As amazing as Red Sister. Action-packed and full of great world building and characters. Mark Lawrence is a must-read fantasy writer for any fantasy fan.

Having not read the first book I found this difficult to get into but it then became quite gripping reading. With echoes of Northern Lights and Harry Potter there is plenty of action. With the inclusion of issues such as bullying this makes for good reading for teenagers and young adults.

https://lynns-books.com/2018/04/26/grey-sister-book-of-the-ancestor-2-by-mark-lawrence/
I’m going to start this review with a little story of my own. About six and a half/seven years ago I picked up a book called Prince of Thorns. This book was different than anything I’d read before in fantasy terms. I absolutely loved it and pretty much devoured the series in short order. The main protagonist, Jorg, is not for everyone. The Broken Empire series is awash with blood and Jorg, although he will grow on you if you give him a chance (imho), is somebody you don’t want to cross, not if you like breathing. This was my first, but not last, foray into grimdark and I was absolutely sold. Obviously I couldn’t wait to read the Red Queen’s War. What a difference. I expected more of the same, and I certainly got that in terms of good writing, but the story was so different, still bloody, still brimming with fantastic characters and Jalan was just a blast to read. I seriously think The Wheel of Osheim is one of my favourite books ever. Then Lawrence comes along with a magic/school for assassins story, his main protagonist a female. So, colour me intrigued but maybe a little bit reluctant to be wowed. I picked up the first book thinking that maybe this would be the book that I didn’t love and yet Nona completely won me over with her badassery.

So, Grey Sister, not going to lie, I went into this thinking it had to have problems and I was determined to find them. There reaches a point surely when if you’re constantly waxing lyrical about something people will begin to question your opinion and yet here I am, once again, telling you that Grey Sister, defying all the odds, was another hit. It’s that simple.

The thing is for me, I love good writing and I love the long game and Lawrence excels at both of these things. His prose is just beautiful. It’s easy to read. It’s the kind of writing that I simply, appreciate. His writing absorbs you, you fall into the world and actually struggle to come back out. Then this whole thing of being so many steps ahead. Of course, you may say, ‘he’s the author, of course he’s ahead’, but his writing doesn’t make it feel like that. You think you have a handle on what’s going on, right up until the point that you realise you didn’t.

I’m not going to say too much about Grey Sister in terms of plot because I really don’t want to spoil the satisfaction for other readers of discovering this for themselves. I can say that once again you will read of Nona’s classes, her friends and her struggles to get along with those at the convent who dislike her so much. Nona’s path was always going to be a difficult one, she’s determined to become the best and yet so many past decisions stand in her way. One of the richest and most influential nobles in the land would see her dead. Assassins that won’t stop until the job is done are on the case and, as if the constant need to look over her shoulder wasn’t enough, Nona isn’t exactly the popular girl at the convent. The last thing needed is the Inquisition to come poking around looking for trouble.

What I loved about this was the character development. Nona is someone who values friendship. It’s one of the aspects I loved about the first book and it continues in Grey Sister. Her loyalty runs deep and she remains constant even to those who have let her down or betrayed her in the past. She has a small, but trusted, group of friends and of course Zole. This is the other thing that is unusual here. Zole is actually the chosen one – not Nona. And I loved that aspect. Zole is ice cold. She’s of the ice and her demeanour could have been carved from it – it never slips. Ara, I knew that Ara was going to be kickass and it turns out she is. Abbess Glass plays a wonderful role with her own POV chapters as the story progresses. I love her character. But, for me, Kettle is the star. I loved her in this book. I want to hug her, except she has lots of vials containing poison hidden inside her nun get up, so that might not be the best plan. She may be shrouded in dark but she’s a bright light. If anything happens to Kettle… well, all I can say is that “I am born of war”, okay, I was born on Wednesday but let’s not split hairs here, just don’t go there, please.

We watch Nona struggle with her studies. She has one particular challenge that seems insurmountable. And then, just as I was thinking I needed a break from the classroom, Nona is removed from Sweet Mercy in a rather abrupt fashion. Again, I can’t really go into too much detail but I loved this aspect of the story. We get to explore more of the world at the same time as reading the plight of Abbess Glass that is being played out in a parallel timeframe. I can’t say too much more other than the ending is just a little jaw dropping.

In terms of criticisms. Well, once you’ve met Nona the surprise value has been lost. You already know the setting and the hardships involved in the schooling at Sweet Mercy and the world building has been laid out in Red Sister – although clearly there is more to explore here. Obviously, with the long game in mind Grey Sister is very much establishing the way forward to the final instalment and in that respect it does feel like something of a bridging book, but, in spite of that it stands on it’s own two feet and whilst not as much time is spent in the classroom, and therefore less time with Nona’s friends, I still felt the friendships developed and I loved the additional characters that really featured strongly – although I’m sure everyone will have their own favourites.

To be honest, I can’t fault this. It was an excellent read that has paved the way for something that promises to be dramatic to say the least. I can’t wait for the final instalment.

I received a review copy, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

I had mixed feelings about the first book in this series, but was intrigued enough to want to read on, and I am so glad that I did. The Grey Sister is a far superior book in my opinion.

Set a couple of years after the events of the Red Sister, (and there is a helpful reminder of what went before at the start of the book), Nona has become a character with even more hidden depths, but there are also chapters that focus on the viewpoint of other key characters, that gave a wonderful nuance to the book and made me look at events with a different perspective. I felt a genuine sense of dread at several points in the book and there were so many twists and turns that my heart actually started to beat faster.

There are so many threads to this story, but not once do they get tangled. I cannot wait for the next instalment.

Thanks go to the publishers and net galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If the first book in this series - Red Sister - has a fault it's that the pace plods a little. Grey Sister takes all the best parts of Red Sister and builds upon them to produce an even more satisfying and pacier read. Once again the themes of friendship and 'found family' are front and centre as Nona Grey - now in mystic class at the convent of Sweet Mercy - struggles with the plots of enemies gained in the past and with her own ability to master herself and the skills she is being taught. Meanwhile, Abbess Glass contends with the slowly closing jaws of a trap laid for her by the Inquisition...the springing of which will send ripples throughout the corridor and beyond. These two seemingly unconnected plots set off at right angles only to intersect and collide in a very satisfying (though somewhat frustrating!) conclusion.

Once again the cast is almost exclusively female, all of whom are competent and full of agency whether they are sympathetic characters or not. This is incredibly refreshing in a genre and fiction in general) where women are so often relegated to being sexy lamps, girls in refrigerators, token side kicks or are simply punished either for assuming agency or to create 'man pain'. Lawrence is a perfect example as a writer as to why the 'stay in your lane' argument is bollocks, showing however that due diligence in creating mind sets and characters with experiences that are not your own is essential. (I wish more male writers took this amount of care with their female characters and actually made them <i>fully rounded characters</i>.)

I really enjoyed seeing Sister Kettle come into her own. Zole has a very interesting character arc, which while fairly subtle this time, hopefully hints at more to come. Nona remains very likeable and easy to root for. Admittedly I come at this from the perspective of being a small female with twenty plus years of martial arts training so no doubt I fall exactly into the target audience both for this book and her character. That said, what struck me even more this time is that Nona owns her anger. This is so incredibly rare for a female character, even more so for rage to be harnessed and used as an asset. Without ever preaching, Lawrence breaks down a lot of harmful stereotypes and does so with dark humour and emotional honesty. Nona's coterie of friends are also likeable and dynamic, and when you think about it an unlikely crew to bond so closely considering their various backgrounds. I am a sucker for 'found family' storylines and this was one of the best ones I've read.

Grey Sister seemed to me to be heavier on themes, or perhaps I was just paying more attention? Either way the threads of power versus responsibility, loyalty and friendship versus political influence, faith versus religious zeal, and class and wealth versus the more indefinable riches of persona connections and learning, run strongly through the story.

Once again I take a moment as an ex-convent girl to note how pitch perfect Lawrence's portrayal of a girl's school, and the interpersonal interactions therein, really is. Obviously Sweet Mercy is in many ways a lot more interesting and dangerous than my school was ;)

It's hard to say what these books are like. In some ways it's St Trinian's meets The Lies of Locke Lamora via dystopian sci-fi with a side of Dune's Bene Gesserit. But that falls woefully short as a description. In the end, Red Sister and Grey Sister are really only like themselves. Those who enjoy female led fantasy with excellent characterisation, twisty plots, genre mixes and strong themes will love these book. Lawrence just goes from strength to strength. I will now resign myself to the long wait for the next book.

I often find it difficult to separate a sequel from the previous book.

It is perhaps unfair that a lot of books are described as “good, but not as good as book 1”. It’s a comparison that begs to be made, and yet I feel like sometimes it hampers our enjoyment.

The beginning of a story is often allowed space to breathe. Preconceptions are kept to a minimum, and there are few comparisons to be made. The characters feel new and fresh. The plot can seem original and exciting. We allow ourselves to be transported into a world that we’ve never seen before, and we can appreciate everything for what it is, rather than what it isn’t.

But then that second book comes along, and it is afforded none of this luxury.

The second book has to deal with expectation.

I expected Grey Sister to be a different type of book. I expected Nona Grey to be the same girl that she had been. I was wrong, and it was wrong of me to come into the book with those expectations.

In Red Sister, Nona was a fascinating contrast between vulnerability and violent competence. She was a crystal dagger; sharp, but fragile. Her vulnerabilities, and her desire for something as simple as a friend, made for an endearing and relatable character.

By Grey Sister, Nona has grown up – if only by a couple of years. Those vulnerabilities are still there, but she hides them in the way in which children learn to as they grow. Her talent for violence is more apparent, and you no longer fear for Nona so much as you fear what Nona will do to those who wrong her.

The result is a different kind of story.

Whereas Nona’s character was at the forefront of Red Sister, I found Grey Sister to have a larger focus on developing the world and furthering the plot.

Lawrence finds a great balance between unravelling old mysteries and proposing new questions. We learn more about the world. The motivations of both friends and foe become clear. Yet by the end I was still asking enough questions to hook me for the final book in the trilogy.

New characters are introduced and old characters step forward. We learn more about Abbess Glass and Sister Kettle, with each afforded a few intriguing and exciting chapters from their perspective. Glass’s story in particular is very interesting, as she fights a battle of influence against Sherzal – sister of the emperor and puppeteer of the inquisition.

Joeli and Keot are the most prominent of the new additions.

Joeli is a mean-girls-esque novice at the convent. The kind of character who uses words like “peasant”, has a rich and powerful family, and an entourage of minions. What she has above the average school-bully is her talent with the magic of the Path.

Keot is a “devil”. He is a shadow creature that lives under Nona’s skin. He is a voice inside her head. If Nona’s control slips, Keot is able to take advantage of body parts such as her hand or her tongue. He constantly implores Nona to commit acts of violence, begging her to kill whoever happens to be in the vicinity at that moment.

Both characters are significant in that they are antagonists that can’t be fought with tooth or claw. Nona is too competent, the vulnerability she had in Red Sister no longer as prominent. I didn’t really buy that she would ever be in any real danger in a fight. But I could absolutely buy that she could be manipulated – mentally, verbally, or magically. As such, I consider the inclusion of these characters to be a very clever bit of writing by the author.

Grey Sister is an exciting story featuring secret assassins, schoolyard bullying, political conspiracies, a dying planet, and a quest for vengeance. It was not the heart-wrenching tale of friendship and loss that I’d expected, but then I never should have expected that in the first place.

Not just a good sequel, but a good book on its own merit.

Loved this second book! I need the third already! It was great to see more POVs in this one. It also tied up some things that were left in the first book, but it also introduced so much more. Great read!

So here it is. The middle book in the Book of the Ancestor trilogy. Middle books are often cursed with having little action and a meandering dragging story. Well the curse of the middle book has been well and truly broken with Grey Sister.

The very beginning of the book includes a short "catch-up" chapter reminding the reader of the events and characters of the first book. This incredibly simple feature is fantastic and I really wish every author would include such reminder chapters. It was very much appreciated!

In this book we actually have two PoV characters - Nona and Abbess Glass. It might seem a strange choice of second PoV character but it works very well and Abbess Glass' knowledge of the world allows the reader to learn much more about the wider picture, the politics and geography of the world.

All the characters continue to be rich and well developed. I absolutely love the friendships and relationships between the characters, I'm a huge fan of the idea of "sisterhood" between the girls. While the story is fairly serious the girls are still teenagers at school together and so there remains an air of cheeky mischievousness that I love.

The second half of the book takes us away from Sweet Mercy which makes an exciting and interesting change for the reader. It's fast paced and furious and hard to put down!

At the end of the book we are left with many questions desperate for more.

This book really has everything. Characters, story, worldbuilding, unique magic system and damn good writing. I very much enjoyed this one.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Where to begin? This is book 2 of an exciting new fantasy series that focuses largely on young Nona Grey and a load of nuns out on the ice learning a bunch of magic. Okay, okay, that's the simple version.

Nona lives on a world largely covered in ice, where man is forced to live on a narrow corridor of fertile land, meaning that war between nations is inevitable and constant. The world was settled long ago by four tribes of varying powers/skills. Now these skills only show up occasionally among the population, and when they do the children are trained by convents or academies (or fighting schools) to be the equivalent of young assassins.

It's a brutal environment, and Nona spent much of book one adjusting to the convent where she was taken, where she fought other students and learned about friendship - and poison.

Book two is much more about what comes next, about Sister Apple's mysterious long-term plans for the convent and indeed the world, and how Nona can use her unique skills (and suppress her anger) to help the people she loves.

It's violent. There's a lot of action (maybe a touch too much for me personally near the end). But the story always carries you through.

Very much looking forward to the next one!

An unbelievably enjoyable book that certainly does not read as if it is 400+ pages long. I read Grey Sister immediately after Red Sister, 900+ pages in 3 sittings and enjoyed every microsecond of the time spent. Almost happy that Book 3 is a while away as, when it is published, it will give me the "excuse" to read Books 1 & 2 again before getting stuck into Book 3.

I do read a lot of fantasy but seldom anything as fantastic as this Book of Ancestor series. Having said that, the Prince of Thorns series does come very close.

So, if you like the idea of a series that moves at breakneck speed with a truly fascinating set of characters and events, go read Red Sister and Grey Sister and then see how (im)patiently you can wait for Book 3.

I've been really looking forward to this book and Mark Lawrence doesn't disappoint. This tells the continuing story of Nona Grey as she furthers her education at the Convent of Sweet Mercy. Firstly, I really like the characters in this book. I think that Nona is given some good development opportunities and whereas in the first novel, her friends were all relatively one-dimensional, they have been fleshed out considerably here. Zole particularly is given far more to do and she is fast becoming the most interesting member of what is now an ensemble piece. Similarly, the world itself is more defined and we have more instances of political machination, which I think is a good way for the series to progress. There is undoubtedly a comparison to be made to Harry Potter on occasion, particularly in the classroom scenes and many of the organisational aspects of the convent, but Lawrence is definitely darker and more threatening. All in all, this is a very enjoyable world and this novel moves the story along very well. I will definitely look forward to the next offering.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Just as good as the first one! Nona is a very interesting character and the story is once again fast paced and very very good.
Would recommend this!

Picking up from the end of Red Sister, this is less slow than the first book but there's still a big chunk of Harry Potter-esque school lessons in the convent. The second half expands beyond the convent at last and there are some good action scenes.

In summary, if you enjoyed Red Sister I would confidently predict that you'll like this one too. For me, there's still a YA feel about the whole thing (not surprising, perhaps given that Nona and friends are about 14) with a continued fetishising of female friendship. A fun read and some interesting developments in this volume.

Grey Sister is an amazing sequel that is packed with action that is skillfully written and a fantastic plot that keeps you gripped. I found it very hard to put the book down and read it within a day.