
Author: Robin LaFevers
Series: His Fair Assassin #2
Published by: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Format: eARC
Pages: 385
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

I lean forward, pushing my body out past the battlements. The wind plucks at my cloak, buffets against me, as if it would carry me off in flight, just like the birds or the knight's soul. Let go, it cries, I will take you far, far away. I want to laugh at the exhilarating feeling, I will catch you, it whistles seductively.
The convent has returned Sybella to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father's rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother's love is equally monstrous. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?
*Deep breath* My poor heart hurts. This book … wow. Grave Mercy was perfection in my eyes, and I couldn’t imagine Robin LaFevers topping it. But she did! She really, really did. Dark Triumph was amazing! It took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I never wanted to end.
At the end of Grave Mercy we get Ismae’s perspective of a certain event, and at the beginning of Dark Triumph we get Sybella’s perspective of the same event. That’s where the story starts. I loved that the author overlapped them this way. We are immediately thrust into the dark, twisted world that Sybella is subjected to. While a war rages on, Sybella must work from within on the orders of the abbess. But her path becomes muddled when she receives new orders, and may take away the one a thing she wanted.
Sybella was not in Grave Mercy very much, but I loved her even then. So I was ecstatic when I found out that Dark Triumph would be her story. And Beast! He was one of my most favorite characters in Grave Mercy too, so I did a total happy dance about their pairing in this.
Sybella. My soul sister. I love this girl like you wouldn’t believe. It’s because of her that I favor Dark Triumph a little more than Grave Mercy. I adore Ismae, but I connect with Sybella a lot more. She has a lot of anger from all of the cruelty she has encountered in her 17 years, and doesn’t hesitate to kill those with the a marque… sometimes those without. Yet, she is always protecting the innocent and those she cares about. I think Sybella is an absolutely beautiful character.
Then there is Beast, the most beautiful ugly man there is. I want my own Beast! I don’t know if LaFevers planned this matching from the very beginning or not, but these two are perfect together. When they fought side by side, it was … wow, stunning. And the way he handled Sybella was so unbelievably good. I mean, it really does leave me at a loss for words.
I love that Sybella is the main character of Dark Triumph, but I’m also glad that we get to see Ismae again. Especially from Sybella’s perspective. I can’t even tell you how much I love their relationship. I seriously get choked up thinking about the beauty of it. I can’t wait see Annith with them again (hopefully!).
It’s so hard to write about Dark Triumph. Like I said, it’s very emotional, and I’m not exactly the best at conveying all of those feeling into words. I can say how I loved everything until I’m blue in the face, but that doesn’t come close to doing this book justice. I laughed, I cried, and pretty much everything in between. I had to take breaks from reading at certain points, because my vision was so blurred with tears – both sad and happy. As much as this book put me through, it left me with a huge smile.
I am telling you, if you haven’t started this series yet, then you need to immediately. I’m being dead serious. Now. Go!
Squee *wipes tear from eye and nods head* love this book this author and Sybella and Beast are my new favorite couple. Pst…you never saw me online..sssh
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Release Day Review: Moonset by Scott Tracey
You are being bad! 😀 I love those two so freaking much. It’s disgusting how much love I have. lol!
Yay! I’m still having to resist the urge to ramble on about how wonderful it is to people and I read it weeks ago. I adore Sybella. *hugs book tightly*
Michelle recently posted…Read Along: IDWMA Episode 2 -Death in the Shadows by Rhiannon Frater
I’ve read a little about Beast in other reviews, but I think you’re the first to truly make me want to meet him. 😉 I’m glad you liked this! I had a few mixed thoughts about Grave Mercy (mostly because of the heavy political aspect of the plot), but I’m really excited about reading this one. Great review!
Sam recently posted…Showcase Sunday (#23)
Fantastic review Christy. I’m really looking forward to reading this one now. Sybella and beast sound awesome and I can’t wait to read about their relationship 🙂
Suzanne recently posted…Stacking the Shelves #28
I want this so badly. My library just now ordered it. UGH! I like Sybella and I can not wait to read more about her, and meet Beast. Awesome review.
http://www.booksofamber.com/2013/04/the-madmans-daughter-by-megan-shepherd.html
Jenea recently posted…Blog Tour Stop: Review and Giveaway for Dead Silence (The Body Finder #4) by Kimberly Derting
I’m so glad you mentioned that we get to see Ismae again. I wondered if we would, and so happy that we do! Emotions, can’t wait. Love Robin’s writing! Great review, Christy 🙂
Sunny recently posted…Review: SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo
Can’t wait for my turn to read it. Thanks for sharing!
Yay! I am so glad Beast is in this one, your review is the first one that mentioned him in this story and that makes me even more excited to read this now!!
I have heard nothing but glowing reviews for this one which, I am ecstatic about because I loved Grave Mercy.
Yay! Awesome review Christy. I need to read this one very soon!!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Indie Book of the Week: The Things They Didn’t Bury by Laekan Zea Kemp
Yeah, I just noticed that some people are trying to keep it a secret that Beast is in this the way he is. I don’t know why since it’s in the epilogue of GM. Plus, Robin has talked about it in interviews. Unless they are trying to make it spoiler free for those who haven’t read GM yet, but still.
I don’t know 🙁 I downloaded a sample from Grave Mercy because I was so curious.. but I just couldn’t get past it, wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I might pick it up one day, maybe I needed to be in a different mood. I like your review though, the character sounds very deep, emotional and interesting. Glad you enjoyed it!
Lily B recently posted…Xpresso Book Tours: Hell’s Hollow Blitz + Giveaway
Twitter: bookbriefs
I love that you loved this book so much! and that you said it was emotional. I agree, that can make reviews harder to write. For me anyways, it makes it harder to put my opinion into words. Looks like I have another book to add to my TBR list.
Hope your week is off to a great start Christy! 🙂 Great review
Michelle recently posted…{Giveaway} Win a KINDLE FIRE
Now I feel bad that I haven’t started the series yet! Ughh 🙂
Tanya Patrice recently posted…New Year Bookish Resolutions {2013 First Quarter Check-In}
Oh, I don’t feel like I have time for this, but I desperately want to after your review. I can just feel how much you loved it. *sigh* I need more ambition, more hours in the day.
Barbara recently posted…Review: Saved at Sunrise (Shadow Falls #4.5) by C.C. Hunter
Twitter: jenryland
I loved this book SO much. Glad you did too 🙂
Jen @ YA Romantics
Jen recently posted…Just Finished Reading … Game by Barry Lyga
Gush much? If you want me to read this series so bad why don’t you buy me a copy? I didn’t read Grave Mercy last year because it was a blog whore. Now I am reconsidering. Maybe I will do these books for Wicked? THoughts?
Heidi recently posted…Unplug and Read Tour: Dualed by Elsie Chapman Review and Giveaway
This sounds good. I should check out this series. Have a great week!
Yvonne recently posted…Book Blitz: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge by Donna Shields
I just read this book over the weekend (haven’t done my review yet) but I agree, it was fantastic. It took me about 50 pages to get into the story but once I did I absolutely had to know how it was going to work out for Sybella. I was a little disappointed when I read that the second book was moving away from Ismae and over to Sybella but now, I’m so glad it did! Her story was fantastic and emotional and wonderful. I can’t wait for Annith’s story now. (PS This might have been my favorite book this year. Definitely a top three).
Melissa recently posted…Blowback
This book was SO incredibly emotional! I adored Sybella, but my heart was breaking for her over and over again. Thank god for Beast; I feel like she finally deserves some sort of happiness. This is a hard book to review, because it’s SO amazing and there are so many feels, but you did an amazing job!
Lauren recently posted…Behind the Scenes: Short Story Inspiration for Scowler by Daniel Kraus
I read this book and I have to say if was really good. I recommend it!
By the way, really cool website! I liked reading your reviews, keep up the good work! 🙂
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