I'm not going to lie. It took me a bit to get into this book. I do not know why since this genre is right up my alley.
But......
Once I decided to really dig into it, I could not put it down. I took it with me in the car and would read in parking lots while I was waiting for my kids. I stayed late at work so I could read it before I went home. I read the last chapter three times so it wouldn't end so quickly.
Nona is unlike most female characters I have encountered. I had to remind myself over and over that she is only ten through most of the book. And only eleven or twelve by the end. But this is a high fantasy and kids are not truly kids in this world.
My recommendation is to read this knowing it's brutal, dark, but has some of the most tender sweet spots I have read. If you are Nona's friend, that is a gift, indeed.
And now, my review for Grey Sister:
Dear readers,
If you have not read Red Sister, do NOT read this review.
Continue at your own peril if you have not read Red Sister.
There. Now I don't feel bad about giving anything away. :-)
For some reason, Johnny Cash comes to me as I'm trying to write this review. Bear with me. First, because of his line "I walk the line." I think of it every time someone discusses or actually "Walks the path." Second, "Ring of Fire" reminds me so much of Nona. She gets to the Path through rage. See, a burning ring of fire? Instead of romantic love making her do crazy things, it's friendship love. In Grey Sister, we see just how deeply Nona cherishes friendship. And it's crazy-deep. For a girl who came out of nowhere with no friends and plenty of enemies, Nona has grown into a fiercely loyal hellion that I want at my side and my back at all times. And as Ara matures and Zole becomes less humanoid and more human, I want them as well.
How Mark Lawrence can show the depth of friendship that these girls and women experience and exhibit is beyond me. But God, do I love reading it. I'm not going to lie. It took me a bit to get into this book. I do not know why since this genre is right up my alley.
But......
Once I decided to really dig into it, I could not put it down. I took it with me in the car and would read in parking lots while I was waiting for my kids. I stayed late at work so I could read it before I went home. I read the last chapter three times so it wouldn't end so quickly.
Nona is unlike most female characters I have encountered. I had to remind myself over and over that she is only ten through most of the book. And only eleven or twelve by the end. But this is a high fantasy and kids are not truly kids in this world.
My recommendation is to read this knowing it's brutal, dark, but has some of the most tender sweet spots I have read. If you are Nona's friend, that is a gift, indeed.