Mundie Moms

Monday, April 1, 2013

Dark Triumph Blog Tour: Book Review & Giveaway




Welcome to this portion of the Dark Triumph blog tour. I apologize this post is up much later than the date I had scheduled it for. I ended up with no computer access for much of last week, and am in sadly way behind on posts. Thank you for your patience and for following the entire blog tour featured here.


Published by: Harcourt Mifflin
To Be Released on: April 2nd, 2013
Source: ARC from publisher to review
4.5 stars: I Really Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Add it to Goodreads

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

A dark, and enticing story, Dark Triumph is the perfect companion to Grave Mercy. This sequel is full of treachery, suspense, dangerous secrets, and plenty of action. This story isn't just fueled by it's danger, but also it's hope. Picking up right where one of my all time favorite books, Grave Mercy, left off, we are thrust right back into this exciting, dangerous world that Robin has so cleverly crafted together.

I don't know what it is about this series that makes me love it the way I do. Okay really I do know. What's not to love about this classic time period, fierce female characters, the romance, and incredibly dangerous and exciting world that Robin's created? What I meant was there is something about Robin's writing that enchants me, and always leaves me wanting more from this series. Like Grave Mercy, I didn't want Dark Triumph to end. Even though Robin ended both stories on what I felt were perfect notes for each book, I wanted more. More storyline, more romance, more from the characters, more everything. I love it when an author makes me not only fall in love with the world they've created, the characters they've brought to the life, and the story they tell, they make me fall in love with their writing as well. Robin has done just that.

I have patiently waited to read Sybella's story ever since I fell madly in love with Ismae and Duval's story in Grave Mercy. Really it was Ismae's story, but we all know the Duval played such a huge part in her story, and I loved seeing the two of them in Sybella's story too. In reading Grave Mercy I thought Ismae had a horrible upbringing, but nothing compares to her best friend's one. Truly neither story can be compared, and much like Ismae, Sybella is a survivor and a fighter. She is a heroine, and just as much as a warrior as any of the men in this story are. She's strong, fierce, protective, and something more. She's a character I desperately wanted to reach through the pages and hug, and tell her I'm sorry she had to endure all she did. But Sybella isn't a character who sits back and cries about all the things that have been done to her. Instead she's someone who uses that for the better, and channels that to give her the strength to do the impossible.

Sybella's story isn't a pretty one. It's mortifying, cringe worthy, and horrifying, and yet Sybella is someone who doesn't let what has happened during her horrible upbringing define her. She's cunning, witty, and has learned to rely on herself to survive. Enter Beast, a well known solider who has every right to be feared. He has after all earned that name for a reason. Though I didn't love Beast the way I do Duval, I still really enjoyed getting to know him, and I loved what he and Sybella develop. Most importantly, I love what he does for Sybella. His accepting of her without question was the thing that had me sighing. Yes I'll admit it, I'm a romantic at heart.

Beast and Sybella's relationship is one that is forged by dark secrets, twists, shocking truths, unspeakable pain, and a purpose. Through that purpose they both slowly break down the walls they've both had up. I loved that the more they learned to trust and reply on each other, the more they slowly opened up to one another. Through that I seriously loved that they were so accepting of each other, and wanted to do everything in their power to fix the grief and anguish the other has dwelt with. These two characters couldn't have been more perfect for each other, much like Duval and Ismae are for each other.

Though Grave Mercy is still my favorite out of this trilogy so far, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Dark Triumph lived up to all my acceptation's, and then some. Robin gave me more than I had hoped for in this book. I would highly recommend picking it up if you loved Grave Mercy! Now I'll go re-read Grave Mercy, followed by Dark Triumph to prepare myself for what's to come in book 3.

The Giveaway:
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, each blog stop during this tour is hosting a giveaway. Today I've got a copy of Grave Mercy and Dark Triumph to giveaway! To enter, please fill out the form below. *US residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

26 comments:

  1. Grave Mercy was one of my favorites last year, so I can't wait for Dark Triumph!

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    1. Mine too! I think it will always be my favorite in this series.

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  2. Me too! I listened to the audiobook and read the book, it was great!

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  3. So can't wait to read this. So excited for Robin's success.

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    1. I totally want to read her MG series she has.

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  4. I've yet to read Grave Mercy but it's high up on my TBR list!

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  5. Wow. Both books! Doesn't get much better. I can't wait to read these. Thanks for running the giveaway.

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    1. They are both great reads. You're so welcome :)

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  6. I cannot wait to read the sequel!!! I really enjoyed Grave Mercy last year. I've heard such great things about DT too, so I'm really excited.

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    1. This is a really great read, but there was something in Grave Mercy I just loved a little bit more. Both books are fabulous! I can't wait for you to read it.

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  7. Grave mercy is one of my faves and I can't wait for dark triumph!!

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  8. I'm glad to hear that you really enjoyed this book! I love Grave Mercy, and I can't wait to read Sybella's story! It sounds awesome! Grave Mercy was my favorite book of 2012, and I am looking forward to Dark Triumph being in my top ten of 2013 (or better!) :D

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. Thank you! I LOVE, love, love Grave Mercy! This was a great follow up to that book, but I still loved Grave Mercy a little bit more. I can't wait for you to read it.

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  9. I loved Grave Mercy and can't wait to read Dark Triumph! :)

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  10. So excited to read book two! Grave Mercy was one of my top 5 favorite reads of 2012!

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  11. LOVED Grave Mercy so I'm dying to get my hands on Dark Triumph!

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    1. I hope it lives up to it's expectations. :) Happy Reading!

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  12. So excited for Dark Triumph! Loved Grave Mercy. There was so much potential in the first book.

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    1. Yes, and she does a great job with Dark Triumph. I hope you enjoy it. :)

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