March 6, 2017
Lawrence (the Broken Empire trilogy) grips readers from the opening sentence—“It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size”—of this successful fantasy series launch. The prologue setting up a battle between a Martial Sister and a force of 200 men ends just before the first blow is struck. The main narrative is a lengthy flashback recounting the story of Nona Grey, a young girl who was given to a childtaker; she’s introduced moments from being hanged for attempting to kill a powerful noble who was hurting a friend of hers. Her life is spared through the intervention of Abbess Glass, who takes Nona to the Sweet Mercy Convent and puts her through rigorous training. The contours of the plot will feel familiar to genre fans—a young orphan, possessed of special gifts, receiving lessons in a cloistered community on how to realize her potential—but Lawrence makes it seem fresh through evocative prose and three-dimensional characterizations. Agent: Ian Drury, Sheil Land Associates.
Starred review from February 15, 2017
Nine-year-old Nona Grey, accused of murder, is headed for the gallows when she is purchased by the abbess of Sweet Mercy and taken into a convent that raises young women to become trained killers. For ten years, girls are taught the ways of sword and shadow, and for many, the old blood of the ancestors eventually rises to the surface in the form of magical gifts that enhance their fighting skills. When Nona arrives, she finds a new future, a new family, and some new enemies. But her brief previous history in the world attracts the attention of powerful families, dangerous foes, and even the emperor himself. As external politics and internal conflicts within the church seep into the convent's isolated world, Nona will be forced to confront and embrace the darkness inside her, and no one will ever be the same. VERDICT In this stunning, action-filled series launch, Lawrence ("Broken Empire" trilogy) establishes a fantastic world in which religion and politics are dark and sharp as swords, with magic and might held in the hands of wonderful and dangerous women. Impatient George R.R. Martin's fans will find this a pleasing alternative until the next installment in his "A Song of Ice and Fire" saga arrives.--KC
Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 2017
Charged with attempted murder, young Nona is saved from the noose by a nun. Taken to the Convent of Sweet Mercy to be trained in the Path, Nona learns that she belongs to the hunska, a "tribe" known for speed. The nunnery is home to students from four tribes. These young women each have special talents according to their tribes and bloodlines; however, those who are most valued display traits from other groups. Much like the pupils at Hogwarts, Nona forms strong friendships, but her life is constantly under threat because of the powerful man she tried to kill years ago. Relying on her friends and her wits and power, Nona survives to continue her education in the next installment in the series. Fantasy readers love underdog stories, and Lawrence, best-selling author of the "Broken Empire" trilogy, has cast Nona as the typical female epic fantasy hero. She's strong, smart, stubborn, and still quite young in this novel, although the book isn't for younger readers. Violence and gore abound as the Red Sisters, those trained in combat, protect Nona, her classmates, and holy objects from the greedy emperor's family. VERDICT Perfect for readers of Robin LeFevers's Grave Mercy and Kristin Cashore's Graceling.-Sarah Hill, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
April 1, 2017
Trying to save her friend from the violent son of a local lord, Nona Grey lands both of them in jail, sentenced to hang. Her friend is executed, while Nona is rescued at the last moment by Abbess Glass, the nun in charge of the Sweet Mercy Convent. Sweet Mercy instructs girls in the ways of the Ancestor and prepares them to take their holy orders. More than prayers, these nuns teach the girls deadly combat, poisons, and the mystical path. Nona gradually makes friends and hones her own mystical abilities. Even though Glass rescued her, Nona is far from safe. The local lord is determined she be punished, while malicious forces in the church and the empire conspire against the sisters. Lawrence, in the first volume in a new trilogy, creates a fierce, vulnerable, and dangerous heroine in Nona. His secondary characters are equally well-developed. The convent itself is a mix of Hogwarts, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, and the Princess Academy. Great characters and strong world building combined with bloody action scenes will have fantasy readers clamoring for book two.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)