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Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin, #2)

Robin LaFevers

Start date: July 15, 2013

Finish date: July 18, 2013

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May 30, 2017 Josiane Claremont rated it it was amazing

Shelves: not-manga, spirit, historical-fiction, supernatural, ya-f

This was so much easier to read than the last book! Mostly because this book was much more action-oriented, and thanks to the background introduced in the first book, this book wasted little time in jumping into the politics of everything before going down to subterfuge.

Sybella vowed she would never return to that cursed household. But now, as a Handmaiden of Death, she obeys her orders and returns to that nightmare. Even if she would rather die. But soon Sybella finds out there's more to Mortai This was so much easier to read than the last book! Mostly because this book was much more action-oriented, and thanks to the background introduced in the first book, this book wasted little time in jumping into the politics of everything before going down to subterfuge.

Sybella vowed she would never return to that cursed household. But now, as a Handmaiden of Death, she obeys her orders and returns to that nightmare. Even if she would rather die. But soon Sybella finds out there's more to Mortain than what the abbess and the convent lead her to believe. Meeting with Ismae and hearing what her sister said about Him confirms that. But after being rejected by her Father three times, what is her true purpose?

Since Ismae was my first Handmaiden, she will always be my favorite. Sybella, obviously, is a close second (simply because I have yet to follow other Handmaidens). But when it comes to Sybella's arc, it's much more than simple romance and action that make her a great character: it's how she rose above that hardship and recognized her flaws, wanting to truly repent for everything. This is where she differed from Ismae, who in my mind, could even be more innocent to the world than Annith.

Ismae's was a story of romantic love and flashy betrayal, when she realizes how the convent is actually biased in their orders, not realizing Mortain's true intent with his daughters and followers. It's a flirty experience with Duval, filled with constant little rebellions to "remain true" as a novice of the convent.
Sybella's is truly more tragic. Living in an oppressed and twisted household, hated because of her household, Sybella's growth into a young woman is much more drastic than Ismae's. While she, too, is betrayed by the abbess, she is much more distrustful and far less forgiving than Ismae when it comes to working under the abbess. Sybella is unable to have those little rebellions that Ismae had, because spying in a house renowned for their cruelty involves not only deception, but also cleverness and restraint, to keep from killing those fools and enemies of the duchess. And when Sybella finds love at last, you can't help but cheer for her. ...more

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