Vespertine

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson. Simon and Schuster Australia

Artemisia is a novice at the convent where she has lived for many years. She is content to do the work there and has no ambitions to go elsewhere. Even though she is often pointed at by others for having been possessed by a spirit for much of her life. The convent is attacked by possessed soldiers and Artemisia is forced to awaken a reverent that has long been locked away in an ancient relic to save it. This sets off events that take her away from the convent, into more danger, and leaves her with a reputation as a saint.

I’ve read the two previous novels by the writer and I really loved them. Vespertine does not disappoint and I felt the need to just keep reading and find out what happens. At the heart of the story is the relationship between Artemisia and her revenant. She’s not been trained to wield such a relic but somehow she and the revenant manage to work things out to a point where their relationship becomes symbiotic. I really liked some of the side characters, particularly Marguerite, who blossomed as she took some matters into her own hands. Leander was another good character that had more depth than was realised originally.

What’s lovely about this book is the way it’s a really well-developed story with a strong female character, even if she doesn’t think she is anything that special. Artemisia is someone who just does what needs to be done. What she does have to learn the most is that she doesn’t have to do it all alone and that it’s useful to look after herself if she wants to help others.

I give this wonderful book a solid four stars. I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for freely giving me an advanced reader copy. My review is provided voluntarily.