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Red Sister

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Red Sister

By: Mark Lawrence
Narrated by: Helen Duff
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It's not until you're broken that you find your sharpest edge.

"I was born for killing – the gods made me to ruin."

At the Convent of Sweet Mercy young girls are raised to be killers. In a few the old bloods show, gifting talents rarely seen since the tribes beached their ships on Abeth. Sweet Mercy hones its novices’ skills to deadly effect: it takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist.

But even the mistresses of sword and shadow don’t truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls as a bloodstained child of eight, falsely accused of murder: guilty of worse.

 Dark Fantasy Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical
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Critic reviews

‘An excellent writer.’ George R.R. Martin

'If you like fresh, take-no-prisoners fantasy, this is for you'
No.1 New York Times bestselling author Rick Riordan

‘Dark, passionate, tense, with a female hero anyone could relate to–I was utterly fascinated! This is no pretty, flowery tale, but one of vastly different people struggling to survive when a hostile government comes to power’ – No.1 New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce

‘This is a book very distinct from everything that came before; what it has in common though is a narrative that pulls no punches, and characters that are beautifully, brokenly, repellently, cleverly human’ Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reviews

‘I had never thought it was possible to find a greater character than the Emperor Jorg Ancrath. I had never even slightly considered that there might be a fantasy world out there toppling that of Τhe Final Empire, and most definitely, I had never thought that i could love a book more than The Night Angel. But here we are’ BookNest

‘Any other author is going to have to smack the ball way, way out of the park to top this read’ Parmenion Books
All stars
Most relevant
Utterly surprised to find that I flipping loved this! I can't remember what made me buy it now but I'm glad I did. I don't normally enjoy extended fight scenes and am usually bored rigid as each thrust and twist is described in lengthy detail (ususally muttering "skip to the end, skip to the end!") but by some strange alchemy, Mark Lawrence has made the fights - and there are lots of them - totally mesmerising. Maybe it helps that the slowness is part of what Nona experiences or maybe he's just a really good writer.

Anyway, I loved the premise, the nuns, the atmosphere, the world building, the consistent system of magic, I can't say I loved Nona herself but she is fascinating. Even the depiction of girls' friendships was believable. Some major plot developments are very clearly signalled but somehow it didn't matter as the execution (hah!) was so good.

Helen Duff's narration is great. I enjoyed the variety of accents she uses and her pacing is uniformly excellent. My only slight whinge is that Nona always sounds like an adult even though she starts off as a young girl.

Really looking forward the the next book in the series.

Gripping, violent and exctiing

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I have read Red Sister and Grey Sister in quick succession - they are excellent. The world which Mark Lawrence has built stacks, the plot is good, and the characters are well-developed and interesting. Am now feeling bereft at losing my connection to these characters while I wait for book 3.

Book one and two have flowed seamlessly, and what I really appreciated was the introduction to book two where a recap is given - thereby avoiding unnecessary and contrived references to book one's events. That said, the first 10 minutes of listening made me think I had missed a bit of the first book as a new character is introduced who I didn't recognise.......needn't have worried as it all became clear within the first few chapters.

The foreshadowing that has "topped and tailed" these two books is also an interesting angle - it's totally set the scene and anticipation for the final reckoning that is surely coming in book 3. If the energy and intrigue continues at the same pace, it promises to be a good one.

Narration is good, although the variation in accents for the different characters isn't as extensive as my favourite narrators' (eg; although I enjoy the Aussie accent, it felt a little like it was the narrator's only, or "go to", alternative accent, but it doesn't detract from the story.

If you are into the fantasy genre, then this should tick all the boxes.

Great start to an exciting trilogy....

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A thought provoking book exploring the depths and twists of friendship. Easily understood by younger listeners as well as adults who will 'get' the nuances and not just enjoy the tale.

Enthralling tale

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Red Sister caught my eye and for some reason I just had to have it. I was not disappointed. The story is engaging and the reader excellent. I was hooked from beginning to end.. I would thoroughly recommend this listening book to anyone interested in a story somewhat different to the usual pretty ending, I loved every minute of it, Another book please Mark Lawrence, I want to know more about the characters and their situation.

Brilliant book to listen to, enormously enjoyed

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The story and the characters really drew me in but i very nearly gave up part way through the first of the trilogy due to the annoying way the narrator practically whispers her way through the book. If you can get past that then it's a great listen all the way through all 3 books.

Great story. Irritating narrator

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