more to this story and the main girl doesn't really have a love interest and I LOVE THIS. GIVE ME AN ASEXUAL CHARACTER. One that loves the animals, that doesn't want to talk to people, who scares people because she's different. I love it.

Anyways, Artemisia is possessed by a revenant, and it almost kills her. On her way to the capitol to be exorcised, she comes upon a plot, a devious plot that involves the end of days. Along her journey she meets old friends and new, and there's a twist you never see coming.

I adore this. Give me more? please?

5 stars-- I consumed this

Margaret Rogerson has done it again! A wildly inventive plot, paired with her signature lyrical prose. I adored the cover as well! A fantastic read!

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson, 400 pages. McElderry Books (Simon), 2021. $19

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (fighting against evil forces)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Artemesia is more than happy to be a Gray sister and help in their vital work to send the spirits of the dead to the other side before they can become revenants and need to be exorcised. She has the Sight, so she can not only see the spirits, but also hear them all. The most dangerous spirits have been confined in various relics, but Artemesia is near when an extremely powerful relic is broken and now she is sharing her body, wrestling for control, with that spirit – she is possessed, but in control. But that possession drags her to the attention of those who control her world and have ulterior motives for one who proves to be so powerful.

Rogerson has written a very creepy horror book that will be sure to find a following among those who like their books with that edge of danger. Perfect for fans of Beth Revis’ Give the Dark My Love.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Thank you so much for making this available so I could grab it!

I adored Vespertine so much that I already have a finished copy, but I loved the story so much and how Artemisa navigates being linked with the revenant and I adored their banter! It reminded me of Eddie and Venom from Marvel. The only thing I wish is that this was a series instead of a stand alone so I could read more!

* I received an e-arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I loved Sorcery of Thorns, so I was super excited to read Vespertine! It did not disappoint, and it’s the perfect fall read. Rogerson’s writing is so spooky and atmospheric and her world building is fabulous! I was quite fascinated from the beginning in this well paced, dark fantasy.

Artemesia is training to be a nun as she has been blessed with the sight, and this leaves her vulnerable to being possessed by spirits. Her job is to cleanse the bodies of the deceased so that their souls can pass on from this world. If the nuns do no perform this ritual, the souls will rise starving for the living. Artemesia finds that she would rather deal with the dead than the living, as she has a troubled past.

When Artemesia’s convent is attacked by possessed soldiers, she is forced to defend the convent the only way she knows how, by awakening an ancient spirit that is bound to a saint’s relic. It is a revenant, a powerful being that threatens to possess her the moment she puts her guard down. Brandishing the revenant’s power almost completely overtakes her, but death has come to Loraille, and only a vespertine, a priestess that is trained to wield a relic, has any chance of stopping it. All the knowledge of vespertines has been lost over the years, and Artemesia must turn to the revenant itself for help if she has any chance of saving Loraille at all.

I think my favorite part of this book was the unlikely relationship that develops between Artemesia and the revenant. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter back and forth. The revenant is super sassy, and I love sass in my fictional characters! There is also good anxiety and PTSD rep in this book which I really appreciated. I could really relate to Artemesia as I am quite introverted myself.

Overall, a book I really enjoyed! I look forward to Rogerson’s next book, and I hope to read her first book soon as well.

I forgot that I received ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and purchased the Audible audio book.

I loved previous 2 novels by Margaret Rogerson and I couldn't wait to read a new book. This is the first volume of a trilogy (I believe). This book was not something I expected. It's got a very strong religious undertone which makes me uncomfortable. This book was not as enjoyable as her previous books but I will read next book because I have faith in Rogerson's writing.

I started this book without having read the synopsis, I just knew I wanted to read it based on the author and the pretty cover. I went into this with no expectations or insight and I think that made the journey even more fun. I guess I would describe this as a fantasy story where the dead can rise and powerful spirits can be trapped inside objects to give the owner extra potential. There was plenty of action, battles and magic to keep the pacing spot on, but the story was also weighted towards the characters and their development, probably just as equally as the action. For a book that deals predominantly with death and destruction, the book was not overly dark, instead there was a nice mix of banter and light to keep me from wallowing in the death aspect of the story.

I love all the relationships in this story. Sure, there was a lot of action, magic and danger, but seriously, the relationships are the stars of this book. We have the main character Artemisia who spent her childhood basically locked away from others and has no idea what a regular relationship looks or feels like- and here is a story where she is thrust into multiple kinds of relationship dynamics that she has to figure out as she goes. My favorite dynamic was between Artemisia and the Revenant who shared her body against her will, it was the best to listen to the two argue and banter and get to learn who the other really was. Also the way the relationship evolved warmed my heart while at times made me laugh. The side characters in this story were just as detailed and complex as the main character and I feel like I know them all and root for them to prevail.

I loved this story (I read a complimentary ebook and have now since ordered a physical copy that I can hug whenever I feel it is appropriate) and it is apparent that I am a fangirl of this author- this is the third book I have read by this author and I have loved them all. Keep in mind that this is not the end of Artemisia's story (this is listed as book 1 in a series), but instead we have reached a nice rest stop to catch our breath before the rest of the mess that Artemisia and Revenant will have to face next.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for my eARC copy! This is my unbiased opinion…

I loved Sorcery of Thorns when many people didn’t so I went into this uncertain how my second foray with the author would go.

I have to say from the first page I was hooked! This is a fast paced action packed story and it really delivers a punch. The author has a whole list of CW/TW on her page and I would encourage anyone picking this up to check those out first. It delves into some heavy topics.

That said as usual a secondary character is my favorite. The Revenant steals the show in my opinion but I do love a snarky b****!!! *shrugs* what can I say. Silas was my fav in sorcery of thorns so it makes sense.

I love that this author follows flawed characters and their journeys. It’s good to be reminded that even heroines are aren’t perfect and can be annoyingly stupid and naive haha.