Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle, #2) by Jay Kristoff

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1.) Nevernight ★★★★★

“The heavens grant us only one life, but through books, we live a thousand.”

Well, I’m not entirely sure how I’m supposed to function while lying in wait for the third and final book in this series. That last chapter made me feel things that very few books are able to evoke from me. I honestly am not sure how I could possibly string together words to let you guys know how much I loved this book, but I do suppose I should at least try.

Godsgrave picks up right after the events of Nevernight. But where Nevernight felt like an adult Harry Potter (with an amazingly gothic floo powder network) where our main protagonist, Mia, is learning to become an assassin for the Red Church and the Lady of Blessed Murder, Godsgrave is an all-out gladiator gauntlet, where our characters are fighting to the death and only the very best may rise in rank.

Mia also has grown a lot since the end of Nevernight, and she is figuring out rather quickly that she is truly unable to trust anyone. Godsgrave is way more brutal and gory, but it’s also much more raw and emotional.

“The choice between looking plain and pretty isn’t really a choice at all. But any fool knows looking dangerous is preferable to both.”

One of my favorite parts of Nevernight is how Mia never explains that she is bisexual, but her actions just show it. There isn’t a big coming out story, or any explanation on why she feels the things she does for men and woman, Mia is just herself and I loved it more than words. Well, Godsgrave really delves into Mia’s sexuality, and it’s honestly a thing of beauty. Honestly, all I want in my adult fantasy is to read about queer girls saving their worlds, and Jay Kristoff delivered that to me better than maybe anyone else has. I will forever cherish this series for that alone. Also, I will go down with that fucking ship. OTP is an understatement. This is honestly the queer, f/f, assassins taking over the world, high fantasy, love story, I’ve been searching for my entire life.

Mia Corvere is one of my favorite characters of all time. She tries so hard to be morally grey, and I guess she truly is to most extents, but seeing her able to be soft and capable of unconditional love is something I don’t even have words for. Mia is strong, and brilliant, and clever, and brave, and everything I love in a main protagonist. And she always acknowledges how beauty, too, can be a weapon, but how important it is to never have it be your only weapon. And Mia has had so many shitty hands dealt to her, but she is able to overcome it all realistically and inspirationally. I honestly love Mia, and Mister Kindly and Eclipse also bring me more joy that I should probably admit.

Also, let me state that this book is definitely not Young Adult. Not only do I believe this is Adult Fantasy, I think it holds up to all the beloved and highly praised High Fantasy out there. This book/series can get rather dark at times, so know that going in. Also, there is a decent amount of sexual content in this book, so use caution if that makes you uncomfortable. And trigger warnings for violence, murder, gore, slavery, child abuse, and things along those lines. But I hope that doesn’t discourage you, because this world is amazing, these characters are perfection, the messages are beautiful, and the discourse is so damn important.

“So much wealth held in so few palms. A kingdom of the blind, built on the backs of the bruised and the broken.”

From the first page to the last page, this book had me so enthralled. I loved this more than words. Godsgrave will easily be one of my top ten favorite books of 2017, and the third book will be all I look forward to in (hopefully) the coming year. Jay Kristoff has perfected his craft at writing, and I’d honestly do just about anything to get my hands on anything new from this world. Even though I shouldn’t give him anything, because he is now the proud owner of the heart he ripped out from me reading the ending of this book.

“‘That’s the power of words; twenty six little letters can paint a whole universe’”


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Buddy read with Jules! ❤

23 thoughts on “Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle, #2) by Jay Kristoff”

  1. The book is adult fantasy, anyone that says otherwise is wrong. Kristoff has even said it’s adult and that people only thought it was Y-A because of his previous work. Which is understandable but also slightly unfair as it means they just expected the same genre when lots of authors branch out.

    I have to smile though that people thought these books were Y-A and then complain about grimdark and adult fantasy. Erm…..Kristoff likes gore and blood alot and the sex scenes, oh my, talk about elaborate! Baffling that a three way is Y-A!😂 Nope!

    Fantastic review as ever, always so detailed and thorough and enjoyable to read too. Such a great book that ending is a killer though, seriously, WTF! I bet Kristoff was laughing when he ended the book there!😂 I think it’ll be on my top ten books of the year list too, just a fantastic read.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Awh, I love this comment so much, Drew! AND SO MUCH YES TO EVERYTHING YOU SAID! Also, thank you for truly being the review to push me to read this series when I thought it was going to just be another YA fantasy. Seriously, thank you.

      I hope you’re having an amazing holiday season! ❄☃💙xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. Drew said first and now you! Both of you have written such exemplary review on this book that…Okay, I have made up my mind. This is a must-read. 🙂 Book shopping time!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. No snow here. 😦 But I am waiting for pictures from friends like you :). Christmas is fun here. My daughter is negotiating deals night and day. I am going to read both the books and start the third ARC prowl. Keep missing good books. Gah! How’s your holiday plan going?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. It’s going good! It hasn’t really “felt” like the holidays yet, but I think it’s been because I’ve been so busy! Hopefully after tomorrow I can relax and get into the winter wonderland mood! Haha! ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I love this review and I agree with everything!!! I loved how Mia’s sexuality was portrayed so openly and naturally and I would literally die for this ship…..this book is so gritty and dark but my girls are so soft and ugh MY HEART

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
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